The Valmont power plant east of Boulder -- which first began operation in 1924 -- will burn its last trainload of coal by the...
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Whether you’re seeking to reduce energy consumption associated with the residential sector or to meet regional climate action goals by limiting residential sector greenhouse gas emissions, Populus has the experience and expertise to assist.
Implementing a residential energy efficiency code or voluntary program?
Populus Sustainable Design Consulting has experience designing residential energy efficiency codes and programs (for new construction and existing homes) to assist municipalities in meeting their climate action goals.
Not sure where to set the targets for your performance-based energy code? Need help quantifying the energy and carbon emission reductions associated with energy efficiency programs?
Populus offers consulting, program design and residential case studies to assist municipalities in setting above-code residential energy performance standards. We can perform residential case studies that are relevant to your goals, explaining the specific energy features required to build homes to varying levels of efficiency and analyzing associated energy savings and greenhouse gas reductions.
Need to train municipal staff or building officials?
Populus offers an Energy Code Workshop targeted to municipal staff, code officials, county commissioners, city council and/or local building trade organizations. The Energy Code Workshop includes a basic overview of available green building programs and standards, an easy to follow overview of the Home Energy Rating System (or "HERS"), best green building practices that increase energy efficiency with little cost, case studies illustrating the energy features required to achieve various levels of above-code energy performance (from ENERGY STAR to Zero Energy Homes) and lessons learned from implementing one of the nation's most progressive green building codes in Boulder, Colorado.
Looking for an educational program for builders and architects?
In addition to its Energy Code Workshop, Populus offers an Energy Design Workshop. Populus’ Energy Design Workshop gives architects and builders hands-on, real world experience working with an energy rater to design buildings that achieve above-code home energy performance within a budget.
Don't take our word for it.
Populus has provided code consulting and training to municipalities throughout the West. Our recent engagements include:
City of Boulder, Colorado: Populus provided energy code design services and residential energy analysis for the proposed SmartRegs rental housing energy efficiency ordinance prescriptive pathway.
Boulder County, Colorado: Populus performed residental energy modeling and analysis to aid in revisions to Boulder County's BuildSmart energy code. In addition, Populus was engaged to teach its Energy Code Workshop to County staff and officials in various departments.
Blaine County and City of Hailey, Idaho: Populus was engaged to assist in the creation of a performance-based energy code. Populus provided outreach and education services by training local architects, builders and stakeholders regarding residential energy modeling and home performance. In addition, Populus presented to the Blaine County Commissioners and Hailey City Council regarding green building programs and the implementation of above-code energy programs.
Los Alamos County, New Mexico and Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities: Populus was engaged to train public officials and staff regarding residential energy analysis, the interaction of voluntary green building programs and mandatory above-code programs and the implementation of performance-based and prescriptive energy codes.
