The NAHB National Green Building Conference in Raleigh, N.C. on May 16-18 will feature a new track of education sessions focused on advanced green knowledge, plus sessions focused on green remodeling practices and sessions that earn American Institute of Architects (AIA) continuing education credit. 

The green building education offerings include:

‘GreenTensive’ Sessions

Participants can attend any or all of the five in-depth sessions in the “GreenTensive” series. Each session is focused on a specific green practice — energy efficiency; water efficiency; indoor environmental quality; resource efficiency; and lot design, preparation and development.

During each session, experts will lead small group discussions that lead to problem-solving and discovery, providing attendees with tangible, solution-oriented practices.

AIA Continuing Education Credit Sessions

Sessions that offer credit towards AIA continuing education include:

• “Water Efficiency, Reclamation, Reuse and Management” — Water reuse experts will address a variety of topics to offer an overview of this extremely important issue. Attendees will be brought up-to-date on the many significant advances in the field as well as briefed on lingering challenges to be addressed.
  
  
• “Energy Star Qualified Homes: 2011 Specifications” — In response to increasingly rigorous codes, standards and construction practices, the EPA is releasing third-generation Energy Star Qualified Homes specifications for 2011.
  
  
• “Selecting the Most Cost-Effective Green Practices” — Attendees will learn how to select the most cost-effective green practices for their next project and hear how these practices were implemented in an affordable workforce home as well as in Low Income Housing Tax Credit projects.
  
  
• “10 Essentials for Marketing to the New Green Consumer” — The session outlines the 10 essential elements to successfully market green products and includes case studies of outstanding builders and product manufacturers who have taken their green solutions to the next level. Learn why buyers make green choices and see examples of messages and tactics that are making an impact.

Green Remodeling and Renovation Sessions

• “Green Home Renovations” — Participants will take home a basic understanding of how to approach and execute a green renovation — from simple projects to more elaborate structural modifications. Attendees will also learn the two different paths for renovations and additions under the National Green Building Standard and how they can have their projects verified and certified with National Green Building Certification.
  
  
• “Green Renovation and Addition: A Case Study” — This presentation follows — from start to finish — how an extensive renovation and 1,290-square-foot addition in Chapel Hill, N.C., turned a 15-year-old, 1,800-square-foot and very inefficient home into an award-winning green project.
  
  
• “The High-Performance Energy Remodel” — Participants will learn how they can tap into the huge volume of inefficient existing homes to create jobs for themselves and their crews, while helping to make America and home owners more energy-efficient.
  
  
• “Will the Stars Align With Home Star? Benefitting From Weatherization Programs” — At this general session, attendees will gain an understanding of the roles of energy raters and auditors, certifiers and trainers — and hear some weatherization success stories from remodelers who significantly boosted their business and a home builders association that turned federal money into a positive for its members’ bottom lines.

Speakers, Tours and Awards

The conference’s Tour of Green Homes, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 16, features visits to two luxury homes — one a Craftsman-style with plenty of outdoor living space, the other a rustic home that incorporates local yellow pine from trees harvested within 70 miles. Attendees will also see green workforce housing, a house built to NAHB ANSI 700 Green Building Standard Gold and other innovative green projects.

Keynote speaker John Replogle, CEO of Burt’s Bees natural personal care products, will discuss how embracing sustainable best practices can provide a powerful competitive advantage, increased productivity and improved bottom-line performance. Replogle will explain how, despite the challenges inherent in following these practices, the potential upside is tremendous and about how Burt’s Bees embraces a successful triple bottom line — people, planet and profits.

The National Green Building Awards dinner, held on Monday, May 17, will honor individuals and projects that exemplify the best in green building in the past year.

To Register

To register for the conference, visit www.nahb.org/greenbuildingconference. Several registration options are available.

Advance registration ends Friday, April 30.

'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.

'National Green Building Standard Commentary' Available at BuilderBooks.com

The "National Green Building Standard Commentary," available through BuilderBooks.com and a companion to the ANSI approved "National Green Building Standard," that provides valuable insight to the intention and implementations of the practices and provisions found in the green building standard.

The "Commentary" is a useful resource for any designer or builder using the ICC 700-2008 as a rating system for developing or renovating residential properties of all types to reduce their relative impact.

To view or purchase this publication online, click here, or call 800-223-2665.

More Than 5,000 People Have Earned Their CGP Designation

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 5,000 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.