In the past three months I have been concentrating on "efficiency first" with both new construction and existing homes.  I have recently completed A RESNET (Residential Energy Systems Network www.natresnet.org ) rater training through Energy Logic ( www.nrglogic.com ) in Berthoud Colorado. 



The intense 6 day class focused on buildings as a system, building science, blower door usage and diagnosis and home energy inspections/analysis.  

The "SYSTEM APPROACH" is the concept that there are 3 importanat factors within any building or structure and to treat all three as a system that functions according to the balance found within them. 

The components of the systems approach are:
The Structure
The Equipment and Systems
The Occupants

The main objective of this Education is to provide analysis and education to existing homeowners, in order to help provide solutions. 
Imagin3 Energy Solutions will focus on these GOALS:

1.      Provide in-depth research, analysis and resources to set a “benchmark” study (Audit) on the home or building.

2.      Utilizing the benchmark study (Audit):  Provide insight, knowledge and education to the client on how their energy is utilized, consumed and possibly wasted.

3.      To define each unique (client specific) energy puzzle and provide education and awareness to then prioritize solutions to solve the puzzle.

4.      Develop bid proposals to complete necessary retrofit, renovation or weatherization work (Partnership up with Boxwell Construction)

5.      Provide the resources, management and knowledge to perform the work.

6.      Help people Achieve greater energy efficiency and sustainability.

7.      Our Goal helps owners save valuable energy, and money on utility bills while also protecting the environment.

8.      Quality Assurance and non-biased research on all analysis.

Next steps...

1.      Provide in-depth research, analysis and resources to set a “benchmark” study (Audit) on the home or building.

2.      Utilizing the benchmark study (Audit):  Provide insight, knowledge and education to the client on how their energy is utilized, consumed and possibly wasted.

3.      To define each unique (client specific) energy puzzle and provide education and awareness to then prioritize solutions to solve the puzzle.

4.      Develop bid proposals to complete necessary retrofit, renovation or weatherization work (Partnership up with Boxwell Construction)

5.      Provide the resources, management and knowledge to perform the work.

6.      Help people Achieve greater energy efficiency and sustainability.

7.      Our Goal helps owners save valuable energy, and money on utility bills while also protecting the environment.

8.      Quality Assurance and non-biased research on all analysis.

Next steps...

Working with a good friend of mine Greg Koss, we have developed a design proposal for Casey Middle School in Boulder.  Please check out their website www.solarlivingdesign.com as well as the design renderings attached.  Very cool stuff!

The theme of this gathering: we face exciting but heavy times.  The agenda of the summit overall was very positive, eclectic and ripe for the low hanging fruit.  I have yet to be just awed by pure ingenuity and people thinking BIGGER.  It is the easy picking that people are focusing on:  I understand the tangible need, the quick return and the “feel good” that comes with that but WOW Let climb the tree and jump.  That being said I first want to fill the knowledge pool, so when I land it makes the biggest splash, that creates a swell so big that everyone can ride and it’s endless (renewable).   ENERGYSWELL!

I attended these seminars: peak oil, building science evolution, lean is green, selling high performance homes, zero carbon homes, a builders panel on energy star, energy-carbon connection, small town revolution and understanding energy code.  Some of which held value and definite intrigue, and some that fell flat.  Most exciting and challenging were the building science evolution (building as a system), small town revolution and the energy-carbon connection. 

Thoughts and themes that stick and hopefully will not peel:

·         IT’S ABOUT THE ENERGY…referring to the fact we have green-washed building practices and forgotten about the fact we MUST save energy!

·         Small, rural and secluded places on this planet (FRASER) are home to creative, weird, lean and conscious thinkers.  So Let’s start an ENERGY revolution!

·         “Don’t swallow the sweater” referring to how we insulate the ribs and not the exterior envelope, funny but true.

·         We can all benefit from the Energy Star code (among others) and movement, yet we cannot have competing ratings, codes, regulations and values, so get together to FOCUS on what matters-ENERGY!

Thinking beyond the horizon I believe that WE must progress with focus, ingenuity, creativity yet patience and willingness to sacrifice the consumptive and wasteful lifestyles we all know (and love to some extent).  As a whole this energy crisis comes down to the “ALL ME” and not “what about them (us).”   WE are all in this together so OUR future depends on the ability we each have to recognize, change and live a different but equally great lifestyle.  Yikes, that being said I will step down from the pulpit and continue to learn, educate and share.  I love this!

Dav3 will be attending the Energy Star summit in Denver, CO December 1-2, 2008.  Please check back on comments and thoughts posted next week.