Renewable Energy Systems for Building Professionals

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

presents two, one-day seminars on:

Day 1. Grand Rapids July 19th Tuesday & Detroit July 21st Thursday

Solar and Wind Energy Systems: Residential and Small Commercial

Learn about renewable energy site assessments and installation incentives.

Explore solar and wind energy system costs, including operations and maintenance.

Analyze solar thermal, solar photovoltaic, and wind energy technology and equipment, by themselves and on a comparative basis.

Review actual case studies, including economic models.

Day 2. Grand Rapids July 20th. Detroit Wednesday  & July 22nd Friday

Solar Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal Systems Design

Learn practical solar energy system design fundamentals.

Explore system installation for roof and ground mount locations.

Analyze what may be required to clear zoning issues, meet code, and pass inspection.

Review interconnection requirements for grid-tied photovoltaic systems.

Full Schedule Details

Continuing Education!                                                                                                 

Architects 6.0 HSW CE Hours

Professional Engineers 6.0 PDHs

American Institute of Architects 6.0 SD/HSW Learning Units

Construction Specifications Institute 0.6 HSW CE Units

It’s easy to register. Enroll today!

$200.00 for one or $350.00 for both seminars. Each registration includes a course manual. Refreshments, Snacks and Lunch.

Pre-registration is recommended. Walk-ins will be accepted if space is available. You will be contacted if any scheduling changes occur.

Pay via PayPal (PayPal Account not necessary)


 

Class selections



Pay by check

947 Wealthy St Se
Grand Rapids, MI 49506

Pay by phone: 616 – 458 – 6733

Meet the Faculty

Mark Burger Principal at Kestrel Development Company in Chicago Mr. Burger is a principal at Kestrel, which provides consulting services on renewable energy policy and market development. He is the president of the Illinois Solar Energy Association. Mr. Burger has over 20 years of experience in renewable energy and building energy applications. Previously, he was a sales and marketing manager at Spire Solar, a firm manufacturing solar electric panels and designing systems. He also worked for the US Department of Energy, last head­ing the Strategic Assistance Team for the Chicago Regional Office. Mr. Burger is a life member of the American Solar Energy Society, a member of the Illinois Governor Advisory Council on Global Climate Change, and a member of the Illinois Wind Working Group. He holds a BS degree in Alternative Energy from Jordan College of Cedar Springs, Michigan, and an MA degree in Environ­mental Studies and Urban Geography from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Jim Gill Environmental Technology Professor at Wilbur Wright College in Chicago Mr. Gill is a licensed professional engineer with more than 30 years experience in building, infrastructure, and site construction, as well as environmental remediation. Mr. Gill is a LEED AP, a RESNET certified HERS Rater, and a LEED-H Green Rater. He consults on energy efficiency and renewable energy systems for commercial and residential buildings. Mr. Gill teaches building energy systems at a Wilbur Wright College in Chicago and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Illinois Solar Energy Association. He is among the top solar energy teachers in the Midwest. Mr. Gill designs and installs solar energy systems, enjoys the benefits of a hot water solar system installed on his home, and fuels his car with waste vegetable oil.

Venues that demonstrate PV Design

71 Garfield is a recently renovated studio arts building located in Midtown that features 20 live/work artist studios. They are on track for a Green Globe rating certification. The renovation used green construction principles, including: Reuse of the existing building, Rooftop water collection in a 3,000 gallon cistern, Energy reduction below 50% of ASHRAE standards, Solar power which provides a minimum of 20% of total building load, Geothermal heating and cooling, integration of natural light to reduce the demand for electric lighting, Lighting sensors in public spaces, White reflective roof, & Solar thermal hot water collectors.

As Aquinas College continues to lead in green initiatives; the Grace Hauenstein Library achieved a major milestone in obtaining Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The library earned its certification through green features implemented throughout the project. The Library employs a unique 12 kW capacity UNISOLAR® photovoltaic array. Annually, the building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system produces approximately 14,400 kWh per year and is estimated to provide approximately 4% of the total annual electrical consumption of the building

Midwest LEED for Homes Training Events – Sign up now!

/0 Comments/in , , , , , , , /by

In today’s business, LEED is the language of green. is now offering USGBC curriculum, with the following upcoming courses:

HOMES 252: Understanding the LEED for Homes Rating System
HOMES 301: Implementing the LEED for Homes Rating System

Learn how to apply the LEED for Homes rating system by walking through the phases and key decision points of a typical project. Engage with experienced LEED® Faculty™ and other participants to work hands- on with LEED implementation strategies and rating system tools.

Course Objectives

  • Communicate the unique aspects of LEED for Homes
  • Apply the LEED for Homes assessment and verification tools
  • Communicate the roles and responsibilities of various players in the LEED for Homes process
  • Identify key green decisions throughout the process of earning LEED for Homes certification

Faculty

Taught by USGBC-trained faculty with real-world expertise and LEED project knowledge to share.

Where?

HOMES 301: Implementing LEED for Homes
October 21, 2011 – Detroit
8:30 am – 5:00 pm at 71 Garfield LLC

HOMES 301: Implementing LEED for Homes
October 28, 2011 – Indianapolis
8:30 am – 5:00 pm location TBD

HOMES 301: Implementing LEED for Homes
November 11, 2011 – Covington, KY
8:30 am – 5:00 pm at TBD

HOMES 301: Implementing LEED for Homes
November 11, 2011 – Chicago
8:30 am – 5:00 pm at Merchandise Mart

Reasonable sponsorship packages available. Inquire with for details.

EARLY BIRD RATE: $199 for registration before October 10.

STANDARD RATE: $249 for registration after October 10.

Pay via PayPal (PayPal account not necessary):


Choose City




Pay by Check:

947 Wealthy St Se
Grand Rapids, MI 49506

Pay by phone: 616 – 458 – 6733

Questions? Contact Us.

Download & Share the Flyer

Certified Green Homes Have Price Premium

/0 Comments/in , , , , , , , /by

In 2007, the Portland Regional Multiple Listing Service (“RMLS”) began tracking sales of homes with a green certification such as Energy Star, LEED for Homes, or Earth Advantage New Homes. The Earth Advantage Institute, an Oregon-based non-profit doing work in the green building sector, annually reviews this information in order to glean home valuation trends.

Specifically, Earth Advantage found that existing homes with a green certification sold for 30% more than homes without such a certification. Earth Advantage also found that new homes with a green certification sold for 8% more than new homes without a certification. The research is based on sales between May 1, 2010 and April 30, 2011.

In addition, Earth Advantage found that of 2,237 new homes sold in the last year in the Portland RMLS area, 408 of those homes were certified to some green standard.  Thus, the Portland area is seeing about 18-20% market share of certified new homes and these homes all have a sizable price premium.

Read the report summary by Earth Advantage Institute.

How does that impact Green homes located in the Midwest? Well first it provides support for general market trends. Furthermore, when you have appraisers calling for collaboration on green home values, and an increasing number of real estate boards adding Green MLS features, local research on cost of ownership, and lenders starting to offer green financing, it paints a pretty rosy picture for continued growth in the green homes market.

Energystar V3 Training is being moved to July 28th

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Due to the enormous number of questions concerning the updates to Energy Star & the Michigan Uniform Energy Code of 2009, The Green Home Institute has developed a training seminar to answer those questions. This session is meant to help builders, designers and trades contractors understand their options and responsibilities in meeting the requirements of Michigan Uniform Energy Code 2009 which took effect March 9, 2011.

You’ll learn compliance options and contractor/tradesmen responsibilities in meeting the requirements of the code minimum, homebuilder tax credits and Energy Star Version 3.0. With change come opportunities. This 4 hour session may be the most important training you can take this year to help you position your business to meet the requirements currently in place or being introduced January 1, 2012.

The presenter for this seminar is Michael Holcomb, President and founding member of the Green Home Institute. He is a founding member of Green Built™ Michigan Inc., The Home Inspector General Inc, and Michigan Green Building Alliance.  Mike is a LEED® AP + Homes and NAHB Green Field Verifier.  Mike also is a Program Consultant and Trainer with Green Communities™, LEED® for Homes™, Green Built™ Michigan, Energy Star®, Live Green, Live Smart Institute, the American Lung Association Health House®, and he trained over 4,500 architects, designers, and builders throughout the Great Lakes States.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Anyone interested in gaining a better understanding of Energy Star V3 the Michigan Uniform Energy Code 2009

  • Architects
  • Builders
  • Developers
  • Sub Contractors
  • Engineers
  • Code Officials

Thursday, July 28thrd 2011

12:30 pm – 4:30 pm

GRMTEC Room 206
622 Godfrey
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

 

COST –

Early Bird Registration    $35.00 per person

Register at the door          $50.00 per person

 

Registration Includes-

Snacks & refreshments.
Energy Star Guideline Handouts
Access to Online Slides & Handouts

Please pay via PayPal (You do not need to have PayPal to do this)





Otherwise please send a check to

947 Wealthy St Se
Grand Rapids, MI 49506

 

Senate Legislation Calls for Zero-Net-Energy Buildings by 2030

/0 Comments/in , , , , , /by

A Bi-Partisan Congressional Effort Lands the 2030 Challenge Targets Back on the Senate Floor The Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2011 was introduced yesterday by Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH). The bill places meeting the 2030 Challenge target of zero-net-energy for new buildings by 2030 as the first item in a comprehensive strategy for U.S. energy reductions in the building and industrial sectors. Specifically, Sec. 101 of the legislation, Greater Energy Efficiency in Building Codes, directs the Secretary of Energy to “establish targets for specific years” with each target “higher than the preceding target” on a “path to achieving zero-net-energy” by the year 2030. The baselines for incremental updates of the codes are the 2009 IECC for residential buildings and ASHRAE Standard 90.1–2010 for commercial buildings. The first code update, the 2012 IECC, which will be released in about a month, meets the initial 50% reduction target of the 2030 Challenge. The 2030 Challenge has been included in numerous other federal, state, and local pieces of legislation. This most recent bill offers another opportunity for the U.S. to realize the energy reduction targets of the 2030 Challenge.

Released on behalf of Architecture 2030

USGBC and Passive House Alignment

/0 Comments/in , , , , , , , /by

The US Green Building Council (USGBC) and Passive House Institute US (PHIUS) have released the following letter of alignment:

USGBC’s LEED for Homes rating system and Passive House standard are complimentary green building systems. Both programs share the goal of making the US building stock more efficient, comfortable and sustainable places to live. While the Passive House standard focuses primarily on greatly reducing the heating and cooling loads of the home, LEED for Homes also promotes efficient material use, site selection and development, and rewards projects that improve their water efficiency and indoor air quality.

A Passive House is a very well‐insulated, virtually air‐tight building that is primarily heated by passive solar gain and by internal gains from people, electrical equipment, etc. Energy losses are minimized. Any remaining heat demand is provided by an extremely small source. Avoidance of heat gain through shading and window orientation also helps to limit any cooling load, which is similarly minimized. An energy recovery ventilator provides a constant, balanced fresh air supply. The result is an impressive system that not only saves up to 90% of space heating costs, but also provides terrific indoor air quality.

LEED for Homes is a national, voluntary certification system, developed by national experts and experienced builders, that promotes the design and construction of high‐performance green homes and encourages the adoption of sustainable practices by the homebuilding industry.

LEED certification is based on 18 prerequisites and 67 credits across 8 credit categories. Beyond energy and indoor air quality, LEED for Homes also takes into consideration material selection, water use, site selection/landscaping, location to local amenities/mass transit and homeowner education.

USGBC works regularly with Passive House Institute US (PHIUS) representatives to further green home building nationwide. USGBC and PHIUS agree that building and certifying a Passive House is a seamless compliance path for LEED for Homes Energy and Atmosphere section, and that homes are beginning to achieve dual certifications. In fact, USGBC is exploring the incorporation of the Passive House Standard into future iterations of the LEED for Homes program.

Cottage Home To Showcase Beach Homes in Upcoming Bus Tour

/0 Comments/in , , , /by
South Haven, MI – Cutting energy and water consumption by 30 to 60 percent, lowering greenhouse emissions, and reducing exposure to mold, mildew and other toxins are a few of the persuasive reasons why more and more people are opting for sustainable-designed homes.
The trend toward greener home design and construction is growing both nationwide and along the West Michigan lakeshore. The highest level of sustainability is designing and building to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards.  Earlier this month, the LEED for Homes program gave a green stamp of approval on the 10,000th home nationwide, and there are more than 38,000 additional properties in progress.
To help area residents get a better idea of the possibilities for LEED-certifying a home in West Michigan, Cottage Home is sponsoring a LEED Home Tour of properties that the homebuilder designed and built along the lakeshore.
“Our goal is to improve existing lakeshore sites with new beach homes that are better for the environment and for homeowners’ quality of life,” said Brian Bosgraaf, Cottage Home president. “You don’t have to start from scratch; in fact, that’s not necessarily the most responsible way to approach a LEED-designed home.”
The Cottage Home bus tour event will be held May 6. Attendees will board a bus at Hawks Head Golf Course for an afternoon tour of five beach homes in the South Haven area before heading back to the course club house for an hors d’oeuvre and drink reception.
The cost of the event is $50 per person, with proceeds going toward the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy – an organization dedicated to protecting the diversity, stability and beauty of southwest Michigan by preserving the area’s natural and scenic lands.
Space is limited. For reservations, please call (616) 393-9460 or email Stephanie@cottagehome.com.
Cottage Home, which specializes in designing and constructing well-appointment beach houses and cottages, has built eight LEED-certified homes along the West Michigan lakeshore. To learn more about Cottage Home and view some of the builder’s properties, visit www.cottagehome.com.
For additional information on the LEED program, go to http://www.usgbc.org/leed.

New Student Board Intern

/0 Comments/in , , , , , , /by

All welcome Stephanie Krajnik

Stephanie is a junior at Aquinas College, studying Sustainable Business and Biology.  She plans to earn a degree in public health and use her knowledge of sustainability and biology to prevent chronic health issues through a restructuring business, consumer education, and governmental policy changes.
She is excited to be working at the Alliance for Environmental Sustainability this summer. One of  her projects will be to look at the effectiveness of post-occupancy LEED certified residential homes in comparison to the estimated energy use.
In her free time, she likes to travel and be outside. Last summer she canoed the first 500 miles of the Mississippi River and most of the Grand River. she also likes to read, play piano, and run.
In the 2011/2012 year she has been elected as the Students Striving for Sustainability President.

Understanding MUEC 2009 and Energy Star V 3.0

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

Due to the enormous number of questions concerning the updates to Energy Star & the Michigan Uniform Energy Code of 2009, The Green Home Institute has developed a training seminar to answer those questions. This session is meant to help builders; designers and trades contractors understand their options and responsibilities in meeting the requirements of Michigan Uniform Energy Code 2009 which took effect March 9, 2011.

You’ll learn compliance options and contractor/tradesmen responsibilities in meeting the requirements of the code minimum, homebuilder tax credits and Energy Star Version 3.0. With change come opportunities. This 4 hour session may be the most important training you can take this year to help you position your business to meet the requirements currently in place or being introduced January 1, 2012.

The presenter for this seminar is Michael Holcomb, President and founding member of the Green Home Institute. He is a founding member of Green Built™ Michigan Inc., The Home Inspector General Inc, and Michigan Green Building Alliance.  Mike is a LEED® AP + Homes and NAHB Green Field Verifier.  Mike also is a Program Consultant and Trainer with Green Communities™, LEED® for Homes™, Green Built™ Michigan Energy Star®, Live Green, Live Smart Institute, the American Lung Association Health House®, and he trained over 4,500 architects, designers, and builders throughout the Great Lakes States.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Anyone interested in gaining a better understanding of Energy Star V3 the Michigan Uniform Energy Code 2009
o    Architects
o    Builders
o    Developers
o    Sub Contractors
o    Engineers
o    Code Officials

 

Friday, May 6th 2011

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

MTEC Room ATC 120
622 Godfrey
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

COST –
Early Bird Registration     $35.00 per person
Register at the door       $50.00 per person
Registration Includes – Breakfast snacks & refreshments.

Please pay via PayPal (You do not need to have PayPal to do this)

Otherwise please send a check to

947 Wealthy St Se
Grand Rapids, MI 49506

Gulyas Residence – LEED Platinum, Bloomington Indiana

/1 Comment/in , , , , /by

The Gulyas Residence in Bloomington Indiana was one of the first homes in Indiana to receive LEED for Homes Platinum certification! Through the use of passive house techniques and additional sustainable design strategies this project easily met and surpassed the criteria for LEED. View the project profile here. Gulyas Residence, LEED Platinum – Bloomington Indiana