Ready for the next level?  If you already have a strong knowledge of green building and are looking to become an expert then these two-hour lunch-time BGBG seminars taught by Ron Flax, BPI, RESNET, LEED AP are designed for you.  You will not be bored. The highly-interactive classes are divided into discrete topics, which will permit you to sign up only for those topics that are of greatest interest and usefulness to you.  You can register for each class a la carte or save $$ with 4 or 6-packs:

– Mechanical Systems – March 7^th
– Building Envelope – March 14^th
– Indoor Air Quality – March 21^st
– Resource Conservation – March 28^th
– Passive Solar – April 4^th
– How to design for a changing climate – April 11^th

	A year ago, as we began to offer HERS rating services, we found that the cost of buying the necessary energy efficiency testing equipment was prohibitively expensive.  So we set about looking for a place to rent it… and found out that there were virtually no vendors in the whole country.  The nearest one is in Wisconsin and the cost of shipping the equipment exceeded the cost of the rental!  So we purchased the specific equipment that is required for compliance with Boulder’s EnergySmart program and are now renting it out right here in Boulder. These tools are useful and informative for not only energy raters, but also builders (spot hidden defects before they are closed up), home inspectors, DIY and curious home owners, plumbers (use the Infra-red camera to quickly detect a leak in a radiant floor system), insulation installers (meet the performance requirements of your contract), architects (create better details), and HVAC contractors (test your ducts and heaters for efficiency and safety).  We offer memberships so you can get training on how to use the equipment and discounts on your rentals. Rental Energy Auditing Equipment Available:

This summer we completed this beautiful new home for Terry and Jenny Cloudman in the Boulder County foothills.  This project was a Design/Build effort with Rodwin Architecture led by Principal Scott Rodwin and Associate Kirsten Snobeck, and went smoothly from start to finish.  VP of Construction Brandon David, and Site Superintendent Tim Roddan insured an impeccable level of quality and architectural integrity in every detail.   This HERS 22 home has a contemporary Craftsman & Japanese influences, with soaring sunny rooms open to expansive views and flowing indoor/outdoor gardens and patios.  We are currently working on several design/build custom green homes in Boulder County – stay tuned for photos of these exciting projects, including an iconic rebuild in the Four Mile Fire area.

 

 ”We absolutely love the house.
It was a joy working with all of you.”

                        – Jenny Cloudman

Ron Flax, BPI, RESNET, will be leading the BGBG Residential Brown Bag seminar: How to use energy auditing equipment 101 on Tuesday Nov. 8^th from 11:30-1:30pm.  This hands-on demonstration/workshop is ideal for builders, design professionals, realtors, home inspectors, engineers, and homeowners interested in learning how to use these tools (Infra-red cameras, blower doors, carbon monoxide detectors and duct blasters) to create more energy-efficient homes.  Learn how you can utilize these four simple tools to locate energy leaks, enhance indoor air safety, improve the efficiency of your systems and verify the quality of your construction.  This presentation will help attendees gain a better understanding of what is required to meet EnergySmart and SmartRegs requirements. @ the REI Community Room.  Free for BGBG members/ $20 for non members.  CEU .5 hrs. through BPI.

Register for Seminar Here

Rental Energy Auditing Equipment Available:

 

 

 

The Elm Ave. house, led by Associate Ron Flax, LEED AP, may be one of the greenest remodels in America. Starting at HERS 190 and finally weighing in at mere HERS 5 (a 97.4% reduction in energy use), this Near-Net Zero Martin Acres remodel/addition features Boulder’s first micro-inverter solar PV panels, and was our testing ground for eight different kinds of insulation. Built by Skycastle Homes, this living research project has informed all of the homes we are currently building, and helped us to shape our unique “pre-designed” deep green upgrade program for post-WWII homes. But what truly sets this home apart is how Ron balanced the cutting edge of energy-efficiency with a very tight budget. Elm Ave. will be a featured home on the CRC’s Green Home tour, Oct. 2nd [Tickets are just $7].

click here or image for interactive holiday card

Ground source heat pumps coupled with a forced air system supply heating and cooling throughout the house. Low-flow plumbing fixtures were specified throughout the house to cut down on water usage.   95% of the electrical fixtures throughout the house have LED or CFL lamps in order to reduce electrical consumption, while a 9.2kW grid-tied solar panel array using Enphase micro-inverters provides additional power for the house.