Better Building Works, LLC

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Better Building Works, LLC Building-science based energy audits, indoor air quality consulting, design. Energy & Design Consultants

The ultimate BS and B**r experience in Richmond with 100+ of the best building science minds on the East Coast. Here are...
10/08/2026

The ultimate BS and B**r experience in Richmond with 100+ of the best building science minds on the East Coast. Here are Amanda, Monica, and Danielle with the illustrious Alex DeSpain, Ben Knopp, and John Semmelhack.
Energy Vanguard The Comfort Squad

A FROG is a Freezing Room Over the Ground (or garage)—and if you have one, you probably know it. These rooms can be free...
10/05/2026

A FROG is a Freezing Room Over the Ground (or garage)—and if you have one, you probably know it. These rooms can be freezing in the winter, sweltering in the summer, and difficult to keep comfortable year-round. Often, the culprit comes down to what's happening between that room and the unconditioned space below: insulation, air leakage, and the way the building handles heat and moisture. If one room in your house seems determined to ignore your thermostat, there may be more going on than meets the eye. Better Building Works can help you find out what's happening and why!

You bought the house. You fell in love with the kitchen, the floors, the backyard, the neighborhood—and eventually, you ...
09/28/2026

You bought the house. You fell in love with the kitchen, the floors, the backyard, the neighborhood—and eventually, you got the keys.
But now that you've lived there for a little while,
you're probably starting to notice things you couldn't see during a showing.
Maybe one room is always colder. Maybe the upstairs feels warmer than the rest of the house. Maybe your HVAC seems to run constantly, your utility bills are higher than expected, or you notice moisture or condensation in places you didn't before.
Those aren't necessarily signs you bought the wrong house. They're clues.
A home is a system of heat, air, moisture, pressure, insulation, HVAC and more. Understanding how those pieces interact can help you figure out what's
actually happening before you start spending money on new equipment or other improvements.
Your house didn’t come with an owner’s manual.
That’s where building science comes to the rescue!

One thing we hear from homeowners with brand-new homes is, “I wish we would have met you before we started building.” We...
09/21/2026

One thing we hear from homeowners with brand-new homes is, “I wish we would have met you before we started building.” We get calls about indoor air quality, moisture, comfort, ventilation, energy efficiency, and other building-performance issues—and many of these problems can be easier to address when caught early. But whether your home is brand new, 20 years old, or over 100 years old, Better Building Works can help. From new construction and renovations to existing homes with ongoing problems, we use building science and diagnostics to understand what’s happening and help you make informed decisions. It’s never too early—or too late—to understand how your home is working.

Unneutralized boiler condensate (pH 3.0–4.0) is the primary culprit behind concrete slab discoloration and pipe corrosio...
09/17/2026

Unneutralized boiler condensate (pH 3.0–4.0) is the primary culprit behind concrete slab discoloration and pipe corrosion. While AHU lines discharge neutral water, raw gas boiler condensate acts like pure vinegar, leaching lime directly out of the concrete.

The Breakdown:

The Culprit: The on-demand gas boiler (AHU lines just push neutral water).

The Issue: IPC & UPC codes prohibit discharging unneutralized acidic waste (pH < 6.0) into drains due to heavy structural corrosion.

The Fix: Install inline condensate neutralizer cartridges filled with limestone media to elevate the pH before it hits the floor.

We’ve been getting quite a few calls lately about mold issues—and with the hot, humid weather we’ve been having, there m...
09/11/2026

We’ve been getting quite a few calls lately about mold issues—and with the hot, humid weather we’ve been having, there may be more going on than meets the eye.
When it’s hot and humid outside and your home is cool inside, temperature differences can create condensation in places you can’t see. Add moisture, air movement, and humidity, and you can end up with the conditions mold needs to grow.
Mold isn't always the problem. Sometimes it's the clue.

Before you replace the windows, add more insulation, buy a bigger HVAC system, or spend thousands of dollars trying to m...
09/08/2026

Before you replace the windows, add more insulation, buy a bigger HVAC system, or spend thousands of dollars trying to make your home more comfortable, it might be worth asking a simple question: Do we know what the problem actually is? Buildings can be surprisingly complicated, and the symptom you see isn't always the source of the problem. A blower door can help reveal hidden air leakage. Infrared imaging can show temperature patterns that aren't visible to the naked eye. Moisture measurements can help identify conditions that may otherwise go unnoticed. Together, these tools help turn a building from a guessing game into something we can actually understand. At Better Building Works, we believe better information leads to better decisions—and better decisions can save you money.

Every building has a personality. Some are drafty. Some are stubborn. Some have a moisture problem they’ve been hiding f...
08/31/2026

Every building has a personality.
Some are drafty.
Some are stubborn.

Some have a moisture problem they’ve been hiding for years.
And some are perfectly comfortable… until you close a few doors, turn on the exhaust fan, and suddenly everything changes.

That’s because buildings aren’t just four walls and a roof. They’re systems interacting with each other — air, moisture, energy, people, materials, HVAC, structure, and more.

At Better Building Works, we’re interested in getting to know your building’s personality. Because once you understand how a building behaves, you can start figuring out why.

If you’ve noticed a surge in door-to-door solar reps lately, you aren’t alone. But before you sign a contract on your po...
07/17/2026

If you’ve noticed a surge in door-to-door solar reps lately, you aren’t alone. But before you sign a contract on your porch, here is something you need to know:
Many of these reps hook you by offering a "free energy audit."
In reality, it’s usually just a solar sales pitch—not a true evaluation of how your home uses (and loses) energy.
Before you invest in solar panels, you need an independent, third-party assessment. Because we don't sell panels, Better Building Works gives you the unbiased truth about your home's efficiency before you buy a system that might be way too big for a leaky house. Don't get us wrong, there are many amazing Solar companies that do great work but you have to do your research or call us.
Don't fall for high-pressure tactics. Get the facts first.
👇 Read our latest blog to find out more information.
https://betterbuildingworks.com/2026/06/29/thinking-about-solar/

We’ve been in a lot of hot attics,  but our latest job absolutely takes the cake. Pretty sure if we had cracked an egg u...
07/15/2026

We’ve been in a lot of hot attics, but our latest job absolutely takes the cake. Pretty sure if we had cracked an egg up there, it would’ve been fully cooked in under 5 minutes.
The homeowner’s biggest complaint? Their house felt like a sauna—not just in the attic, but on the lower level too.
Here is the truth about why this happens:
The Insulation Trap: If your insulation isn't installed correctly, cooled air escapes instantly. Your AC works twice as hard for half the results, making your insulation pretty much useless.
The Hidden Culprits: Often, it’s not just a lack of insulation. Air leaks, poor ventilation, and leaky ducts also play a massive role in trapping heat in your living spaces.
If your home is starting to feel more like an oven, you probably need a home energy audit. It’s the fastest way to pinpoint exactly where you're losing air (and money) so you can finally cool down.

Address

Roanoke, VA
24011

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 7pm
Tuesday 8am - 7pm
Wednesday 8am - 7pm
Thursday 8am - 7pm
Friday 8am - 7pm

Telephone

(540) 345-0900

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