Pioneers of Conservation
Bryan Uhler knows about long-term quality and conservation efforts. His family company, Pioneer Builders, has been a cornerstone of the community in Port Orchard, Washington, since 1978, when his father Tim founded the company.
Nowadays, Bryan runs a successful Instagram account about the building trade, as well as a YouTube channel and a podcast, sharing products he loves and the process of building a home. Additionally, Bryan is a regular contributor to Build Show Network as a speaker and expert, a channel that teaches the ins and out of construction.
One of the things Bryan primarily focuses is constructing homes with a strong emphasis on conservation.
“I’m paying attention to the specifications of the planet” he says.
Thermal Conservation
Bryan uses a holistic approach in being a steward to the earth. One product that helps him do this is the Taco comfort 006e3, a high-efficiency hot water circulation pump. He loves installing since it saves water, is extremely electrically efficient, and contributes to comfort for the homeowners. He pairs the circulator with Taco’s smart plug that uses machine learning to learn the patterns of when the homeowners are most likely to use warm water and essentially eliminates the need to run cold water while waiting for your tap to heat up.
Zero Energy Ready Certified
Pioneer Builder homes will now be Zero Energy Ready, a certification the Department of Energy (DOE) awards to new homes with “rigorous requirements that ensure outstanding levels of energy savings, comfort, health, and durability,” according to the DOE website.
These homes are high-performance houses that are so efficient that a renewable energy source could offset all of most of the home’s energy use, and all homes are verified by a qualified third-party.
Natural Materials
While high-tech, modern equipment may be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of conservation-ready homes, Bryan believes in not overlooking the virtue of natural materials.
Using real solid wood for floors and cabinets not only ensures a beautiful look, but wood is also the ultimate “green” product. It is renewable, sustainable, recyclable, biodegradable, and has a smaller water and carbon life cycle footprint than most alternatives.
WaterSense and Energy Star
Products with the WaterSense and Energy Star labels are probably some of the most recognizable eco-friendly signals to consumers. WaterSense products meet the Envoronmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) criteria for efficiency and performance, such as toilets and faucets.
One notable category product is Gerber’s Viper® 0.8 toilet. The current WaterSense standard to be considered a low-flow toilet is 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf), while the Viper 0.8 falls far below that without sacrificing performance.
Energy Star products are products that meet the EPA’s standards of energy-efficiency, saving money and energy. Energy Star products can include kitchen and laundry appliances, heat pumps, thermostats, ceiling fans and light fixtures, and even computers and TVs.
Building a Sustainable Future
In a world increasingly conscious of environmental sustainability, Bryan Uhler and Pioneer Builders stand out as exemplary leaders in the construction of conservation-oriented homes.
By integrating advanced technology, adhering to stringent energy standards, and valuing natural materials, they are not only constructing homes but also building a legacy of responsibility toward the planet.
Their commitment ensures that each home not only provides comfort and beauty but also contributes actively to the preservation of our environment for future generations. As we look to more sustainable practices in every sector, the work of pioneers like Bryan serves as a beacon, guiding the way toward a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach to modern living.