GBT News 

Green Vine Lecture: Advanced Framing Techniques

Green Built Texas will hold its next Green Vine Lecture on Monday, October 5 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at the HBA of Greater Dallas Offices. This session will focus on advanced framing or Optimum Value Engineering as it is often called.

Craig Brooks from Burgess Construction Consultants will explain how advanced framing uses engineering principles to minimize material usage and energy efficiency while meeting building code structural performance requirements. Mr. Brooks will cover specific topics such as 19.2" and 24" on center framing, using single top plates on exterior and bearing walls as well as interior non-bearing partitions, and utilizing right-sized headers in bearing walls.

Cost:

$7.00/person for Green Built Texas Members and Municipal Employees

$10.00/person for all other industry professionals

Seating Limited, please RSVP online prior to October 2.

Registration link: http://www2.dallasbuilders.com/cde.cfm?event=278478

Lunch is included and is provided by Lunch Partner:

Burgess Construction Consultants

Contact Misty Varsalone at 214.615.5012 or misty.varsalone@dallasbuilders.com if you require additional information

Green Built Texas Presents its First Annual Project Zero Event: Registration Now Open. Click here for more information.
 

What is Project Zero?

Project zero is a two day training opportunity for home building industry professionals to learn both basic and advanced building science principles through classroom instruction along with onsite demonstrations at a net zero energy home in Lewisville November 18-19. 

On Wednesday, November 18, attendees will be treated to a full-day building science training seminar conducted by nationally renowned expert, Justin Wilson.  Mr. Wilson will cover many aspects of building science; including designing and constructing buildings which systematically incorporate framing, insulating and air sealing techniques to effectively manage heat, air, and moisture flows. All this is accomplished by minimizing lumber and material uses and impacts, while increasing energy efficiency and building durability. The seminar is sponsored by CMHC and includes breakfast and lunch.

Day two (November 19) will feature several on-site demonstrations providing practical strategies to enhance the energy and water-efficiency and moisture management of any home. Attendees will also see the advanced techniques and products that go into the construction of a net zero energy home that generates more electricity that it uses. These activities will be held at the Timber Creek Zero Energy House. Day two of Project Zero is sponsored by 84 Lumber and includes a Texas BBQ lunch.

Visit www.greenbuilttexas.com/projectzero for more information and to RSVP.

A two-day pass that provides access to all Project Zero activities can be purchased in advance for only $50. Attendance to the Building Science Training Seminar or the on-site demonstrations can be purchased individually for $35.

GBT Builder Joins Channel 33's Green Team

Green Built Texas Builder, Carolee Kamesch of Prestige Designer Homes was recently featured as part of CW33’s “Green Team.” Her Dallas home acheives significant energy savings thanks to a conditioned attic. In fact, the highest electricity bill in this 4,600 sq. foot home has been a mere $150. Click here to take a tour of the home.

HBA Recommends Changes to Dallas Green Building Ordinance; City Proposes Tree Ordinance Changes

Dallas Division leaders and HBA staff met last month with the City of Dallas to discuss implementation of their green building ordinance that goes into effect on Oct. 1 and their proposed tree ordinance. The HBA recommended an amendment to the green building ordinance that would increase the flexibility of the water efficiency requirements to include those identified in the Green Built Texas program. The Association will also engage on the tree ordinance as it moves forward to ensure that it is implemented effectively and applied fairly.

Download the Dallas Green Building Ordinance
Download the HBA’s Proposed Amendments to the Dallas Green Building Ordinance
Download the Proposed Dallas Tree Ordinance 

Big Changes Proposed for ENERGY STAR: EPA Taking Public Comments until July 10

According to the EPA's latest numbers, about 37% of all Texas homes are ENERGY STAR certified, leading the next six states combined. However, once the program's new requirements become effective in 2011, those numbers could drop significantly. READ COMPLETE STORY.

American Clean Energy and Security Act Narrowly Passes U.S. House – Will Trump Housing Affordability

On June 26, the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) narrowly escaped by the House of Representative with a 219 to 212 vote. ACES contains provisions intended to place most of the American economy on a carbon cap and trade system and enable the U.S. to sign a successor to the Kyoto Treaty in December at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark. Buried within the 1200+ pages of ACES are provisions that will impose federal mandates requiring each state to make its energy code for new buildings 30 percent more efficient than current levels, perhaps as soon as next year. By 2014, each new building must be built 50 percent more efficient than current code. Very few homes are currently built to these levels since it often takes many years before the utility savings will outpace the initial costs. The HBA has issued a press release that illustrates how deeply this unprecedented federal legislation could impact the residential construction industry. Read the HBA’s ACES Press Release
 

CASH FOR “CLUNKER” HOMES?
by Bruce Mulliken, Green Energy News
July 5, 2009 – Vol.14 No.16

There are a multitude of well-built older homes in the U.S. and the world, for that matter. But when it comes to energy efficiency, most of them, it’s safe to say, are clunkers.

The U.S. has just started its Cash for Clunkers program, now officially known as the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS). The $1 billion program which ends November 1 gives consumers up to $4500 for trading in their 18 miles per gallon (or less) cars or (15 miles per gallon (or less) trucks for something that gets at least 4 miles per gallon better mileage.

However, CARS is a bit of a clunker itself. For a program that’s intended to help out over-inventoried auto dealers and manufacturers (while reducing dependance on foreign oil and cutting greenhouse gas emissions) it is expected to remove only 250,000 vehicles from dealer lots. In the grand scheme of things, that’s not much.

As obsessed with cars and trucks as America is, vehicles aren’t its biggest problem in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. Its houses, particularly older ones. are a bigger problem. (Emissions from cars and trucks are a growing problem globally because of the proliferation of cars in countries such as China and India.)

On average, houses are responsible for 40 percent of U.S. greenhouse gases, but homes built in the past 10 years account for only 2.5 percent. Obviously, the U.S. needs to do something about energy efficiency homes, particularly ones built decades ago.

Deep within the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) just passed by the U.S. House of Representatives (and now in the Senate) are federal mandates requiring each state to make its energy code for new buildings 30 percent more efficient than current levels, perhaps as soon as 2010. By 2014, each new building must be 50 percent more efficient than the current code. But that just covers new homes. Most of the homes in the U.S. are already built.

"Clearly, our older inefficient housing stock is where wise environmental policy should focus. The only way to encourage upgrades on these homes is through market incentives such as tax credits," says Phil Crone, director of government affairs and green building programs for the Home Builders Association of Greater Dallas (HBA).

A tax credit program, like CARS, but for homes, would have to go far beyond what’s now available from the federal government for heating, cooling, water-heating equipment and building envelope improvements. The current law, which runs through 2010, offers owners of existing homes a tax credit worth 30 percent of the cost of upgrading the efficiency of the building's envelope, including windows, doors and insulation, but the credit doesn’t include the cost of labor, often the most expensive portion of upgrades.

For heating, cooling and water heating equipment upgrades, labor is included in the 30 percent tax credit. Good thing. Few people install this equipment themselves.

However, the credits provide little direct financial incentive for homeowners to upgrade the energy efficiency of their homes: The maximum amount of homeowner credit for all improvements combined is $1,500 for equipment purchased during the two-year period of 2009 and 2010.

Fifteen-hundred dollars doesn’t go very far when it comes to home improvements.

Interestingly, a credit that is far bigger, say the same $4500 that buyers of new cars would get in CARS, would probably put more Americans back to work than buying an imported vehicle, which is allowed in that program.

For instance, the labor required for major energy upgrades to homes can’t be exported. You can’t ship your home across the Pacific for renovation work, thus the labor, and the tax credit that would help pay for it, goes to American workers. Further, for the most part insulation materials, windows, doors, high efficiency heating and cooling equipment all are manufactured in U.S. plants and, of course are installed by U.S. tradesmen.

And what about adding renewable energy to older homes to cut their carbon footprint? Energy efficiency and renewable energy go hand in hand. Houses have to be energy efficient to make the best use renewable resources available.

With unemployment growing and a mission to cut greenhouse gases, the Administration and Congress should rethink the portion of the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) that mandates dramatic energy reductions for new homes. Rocket science isn’t needed to construct new buildings that use dramatically less energy than they do now. However, existing buildings need some clever ideas combined with time-tested technologies and building methods to remove them from the energy-clunker list. A sizable tax incentive would help.

Links:

Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (includes Federal)
http://www.dsireusa.org

Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS
http://www.cars.gov

Home Builders Association of Greater Dallas (HBA)
http://www.dallasbuilders.com

Green Built Texas Project Wins National Green Building Award

Local multifamily builder Tonti Properties’ new development La Valencia at Starwood was named the “Green Multifamily Project of the Year” by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The national award was presented at a gala dinner during the weekend long NAHB National Green Building Conference. T. Boone Pickens was the event’s keynote speaker.

La Valencia at Starwood consists of 270 apartment homes and is located in Frisco, TX at the intersection of the North Dallas Tollway and Lebanon Road.

In addition to many other apartment green building “firsts,” La Valencia at Starwood is the first Energy Star certified multifamily complex in the region and is a pilot project for Greenbuilt Texas, which is a statewide organization consisting of builders that have committed to build homes that are certified through the standardized Greenbuilt Texas protocol.

When asked why they chose to build green apartments, Rick Perdue, the Director of Acquisitions &Development for Tonti Properties responded, “Tonti Properties is constantly looking to improve the living experience of our residents and building “green” was the next logical step. We understand that saving money and reducing our environmental impact is important to our residents.

Among the many considerations in order to be evaluated for the award, La Valencia had to submit to the NAHBGreen rating system to facilitate judging. La Valencia scored an impressive 436 points, easily qualifying for GOLD status. Additional requirements included third party verification during and after construction of all of construction in place.

The project was a team effort from day one. Balfour Beatty Construction functioned as the Construction Management firm and Womack Hampton Architects designed the project.

“Womack+Hampton Architects is very grateful to have the opportunity to work with environmentally conscious developers like Tonti Properties who are committed to include “Green” sustainable design concepts into their new apartment communities.  Tonti’s La Valencia in Frisco, Texas was the first garden apartment community in the State of Texas to receive the EPA’s Energy Star Qualified New Home Certification, and we are especially honored to be a key member of the overall design team” stated Mike Hampton, principle at Womack-Hampton Architects LLC.

In addition to this national recognition, on a regional level La Valencia was named Green Project of the Year and was a finalist in the Best Rental Community categories for the Dallas Homebuilder’s Association’s McSam Builder Awards. The McSam Awards presentation was held at the Majestic Theater in Dallas on March 28^th.

“From design through construction, La Valencia was built utilizing a higher level of green construction techniques and more environmentally friendly materials than any other large multifamily development in the nation.  Tonti Properties is committed to green building and La Valencia adds an exclamation point behind that statement” stated Adam Auensen, Development Manager for Tonti Properties.
 

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New WaterSense Certification Open for Business
–Nation’s Building News 4/13/09

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced last week that the new WaterSense certification system for water-efficient products, materials and appliances has been finalized.

The new certification system outlines the procedures necessary for independent third-party product certification — the keystone for all products bearing the WaterSense label.  

WaterSense certification is currently available for high-efficiency toilets, faucets and some outdoor landscaping appliances. A draft specification for new homes — similar to the EnergyStar certification for energy efficiency — is being reviewed.

EPA requires all products bearing the WaterSense label to be independently certified. This certification provides consumers with confidence in both the water efficiency and performance of WaterSense labeled products.

To be considered for a label, products must also:

• Perform as well or better than their less efficient counterparts
• Be about 20% more water-efficient than average products in that category
• Realize water savings on a national level
• Provide measurable results

Professional certifying organizations must be licensed by EPA and follow accreditation procedures that are outlined on the WaterSense Web site.

The new system, which became effective on April 1, is replacing an interim certification process released last year. “The result will be an even more robust and transparent process for assessing the water efficiency and performance of WaterSense labeled products,” according to the EPA.

For additional information from the WaterSense Helpline, call 866-WTR-SENS (987-7367) or send an e-mail to watersense@epa.gov.

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ONCOR Adds Incentive Program

DALLAS (Oncor) – Monday, Oncor expanded its solar energy initiatives to include the Take A Load Off, Texas Solar Water Heating Incentive Program.

Oncor’s Solar Water Heating Incentive Program offers cash incentives for the purchase and installation of qualifying residential solar water heating systems. Oncor expects to install about 1,100 new solar systems over the next four years through this $2 million program. Only homes served by Oncor and using electric water heating systems are eligible.

By preheating water with the sun’s energy, systems typically reduce the electricity required for hot water needs by 40 to 85 percent. Oncor will pay an incentive of $600 to $1,500 per installed system, based on the system’s predicted performance.

As a result of its 31 programs that encourage energy efficiency, Oncor will operate one of the largest energy efficiency initiatives sponsored by a regulated utility in Texas.

For more information on the Solar Water Heating Incentive Program and other Oncor energy efficiency programs, visit http://www.oncor.com/electricity/teem/default.aspx.

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EPA: Dallas-Fort Worth One of Top Markets for Energy-
Efficient Buildings

10:42 PM CST on Tuesday, March 3, 2009
By STEVE BROWN / The Dallas Morning News
stevebrown@dallasnews.com

Dallas-Fort Worth is one of the top markets in the country for energy-efficient buildings.

The D-FW area ranks fifth on a list issued Tuesday by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Los Angeles and San Francisco top the list. The ranking is based on the number of buildings that have the EPA's "Energy Star" designation.

Last year, the EPA granted Energy Star standing to 3,300 commercial buildings and manufacturing plants nationwide.

Those buildings – including schools, hospitals, office buildings, courthouses, grocery stores, retail centers and plants – saved more than $1 billion in utility bills.

Another recent commercial building study ranked Dallas-Fort Worth as No. 10 in the country in terms of energy and environmentally friendly buildings.

The study by the University of San Diego found that 20 D-FW commercial buildings with more than 6 million square feet of space were rated for energy savings. (full story)

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Builders Learning to Meet 
Demand for 'Green' 



By Andrea Jares
ajares@star-telegram.com

DALLAS - Texas customers are clamoring for homes with energy-efficient features - and local builders are trying to learn how to build them.

A standing-room-only crowd of building professionals gathered Thursday at the Dallas Convention Center to learn about green building standards, the best practices for achieving energy efficiency and an environmentally sound design. At the same time, they learned that Texas is the No. 1 area in the country where customers are requesting homes with green features.

"It's pretty important that we catch up with the market," said Ken Sidebottom, chairman of the board of the North Texas U.S. Green Building Council.

Companies that have made the decision to build with green features are using it as a way to set their companies apart from others in a slow economy.

"They would be rather foolish not to react and do that," he said.

There are several standards for building green, including the Green Built North Texas standards by the Homebuilders Association of Greater Dallas, the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and the National Association of Home Builders’ national standards.

"There will always be people who use one program or another, but the more easy we make it by having knowledgeable, qualified builders and subproviders and manufacturers of all the products that go in there, eventually it will all be second nature to them," Sidebottom said.

Suppliers were also at the conference to learn more.

"I came basically as more of an edu- cational thing to start learning more about green building - what the concept is, what it stands for, what the requirements are and how our products can best meet the builder's needs," said Brent Hanford, a Dallas-based distributor of doors and windows for Texas Door and Trim.

Daren Wittneben, a distributor of wood products for the Rowlett office of Foxworth-Gallbraith, said more builders he works with are noticeably interested in green construction and products. He wanted to find out more about green building products that are in demand.

"I'm trying to find out what products they use that are green that maybe we’re not carrying that we need to carry," he said. 

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Greencraft Builders, L.L.C. 
Take Multiple Prestiges 

Energy Value Housing Awards (EVHA) At 2009 Internatinal Builders Show:
Bannister House, Grapevine, Texas, wins EVHA Silver Award and also teh coveted People's Choice Award.

Click Here for Full Story

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Local Family Receives 'Green' Makeover

12:00 AM CST on Sunday, January 11, 2009

Apartments Join 'Green' Movement

12:00 AM CDT on Saturday, October 11, 2008

Renters may discover an unexpected benefit to living in a green-built apartment complex. The heavy-footer upstairs, the hard-of-hearing TV viewer next door and the late-night partier downstairs won't interrupt the romance of your candle-lit dinner or your sleep time.

The extra insulation in the walls, flooring and ceilings not only keeps the utility bills lower, but also keeps much of the noise out.

"We have high expectations in sound," says Adam Auensen, development manager for Tonti Properties. Tonti's new La Valencia apartments at Starwood in Frisco will be "on a par with high-end condos" relative to sound, Mr. Auensen predicts. (Full Story)

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PRESS RELEASE
USGBC, Home Builders Association
of Greater Dallas Team Up
to Boost Green Homes
Last Update: 12:25 p.m. EST Nov. 12, 2008

GRAPEVINE, Texas, Nov 12, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Sunbelt Builders show last week proved one thing: "GREEN is Mainstream" in Texas thanks in large part to the combined efforts of several different companies, nonprofit organizations and other groups that have been working hard to educate both builders and consumers about green homebuilding options. In an innovative and promising illustration of how such partnerships benefit the green building movement as a whole, the U.S. Green Building Council and the Home Builders Association of Greater Dallas are joining forces so they can raise the volume on this critical initiative. (Full Story)

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Dan Fette - Pioneer for Green Building

12:00 AM CST on Saturday, November 8, 2008

Green homebuilding is hitting its stride. Green Built North Texas has launched the nation's first interactive database where homebuilders have listed about 1,500 homes that have been verified independently as being built green.

The first green-built apartments are going up. And it is hard to walk through a home-improvement store without being bombarded with new "green" products. (Full Story)

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