Join the AIA Denver Committee on the Environment (COTE) on Friday, April 2, from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., for LEED for Homes Certification Overview, a presentation by Andy Johnson, principal at DAJ Design. The presentation will take place at the University of Colorado at Denver, Room 470 (1250 14^th St., Denver, Colo.).

The program will provide an overview of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System for Homes certification process and explore the benefits to architects seeking certification. The presentation will highlight the energy performance component of the LEED for Homes program, including a behind the scenes explanation of how architects can use the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) as a tool to design high performance homes. The presentation also takes a particular look at a recent LEED for Homes register project in Routt County by DAJ Design, the Mow House.

Attendees can earn 1.0 health, safety and welfare (HSW) AIA sustainability continuing education learning unit. Under the state of Colorado’s rules for continuing education for state licensure renewal, this program meets the requirements for 1.0 HSW professional development unit.

RSVPs are requested and must be made by Thursday, April 1, at 4 p.m. by contacting Jenna Cather at 303.446.2266, ext. 112 or jenna@aiacolorado.org. This presentation is free for all AIA Colorado members and non-members not seeking continuing education credit. Non-members seeking continuing education credit may attend for a fee of $20. Download a non-member registration form here.

AIA Denver COTE meets the first Friday of each month. The presentation will be preceded by an AIA Denver COTE business meeting at 11:30 a.m.  For more information about this committee, contact AIA Denver at 303.446.2266 or visit http://aiadenvercote.org.

Chapter: AIA Denver

Chapter: AIA Denver

Cost: Free for members/$20 for nonmembers

Credit: 1.0

Location:
University of Colorado at Denver, Room 470
1250 14th St.
Denver, CO 80202

Contact:
Jenna Cather

jenna@aiacolorado.org

Populus is a full service sustainable design consulting firm that focuses on high performance, net-zero and near-net-zero custom residential and multi-family projects.  Populus guides architects and builders through the requirements of mandatory green building codes and optional green home certification programs, providing HERS rating, energy consulting and third-party verification services.  In addition, Populus provides consulting and training to municipalities to aid in the aid in the implementation of residential programs and energy codes.  Visit Populus at www.popboulder.com.

Neiger and Smith answer questions regarding green homes after Monday night's presentation.

Sean Smith of Sean Smith & Company presented alongside Neiger, sharing lessons learned as a LEED Gold homebuilder. In addition to discussing the the challenges and opportunities of building green homes, Smith presented data regarding the increased costs of high-performance systems.  A case study for a recent project demonstrated how a home can be built to achieve a level of energy performance that is 35% more efficient than code in a cost neutral manner (over the 30 year term of a mortgage).  When Smith added modest fuel price escalation  to the equation, the energy efficiency upgrades became cash positive, offering a healthy return on investment.

David Neiger, who has consulted on high performance green homes nationally, gave the crowd a “behind-the-scenes” look at residential energy modeling, describing how home energy performance can be measured to create a “miles per gallon” rating for a house.  In addition, he discussed the various green home building programs available to architects and builders, including USGBC’s LEED for Homes program, the EPA’s ENERGY STAR and Indoor airPLUS programs and the DOE’s Builders Challenge certification.  While these programs can offer market differentiation, they also offer tremendous value to a project team looking to employ best practices for managing durability, indoor air quality and moisture concerns, while optimizing home energy performance.

Populus presents to USGBC Colorado's first sold-out REI Monthly Monday seminar

If you’d like to learn more about LEED for Homes, David Neiger will be teaching a LEED for Homes Intensive Training over three Monday evenings in March 2010 in Boulder, Colorado.  Learn more on the Populus website.  Interested in pursuing a green certification for a project or having energy analysis performed on a proposed project?  Give Populus a call at 303-325-7650 or contact Populus by email at info@popboulder.com.

Populus is a full service sustainable design consulting firm that focuses on high performance, net-zero and near-net-zero custom residential and multi-family projects.  Populus guides architects and builders through the requirements of mandatory green building codes and optional green home certification programs, providing HERS rating, LEED for Homes Green Rater services and municipal energy code consulting.  In addition, Populus offers an Energy Code Workshop for architects and municipalities, as well as LEED for Homes training.  Visit Populus at www.popboulder.com.

The USGBC’s LEED for Homes Study Guide is a perfect compliment to taking Populus Sustainable Design Consulting’s LEED for Homes Intensive Training.  We have an upcoming class scheduled in Boulder, Colorado for evenings in January 2010 – now’s the time to register!  Whether you’re looking for a comprehensive class on residential building science, green building or energy efficiency – this class has it all.

Please join USGBC CO Chapter for the first Monday event of 2010!!

Monday February 1, 2010

6-8pm at REI

Presenting

HOW TO BUILD AN EFFICIENT & HIGH PERFORMING HOUSE

(aka GREEN, LEED, ENERGY STAR or just BEST PRACTICES!)

This session will focus on what it takes to build a LEED certified home. Whether you are interested in building a LEED certified or ENERGY STAR qualified home or just want to understand how to build an ultra efficient home this session is for you.

Our speakers will talk about different degrees of building “green,” how to get subcontractors on board, how much more it really costs, what kind of time commitment is involved and whether it is any more difficult to build than the standard home we’ve all become accustomed to building.

Speakers are LEED gold homebuilder Sean Smith of Sean Smith & Company and David Neiger of Populus Sustainable Design Consulting.

Sean Smith, Denver builder since 2000, made his start in the renovations and additions market.  After moving to new construction, Sean discovered a lack of attention to energy efficiency in the marketplace and decided to make it his forte.  He specializes in custom homes and spec projects that are high performing. Having built two LEED for Homes Gold Certified projects in Denver, Sean has another project pending final certification. Sean’s focus has shifted to optimizing energy performance through sound cost/benefit analysis, and by stressing the need for quality control at the ground level on construction sites.  Sean’s projects have also been certified under the Department of Energy’s Builder’s Challenge, and the EPA’s ENERGY STAR programs.

David Neiger is a Principal at Populus Sustainable Design Consulting, an energy performance and green building consulting firm based in Boulder, Colorado.  David holds an architecture degree from Pennsylvania State University, as well as certification as a RESNET Certified Home Energy Rater, RESNET Green Rater, BPI Certified Building Analyst, LEED AP and a LEED for Homes AP.

David has consulted on well over a hundred single and multi-family projects along the Colorado Front Range and has extensive experience managing LEED projects and working with architects and builders to achieve net-zero and above-code home performance.  As a recognized expert regarding home energy performance, David has presented to a variety of audiences and has trained municipalities, architects and builders nationally regarding green building and above-code energy performance.  David has served as a Subject Matter Expert to the USGBC in connection with its LEED for Homes program and currently acts as a Technical Advisor on the City of Boulder’s Climate Action Plan Strategy Residential Technical Team.

RESERVATIONS TO ATTEND CAN BE MADE at

http://www.usgbccolorado.org/metro/events-calendar.html

To assure a seat, please register online in advance

CAPACITY ATTENDANCE IS EXPECTED, SO RESERVE EARLY

Populus is a full service sustainable design consulting firm that focuses on high performance, net-zero and near-net-zero custom residential and multi-family projects.  Populus guides architects and builders through the requirements of mandatory green building codes and optional green home certification programs, providing HERS rating, LEED for Homes Green Rater services and municipal energy code consulting.  In addition, Populus offers an Energy Code Workshop for architects and municipalities, as well as LEED for Homes training.  Visit Populus at www.popboulder.com.

New! Monday Evening LEED for Homes Class in January

January 11th, 18th and 25th, 4 p.m to 8 p.m., Populus, 1727 Fifteenth Street, Suite 200, Boulder, CO 80302

Registration Fee: $230 (only $199 for BGBG Members)

For those of you who couldn’t take time off for our previous two-day intensive training classes, Populus’ January LEED for Homes Intensive Training takes place over three sessions on Monday evenings in January. Registration is limited, so sign up early!

To enroll in a training class please email laura@popboulder.com or call Populus at 303-325-7650. We will contact you to confirm your registration and to process credit card payment by telephone.

Included in the Registration Fee: LEED for Homes Intensive Training class and Populus’ LEED for Homes outline.

Who Should Attend

The class is geared toward green building professionals (especially architects and builders) interested in learning more about the USGBC’s LEED for Homes program, those interested in learning green building and building science principles (especially as it relates to durability issues, indoor air quality and energy efficiency), real estate professionals who seek to understand and market green homes, as well as product manufacturers and salespeople who want to better understand how their products interact with green building certification programs.

While the class is an intensive introduction to green building and building science principles, it is also designed for those interested in studying for GBCI’s (the “Green Building Certification Institute”) LEED for Homes AP (or “Accredited Professional”) exam.

Populus’ LEED for Homes classes are taught by David Neiger, Principal at Populus Sustainable Design Consulting:

• B.S. Architecture, Penn State University
• RESNET Home Energy Rater
• USGBC Green Rater
• LEED AP Homes
• Served as a Subject Matter Expert to the USGBC

Featuring

• Hands-on learning experiences that emphasize project team roles and credit requirements
• Green Rater demonstrations
• In-depth coverage of building science, including air leakage, moisture control, ventilation strategies and durability management
• Overview of RESNET’s Home Energy Rating System (or “HERS rating”), including key energy efficiency strategies
• Comprehensive coverage of green building, including materials and resources, water efficiency, indoor air quality, energy efficiency, sustainable sites and landscaping
• Introduction to complimentary green building certification programs, including EPA’s Indoor airPLUS and ENERGY STAR for New Homes program

When: Thursday, October 22nd 6pm-8pm

Where: 233 South Washington Street, Denver, Colorado (LEED for Homes™ Gold, ENERGY STAR, Indoor Air Package and Builders Challenge Certified home)

Free Workshop Includes:

• Green features tour and building details discussion of a LEED for Homes Gold Certified Wash Park home by general contractor Sean Smith of Sean Smith & Company, LLC
• Behind-the-scenes explanation of how architects can use the Home Energy Rating System (“HERS”) as a tool to design high-performance homes by David Neiger of Populus Sustainable Design Consulting
• Overview of available green home certification programs and the benefits to architects and homeowners of certification, including: LEED for Homes (USGBC), Builders Challenge (DOE), ENERGY STAR (EPA), and Indoor airPLUS (EPA).

Continuing Education for Architects: Under the State of Colorado’s rules for continuing education for state licensure renewal, this program meets the requirements for 1.0 HSW professional development unit (HSW).

RSVP by October 18^th at http://event.pingg.com/GreenHomesDenver or to laura@popboulder.com

Populus is a full service sustainable design consulting firm that focuses on high performance, net-zero and near-net-zero custom residential and multi-family projects.  Populus guides architects and builders through the requirements of mandatory green building codes and optional green home certification programs, providing HERS rating, LEED for Homes Green Rater services and LEED for Homes training.  Visit Populus at www.popboulder.com.

Are you a builder or architect in Santa Fe, Albuquerque or elsewhere in New Mexico?  Then you’ve probably heard of New Mexico’s Sustainable Building Tax Credit that rewards you for building a LEED for Homes Silver Certified Home.  Under the Sustainable Building Tax Credit, a single-family or multi-family home that earns LEED for Homes Silver certification or higher and achieves a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index of 60 or lower, can earn $5 per square foot for the first 2,000 square feet and $2.50 per square foot for the next 1,000 square feet of home.  Those numbers increase dramatically for LEED for Homes Platinum Certified projects, which receive $9.00 per square foot for the first 2,000 square feet and $4.45 per square foot for the next 1,000 square feet.  That’s a tax credit of $22,450 for a LEED Platinum Certified Home in New Mexico!!!

Want to learn how you can promote greenbuilding and help your clients qualify for this tax credit by designing and building LEED Certified homes?  Populus’ LEED for Homes Intensive Training is coming to New Mexico!  The class is designed to expand your knowledge of the USGBC’s LEED for Homes program or to help you study for the new LEED for Homes AP Plus or LEED Green Associate exams.

Classes are taught by David Neiger, Principal at Populus Sustainable Design Consulting:

• B.S. Architecture, Penn State University
• RESNET Home Energy Rater
• USGBC Green Rater
• LEED AP Homes
• Served as a Subject Matter Expert to the USGBC

Featuring

• Hands-on learning experiences that emphasize project team roles and credit requirements
• Green Rater demonstrations
• In-depth coverage of building science, including air leakage, moisture control, ventilation strategies and durability management
• Overview of RESNET’s Home Energy Rating System (or “HERS rating”), including key energy efficiency strategies
• Comprehensive coverage of green building, including materials and resources, water efficiency, indoor air quality, energy efficiency, sustainable sites and landscaping
• Introduction to complimentary green building certification programs, including EPA’s Indoor airPLUS and ENERGY STAR for New Homes program

Who Should Attend

The class is geared toward green building professionals (especially architects and builders) interested in learning more about the USGBC’s LEED for Homes program, those interested in learning green building and building science principles (especially as it relates to durability issues, indoor air quality and energy efficiency), real estate professionals who seek to understand and market green homes, as well as product manufacturers and salespeople who want to better understand how their products interact with green building certification programs.

While the class is an intensive introduction to green building and building science principles, it is also designed for those interested in studying for GBCI’s (the “Green Building Certification Institute”) LEED for Homes AP (or “Accredited Professional”) exam or Green Associate exams.

Registration

Included in the Registration Fee: 2-day training class, Populus’ LEED for Homes outline, continental breakfast and lunch.

Classes are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

Populus is a full service sustainable design consulting firm that focuses on high performance, net-zero and near-net-zero custom residential and multi-family projects.  Populus guides architects and builders through the requirements of mandatory green building codes and optional green home certification programs, providing HERS rating, LEED for Homes Green Rater services and LEED for Homes training.  Visit Populus at www.popboulder.com.

David Neiger Teaches Indoor Air Quality and Building Science Principles at Populus' LEED for Homes Class

Populus’ next LEED for Homes Intensive Training Class is scheduled for October 1st and 2nd in Santa Fe, New Mexico at the Marvin Design Gallery by SolarGlass.

Populus is in the process of scheduling our next class in Colorado and will be releasing more details in the near future.  If you live in Boulder or Denver, or elsewhere in Colorado, and have an interest in our LEED for Homes Intensive Training Class, please email Laura Hutchings at Populus (laura@popboulder.com) and we will add you to our interest list and notify you when the next class is scheduled.

For organizations who are interested in scheduling a green building LEED for Homes educational event at their offices, please contact Populus at 303-325-7650.  We offer our intensive training nation-wide and will work with you to tailor our green building educational program to meet the goals of your organization.  Oftentimes this option will be more affordable than sending numerous individual attendees to our LEED for Homes Intensive Training.

Populus has experience training corporate sales teams, municipalities, real estate professionals, architects and builders regarding green building and building science principles, indoor air quality, energy efficiency (including an in-depth explanation of the Home Energy Rating System (aka “HERS Rating”)), and green building materials.  Populus seeks to empower the green building industry with the information required to create healthy, high-performance (whether its ENERGY STAR or Net Zero) green homes.

Populus also has experience consulting with municipalities nationwide regarding performance-based energy codes.  We can tailor our training and consulting services to effectively educate municipalities, code officials and industry stakeholders about the implementation of progressive energy efficiency codes.

If you’re interested in learning how Populus can provide green building education and in-depth coverage of the LEED for Homes program or RESNET’s Home Energy Rating System, contact Laura Hutchings at laura@popboulder.com to find out more.

Populus is a full service sustainable design consulting firm that focuses on high performance, net-zero and near-net-zero custom residential and multi-family projects.  Populus guides architects and builders through the requirements of mandatory green building codes and optional green home certification programs, providing HERS rating, LEED for Homes Green Rater services and LEED for Homes training.  Visit Populus at www.popboulder.com.

Populus is a Boulder-based, full-service sustainable design consulting firm that focuses on high performance, net-zero and near-net-zero custom residential and multi-family projects.  Populus is your partner in high-performance design solutions, specializing in energy efficiency codes, green building certifications and LEED for Homes™ training.  Contact Populus at laura@popboulder.com.