ENERGY & LIGHTING:
Building Energy System – building envelope (exterior shell), HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning), lighting, plug loads (occupant electrical equipment), and domestic hot water. Integrated design strategies and high-efficiency technologies will provide a balance of energy services. In most cases, insulating building envelope elements will resist natural equilibrium-seeking heat flows.

Daylighting - is extremely beneficial since its free, high quality, and when well designed reduces cooling loads in warm climates compared to electric lighting. Many buildings can use daylight to serve most or all interior lighting needs between dawn and dusk. The key to good daylighting design is to size and position the windows/skylights to introduce the right quantity and quality of light to the space while minimizing the energy use of the HVAC system.

IEQ or INDOOR AIR QUALITY:
Achieving good indoor air quality – eliminate or control sources of pathways and pressure that allow the movement of air into, out of and through a building. Avoid/eliminate sources, isolate/seal, ventilate and filter. Flush out building for 2 weeks before occupancy. Use clean filters for flush out and replace.

Natural Ventilation – Daylighting, views and ventilation are located, e.g. operable windows let air in and out and need to be designed in an integrated way. Intakes shall not be located near pollutant sources.

BUILDING SYSTEMS & MATERIALS:
Careful design of building envelopes - and using standard modules create affordable homes to build. For example: Why would you design an exterior wall to be 14-3 ¾” in length? Why not design that same wall to be 14’? Keeping all dimensions to standard modules of building materials will eliminate waste.

Advanced Framing Method – Exterior wall shear techniques other than wood sheathing, space joists greater than 16 o/c, space studs greater than 16 o/c, design roof pitch/eave width to 24 module, size headers for actual loads, use ladder blocking or drywall clips and use two-stud corners.

GreenSpec – product directory for building material selection. Products are made with salvaged, recycled, or agricultural waste content. Materials found in this directory contribute to a safe, healthy built environment. Thus, contributing to IAQ and low impact design.

Home standards - health and IAQ, materials efficiency, design & material selection, framing, foundation, subfloor, doors, finish floor, interior walls, exterior walls, windows, cabinetry and trim, roof and insulation. Size Matters – smaller is better, good design, high quality materials. Cost per square foot trap quality vs quantity.


CERTIFIED GREEN BUILDING PROFESSIONAL:

Sponsors: Building Green Council Professional Development Program

Description: You will receive the designation of Certified Green Building Professional. Green homes provide buyers with lower energy costs and higher value. This course discusses strategies to incorporate green-building principles without driving up construction costs. You will learn how green homes provide buyers lower maintenance, better indoor air quality, and better long-term value. Techniques are discussed for competitively differentiating your home products with increased indoor environmental quality and energy and resource efficiency. Certification covers . Building Science Principles, Site Development & Design, Building Envelope and Durability, Resource Efficiency, Energy Efficiency, Water Efficiency, Indoor Air Quality, Remodeling Considerations, Effective Operation and Homeowner Education, and Marketing and Selling Green.

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN TOOLS:
The following links are sustainable design tools I use for aiding in the design of high performance homes.

http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/info/publications.html
http://www.doe2.com/
http://www.sbicouncil.org/store/index.php
http://www.solarpathfinder.com/
http://www.susdesign.com/
http://www.efficientwindows.org/city_all.cfm?id=32
http://www.buildingscienceseminars.com/