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Internet, Conferences Help Builder Maintain Green Edge
Award-winning green builder Don Ferrier, of Ferrier Custom Homes, based in Fort Worth, Texas, relies on the Internet, conferences and his customers to stay abreast of the latest information about green building, energy efficiency and building science in order to meet consumer demand for green homes.
The information also helps him keep up with increasingly stringent energy codes.
Ferrier, who has been building energy-efficient homes since 1982 and has won numerous EnergyValue Housing Awards (EVHA) and National Green Building Awards, said he continually searches myriad sources for new information that he can use to develop new ideas and hone his company’s building techniques in order to maintain an edge over his competition.
Because “green building information is exploding,” Ferrier said, sifting through all the information available online to find those really valuable nuggets can be challenging.
One source of information that Ferrier finds particularly useful is the online NAHB Green Scoring Tool of the National Green Building Program. “When we go through the scoring process step by step, I discover details that I never thought of before, and some are very easy to implement,” Ferrier said
He said he also finds the EnergyValue Housing Award program beneficial, not only because of the market differentiation it provides program winners, but because it enables him to network and share advances in green building with other EVHA builders.
Heather Ferrier, general manager at Ferrier Custom Homes, said the EVHA application process is also an effective learning tool. “It’s a great process to go through to ensure that every level of energy-efficiency is installed and performing as we specified,” she said. “The award’s documentation process is lengthy, but it provides benchmarks to help guide our process.”
Don Ferrier also finds conferences on green building and energy-efficiency great sources of information. While he admits that he serves as a presenter and expert speaker at many of the conferences, he attends as many sessions of interest as he can. “There is always something to learn when you see what others are doing,” he said.
Another information source that Ferrier finds valuable is the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building America program.
Some ideas Ferrier garnered from the program are simple — such as making his trade contractors responsible for flashing and sealing any building envelope penetrations that they make. Until implementing the suggestion from Building America, the builder would do the repair work needed.
“Now, if a plumber puts a hose bib through a wall or an electrician runs power to an air conditioning compressor, we supply the details and they are responsible for the work,” Ferrier said.
One other source of information Ferrier finds valuable is his clients, who come to him with ideas and suggestions for their homes. He doesn’t dismiss a customer’s idea outright; he’d rather “look at it and see if it makes sense.” To compensate for the exploratory time, however, Ferrier charges for estimates and offers clients design services for an hourly fee.
For more information about the EnergyValue Housing Award and its winners, visit www.nahbrc.org/evha, contact the NAHB Research Center online or call 800-638-8556.
For more information about the Building America program, visit www.buildingamerica.gov.
 ‘National Green Building Standard’ Available at BuilderBooks.com
“The National Green Building Standard,” available through BuilderBooks.com, provides “green” practices that can be incorporated into multifamily and single-family new home construction, home remodeling and additions and site development.
The standard covers lot design, resource, energy and water efficiency; indoor environment quality; and owner education.
Currently the first and only ANSI-approved green building rating system, the National Green Building Standard is the benchmark for green homes.
To view or purchase this publication online, click here.
 The Future of Residential Construction Is Green
The Certified Green Professional (CGP) designation teaches builders, remodelers and other industry professionals techniques for incorporating green building principles into homes using cost-effective and affordable options.
Earning the CGP demonstrates to clients and peers your commitment to the best and latest in green building practices and techniques. More than 4,200 people have earned the CGP designation to date.
For more information, visit www.nahb.org/CGPinfo.
 ‘Build Green and Save’ Available at BuilderBooks.com
“Build Green and Save: Protecting the Earth and Your Bottom Line,” available through BuilderBooks.com, is a comprehensive, easy-to-read reference that shows builders how to identify and select green building materials; implement green construction techniques; explain the benefits of green housing and offer affordable green building solutions to consumers; and use resources wisely and reduce water and energy consumption.
To view or purchase this publication online, click here, or call 800-223-2665.
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