After many months of research, discussion and deliberation by Built Green staff, program sponsor and builder members, and other interested groups, the Energy and Environmental Affairs Committee (EEAC) by consensus at their April 3rd meeting agreed to recommend to the HBA Board of Directors that ENERGY STAR for New Homes criteria be set as the new minimum energy efficiency requirement for the Built Green Colorado program. Subsequently, the HBA Board of Directors accepted this recommendation at their meeting on April 8th. The EEAC and the HBA Board of Directors authorized Built Green staff to determine the appropriate effective date for the new requirement, which has been set for October 1st, 2008. Please note the following:

*Beginning with all homes permitted on or after October 1st, 2008, all Built Green registered homes must fully comply with the ENERGY STAR® for New Homes energy efficiency criteria and testing requirements. The ENERGY STAR for New Homes energy efficiency standards will be the sole method of energy efficiency compliance within the Built Green program. Please see the Guide to the Built Green Checklist, the EnergyStar.gov website, or consult with your Energy Rater for further details on the requirements of the Energy Star® for New Homes program.

Be aware that this change aligns with ENERGY STAR for New Homes energy efficiency criteria only, and does not include their other programs such the ENERGY STAR Indoor Air Package, or Advanced Lighting Package (however, you may still receive points for the ALP through the Checklist). As the program moves towards the effective date of this change, we expect to work closely with the ENERGY STAR for New Homes program regarding co-branding, marketing and other pertinent issues and opportunities. Watch for continued program correspondence through eNews and other modes of communication. We also anticipate working through the Governor’s Energy Office to notify our members of upcoming ENERGY STAR trainings around the state, and to offer similar trainings through Built Green. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Traci D’Alessio, Assistant Director @ (719) 339-9639 or tdalessio@earthlink.net.

The DOE established new Energy Star criteria for water heaters last week. To homebuilders, this means you should begin seeing the first water heaters to carry the Energy Star label next year.

Please click here to read the full press release - http://www.energy.gov/news/6134.htm.

Fundamental Energy Code Training for Code Officials and Building Industry Professionals

In partnership with local building departments, the Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) has announced plans to support statewide residential and commercial energy code training workshops across Colorado. The energy code workshops feature full day training on both commercial and residential energy codes, specifically the 2003 or 2006 versions of the International Energy Conservation Code (2006 IECC or 2003 IECC). Training will be delivered by a nationally recognized code training organization, International Code Council (ICC), and be offered at no cost to Colorado code officials, homebuilders, developers, architects, engineers and other building industry professionals. Additionally, all attendees will receive official code books, work book resources and continuing technical assistance from ICC. E-Star Colorado, a non-profit that provides resources to Colorado code officials on energy issues, is working with GEO to manage the registration process. Seating is limited to 50 per class, and will be on a first-register, first-serve basis, with priority spaces awarded to local code officials and building industry professionals. Visit www.e-star.com for registration details.

During the 2007 legislative session, House Bill 1146 (HB 1146), was passed by lawmakers in an effort to improve the energy efficiency of Colorado’s new buildings. HB 1146 calls for all jurisdictions that have a commercial or residential building code to also adopt a minimum energy code standard of 2003 IECC by July 1, 2008.

IECC Training

• Workshops are being offered in 28 locations around the state between April 21 and June 20, 2008.
• All workshops are scheduled from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
• Attendees are eligible to receive 6 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from the class.

To find a location near you, visit www.E-Star.com/a> and click on IECC Code Training.

For information on GEO’s energy code support program, visit www.colorado.gov/energy/.<.

The energy code workshop emphasis will be placed on learning the correct application of the code for the design, plan review, inspection and analysis of residential and commercial buildings. Upon completion of the energy code workshop, participants will be able to:

• Locate general topics within the 2006 IECC or 2003 IECC
• Locate applicable tables within the 2006 IECC or 2003 IECC for specific situations
• Apply 2006 IECC or 2003 IECC requirements to clear-cut real world situations
• Explain the intent behind a given code requirement
• Use judgment to identify borderline scenarios as compliant or noncompliant.
• Identify essential code components for designing energy-efficient building thermal envelopes; energy-efficient mechanical design principles; and electrical power and lighting systems.

Instead of running to the mall to buy that new outfit or pair of shoes, consider an investment that will actually benefit you and the environment now and in the future. In these days where a gallon of gas will costs over $3, energy efficiency is on the mind more than ever. This year why not use that tax refund to replace all the incandescent light bulbs in your house with compact fluorescent light bulbs, buy new Energy Star rated appliances, buy more insulation for your house or re-landscape your lawn utilizing Xeriscape principals so you can help conserve water. Waste less money over the next year on energy bills with a wise investment in energy efficiency and you can do your part to help conserve our precious natural resources for present and future generations.

May 11-13, 2008 Sheraton New Orleans Hotel
To register: www.nahb.org/greenbuildingconference

As acceptance and demand for green building grows, its methods, techniques and products are becoming smarter and more sophisticated. The NAHB National Green Building Conference takes the mystery out of green building and provides education, speakers and exhibits to give you a leading edge.

I’ve heard it more than a few times from builders regarding home buyers and their propensity for choosing energy-efficient and green building options as part of their new home package: “If they ask for it, we’ll give it to them.” I have no doubt that this is the case, but in spite of everything being done to educate the general public, I’m just as sure that not every prospective client walks through the door of the sales office with a Built Green® Checklist in hand.

There are reasons, of course. A big one is that the motivation for putting energy or green building at the top of the home buying list usually is accompanied by a crisis like, say an outrageous gas and electric bill, living in an uncomfortable home or suddenly having beachfront property in Denver. But, frankly, most buyers assume that new homes are healthy and comfortable and efficient. That’s why we have building codes, right? They just aren’t as sure about this “green” thing.

As we have pointed out before, buyers get their information about new home features and options primarily from builders and sales offices. Buyers seem to have a pretty good idea what they want (not necessarily what they need) when they walk in the model home. If they had an extra $5,000 to spend, according to a recent National Association of Home Builders survey, they would apply it to such things as upgraded floors, appliances, siding and energy efficiency. Here’s where a well-informed sales staff can guide the client to better choices.

To read the entire article by Doug Seiter, click here, or see the March 2008 issue of Home Builder Magazine.

To subscribe to Home Builder Magazine, please click here.

Builders remember to keep the Built Green Brochures stocked in your sales offices and Built Green yard signs in front of your homes. Please also use the Built Green logo in all your marketing materials as well. If you need the logo, please email info@builtgreen.org.

Built Green Brochures - $60 per 100
Built Green Yard Signs - $68.75 plus shipping if needed

To order, please call (303) 551-6725

Builders:
Genesis Custom Homes - Colorado Springs, CO
Monarch Homes, Inc. - Parker, CO
Sundial Construction, LLC –-Vail, CO
Wynton Homes - Eagle, CO

The total number of home registrations so far for 2008  is 235.

Remember: Built Green home registration submittals are no longer accepted on a quarterly basis.  Builders must submit and pay for home registrations at the time they pull each permit or on a monthly basis.  The fee per home is $40.

Click here to download the Built Green home registration template.

This month’s sales tip features item #42 from the 2008 Built Green Checklist

Energy Star qualified ceiling fans installed. (1point per fan, max 4 pts)

• Add points if Energy Star ceiling fan light kit is provided – (1pt per light kit, max 4 pts)

Sales Tip: Energy Star ceiling fans keep occupants cool during warmer days without requiring air conditioning, or can allow air conditioning set points to be raised without sacrificing comfort. Ceiling fan/light combination units that have earned the Energy Star label are about 50% more efficient than conventional fan/light units. This can save homeowner money each month on utility bills. As the cost of electricity rises, ceiling fans are a low-cost and increasingly popular alternative for space cooling.

• WEBMASTER: If you are experiencing difficulty viewing your weekly email or accessing the hbadenver.com website, please send an e-mail to enews@builtgreen.org

If you feel this newsletter was delivered to you in error, or that you may have been included in an unsolicited mailing, please report this incident immediately to enews@builtgreen.org

© 2007 Home Builders Association of Metro Denver