Green Built Texas » Helpful Articles for Builders

Are you eligible to work with Energy Star in 2012?

philcrone — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 20:48:59 +0000

Builders, home energy raters and HVAC contractors who are working with the Energy Star program need to make sure they are in compliance with the requirements listed below by the end of the month or else they risk being ineligible to participate in the EPA program.

More details can be found at the EPA’s Energy Star for Homes website.

Version 3 Training Requirements: Builder Training Requirements:

Builders must complete the online ENERGY STAR Orientation Training to be eligible to build homes qualified under Version 3. Effective January 1, 2011, new builders must take this training to become partners. Builders who joined prior to 2011 must complete the training by December 31, 2011 to remain ENERGY STAR partners.

Verification Partner Training Requirements

Verification partners, including HERS raters and Field Inspectors, must complete ENERGY STAR Version 3 Rater Training through an Accredited Training Provider . Effective January 1, 2012, new raters must take this training to become partners. Raters who join prior to 2012 must complete the training by December 31, 2011 to remain ENERGY STAR partners.

HVAC Contractor Credentialing Requirements

To be eligible to install HVAC equipment in homes qualified under Version 3, HVAC contractors must complete ENERGY STAR Version 3 Training and be credentialed through an EPA–recognized industry organization. For information on working with ENERGY STAR qualified homes as an HVAC contractor, please visit the EPA’s HVAC contractors webpage.

It’s time to pull back the curtain to look at the algorithms used to come up with a HERS Index score

philcrone — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 14:43:43 +0000

How Is a Home’s HERS Index Calculated?

It’s like golf — the lower the score, the better.

Anyone involved with the Energy Star Homes program has probably heard of the HERS Index, a method of scoring the energy efficiency of a new or existing home. A Web page maintained by the state of Arkansas, for example, explains that the “EPA requires a house qualifying for Energy Star to be built with best practices, tight ducts, and at least 15% more energy efficient than code as shown by a HERS Index score of 85 or less as determined by a HERS Rater.” (read full article at GreenBuildingAdvisor.com)

ICC Hearings in Dallas Next Week

philcrone — Tue, 10 May 2011 19:39:25 +0000

ICC Hearings on the International Green Construction Code and Pool and Spa Code wil be held in Dallas May 16-22 at the Sheraton Dallas Downtown. The hearing schedule is now available. Code changes to the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code are only available by download at www.iccsafe.org/ISPSCCodeChanges. Code changes to the International Green Construction Code are available by download or CD at www.iccsafe.org./IGCCCodeChanges.com

Air Barriers vs. Vapor Barriers: Green Building Advisor

philcrone — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 15:39:33 +0000

Subtitle:

Air leaks are a big source of moisture problems that lead to bugs, mold, and rot in homes

Images:

This podcast series is excerpted from a two-day class called “Building Science Fundamentals” taught by Dr. Joe Lstiburek and Dr. John Straube, of Building Science Corporation.

Podcast NID:

Why Homes Need Air Barriers To Stay Dry

View article…

How Heat Moves Through Homes: Green Building Advisor

philcrone — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 15:35:45 +0000

Subtitle:

Space-age radiant barriers, like ceramic paints, work great in the vacuum of outer space, but here on Earth, heat moves by conduction, convection, and radiation, simultaneously, all the time.

Images:

This podcast series is excerpted from a two-day class called “Building Science Fundamentals” taught by Dr. Joe Lstiburek and Dr. John Straube of Building Science Corporation.

Podcast NID:

How Heat Moves Though Homes

View article…