|
Bulletin Board
Table of Contents
City Energy Code Moves Closer to Net Zero Capable
A home built under the 2009 Energy Code will use approximately 17% less energy annually than one built under the current code, resulting in energy savings of $225 per year.
The Austin City Council has adopted the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), adding local amendments that move the city towards its goal of Net Zero Energy capable homes by 2015.
The IECC, like most other building codes, is updated every three years. Austin’s 2009 Energy Code will become effective later this summer, replacing the current 2006 version.
Before being considered by the City Council, the proposed code changes had hearings before the city’s Resource Management Commission, Electric Utility Commission, the Mechanical, Plumbing and Solar Board, and the Building and Fire Code Board of Appeals.
Special Notes:
High efficiency lamps or bulbs will be required in 90% of a home’s fixtures, up from 25% in the 2006 Energy Code. The published 2009 IECC requires 50% of bulbs to be efficient.
Batch testing of single-family homes, first begun with Austin’s 2006 Energy Code, was dropped but sampling of multifamily buildings was retained. |
What's Changed?
Major changes to base code include:
- review of permit documents for code compliance
- performance testing
of homes
- lowering the maximum allowed solar gain (SHGC) of windows from .40 to .30.
Austin amendments include:
- increasing wall insulation from
R-13 to R-15
- lowering window conductivity (U-value) from .65 to .51
- insulating some hot water lines
|
City of Austin Announces 2010 Winners of the Environmental Awareness Awards
This year marked the return of the environmental awards recognizing outstanding contributions toward the protection, conservation, and improvement of Austin’s natural resources. The awards originally were hosted by the City’s Environmental Board beginning in 1983 and later by other citizen boards and commissions. The last awards were presented in 2001.
"Central Texas made an outstanding showing in the 2010 Environmental Awards with over 70 applicants, truly showing the dedication of Austinites to making this city one of the most livable in the U.S.," said Ester Matthews, Director of the Austin Climate Protection Program.
Winners were selected in seven categories, including an individual, large business, small business, community organization/non-profit, school or educational program, governmental agency and a City of Austin department.
The winners will be recognized at the Austin City Council on Earth Day, April 22.
The following are brief profiles of the award winners. For more information about this year’s winners and honorable mentions visit the Austin Climate Protection web site.
Mayor’s Individual awards:
Richard Craig
Richard Craig's “Trees For Pease” project is a “grass roots, tree roots” solution to the problem of deforestation and environmental decline in the Pease Park portion of the Shoal Creek Greenbelt. Since its inception the program has raised close to $100,000, and scores of volunteers have joined in planting 333 trees, installing irrigation systems, and covering barren ground with moisture-retaining mulch.
City of Austin program award:
Austin Energy Green Building Program
Austin Energy Green Building (AEGB) has led COA's quest for sustainability by developing a rating system for homes and buildings, shaping city policies and energy codes, and raising public awareness and creating demand for sustainable building practices.
Community/non-profit:
Central Texas Zero Waste Alliance
Zero-waste practices are among the most effective ways to decrease trash, conserve resources, reduce pollution, protect the climate and create sustainable economic development. The Alliance’s Zero-waste initiative is an innovative, and relatively quick, program to tackle these environmental problems.
Governmental agency:
Texas Facilities Commission Recycle Program
The "Real Texans Recycle" mantra and its program has made a tangible contribution to all state agencies. Since 2002, the program has recycled over 17 tons of material, generating revenue of more than $1.6 million.
Large business:
Dell and Goodwill Industries of Central Texas
Since October 2004, the 45 “Reconnect” donation sites in Central Texas have diverted over 18 million pounds of computers and computer related items from landfills and from being illegally dumped on roadsides or in our waterways.
School or educational:
Bryker Woods Elementary School
The mission of the Bryker PTA’s Go Green program is to promote a culture of environmental responsibility in its school community – with activities such as composting - and to reach out to its neighbors, as well as other schools, attempting to go green.
Small business:
Barr Mansion & Artisan Ballroom
Barr Mansion is a certified organic events facility and locally owned family business. They employ only green purchasing practices, and have dedicated a full-time position to research everything purchased for the business.
Congratulations to all the winners!
AEGB Welcomes Heidi Kasper
Heidi Kasper, AIA, LEED AP, recently joined AEGB's staff as Program Coordinator for the Multifamily Program. Previously a project Architect and LEED Coordinator for Heimsath Architects and HDR, Heidi has several years experience working on green buildings.
"I am particularly interested in the reuse and renovation of existing buildings, and finding ways to create an overall healthier and more efficient building stock," says Kasper. "I am also interested in the interface of users and the buildings they inhabit, and how we can make our buildings more user friendly.
Heidi grew up outside of Chicago and did her undergraduate work in Architecture at the University of Illinois, Urbana. She completed a Master of Architecture at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee in 2004 and moved to Austin shortly thereafter.
She served on USGBC's Emerging Green Builders Steering Committee from 2005 to 2007, and is the current Chair of the AIA's Committee on the Environment.
"I am excited to join a team with such diverse back-grounds and expertise who have a reputation for being leaders in the sustainable design movement," says Kasper. " Having worked as an architect in the private sector for a number of years I feel I can help bring a fresh perspective to the rating tools we use at Austin Energy from the point of view of the design team using the rating systems."
Join Design~Build~Live and Help Create a Sustainable Learning Center
Austin's oldest and most active grassroots sustainable building organization has finally found a home! You can support their efforts to buy land by becoming a member during the month of April. "We are very excited about the land in East Austin that we hope to obtain for the Sustainable Learning Center and village, and this membership drive is designed to help move that effort closer to reality." says Design~Build~Live Executive Director Gayle Borst.
DBL offers free monthly public presentations covering a wide range of sustainable living topics, hands-on natural building workshops, and special education events. Check the web site for upcoming events.
April's presentation is:
Using Nature's R&D to Remediate Bodies of Water
Wednesday, April 21
7-9 pm
Lance Armstrong Foundation, 2201 East 6th
Upcoming workshops include:
Rubble Trench Foundation
Saturday, May 22
9-5 pm
North Central Austin
Becoming a DBL partner is an easy way to support one of the best sustainable living organizations in the country and there are several different membership levels. Find out more>>
|
