Energetechs in the Missoulian

March 30, 2010 by green  
Filed under Energetechs in the news

CLICK HERE to read a Missoulian article about Energetechs verifying the energy efficiency of a house in Missoula

2009 IECC – Residential Code Training Seminar, Kalispell, MT

March 17, 2010 by green  
Filed under Newsletter

A FULL-DAY, IN-PERSON, RESIDENTIAL ENERGY CODE TRAINING SEMINAR PRESENTED BY ENERGETECHS…. “The code training was excellent….I think this was valuable information.  As an insulator these new changes are critical….I look forward to the new 2009 IECC and hope that we can work towards educating those involved in the building industry.”     Nate Jarosch, Manager, Installed Insulation, BMC Select, Missoula, MT. (Attended our code training seminar in Missoula on April 23rd, 2010)

2009 IECC – How to Meet and Exceed the New Energy Code for Montana.

REGISTER NOW!

SPACE IS LIMITED – CALL THE FLATHEAD BUILDING ASSOCIATION OR EMAIL 

Topics Covered:

  • Residential Code Compliance
  • Energy conservation.
  • Green building
  • Insulation
  • Air-sealing
  • Blower Door, Duct Tightness, and IR Camera Testing
  • Heating and Cooling
  • Ventilation
  • Moisture control
  • Comfort
  • Safety
  • Health
  • Durability
  • Affordability

WHEN: FRIDAY, May 6th, 8am – 5pm.

WHERE: Hampton Inn, 1140 US Hwy 2, Kalispell, MT

The Hampton Inn
1140 US HWY 2 West, Kalispe

COST: $85.00 per person FBA members (lunch included)

: $95.00 per person non-FBA members (lunch included)

Code Training - Approved Inspection

COURSE OUTLINE

(Continuing Education Credits available with self reporting – a certificate will be provided)

Morning Session

8:00am    – Welcome, introductions and overview of the day’s activities.

- Preview of the Jobsite Booklet with Checklist and Examples

- Overview of Performance Based Design and Energy Efficient Construction principles.

9:00am    – 2009 IECC residential requirements in detail – point by point analysis with  reference to the code, photos, Jobsite Booklet, Checklist, Examples, and Best Practices.

10:00am  – 15 minute break.

10:15am  – 2009 IECC residential requirements in detail (continued).

Lunch Break

12:00 noon      (Lunch is included in the cost of the class).

Afternoon Session

12:45pm  – Demonstrations of Blower Door, Duct Tightness, and Infrared Camera testing in action,  air-sealing details, and heat recovery ventilation system requirements.

4:00pm    – Return to conference room for Q&A.

5:00pm    – Close.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES – by the end of the day you will:

  • Be familiar with the format and layout of the 2009 IECC.
  • Understand the Montana amendments to the code.
  • Understand the differences between the current version and the new version of the code (with amendments).
  • Be familiar with the JOBSITE CHECKLIST provided and how to use it to ensure that nothing gets overlooked during the construction process.
  • Understand exactly what is required to meet the requirements of the 2009 IECC and the Montana amendments.
  • Know what is involved in Blower Door, Duct Tightness, and IR Camera Tests.
  • Understand the fundamentals of Heat and Energy Recovery Ventilation systems and their ducting requirements.
  • Have a better understanding of energy efficient building design and construction, building science, and Green Building in general.
  • Understand how energy efficient construction can affect the Health, Safety, Comfort, Durability, and Affordability of homes in Montana.

TAKE-HOME MATERIAL

  • Jobsite Booklet – developed exclusively for this training program. Includes a thorough checklist and relevant examples (with photos) to help Project Managers ensure that every residential job meets or exceeds the requirements of the 2009 IECC. (1 copy included in price – more available for purchase)

Optional Extras (additional price per copy)

  • 2009 International Energy Conservation Code $35.00 Paperback version of the 2009 IECC – keep one on every jobsite!
  • 2009 IECC Study Companion $48.00 Comprehensive study guide to help you better understand the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code®

For more information and to register call THE FLATHEAD BUILDING ASSOCIATION OR EMAIL 

Energetechs’ Passive Solar Advice on HGTV-Pro

March 11, 2010 by green  
Filed under Newsletter

We were honored recently to receive a call from Kara Wahlgren, a writer for HGTVPro.com. She found our web-site when she searched the internet for a Passive Solar Design Consultant. Kara had a number of questions for our Passive Solar Design expert, Andy Lemann, for an article she was writing on Energy Efficient Windows. Here’s a brief excerpt from the her article…

“…the growing trend of passive solar design allows homeowners to harness the sun’s energy without spending a fortune or cluttering their property with solar-energy collectors. Instead, the key to a successful passive solar design is a strategic approach to installing windows.”

Click on the link below to read the full article or CLICK HERE to visit the HGTVPro.com website which contains a wealth of information aimed at homebuilding professionals.

http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/di_green_sustainable/article/0,2618,HPRO_20616_6025009,00.html

SeriousWindows for Passive Solar Design

Energetechs recently became a dealer for SeriousWindows, the most energy efficient windows made in North America. These windows are perfectly suited to Passive Solar design because every window that Serious sells comes with the option for either Low-gain or High-gain glass.

One of the beautiful things about Passive Solar Design is that, when it’s done right, it keeps a home warmer in the winter AND cooler in the summer. To achieve this we rely on very high performance windows that have very low U-values (high R-values) and SHGC’s (Solar Heat Gain Coefficients) that are tunable to different orientations. Here’s another quote from Kara’s article…

“…Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC). The SHGC measures how much solar heat comes through the window. Lemann recommends a high SHGC on south-facing windows; they’ll let heat in during winter months and proper shading will keep the sun out during summer months. On all other walls, opt for a low SHGC. “It’s difficult to shade windows on the west side because the sun comes in so low — so that’s when you want a window that doesn’t let too much heat through…” (i.e. a window with a low SHGC).

Selecting Energy Efficient Windows

For this reason we always encourage our clients to select the most high-performance windows they can afford. To help with the decision making process we have put together a Window Comparison Spreadsheet that directly compares U-values, R-values, SHGCs, and Prices for High-Performance Windows from a variety of different manufacturers. CLICK HERE to view our Window Comparison Chart.

Or contact us if you have any questions about Passive Solar Design or Energy Efficient Windows.

Energetechs, 615 Oak St, Suite 101, Missoula, MT, 59802 (406) 721 2741