The BERcast

Hosted by Building Efficiency Resources (BER)

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Latest episode

Dec 2025

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About the show

Welcome to The BERcast where host Chris McTaggart discuss building science, building performance, green building topics of interest, industry news, and more with special guests from the industry.

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25 recent

December 11, 2025Episode 121 hr 1 min

The BERcast | Season 2 Episode 12 | The 2025 NYSECCC and the Delay on Electrification

In the Season 2 finale of The BERcast, Chris McTaggart is joined by special guests Michael Caruso and Anthony LoCascio to discuss the delay of NY State’s ban on installing fossil-fuel equipment in new residential buildings under seven stories, explore what a future all-electric code could look like, and examine the concerns, readiness, and pushback from builders, architects, contractors and other industry professionals—especially amid rising electricity costs.Energy Testing Services has released a helpful guide outlining the code's key updates to insulation and building envelope requirements, heating and cooling systems, energy modeling, and testing: https://www.energytestingservices.com/2025/09/08/new-york-state-energy-code-change-2025-eccc-of-nys/

October 29, 2025Episode 111 hr 9 min

The BERcast | Season 2 Episode 11 | Multifamily Mistakes and Opportunities

Host Chris McTaggart is joined by special guests Steve Klocke (Steven Winter Associates), Lindsey Elton (Eco Achievers), and Maggie Leslie (Building Efficiency Resources) to explore the evolving world of multifamily construction. Together, they unpack the successes, challenges, and trends HERS Raters and building performance professionals are encountering in testing and verification on multifamily projects across the industry. Check out Steve Klocke on Buildings + Beyond Podcast, "We Should Know Better: Top 10 Multifamily Design Mistakes Part 1": https://www.swinter.com/podcast/we-should-know-better-top-10-multifamily-design-mistakes-with-steve-klocke-part-1/

September 18, 2025Episode 1055 min

The BERcast | Season 2 Episode 10 | Inspection & Testing War Stories: Real Problems, Smart Fixes

In the latest episode of The BERcast, host Chris McTaggart sits down with industry experts Corey DePenning (Redfox Inspections), Jeremy Field (Southern Sustainability Solutions), and Matt Rosendaul (retired BER QAD) to explore what it takes to succeed as an energy rater. These building performance veterans share real-world experiences, lessons from the field, and practical tips for overcoming common challenges in the industry.

August 27, 2025Episode 91 hr 9 min

The BERcast | Season 2 Episode 9 | Preparing for the 2024 IECC (& Previewing 2027)

In the latest episode of The BERcast, BER's Chris McTaggart is joined by Gayathri Vijayakumar (Steven Winter Associates), Richard Truitt (Department of Inspections, Harford County, MD), and Jerica Stacey (International Code Council) to break down the key updates you need to know for the 2024 IECC—plus an insider preview of what could be on the horizon for the 2027 IECC.

July 2, 2025Episode 81 hr 1 min

The BERcast | Season 2 Episode 8 | Tales from the Field: The Realities of HVAC Grading

In the latest episode of The BERcast, BER's Chris McTaggart and Dylan Tindall are joined by Rick Cobbs (TENww), Steven Gleaves (Burgess Construction), and Chris Urbanus (Burgess Construction) to share their insights, challenges, and successes with implementing the HVAC grading standard, ANSI/RESNET/ACCA 310.

May 19, 2025Episode 71 hr 1 min

The BERcast | Season 2 Episode 7 | The End (?) of ENERGY STAR: Where Do We Go From Here?

In this urgent episode of The BERcast, Chris McTaggart is joined by industry leaders Curt Rich (NAIMA), Mark Kresowik (ACEEE), Matthew Cooper (PEG), and Matthew Kaplan (ReVireo) to discuss the recent announcement regarding the potential shutdown of the ENERGY STAR program—and the significant impact this could have on the building performance industry.Help prevent a major setback for the building performance industry— contact your Senators by email or phone and demand their support continued funding and long-term extension of both the 45L tax credit and the ENERGY STAR program.Find your Senators' contact information here: https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm?Class=1How to Reach Out To Your Senators :https://www.resnet.us/about/help-defend-the-federal-45l-energy-efficient-homes-tax-credit/

April 23, 2025Episode 61 hr 29 min

The BERcast | Season 2 Episode 6 | Checking In on Stretch Codes in MA & IL

In the latest episode of The BERcast, Chris McTaggart updates us on home efficiency rebate programs and is joined by special guests Natasha Brooks of BER, Ian Finlayson from the Massachusetts DOER, and Alison Lindburg of MEEA for a deep dive into all things stretch code.

March 10, 20251 hr 17 min

The BERcast | Season 2 Episode 5 | Green Mortgage-Backed Securities: HUD, USDA, Freddie, & Fannie

Join BER's Chris McTaggart and special guests Sandra Adomatis of the Appraisal Institute and Matthew Cooper of PEG as they explore opportunities with green mortgage-backed securities through HUD, USDA, Freddie, and Fannie.

February 14, 2025Episode 458 min

The BERcast | Season 2 Episode 4 | Recap of the 2025 RESNET Conference

Join BER's Chris McTaggart and Gabriel Pasillas, along with Tony Lisanti of Integral Building + Design, Inc., for expert insights on the future of solid-state heat pumps and electrification, a recap of the 2025 RESNET Conference, and the latest advancements in the Phius program!

January 27, 2025Episode 31 hr 25 min

The BERcast | Season 2 Episode 3 | Strategizing for ENERGY STAR Version 3.2 (and 3.3)

Join Chris McTaggart and Sandy Gallo as they discuss home energy rebates, playoff games, and strategies for the transition to ENERGY STAR Version 3.2 (and 3.3) with Midwest Energy Consultant's Erik Henson, ReVireo's Ben Cohen, and BER's Matt Rosendaul!