More details Here!
Category: Financial resources for low income
Anyone building a Green Home or looking to build to the LEED for Homes standard could certainly benefit from the renewed 2011 energy star tax credits for energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades.
Take a look!
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index#s1
Also, see other LEED incentives in your area.
One of the key players in the real estate transaction process is the appraiser. Much like a certified green home has a third-party verification, an appraiser provides an independent third-party financial analysis of a home.
However, it’s often difficult for buyers and builders of high-performance green homes to find appraisers that are knowledgeable about the characteristics of the home, can find appropriate sales comps on the Green MLS, and more importantly, who are able to attribute market value based on the home’s performance.
Fortunately this is starting to change. On Earth Day, the Appraisal Institute, a membership and professional development organization for appraisers, announced a call for collaboration to the real estate community. The goal is to facilitate data sharing for others in the financial transaction process (brokers, lenders, mortgage brokers, underwriters, etc). The thinking is that if appraisers can more easily have access to information about a LEED-certified home, that could serve as useful information as a comparable property for another high-performance home that is the subject of a valuation assignment.
An April 28 FoxBusiness.com story discussed how the need for green lending products and proper appraisals is driving a new market niche. The story reached a potential audience of nearly 1.75 million unique online visitors.
To find the best financing for green projects, the article recommended working with brokers, lenders and appraisers who are familiar with energy-efficient products, advising readers to turn to organizations like the Appraisal Institute to find qualified appraisers.
What you can do
So, what can you do to help the process along? First, make sure the appraiser assigned to your case is trained in green building. And second, help the valuation expert find homes that are comparable to yours. If you know of other homes that have been built in your area to any kind of green building standard or energy rated with third-party verification, let the appraiser know about this. It may not be a great comparable property, but then again, maybe it is.
Encourage your lender to share green education events or open houses so their loan officers and appraisers can learn more about local market activity.
Green builders can also help the real estate community by populating their local databases when available. Even a custom home built-to-suit can be listed on an MLS with a listing time of 1 day if the homeowner is comfortable sharing their price data. This can provide one more data point that will help support local market values.
All this and more will help lead to more data on high-performance green homes, such as LEED-certified, which will allow appraisers to identify appropriate adjustments to market value for green homes.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
The Great Recession has hammered Ohio. The unemployment rate topped 9 percent in its three largest regions of Cincinnati, Cleveland and Columbus. And the 2010 Census revealed that the cities of Cincinnati and Cleveland lost 10.4% and 17.1% of their population over the course of the decade. But in three recently released reports funded by Living Cities, CNT found that Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Columbus possess the transportation infrastructure and urban form to spark new and sustainable investment and LEED buildings as the economy recovers. Read more
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
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.
