Green Building


Zero net energy, geothermal heat pumps, hydronics, building science, HVAC engineering, high efficiency boiler systems, passive house. We write regularly on technical issues related to green buildings and offer some amazing free tools to help you stay in the loop.

Building Science, Zero Net Energy, Passive House

Mike Duclos’s Passive VS Conventional Floor Planing + Sample Passive House Design (PDF)

Hydronics, Boilers, and Environmental Quality & HVAC Engineering

Free Course: How to Design & Sell Mod-Con Boilers with Roy Collver
Free Course: Achieving Hydraulic Separation in Hydronic Systems with John Siegenthaler
Free Course: Integrating ASHRAE HVAC Standards with Robert Bean
Free Course: Mastering the Outdoor Reset Curve with Dave Yates

Renewable Thermal: Geothermal Heat Pumps & Biomass

Free Course: Temperature Stacking in Thermal Storage for Biomass Heating Systems with John Siegenthaler

Heat Pumps 101: The Difference Between Energy & Power

This is the first in a series of Heat Pump 101 videos from instructor and author, John Siegenthaler, P.E.. You can enroll in John’s Heat Pump 101 course for free to learn the very basics of heat pumps in less than an hour.

Transcript, “The Difference Between Energy & Power”:

Let’s look at some basic concepts from […]

New Free Webinar: Unconventional Solar Applications

While we know solar can be a great way to reduce energy costs for your residence or business, there are so many ways to apply solar technology to projects outside the standard use cases. If you’ve worked in the solar industry for a while, you’ve undoubtedly had a friend or acquaintance ask you your thoughts […]

IGSHPA Accredited Installer (AI) Training – LIVE from the 2022 IGSHPA Conference

For the second year in a row, Ryan Carda is teaching the IGSHPA Accredited Geothermal Installer course live and in-person at this year’s IGSHPA Conference. It’s a hybrid course, with the majority offered in an online learning environment with the last day in-person at the 2022 IGSHPA Conference in Las Vegas, NV. You also receive the full […]

eQUEST vs. OpenStudio

Is eQUEST or OpenStudio better for running energy models? That was the question from a student this week. Here’s how they framed it:

“I’m interested in gaining a qualification in building energy modeling, to perform my firm’s energy rating building code compliance and also to assist my colleagues in making better sustainable design decisions. Looking to […]

What the Inflation Reduction Act Could Mean for the HeatSpring Community

UPDATE: The Inflation Reduction Act has passed Congress and has signed by President Biden.

For many of us working in clean energy and environmental stewardship, hearing that the Inflation Reduction Act passed through the Senate filled us with hope for a future where the United States prioritizes and funds climate action. As you’ve undoubtedly heard, the […]