Bruce Sullivan Email and Phone Number

I have seen energy efficiency from several viewpoints. I worked for an electric utility, a university, and a non-profit. I consulted on some of the first zero energy homes in Oregon and designed Earth Advantage’s Zero Energy Certification. These were all great organizations, but I was most effective in small business. I owned Iris Communications, Inc. and produced videos, publications and websites—all targeted for contractors, utility reps and other building practitioners. My new company, BASE zero, LLC, makes use of my background to deliver writing, consulting, and training services.I have been helping people improve home energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact for more than three decades. In the early 1980s, I served on the Residential Construction Demonstration training team. I helped write that program’s first technical manual as well as deliver training to builders, code officials, and others around the Northwest.Through the years, my own homes have allowed me to apply the current state of the art. A good illustration of the trend is the air tightness achieved in each home as the methods improved. In 1992, my Super Good Cents certified home in Eugene, Oregon tested at 3.5 ACH50. (Hey, that was good back then.) Twelve years later, my first home in Bend, Oregon achieved an Earth Advantage Platinum certification and 1.8 ACH50. My wife and I recently completed our positive energy home in central Bend. With 10-inch walls, heat pump water heater, mini-split heat pump, air leakage of 1.0 ACH50 and a 4.3 KW photovoltaic system, the home produces more energy than it uses and provides all the juice for our electric vehicle. By my calculations, the monthly return from all the energy enhancements is $8 MORE than the monthly payments. This home proves the investment in energy efficiency generates immediate financial returns that exceed the financing cost. Over the arc of this career, I’ve seen some drastic changes and some issues that have remained stubbornly stuck in the past. There is still much to do to make sustainable building the norm for new construction.