By Todd Booze
Todd Booze
Builders need to know about changes to the IRC Chapter 11 Energy Efficiency code and the effects those changes will have on Oklahoma.
To get a great overview of the energy-efficient component of the changes, attend the third annual Oklahoma Green Building Summit this September.
You may have attended in the past, but I think this is the best opportunity not only for builders, but architects, engineers and realtors to come and learn what the changes to the IRC are and how to implement them.
Specifically, much more stringent standards have been adopted in regard to energy efficiency related to construction and workmanship, like envelope air sealing and water resistant barriers. Builders will need to understand what products will be suitable to meet these standards.
Another reason to attend is to hear from the nation's leading expert in green building and energy efficient construction, Joe Lstiburek, Ph.D., P.Eng., and ASHRAE Fellow. Lstiburek is a principal of Boston-based Building Science Corp., and is a Fellow of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.
He is one of the founders of building science in the country and is going to talk to us about problems he sees in building and construction related to incorrect and inefficient design. This will be good information for architects to hear. It is important to understand how one component in design has an effect something else.
While green building by definition has many facets, energy-efficiency requirements are at the forefront right now as the new code requirements are focused on energy and durability. This portion of the summit occurs early the first day, kicking off at 7:30 a.m. Sept. 27.
You will see a strong contingent of Realtors at the Summit this year. That's because Oklahoma City Metropolitan Association of Realtors, which is helping organize the 2011 summit, has a green resource council and are really pushing their membership to come. The summit will benefit Realtors and their understanding of green homes and how they fit with their customers in the housing market.
Hope to see you there.
Todd Booze
The 2011 Oklahoma Green Building Summit is sponsored in part by:
