Green From the Ground Up Course Syllabus

Testimonial

David,
Thank you so much for coming to Washington to conduct the Green Advantage National Certification on Thursday and Friday. This is the first time in years that I have been so excited about my profession. I’m leaving with a renewed since of hope and enthusiasm for creating the change that is so necessary in our industry. I already had a fairly sound base in green design, with chunks of knowledge in many different areas. Your class has helped me fill in the gaps and tie it all together. I am certain that by using your approach we can all, together, effect an appreciable difference.

I recently studied for and passed the LEED-AP exam for new construction. I did learn a lot from that, but I have to say, your approach is far more practical and to-the-point. LEED required a tremendous amount of memorization (of things that could be looked up), and it was really all about learning a complicated system. Your system is about rolling up your sleeves and making a practical difference. Over the weekend, I strategized about how to incorporate the most important aspects into my business, and am anxious to begin doing so on Monday morning.

Thank you so much and keep going! This planet needs you!

Susan C. Pierce, AIA
Commonwealth Home Remodelers, Inc.

"What’s Working has done a great job teaching the Certified Green Building Professional course here in the Bay Area. The classes are packed with interesting information that brings remodelers up to speed on building green, including segments on Indoor Air Quality, Energy Efficiency, and Resource Conservation."

-MICHAEL MCCUTCHEON, President, McCutcheon Construction, Inc.

Green Builders are working
even during challenging economic times, green builders are staying busy. Why?

Today’s consumers want comfortable homes, lower energy bills, healthy air for their children to breathe and the peace of mind that comes with knowing their home will last a lifetime. Trained green building professionals are uniquely positioned to deliver on homeowners’ desires.

Thinking Green

David Johnston, President of What’s Working developed this training course over the last 15 years in the green building industry. It has evolved into the state-of-the-art in builder/remodeler education. The basis of the training is Green from the Ground Up his best selling book on how to build green. His book Green Remodeling is a Nautilus Book Award winner. What’s Working is training trainers across the country in the nuts and bolts of practical, energy efficient and affordable green homes and remodels.

In this two-day course, What's Working's expert trainers teach participants how to approach a home from the green building mindset. Instead of seeing the house just as a conglomeration of parts, students learn to view a home in terms of interrelated systems. From foundations to flooring, from roofs to HVAC systems, students learn that all aspects of design and construction must function together in order to build a green home.

The Green Building Tripod guides every design decision and construction detail.

The Tripod consists of:

• Energy-Efficiency
• Resource Conservation
• Indoor Air Quality

Students learn how to achieve all three goals while building beautiful, durable, affordable homes.

Who Should Attend?

The course is geared toward anyone involved in the building industry especially those in the remodeling business.
The course attracts trades people, general contractors, production home builders, architects, interior designers, suppliers and manufacturers, and real estate professionals.
Homeowners, too, find the course helpful for jumpstarting their DIY projects.

For New Homes and Remodels, Mutli- and Single-Family

The principles and practices in the course apply at all levels of residential construction, from single-room renovations to production built communities.

Practical Information You Can Use Immediately

This course is designed to provide students with useful information that can be applied on the jobsite or in the home right away. Participants leave the class armed with real-world, affordable solutions.

Green Advantage Certification

The Green From the Ground Up course prepares professionals to take the Green Advantage Certification exam.

Unit One: Context, Planning and Design

Why Green Building? Environmental Context Economic Context Benefits to the Homeowner
The Green Building Tripod Energy-Efficiency Resource Conservation Indoor Air Quality
Building Science Thermodynamics Hydrodynamics Whole Systems Design
Working with Site and Climate Passive Solar The Design Charette

Unit Two: Building the House

Foundations

Insulating the Foundation
Fly-Ash Concrete
Controlling Moisture
Crawlspaces

Insulation

Loose-fill, Spray-in and Rigid-foam Insulation
Radiant Barriers

Framing

Advanced Framing Techniques
FSC Certified Lumber
Engineered Lumber
Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPS)

Siding and Decking

Siding Materials
Decking Materials

Roofs and Attics

Attic Insulation and Ductwork
Sheathing and Roof Membranes
Roofing Materials

Solar Energy

Photovoltaics
Solar Hot Water

Windows and Doors

Window Frames
Glazing: Low-E, Super Windows
Skylights, Light Tubes
Doors

Indoor Air Quality

Volatile Organic Compounds
Formaldehyde
Mold

Plumbing

Reducing Standby Losses
On-Demand Circulation Systems
Tankless/Instantaneous Water Heaters
High-Efficiency Boilers
Water-Saving Fixtures and Appliances

Interior Finishes

Paints, finishes, adhesives
Cabinets
Countertops
Flooring

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning

Sizing HVAC Systems
Efficiency Testing and Upgrades
Radiant Heating Systems
Geothermal Systems
Ventilation

Site Management and Landscaping

Construction and Demolition Recycling
Minimizing Construction Impact
Climate-Appropriate Landscaping

Electrical

Ambient and Task Lighting
Compact Fluorescents, LEDs
Energy-Efficient Appliances

Unit Three: Putting It All Together

Green Programs and Certifications

Green Advantage
ENERGY STAR
Green Label
LEED for Homes
NAHB Green Building Program

Marketing Yourself as a Green Builder

Market Research
Strategies
Next Steps

Integrating

Green Practices on Monday Morning

If your a building professional and interested in taking the next steps to becoming a green building professional, contact GreenBuilding.com for more information.
Tel. 303.444.7044, info@greenbuilding.com