High-rise Passive House buildings were the subject of GreenHomeNYC’s monthly forum in October. The three presentations provided attendees with an overview of what implementing Passive House standards looks like in real life.
Gahl Sorkin Spanier of the Association for Energy Affordability (AEA) kicked off the evening with a presentation on how best to go about building a high-rise Passive House (PH) project. Kevin Brennan, formerly of AEA and now co-owner of Brennan Brennan Insulation and Air tightness, joined Gahl in sharing learnings from Passive House projects and training. AEA recently worked on an 86-unit PH affordable residence for seniors in Queens, in partnership with the non-profit organization HANAC.
Kevin Brennan & Gahl Spanier
Gahl emphasized the importance of holding training for the various trades building a PH project, noting that the main sources of air leakage are often at details where trade responsibilities are unclear. It is key, therefore, that training not only instill understanding of PH requirements, but also recognition of the importance of collaboration and coordinating across trades. Another takeaway from AEA’s experience is that training should not include more theory or math than necessary. Gahl noted that any general contractor personnel in a supervisory role should not only receive training, but also be empowered to teach others.
Tracy Fitz of the New York Solar Energy Society and John Burke of the Maine Solar Energy Society are teaming up again this April 30, to host a repeat of their successful seminar on how to construct a photovoltaic solar panel. Learn the fundamentals of photovoltaic power in this hands on workshop hosted by City Solar and The Commons in Brooklyn. The workshop will be held at 388 Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. Registration is $125 and space is limited. For more info on this event, contact City Solar at 347-254-0019 or [email protected].
GreenHomeNYC volunteer Brian Rahm’s final reflections on his path to becoming LEED AP. Read parts one and two.
I realized after taking the exam that, whether you are new to the principles of green building or have sustainability expertise already, my advice is the same. The Green Associate exam is not so much a test of your sustainability or building knowledge as it is a test of your familiarity with the LEED process, AS SEEN THROUGH THE EYES OF THE USGBC. You are essentially becoming their representative, and the Green Associate exam is a form of Boot Camp. You must know their rules and play by them.
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Continuing GreenHomeNYC volunteer Brian Rahm’s reflections on his path to becoming LEED AP. In part one, Brian discusses the training materials for the exam, including the The Green Building & LEED Core Concepts Guide.
With my Core Concepts Guide in hand, I set about trying to determine if I was eligible to take the exam.
Without documented eligibility, it is not possible to even attempt to take the exam. To be eligible requires at least one of the following conditions be met: that you have previous experience on a LEED project; that you work in a “sustainable” field of work – a clear definition of which I was never quite able to gather; or that you take an approved course. If you are like me, and you qualify for neither of the first two options, then the only remaining option is to take a course. (more…)
GreenHomeNYC volunteer Brian Rahm reflects on his path to becoming LEED AP.
I was between jobs, had some time to kill, and wanted to do something productive. “Why not go for my USGBC LEED Green Associate accreditation,” I thought. And so I did.
This three-part blog posting is about the process I went through, the initial perceptions I had, the reality of what I found, and how my story may help others who wish to become LEED Green Associate accredited, but don’t know where to start.
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Kevin Brennan & Gahl Spanier