May 16, 2013
Articles of Interest:
A Plan to Make Washington as Green as Google
Orlando, Tampa, Lakeland Among Best for Flipping Homes
Sustainability is Still A "Lead from the Top" Initiative
Floating, Solar-Activated Stormwater Treatment Device Shows Promise
Funding Opportunities:
National & State Green Building Funding Opportunities
Features:
Earn the FGBC Green Professional Designation
Credentials are what set you above the competition and distinguish you as an expert - the go to person for excellence. Don't miss the opportunity to earn the FGBC Certified Green Professional designation by attending the Florida Green Building Coalition's annual GreenTrends Conference & Tradeshow set for August 21-23, 2013 at the Ritz Carlton in Sarasota.
This year we've designed the education program so that by attending both days and passing an exam you're eligible to apply for the FGBC Green Professional designation. (Check the FGBC website for other qualifying requirements.)
This intensive 2-day program covers all the bases: building science principles, site development, building envelopes, resource and energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor air quality, effective operations and maintenance, and marketing the value of green.
The program also offers the following continuing education credits:
• 16 CEUs for Contractors-CILB Course #0608298
• 12 CEUs for Architects-Course #9878267
GreenTrends 2013 "bridges the divide" between standard skills and the new skills required to understand and successfully implement green building. Register Today!
National Model Building Energy Code
Funded by National Budget
In April, Washington introduced the "Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act" aimed at creating a national "model building energy code" that would set minimum performance targets for federal, commercial and residential buildings. It further provides a certification process for compliance by state and local governments to adopt state energy codes that meet or exceed the national code. Validation of compliance will include independent inspections of a random sampling of buildings. Lack of the certification may be a consideration for $200 million Federal support (up to $750,000 for each state) authorized in the bill for technical assistance, implementation and training.
The baseline for updating model building energy codes will be the 2009 IECC for residential buildings and ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2010 for commercial buildings.
Through the bill's required feasibility and economics studies, experts will be looking at Code improvements that would require buildings be designed, sited, and constructed in a manner that makes the buildings more adaptable in the future to become zero-net-energy after initial construction, as advances are achieved in energy-saving technologies. Other analyses will look at code procedures to incorporate measured lifetimes, not just first-year energy use, in trade-offs and performance calculations.
Model building code performance targets will be adjusted in recognition of potential savings and costs relating to:
A) efficiency gains made in appliances, lighting, windows, insulation, and building envelope sealing;
B) advancement of distributed generation and on-site renewable power generation technologies;
C) equipment improvements for heating, cooling, and ventilation systems;
D) building management systems and SmartGrid technologies to reduce energy use; and
E) other technologies, practices, and building systems that the Secretary considers appropriate regarding building plug load and other energy uses. [View the Bill]
Report: The Business Case for Green Building
Comprehensive study by the World Green Building Council
Those of us involved in green building are thirsty for information that validates its value and verifies the economical, environmental and social benefits well enough to convince the universe to 'get on board.' A recently released report, "The Business Case for
Green Building: A Review of the Costs and Benefits for Developers, Investors and Occupants," examines whether or not it's possible to attach a financial value to the cost and benefits of green buildings. Today, green buildings can be delivered at a price comparable to conventional buildings and investments can be recouped through operational cost savings and, with the right design features, create a more productive workplace. Key findings of the report include:
Design and Construction Costs: There has been an overall trend towards the reduction in design and construction costs associated with green building as building codes around the world become stricter, supply chains for green materials and technologies mature and the industry becomes more skilled at delivering green buildings;
Asset Value: As investors and occupiers become more knowledgeable about and concerned with the environmental and social impacts of the built environment, buildings with better sustainability credentials will have increased marketability. Additionally, there is a demonstrated link between the green characteristics of buildings and the ability of these buildings, in some markets, to more easily attract tenants and to command higher rents and sale prices;
Operating Costs: Green buildings have been shown to save money through reduced energy and water consumption and lower long-term operations and maintenance costs. The energy savings alone typically exceed any cost premiums associated with their design and construction within a reasonable payback period;
Workplace Productivity and Health: There is an emerging body of evidence suggesting that the physical characteristics of buildings and indoor environments can influence worker productivity and occupant health and well-being, resulting in bottom line benefits for businesses;
Risk Mitigation: Sustainability risk factors can significantly affect the rental income and the future value of real estate assets, in turn affecting their return on investment. Regulatory risks have become increasingly apparent in countries and cities around the world, including mandatory disclosure, building codes and laws banning inefficient buildings.
The report concludes that by greening our built environment at the neighborhood and city scales, the green building industry can deliver on large-scale economic priorities such as climate change mitigation, energy security, resource conservation and job creation, long-term resilience and quality of life. [More]
Green Key Village Commits to FGBC Certification
The Green Key Village venture near Fruitland Park, Fla. comprises 145 eco-friendly homes available in ten customizable floor plans. Each will be fully sustainable as defined and certified by the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) and the Home Energy Rating System (HERS).
Green Key Village's biggest challenge was to ensure that each development could be customized, and result in a net-zero energy status at a cost-effective price. [More]
Distinctions of Sustainability
What Can We Learn?
It's always interesting and educational to learn what successful sustainability actions are occurring outside of our sphere. The April 2013 issue of Business World Magazine has several in-depth case studies on Cincinnati, Winston-Salem and some national corporations.
Cincinnati, recognized as the "most tax friendly city for business," used less than $2 million of its capital funds to leverage $14 million in energy efficiency work through an energy services performance contract that now saves the city over $1 million annually. (see page 234 of the link below).
Winston-Salem focused on cleaning up and tracking its own operations in a "lead by example" approach before executing one of the largest green education community outreach efforts. [More]
DOE Seeking Blower Door Test Results
From Multifamily Buildings
The Building America research team, Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings (CARB), is conducting research to develop an algorithm for predicting the fraction of total air leakage that is to the outside. Read the summary of preliminary work on this project. The current task is to build a sizeable database of test and unit characteristic data. The following information is needed:
• Blower door test results, both guarded and unguarded, for the same dwelling unit
• Dwelling unit characteristics including location within the building, floor area, window area, HVAC type
• Building characteristics including location, age, and insulation levels.
For more information or to send data, contact Dianne Griffiths.
NREL Seeking Peer Reviewers
For Building America Program
NREL is looking for stakeholders of the DOE Building America Program to provide technical reviews of a wide variety of publications and topics that focus on residential energy innovations. The industry role, technical expertise and relative interest of each peer reviewer will be collected and aligned with the technical topic and intended audience of each publication. Please enroll to be a peer reviewer by going to the NREL Residential Buildings Peer Review Site and clicking 'Register Now'.
Keeping Up With Building Technology
It's Part of Being a Green Building Expert
Looking for best practices for high performance retrofits and new homes? The CARB website offers technical reports, guidelines, and other resource materials. Another good source for finding expert building science and energy efficiency resources is the DOE Building Technologies Program Library.
APA Launches Mobile Builder Tips
APA has introduced a new mobile format for its series of Builder Tips. The new format optimizes viewing from mobile devices, including tablets and smartphones. Each Builder Tip addresses a single common topic or challenge in today's building environment - such as panel buckling, squeaky floors, and nail pops - and is designed to help construction professionals save money and improve quality on the job through improved construction practices. Builder Tips can be viewed at www.apawood.org/buildertips or downloaded in PDF format.
The following Builder Tips are available in the new format, with more to follow next month.
• Prevent Buckling with Proper Spacing Includes spacing recommendations for APA Rated Sheathing, APA Rated Sturd-I-Floor, and APA 303 Siding
• Construct a Solid, Squeak-Free Floor System describes how to prevent floor complaints and callbacks with proper floor sheathing installation.
• Minimize Nail Pops describes how to reduce nail pops through recommended fastener selection and installation.
• Storage and Handling of APA Trademarked Panels provides guidelines to help protect panels from damage in storage, during shipment, and on the job site.
• APA Panels for Soffit Applications provides information on recommended panels and spans for open and closed soffits.
• Finishing APA Rated Siding describes recommended finishes and application recommendations for APA Rated Siding.
• Proper Storage and Handling of Glulam Beams provides recommendations for storage and handling of glulam beams.
Job Opportunity - Senior Architect - Maitland Area
Slocum Platts Architects is seeking an Intermediate / Senior Design Architect to join our Design Department. The position being offered is a full-time position in our Maitland office. Candidate should have a minimum of 5 yrs. experience with the capability to take a design from Concept and Design Development through complete coordination of Construction Documents with our Technical Department.
Essential skills:
• Proficient in AutoCad, Revit (preferred), and Microsoft Office programs.
• Must be well-spoken, diplomatic, and passionate.
• Must be able to multi-task and work among several projects at any given time.
• Must have knowledge of local building codes.
• Candidate should demonstrate effective communication, organization, and leadership skills.
Interested Candidates should forward the following to ads@slocumplatts.com for consideration:
-A letter of Interest
-Resume / CV (including references)
-Work Samples
Net Zero Energy Training Set for July 18 in Miami
The US Department of Energy Challenge Home program will be conducting a Zero Net-Energy-Ready Home training program with its training partner, Innova Eco Building System in Miami on July 18, 2013. This 3.5-hour workshop provides builders, architects, developers, and product manufacturers with a comprehensive review of zero net-energy-ready home construction practices, including the business case, detailed specifications, and opportunities to be recognized as an industry leader in the Challenge Home program. AIA CEU credits are available. The course is free, however space is limited to the first 35 registrants. To reserve your seat contact Jennifer at 305-455-7707 prior to July 8, 2013.
FDOT Tests 14-Foot LED Streetlights
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is testing on parts of I-95 the efficiency and payback of Light-emitting Diodes (LED) street lights only 14-feet high, compared to the traditional, towering 45-foot interstate lights.
The $508,729 state-funded project is the first of its kind that FDOT has tried in the nine-county district that includes Brevard County. Conventional lighting would have cost about half as much upfront. But FDOT expects the LEDs will use up to 30 percent less electricity and will last longer than traditional bulbs. [More]
Earn Cash Back with FGBC Rewards Program
The Florida Green Building Coalition Membership Committee recently announced a "Cash Back" rewards program. For every new member recruited, the sponsoring FGBC member earns 10 percent of the new member's annual membership fee. Rewards are applied to the sponsor's annual renewal. Check the FGBC website for details and to download.
Certifying Agents this is a no-brainer for you. Every time you contract for certification services, be sure to include an FGBC membership in your contract price. Fill out the membership form and submit with payment to FGBC to earn your rewards.
[More]
FGBC Welcomes New Members & Certifying Agents
New Members:
- Bill Cook, RX Custom Builders, Inc., Winter Park
FGBC Sponsor: Drew Smith
- Andrew Floyd, Masco Home Services, Inc., Daytona Beach
- Mark Herman, Masco Home Services, Inc., Daytona Beach
- Tom Karras, E3 Building Sciences, Bonita Springs
FGBC Sponsor: John Kiefer
- Curtis Leonard, Titan America, Riverview
- Agis Mikrakis, Titan America, Riverview
- Bob Sutton, Sutton Engineered Systems, Dunedin
FGBC Sponsor: Ritchie Henley
- Mike Zito, Titan America, Riverview
Re-joining Members:
- Elio Gonzalez, Sunshine Power Research, Inc., Doral
New Certifying Agents:
- Mark Herman, Masco Home Services, Inc., Daytona Beach
- Tom Karras, E3 Building Sciences, Bonita Springs