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January 16, 2014

  • Energy Code Update
  • Green Educational Seminar
  • Green Building Tour

New Houston Residential Energy Conservation Code
15 percent More Energy Efficient than Statewide Code

On January 8, 2014, Houston City Council approved another five percent increase in the Houston Residential Energy Conservation Code.  With this increase, the local minimum energy efficiency requirements for new construction of one and two family homes, townhouses and apartments up to three stories in height is 15 percent above what is mandated by state law.  This is the third year in a row the local code has been increased by five percent.

In addition to adopting new residential building energy efficiency codes, the City itself is continuing to retrofit municipal buildings to make them more energy efficient. Since 2007, the City has seen a 26% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions.

For more information on the new code contact Lisa.Brown@houstontx.gov.

Educational Seminar
Living Building Challenge in Houston
Wednesday, January 22
6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
at the Green Building Resource Center
1002 Washington Avenue
Houston 77002
in partnership with the Texas Gulf Coast Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council

Speakers:
Amanda Tullos, Principal
GreeNexus Consulting
and
Shelly Pottorf, Principal
Architend Architects

What if every single act of design and construction made the world a better place?

The purpose of the Living Building Challenge is straightforward - it defines the most advanced measure of sustainability in the built environment possible today, and acts to diminish the gap between current limits and ideal solutions.  It calls for the creation of building projects at all scales that operate as cleanly, beautifully and efficiently as nature's architecture.  An overview of the Challenge will be reviewed with a case study of the first project in Texas built to meet the requirements of the Living Building Challenge.

Learn strategies for getting to net-zero energy use and incorporating natural ventilation in a hot and humid climate, how to avoid toxic chemicals in building materials, and how it pushes the edge of high performance design.

The educational seminar event is limited to 100 attendees. Register online or call 832.394.9050 prior to the event. Visit https://www.greenhoustontx.gov/gbrceducation.pdf for more details and a map.

H-E-B Montrose Market
Certified
Green Building Tour
Friday, January 24
1701 West Alabama Street Houston 77098
Postponed to April

Three group guided tours
11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m. 
Tours will last approximately 45 minutes each
Free and open to the public

Montrose H-E-B

Certified by the U.S. Green Building Council in 2011; LEED for New Construction- Gold level
For additional information and a map, visit www.houstontx.gov/mayor/leedtour.pdf.

 

Green buildings provide greater energy efficiency, saving money for owners and users, and the reuse of materials is better for the environment.  Ultimately, they foster a happier and healthier workplace for employees. In partnership with the Texas Gulf Coast Chapter of the US Green Building Council, the Green Building Resource Center, within the LEED Gold Houston Permitting Center, hosts periodic programs to educate the public about green building practices.

Green Building Resource Center

Green Building Resource Center

www.codegreenhouston.org

To learn more about City of Houston sustainability efforts, visit www.greenhoustontx.gov.

 

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Council Members: Brenda Stardig • Jerry Davis • Ellen R. Cohen • Dwight A. Boykins • Dave Martin •
Richard Nguyen • Oliver Pennington • Edward Gonzalez • Robert Gallegos •
Mike Laster • Larry V. Green • Stephen C. Costello • David W. Robinson •
Michael Kubosh • C.O. “Brad” Bradford • Jack Christie
Controller: Ronald C. Green