Mid-Valley Green Drinks

Green Drinks is an event that is held in cities & towns around the world. It was organized to get individuals passionate about sustainbility to network & discuss ideas. It's a very informal event & is free to the public. The USGBC Roaring Fork Interest Group is now hosting a "Mid-Valley Green Drinks" for those in the Roaring Fork Valley. The group intends to hold the event every first Wednesday of the month at different locations. We hope to see you next Wednesday! 

Past Project Showcase - 756 Faraway

This past winter, we completed a large exterior remodel in Snowmass Village. 
It was quite the transformation!

New windows were installed throughout the house, stucco & masonry replaced the old siding, the decks were re-framed & re-decked with Trex Transcends (Spiced Rum) & new metal handrails were installed. 

The Trex Transcends (Spiced Rum) decking has a 25 year warranty & is totally hassle free! There is no sanding, staining or clean-up required. Not to mention each board is made up of 95% recycled material. Trex Transcends is our top choice for decking.

 

Fiber cement panels were used as siding at the entrance & above the garage. These "Minerit HD" panels are manufactured by the American Fiber Cement Corporation. These panels are made in Finland & are extremely durable as well as non-combustible. 

Give us a call for your next home upgrade! 

970-704-1950
 www.legacyhomesofaspen.com

Rocky Mountain Institute Innovation Center

The Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) Innovation Center is set to be the most efficient building in the US at the coldest climate zone in Basalt, Colorado. It is not only energy efficient, but considered net-zero, generating as much energy, if not more, than it uses. The building is 15,400 SF total & will be used an office & gathering space. 

Going against the grain of typical project delivery, an IDP (Integrated Delivery Process) was used. This brings all of the players into the same room & discussing the project prior to construction. These players include the Owner, Engineers, Architects, General Contractor & some of the major subcontractors. These meetings are called "charettes" & help to foresee issues in the field prior to construction, saving the Owner substantial amounts of money throughout the time of the project. The contract is a Performance Contract with the risk AND reward shared as a team, in turn having everyone collectively solve problems instead of blame one another.

RMI wants to make sure that this building is easily replicable for the construction of more net-zero office buildings in the near future. The building size is similar to 90% of US office buildings. "RMI will teach how the building was contracted, designed, built, commissioned, and operated; how it can be replicated; how it worked with and for the community; and what RMI learned in the process"

The south side of the building will consist of white material, reflecting heat.  

 

The north side of the building will consist of grey material, absorbing heat.

There is no furnace or boiler & passive solar techniques are used to heat & cool the building. The only mechanical systems in the building are for venting & a backup for heating. The exterior of the building is constructed of 12" thick SIPS (structural insulated panels) with R-values of 50 in the wall & 80 in the ceiling. The SIPS used are Premier SIPS as they are currently the only manufacturer who makes curved panels. On the interior walls, a product call BioPCM Thermal Storage Mats are installed behind the drywall to add thermal mass & improve insulation. The windows, instead of being Argon-filled, are Krypton-filled & achieve R-values of 7. Outside of the SIPs, an elastic membrane, called the Fire Resist Barritech NP by Carlisle, was applied. This product, with "the high film thickness and flexible, elastic properties enable Fire Resist Barritech NP to bridge cracks and seal around penetrations, which creates a truly continuous, monolithic air, vapor and water barrier."

Indoor air quality & thermal comfort are priorities for the building. With a blower door test already performing at .174 ACH (air changes per hour), airflow is VERY important! 0.6 ACH was the goal, which is the minimum to achieve the Passivhaus Standard. Operable windows help move fresh air throughout the building.There are CO2 detectors throughout the building that will automatically open the windows if CO2 levels get too high.

Set-point temperatures will range from 64-82 degrees; standard set-points are at 70-76 degrees. With a bigger swing in temperature, controlling one's personal temperature is the goal. By using a new technology called the Hyperchair, individuals can control individual heating & cooling from their chair, further eliminating the mechanical systems. Say goodbye to those energy-sucking space heaters!

Because greywater reuse is currently illegal in Colorado, RMI is assuming that this law will not last forever & are equipping their systems so that in the future, no potable water will be used to flush the toilets. Any irrigation needed for the landscaping will be supplied by rainwater & runoff, which is collected in a nearby pond. Because there is no mechanical room, the space is used for the greywater basin eventually used to flush the toilets.

MISCELLANEOUS FACTS:

The mock-up for the walls cost about $35-40k. The added value cannot be 100% known, but is definitely worth the up-front costs! For example, the Owner not liking the color of the masonry AFTER it is delivered to the site...

• The solar panels on the roof are projected to produce about 80kW. The building is anticipated to only need 77kW.

• A light shelf in the ceiling reflects light into the entire space of the building, cutting down the need for artificial lighting.

CLT's or cross-laminated timbers are used to minimize use of whole timbers & concrete.

• The elevator runs on vegetable oil.  

• The Energy Use Index (EUI) is set to be 17.2 kBTU/SF.  
• A conventional building has an EUI between 80-100, with LEED at 69 & a net-zero building at less than 30.    

It is so exciting to have this building right in our backyard!

If you'd like to find out more, visit RMI's page here.

Free Energy Code Trainings & Current Code Information

CORE (Community Office for Resource Efficiency), Energy Smart Colorado & CLEER (Clean Energy Economy for the Region) are partnering together to offer our valley (3) FREE sessions on the 2015 IECC Residential & Commercial codes & their real world applications. During these sessions, you will "take a look at not just WHAT the Energy Code says but what it actually looks like applied in the real world. Through pictures & videos of field applications, you will look at the true intent behind the code requirements." Each workshop will be presented by Shaunna Mozingo from Colorado Code Consulting. 

ICC Continuing Education Hours as well as AIA Learning Units are also available!

To RSVP, email Shaunna at smozingo@coloradocode.net

• RIFLE: Wednesday, June 24th
• Rifle City Clerk, 202 Railroad Ave. (City Council Chambers)
• 8am to 12pm - Residential
• 1pm to 5pm - Commercial
• Lunch will be provided.

• CARBONDALE: Thursday, June 25th
• The Third Street Center, 520 S. Third St. (Calaway Room)
• 9am to 12pm - Residential
• 1pm to 4pm - Commercial
• Coffee, light breakfast & lunch will be provided.

• ASPEN: Friday, June 26th 
• Aspen Firehouse, 420 E. Hopkins Ave. (parking available at the Rio Grande Parking Garage)
• 9am to 12pm - Residential
• 1pm to 4pm - Commercial
• Coffee, light breakfast & lunch will be provided.

From Rifle to Aspen, we have (3) different counties in which we are in jurisdiction. Rifle & Carbondale are within Garfield County, Basalt is within Pitkin & Eagle (separated by the Roaring Fork River), while Aspen is within Pitkin County. Below is the most recent information for each county's current building code...

• PITKIN COUNTY - 
• SNOWMASS VILLAGE - 
• 2012 International Energy Conservation Code
• 2012 International Green Construction Code
• ASPEN - 
• 2009 International Building Code
• The adopted appendices for this code are:
• Group U – Agricultural Buildings
• Supplementary Accessibility Requirements
• Patio Covers
• Grading
• 2009 International Residential Code; Chapters 1-10 Only!
• The adopted appendices for this code are:
• Manufactured Housing Used as Dwellings
• Radon Control Methods
• Patio Covers
• Existing Buildings and Structures
• Sound Transmission
• 2009 International Plumbing Code
• 2009 International Mechanical Code
• 2009 International Fuel Gas Code
• 2009 International Fire Code  
• 2014 National Electrical Code
• 2009 International Energy Code (Ordinance 11: Adoption of the 2009 IECC) 
• ICC/ANSI A117.1, 2003

• ORDINANCES
• Ordinance 7 - Building Code Requirements for Roofs in Wild Fire Zones 
• Urban Wild Fire Map Memo Regarding Urban Wild Fire Building Code Regulations
• Carbon Monoxide Code
• Carbon Monoxide Handout

• Additional Information on Energy Code Compliance
• 2009 International Energy Conservation Code
• Encourages energy conservation through efficiency in envelope design, mechanical systems, lighting systems and the use of new materials and techniques.
• Ordinance 11 - The adoption of the 2009 IECC
• U.S. Department of Energy http://www.energy.gov/
• ASHRAE Fundamentals Handbook: "U-Factor (Overall Coefficient of Heat Transfer)"

• Renewable Energy Mitigation Program (REMP)
• 2009 IECC REMP Calculations - Instructions, Worksheets, GSHPS (This is an excel spreadsheet with pages for instructions, residential and commercial worksheets, and Ground Source Heat Pump Source Certification)

• Aspen-Pitkin Efficient Building Program (APEBP)

• GARFIELD COUNTY - 
• 2009 International Building Code
• Additional Building Requirements
• CARBONDALE - 
• 2012 International Green Construction Code
• REBP (Residential Efficient Building Program)
• REBP Checklist
• REBP Checklist Guidelines
• 2009 IBC, IRC, IMC, IPC, IFGC, IECC
• 2008 NEC
• EAGLE COUNTY - 
• 2009 International Building Code
• 2009 International Residential Code
• 2009 International Plumbing Code
• 2009 International Mechanical Code
• 2009 International Fuel Gas Code
• 2009 International Fire Code  
• National Electrical Code Amendments
• 2009 International Energy Code
• Wildfire Regulations
• ECO Build Regulations
• These regulations take into account some aspects of the IgCC & IECC.
• BASALT - Currently in the process of adopting parts of Eagle County's ECO Build. These are to be implemented by the end of 2015. 
• 2006 IECC
• Sustainable Building Regulations

Fireclay Tile

Fireclay Tile... the world's first B Corp, or B-Corporation, tile company. First things first, what is a B Corp? Well, it's a "Benefit Corporation". These companies operate the same as a traditional corporation, but with higher standards of corporate purpose, social & environmental obligations as well as accountability & transparency. Ultimately, a B Corp is to business what Fair Trade certification is to coffee or USDA Organic certification is to milk. 

To these companies, business is not all about profit, it's about being a change for the good.

Fireclay produces tile, glass & glazed thin brick. The company seeks to be environmentally conscious throughout the production cycle, from manufacturing to shipment of product to its final destination. Not to mention, their customer service is top notch! About 80% of all Fireclay products come from recycled materials with the ceramic clay being a minimum of 70% recycled. As far as the glass tiles, those are 100% locally recycled, with the glass coming from products originally destined for the landfill, including toilets & Cathode Ray Tubes from discarded TVs.

 

As far as business operations, gas emissions & electricity usage are offset. These offsets are paid by the company & the money is used to help with numerous projects, from reforestation to producing renewable energy via solar or wind. Fireclay uses Carbon Fund for these offsets. Last but certainly not least, all employees have great benefits & an ownership stake in the company. 

Go check them out today & consider these fabulous tiles for your next project!

Aspen Green Drinks

Every month, like-minded individuals, passionate about sustainability, gather to exchange ideas & network over beverages. It's a very informal setting with lots of wonderful energy. If interested, please come check out the group!

2015 Green Drinks Schedule:

All events are hosted from 5-7pm in Aspen, unless otherwise noted. 

• Wednesday May 20 - We-Cycle (TBD)

• Wednesday June 17 - Land + Shelter (301 E Hopkins Ave Ste 211 - take the stairs next to Meat & Cheese)

• Wednesday July 15 - Stan Clauson (412 N. Mill Street)

• Wednesday August 16 - Community Office for Resource Efficiency (111 Aspen Airport Business Center Suite M)

• Wednesday September 16 - Aspen TREE (Cozy Point Ranch 210 Juniper Hill Road, Snowmass)

• Wednesday October 21 - Bluegreen (300 S. Spring Steet #202)

• Wednesday November 18 - Aspen Art Museum (637 E. Hyman Ave)

Thanks to Aspen ZGreen for hosting these events! 

Current Project Update

From conception to reality...

We are entering the final stages of our latest project in Snowmass Village. It is so rewarding to see a project come together! 

Steve Novy with Greenline Architects was the Architect for this project & Evolve Structural Design was the structural engineer. We also had some very great subcontractors for the project!

For the basement, we used ICF's, or Insulated Concrete Forms, for extra insulation & structural integrity. All walls & ceilings were insulated with polyurethane spray foam & Knauf EcoBatt Insulation. The batt insulation is made from rapidly renewable organic materials & contains a minimum of 61.9% post-consumer recycled content.

As far as the siding, we used HardiBoard lap siding & HardiBoard board & batten siding. HardiBoard is known for its durability, weather resistance, fire protection & resistance against moisture or rot. We also utilized rusted corrugated metal for some of the siding & roofing. 

Looking to get a your kitchen or bathroom remodeled? Perhaps you'd like to add an addition to your existing house or build a new house altogether? If so, contact us! Our phone is 970-704-1950 & you can reach us via email at amanda@legacyhomesofaspen.com

Happy Earth Day!

Today marks another Earth Day & it's 45th anniversary! Every day should be Earth Day, but today is a special reminder to all that we live on a special planet & we need to do our due diligence to keep it healthy.

Aspen's Community Office for Resource Efficiency (CORE) is celebrating the 20th anniversary of their Renewable Energy mitigation Program (REMP). This program is the world's first of its kind. The program supports renewable energy use by requiring new homes to mitigate their environmental impact by either installing their own on-site renewables (solar panels, geothermal systems, etc.) or to pay fines that in turn fund various grant programs that lower carbon emissions in the Roaring Fork Valley. 

The City of Aspen is the destination for many wealthy individuals that desire to build very large homes equipped with snowmelt, outdoor pools & spas. We love these clients, but heating for these large homes as well as the snowmelt, outdoor pools & spas is required for the colder months & most often when the homeowners are not occupying the home. Requiring on-site renewables or paying a mitigation fee helps to reduce the environmental impacts of the large homes & ensuring that our Valley stays beautiful for the current & future residents & visitors!

If you're in the area, come celebrate Earth Day with the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, The City of Aspen & CORE at Hallam Lake this afternoon from 5-7pm! More information here.