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Bulletin Board
Texas Climate Vision Ready for Testing
Austin Energy Green Building has been working with the Energy Systems Lab at Texas A&M to develop a new web-based energy code compliance procedure for Residential building. Texas Climate Vision (TCV) will replace ResCheck and take into consideration all of the factors that influence a building's energy demand. Additionally, it will allow Austin Energy to track improvements in energy efficiency and reductions in carbon emissions resulting from changes in Austin's energy code. The Energy Systems Lab has begun work on a procedure for multifamily buildings, to be followed by one for commercial projects. This effort is being funded by the US Department of Energy via a grant to the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO).
As this will soon be required in Austin's code jurisdiction, please take a few moments to try it out with a couple of your recent residential projects. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions that you would like forwarded to the development team, send them to AEGB staff John Umphress.
The TCV Test URL is: http://tcvtest.tamu.edu/. You will first need to Register with the site by entering your Company Name, TRCC Number, Email, etc.
Austin's Solluna Builders Featured in Greenovate
Greenovate is a documentary-style show that follows homeowner Cynthia Brown and Wayne Jeansonne of Solluna Builders as they design and build a new home on an east Austin infill lot. According to Jeansonne, Greenovate (formerly Green That House) sent out email inquiries looking for local projects to film for the show. Jeansonne responded and, although the builder and his new client were both a little hesitant at first, they went in for an on-camera interview and the project was quickly accepted by the producers. In fact, the show filmed three or four projects in the Austin area. Brown's home was the only new construction, the rest were remodels.
Brown, who purchased the lot in 2006, says that the lot had never been built on, although the rest of the neighborhood was developed in the 1960s and 1970s. As a first step, Brown attended the Green by Design Workshop. "I had heard bits and pieces about what it meant to build green but I didn't have the whole picture," says Brown. "The workshop gave me a lot of ideas about how much I could do especially considering my budget." Brown admits she found all the information a bit daunting at first but after taking the time to process and do further research, she felt confident about her ability to meet with prospective builders. "I contacted several builders from the Green Building Professionals Directory and was able to ask good questions. Wayne and I clicked immediately." Jeansonne agrees. "She really did her homework. It made my job so much easier to have a client who was already educated about green building. I recommend Green by Design to all my clients."
Jeansonne and Brown worked with Architect Joe Putman of Biolume to design a home that looked like it belonged in the established neighborhood, and make it as green as possible on Brown's budget. "I ended up being able to have many more green features than I thought. People should not let budget concerns hold them back from building green. My house is proof that it can be done, it can be done green, and it can be done on a budget." The cost- and energy-efficient 1400 square foot home earned a 5-star rating. The home features a metal roof, soy-based spray foam insulation, right-sized air conditioning system, bamboo and concrete floors, tankless water heater and low flow plumbing fixtures.
Working with the show didn't slow down the six-month project, says Jeansonne. "It took a little extra coordination but our local camera person was fantastic and we ended up having a lot of fun with the show."
Everyone agrees that being on the show was fun, although Cynthia admits she's glad Jeansonne was the one who spent most of the time on camera. "We enjoyed being part of the show." says Jeansonne. "It really sharpened the way I talk about green building - the why's, the benefits, the cost savings - a big part of what I do is education."
The Greenovate episodes featuring the Austin home are scheduled to air in June on Discovery's new cable network, Planet Green.
You can visit this home "in person" by participating in the Cool House Tour 2008 on Saturday, June 22 from noon-6 p.m.
Resources
Solluna Builders Case Study
Jeansonne Interview with Our Home Planet blog
Free Online LEED Training
Georgia-based Southface Energy Institute is an independent, non-profit organization that promotes sustainability through research, education, advocacy and technical assistance. Currently, they offer a number of free online courses, including the LEED for New Construction 2.2 Study Guide.
Other courses include Planning and Conducting Green Design Charettes and Building Commissioning: Ensuring High Performance Green Buildings.
The Southface web site includes an array of useful resources, including an Indoor Air Quality Handbook and an excellent selection of Factsheets.
Resources
Southface Online Training
Energy Efficiency is Focus of Texas Sales Tax Holiday
During Memorial Day weekend (May 24-26, 2008), Texas shoppers get a break from state and local sales taxes on purchases of qualifying energy efficient products. Qualifying products will display the Energy Star logo, which may appear on the appliance, the packaging, or the Energy Guide label.
According to a San Antonio Business Journal article, the premise behind the weekend shopping event is similar to one the state holds in August when certain clothing items are exempted from paying sales tax. The Energy Star sales tax holiday will also be an annual event.
The products qualifying for the exemption are:
Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. Earning the Energy Star label means a product meets energy efficiency
guidelines set by these two federal agencies.
There is no limit on the number of qualifying items one can purchase during this sales tax holiday, and an exemption certificate is not required.
For all the details, see the Window on State Government web site.
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