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blown‐in insulation to old walls without a proper air / vapor strategy, swapping in tighter windows and doors while leaving no planned ventilation path, or slapping foam panels on the exterior and re‐siding without detailing how the wall will dry. Each of these can tighten the shell just enough to hold moisture where an old, leaky farmhouse used to let it escape.
East Branch responds by treating longevity as part of the design brief. Rain‐screened cladding— siding held off the wall so air can move behind it— helps the multi‐layered wall assemblies dry out safely instead of trapping moisture, while airtight layers and controlled ventilation keep indoor air clean and structural moisture in check.
“ As the effects of climate change accelerate,” Duffy says,“ being able to produce more homes that treat Passive House and net‐zero principles as the norm offers a double comfort— healthier indoor air and the peace of mind that comes with a smaller footprint.”
The intention is that these houses also will one day feel like fixtures of the landscape— homes that age into their surroundings with the same ease as their 19th‐century neighbors that have not been upgraded, but with a radically lighter footprint.
Bronson is a few steps ahead of the future Berkshire landscape.“ It makes me smile every time I look at it,” she says.“ The way it’ s sited, the way it hugs the ground, the simplicity of form … it echoes old farmhouses, but you can feel there’ s something wonderfully different about it.” n
Even if a ground‐up, net‐zero new build is not in the cards, there are practical moves any homeowner can start planning now. Here are three ways to move toward net zero at home:
BOOK A HOME ENERGY ASSESSMENT. Schedule a no‐cost Home Energy Assessment through MassSave. com to get a tailored roadmap for air sealing, insulation, and equipment upgrades, plus rebates and 0 % financing options.
TIGHTEN THE ENVELOPE. Use the assessment’ s recommendations to prioritize basic building‐shell moves— air sealing, attic and basement insulation— before spending on new tech; these typically deliver the best energy savings per dollar.
PLAN PHASED RETROFITS. Map out a multiyear plan to swap aging fossil‐fuel systems for high‐efficiency electric heat pumps and heat‐pump water heaters, then right‐size a future solar array to cover your leaner energy load.
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Spring 2026 BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE // 61