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I work daily with this group as we work to advance energy efficiency in Utah. The UBEES Team is composed of the following Utah organizations: Division of Facilities and Construction Management (DFCM), Governor's Office of Economic Development Office of the Governor's Energy Advisor, Utah Clean Energy, Utah State Energy Program,.The UBEES program was created to advance strategies for energy efficient new buildings and existing building retrofits in a way that benefits Utah businesses, builders, residents, and workers.

US DOE Website- BECP develops and maintains free software and tools to support energy codes and standards, REScheck software for low-rise residential building energy code compliance, and the COMcheck software for commercial building energy code compliance, and conducts outreach and deployment activities related to energy codes and high-performance sustainably designed buildings

The State of Utah recently purchased an E-60bx thermal camera for my use in energy efficiency training and studies. Using a thermal camera for building diagnostics identifies many areas where energy efficiency can be improved. "The cheapest, cleanest, most sustainable energy is energy conserved"

Find information on future free energy efficiency training, typically through webinars. . Also view past webinars includeing Morningside Energy Code Training presentations which I have the pleasure(responsibility) to present the first Thursday of the month..

ENERGY STAR for homes is a program recognizing homes built to a strict set of guidelines that are at least 15% more efficient than a home built to the minimum requirements of the current energy code. This is THE resource for information on this EPA program.

Our single greatest challenge in energy code enforcement is verification of the thermal performance of windows and doors. The NFRC provides a solution to the challenge. The NFRC is a non-profit organization that administers the only uniform, independent rating and labeling system for the energy performance of windows, doors, skylights, and attachment products. Their goal is to provide fair, accurate, and reliable energy performance ratings for architects, builders, code officials, homeowners and manufacturers.

This website has been developed to provide users with information about energy codes and beyond code technologies. You can SEARCH by keyword, or BROWSE the available topics.Resources are available in a variety of different media types, including Articles, Graphics, Online Tools, Presentations, and Videos. The BECP Resource Center gathers content not only from their archives, but also provides links to energy code resources from around the web.

Energy Codes, studies and energy efficiency experts all agree that a critical requirement to obtaining maximum performance and efficiency from heat and cooling systems is to correctly size the equipment and distribution systems. This is the design software I used in my previous career as an HVAC contractor. In my current career as a building code official, I require a design based on this or another approved software for all new mechanical systems.

Here's another reason why I love where I live. We have a progressive community college that is leading the way in practical education in sustainability fields. My friend and neighbor credits this program with giving him the skills to design and build his house using highly energy efficient methods. He had no prior experience either, and now he is a solar hot water installer. Here's my friend's blog that details their entire process. (I may venture into this one year program at GCC after I finish at UMass) http://spartanandhannah.wordpress.com/

This is an organization in Massachusetts that helps homeowners and businesses lower their energy costs and consumption. We bought a hundred year old house a little over a year ago and had them do an energy audit. For a small fee, they performed various tests on our home's energy efficiency and made several retrofit solutions for no additional charge - new CFL bulbs throughout the house, low-flow aerators and shower head, and various draft sealing measures. As a result of the audit we were able to secure a 0% loan for a new high efficiency furnace and tankless hot water heater.

The U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. Our community of leaders is working to make green buildings available to everyone within a generation.

US Green Building Council is the governing body that founded, and maintains the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). Thousands of residential and commercial buildings across the nation are being built to these specifications. Ratings such as Silver, Gold, and Platinum are awarded for buildings that meet the stringent energy saving design characteristics. The U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. Our community of leaders is working to make green buildings available to everyone within a generation.

Some LEED Platinum Skyscrapers: Taipei 101: http://inhabitat.com/taiwains-taipei-101-skyscraper-crowned-the-worlds-tallest-leed-platinum-building/ Bank of America Building NYC: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bank_of_America_Tower_(New_York_City) Shenzen's Horizontal Skyscraper: http://www.evolo.us/architecture/steven-holls-leed-platinum-horizontal-skyscraper/

The Mass Green Communities initiative is a program with simple and clear criteria which a town can meet in order to gain Green Community designation. It is a program that residents can be part of and aside from the environmental benefits of meeting the criteria it makes the town eligible for various state and federal grants. One of my coworkers is involved in the initiative for the town of Northfield and it is something he feels proud as a resident to be a part of.

This organization is a resource for builders, architects, designers, and educators. They provide information, networking and solutions for geared toward sustainable energy solutions in the built environment. AND they are right here in Greenfield! I just used their Green Pages Directory to find a local manufacturer and installer of standing seam metal roofing.

     In our business of sustainable construction energy retro-fits, we go after the the 'low-hanging fruit' first. Nine time out of ten, it's the lighting system of a building or home. Think beyond compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) to the longer lasting, more efficient and cost effective lighting method know as Light Emitting Diode bulbs.

Video discussing how Denmark efficiently burns it's waste to produce energy, and that it's been doing so for forty years.

The renewable energy industry supports 110,000 jobs in the UK and could support 400,000 by 2020, a report says.

ASHRAE- American Society of Heating, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Engineers is THE HVAC technical expert/organization in the world. All codes and design practices are based on ASHRAE Standards. There are a number of free resources available on their website- this one is for consumers. It is a great resource for anybody looking for energy efficiency in buildings.

The word "geothermal" is recognized to represent a sustainable, efficient energy source. This website is an great resource, the voice of the geothermal heat pump industry.

A very detailed green technology information page, offering a comprehensive look at the most common elements of the movement. Includes numerous links to further information.