High-Performance Buildings and Homes

Building decarbonization. We get it done.

Through field testing, pilots, programs, and design know-how, we discover, prove, and scale the solutions that lead to high-performing buildings and homes.

We demystify building performance to drive deep energy savings and make decarbonization possible.

Technology to boost building performance

Slipstream champions the technology that elevates building performance. We find practical applications for the discoveries that turn buildings into assets on the clean grid.

Design advice and energy planning building performance

Our engineers and building experts deliver technical design support and strategies to improve the performance of the built environment—from a single building to a community-wide plan.

Design advice and analysis for transformational projects and high-performance programs
Goal-setting and stakeholder engagement
Performance-based procurement

We create and compile resources to help you make the most of building performance.

Measurement and verification (M&V) for research studies and program delivery
Building energy analysis and design tools
Education + training, including tech transfer initiatives to help operators maximize building performance
- The Maximize Your Facility training series with preventative maintenance strategies and how-to videos
- A crash course in advanced controls developed for the U.S. Department of Defense's ESTCP program

Building performance standards and energy codes

We apply our knowledge of technologies and real-world applications to help policymakers and program leaders meet their carbon goals.

Program design and collaborative energy planning for utilities, municipalities, and regions
Building codes + standards
Code compliance improvement
Technical services

Affordable, efficient homes

High performance isn’t limited to commercial buildings. Everyone deserves to live in the comfort of an efficient home. We uncover new approaches to residential energy efficiency to bring equity to building performance.

Energy retrofits for all types of housing, including manufactured homes
Research on the intersection of health and energy efficiency
Standards for affordable housing and multifamily buildings
New construction programs for all-electric homes
Inclusive financing for deep energy retrofits

Advanced technical education for building professionals

Our conferences, training, and free online education help building operators and facility managers keep up with the latest in building performance practices.

Learn from us

Financing to drive down energy use for everyone

We help building owners and homeowners access financing to make energy upgrades. From inclusive underwriting to C-PACE, Slipstream leads the industry in financing a low carbon future.

Fund your projects

Five climate solutions in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

This week Congress is expected to vote on an infrastructure package aimed at addressing the climate crisis, job creation, and social justice.

September 29, 2021

2020 Innovations: Scaled up a more inclusive underwriting approach to drive participation in energy efficiency programs

Climate change hasn’t taken a back seat to the world’s challenges. At Slipstream, we're proud to share our 2020 Innovations that helped clean-energy equity move forward.

September 1, 2021

Lighting, HVAC, and plug load integration

The Integrated Controls study team performed a pilot study for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Integrated Lighting Campaign to integrate building systems more efficiently to produce greater cost savings and climate solutions.

August 18, 2021

Read: Slipstream's Bob Pfeiffer on Retrofitting Manufactured Homes

Manufactured homes are a key part of our nation's housing stock—they often provide the best option for affordable housing, especially in rural areas. Keeping residents of manufactured homes comfortable is a goal of many weatherization programs.

July 29, 2021

2020 Innovations: Expanded the market for all-electric homes in cold climates

Climate change didn’t slow down while we were dealing with a pandemic. At Slipstream, we're proud to share our 2020 Innovations that helped clean-energy equity move forward.

May 20, 2021

Reimagining HVAC in New Manufactured Housing

Slipstream, partnering with the University of Central Florida–FSEC Energy Research Center, Washington State University Energy Program, and Northwest Energy Works received nearly $1,000,000 from U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to reimagine HVAC in new manufactured housing (MH) over three years.

April 17, 2021

Improving energy efficiency with modern HVAC controls and ASHRAE Guideline 36

This research aims to improve the process of retrofitting commercial building controls according to ASHRAE Guideline 36

February 26, 2021

The Fan Energy Index changes how we think about fans

Fans are everywhere in our buildings, but they mostly exist so we don’t have to think about them. When working properly, fans become the white noise of indoor spaces; we only tend to notice them when we’re uncomfortable.

February 26, 2021

How to Prepare for Building Performance Standards: An Interview with New Buildings Institute

In the United States, existing buildings account for up to 40% of carbon emissions. That presents a huge opportunity for massive energy savings—if only we could set the appropriate targets.

August 14, 2020

U.S. General Services Administration chooses Slipstream to test innovative grid-interactive efficient building solutions

We are honored to be a part of two grid-interactive efficient building (GEB) solutions to be tested in U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) facilities. The pilot projects will determine how well these GEB solutions improve building energy efficiency.

July 13, 2020

Heart of a Building chooses Slipstream to disseminate documentary stories far and wide

Colorado-based Heart of a Building (HoB) and Colorado State University (CSU) chose Slipstream to deliver a series of technical online courses to Slipstream’s and the U.S. Green Building Council’s audience of architects, engineers, and other building professionals.

July 9, 2020

All-electric new homes: Advancing sustainable building in Illinois

Efficient electric homes offer a world of benefits for both builders and home buyers—and a new, exciting way for utilities to incorporate emerging technology into their energy efficiency portfolios.

June 22, 2020

Electric outdoor power equipment for a triple win

Electric outdoor power equipment offers a trio of benefits – reduced health impacts, reduced carbon emissions, and lower operating costs. With numerous options in the market and performance matching that of gas equipment, a switch to outdoor electric power equipment is easier than ever.

June 15, 2020

How can Minnesota improve their light levels and save on cost?

Lighting in commercial buildings has been the target of energy efficiency programs for years, with the primary strategy one-for-one fixture replacement. However, recent changes to federal standards for fluorescent lamps and more stringent building and product codes, have eroded these program savings.

June 1, 2020

Dual fuel air-source heat pump pilot

Cold climate heat pumps provide economic, environmental, and grid benefits Can cold climate heat pumps deliver worthwhile results to homeowners and utilities? How do we design effective programs and product rebates to encourage heat pump adoption?

June 1, 2020

Texas A&M University partners with Slipstream to improve ASHRAE’s Advanced Energy Design Guide Series

Texas A&M University chose Slipstream to partner on a two-year ASHRAE research project to optimize supply air temperature control for dedicated outdoor air systems (DOAS). The goal of this project is to develop optimal control strategies for commercial building dedicated outdoor air systems.

May 29, 2020

How could the Weatherization Assistance Program incorporate non-energy impacts?

Weatherization provides more benefits to residents outside of saving energy. However, the Department of Energy (DOE) guidelines don’t allow programs to count improvements that don’t tie directly to energy cost savings. We aim to change that.

May 14, 2020

Load shifting: The measures that can save energy and carbon together

In Minnesota—one of many states pursuing an aggressive set of climate goals—50% of statewide electricity production is estimated to come from wind and solar by 2035. At the same time, traditional efficiency measures are reaching saturation in the market.

May 7, 2020

For better homes, is it Net Zero or Passive House?

You may have heard of Barry Schwartz’s famous “Paradox of Choice.” The premise of Dr. Schwartz’s paradox is simple: while our instinct is to believe that more choice is better, too many choices can overwhelm us and make our lives more difficult.

May 7, 2020

For better homes, is it Net Zero or Passive House?

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