Green Construction Associate

Hours: 140 / Access Length: 12 Months / Delivery: Open, Mentor Supported
Retail Price: $2,125.00

Course Overview:

What does a "green" home look like? What are its characteristics, and how can you ensure that you meet the highest green standards within a given budget? The answers to these questions and more are found in Green Building for Contractors – Level 1, a course dedicated to teaching builders and homeowners alike about environmentally-friendly residential construction.

This course is a highly practical resource and explores the very latest construction techniques, materials, processes, and green practices that will reduce the environmental impact of the building itself. Coverage ranges from air sealing measures and energy efficient practices to water conservation and the usage of natural materials, with a special focus on complying with zoning ordinances and building codes. With thorough explanations of the many benefits of green building, this course is the perfect "nuts and bolts" guide to environmentally-sound homes.

After completing this course, you should be able to:

• Define the core elements of sustainable home design
• Identify strategies for conservation of materials and controlling job waste
• Identify the elements of energy conservation
• Comprehend features of using natural or renewable materials
• Comprehend methods for maintaining a green home

Finally, a course that bridges the gap between the worlds of green building and residential building codes – Green Building for Contractors – Level 2 with the International Residential Code®. One of the first courses of its kind on the market, this indispensable course takes green building concepts one step further and addresses them as they specifically relate to building codes, and in particular, how they relate to the International Residential Code® (IRC). Because the code books themselves do not directly address green construction issues, this course will help the student make green decisions about construction methods and materials while staying code compliant.

Coverage begins with a “Building Code Primer” that explores basic permitting and regulatory processes. This fundamental knowledge sets the stage for students to be better able to successfully incorporate green principles into construction projects and avoid costly mistakes that can occur when key processes are not established and followed beforehand. The course then moves to a review of the IRC identifying areas where provisions of the code will affect a green construction project and where in a project there are green options, as well. Using tried-and-true real-life examples of green construction techniques throughout, this course is the perfect guide to understanding building codes in today's quest to go green.

After completing this course, you should be able to:

• Define green construction materials, methods, and standards
• Identify considerations for green site and building planning
• Identify green materials and the construction of walls and floors
• Identify options for green roofing, ceiling, and windows
• Identify the steps for installing electrical and plumbing systems

Course Outline:

Green Building for Contractors Module 1
Green Home Building

• What is Sustainable Design?
• Shades of Green
• Planning & Design
• Green Home Lot Shopping
• Site Work & Landscaping Considerations
• Safety  Considerations
• Alternative Materials & Methods of Construction
• Modifications to the Building Code
• Manufactured Alternative Methods
• Non-manufactured Alternative Methods
• Talk to Your Inspector
• Evolving Green Building Code

Green Building for Contractors Module 2
Efficient Design & Material Usage

• Small Is Better
• Conservation of Materials
• Controlling Job Waste
• Conventional Building Materials
• Used, Recycled, or Reclaimed
• Natural or Renewable Materials
• Modern Innovations
• Durability & Cost
• Indoor Air Quality
• Healthy Houses
• Equipment & Materials

Green Building for Contractors Module 3
Energy Conservation & Efficiency

• Energy Conservation Basics
• Exceeding the Code
• Controlling Heat Loss through Air Sealing Measures
• Lighting: Daylight & Design Elements
• Energy Efficient Appliances
• Behavioral Changes
• Waste Management
• Job Site Organization
• Framing Plan & Drywall
• Recycling Plan

Green Building for Contractors Module 4
Renewable Energy & Maintaining a Green Home

• Water Efficiency
• Indoor Water Usage
• Outdoor Water Usage
• Alternative Energy Sources
• Active Energy Production Systems
• Homeowner Operation
• Green Home Recycling Center
• Energy Usage Feedback
• Sample Homeowners Operation Manual
• Reflections & Considerations

Green Building for Contractors Module 1
Green Construction Materials, Methods, & the ICR

• Why Do We Need a Building Code Anyway?
• The Role of the Building Official
• The Role of the Plans Examiner
• The Role of the Inspector
• Building Code Fundamentals
• Construction Materials & the IRC
• Building Product Evaluation Reports
• The Interface Between Green & the IRC
• Standards for Green Construction
• Sustainable Attributes Verification
• Alternative Materials & Methods (AMM)
• Approval of AMM
• Trade-Off Approach
• Making an AMM Request

Green Building for Contractors Module 2                                
Green Site & Building Planning

• Design Criteria
• Green Options
• Site Planning
• Building Planning
• Fire-resistant Construction
• Minimum Room Area
• Sanitation
• Emergency Escapes
• Protection Against Decay & Termites
• Design Philosophy
• Green Foundation Options 
• Excavation & Grading
• Drainage
• Footings On or Adjacent to Slopes
• Site Considerations

Green Building for Contractors Module 3
Green Floors & Walls

• Green Floor Framing
• Wood Frame Floors
• Steel Framed Floors
• Green Wall Options
• Wood Frame Walls
• Steel Frame Walls
• Insulating Concrete Forms
• Interior Wall Coverings
• Interior Plaster
• Gypsum Wallboard
• Exterior Wall Coverings
• Wood, Hardboard & Panel Siding
• Green Decisions & Limitations

Green Building for Contractors Module 4
Green Roofing & Ceilings

• Green Roofing & Ceiling Options
• Wood Frame Roofs & Ceilings
• Steel Frame Roofs & Ceilings
• Roof Ventilations
• HVAC Location Option
• Green Roof Coverings
• Roof Coverings of Natural Materials
• Man-Made Roof Coverings
• Chimneys, Fireplaces, & Masonry Heaters
• Alternative Wood-Burning Fireplaces
• Energy Conservation Measures
• Building Thermal Envelope
• Fenestrations
• Building Considerations

Green Building for Contractors Module 5
Mechanical Equipment, Electrical & Plumbing Systems

• A Brief Lesson in Thermodynamics
• Green Mechanical Systems & the IRC
• Improving HVAC Performance
• Alternative Heating Systems
• Green Energy Sources
• Green Plumbing Systems & the IRC
• Improving Plumbing Systems Performance
• Water Conservation
• Gray Water Recycling Systems
• Rainwater Harvesting Systems
• Green Electrical Systems & the IRC
• Improving Electrical Performance
• Energy Conserving Fixtures & Appliances
• Electrical Energy Generating Equipment

All necessary materials are included.

System Requirements:

• Cable and DSL internet connections are recommended for the best experience.

• CPU: 1 GHz or higher
• RAM: 2 GB or higher
• Resolution: 1280 x 720 or higher
• Speakers / Headphones
• Microphone (Webinar / Live Online sessions)

• Microsoft Windows 7 or 10 (Home, Pro)
• Mac OSX 10 or higher.
• Latest Chrome OS
• Latest Linux Distributions

NOTE: While we understand that our courses can be viewed on Android and iPhone devices, we do not recommend the use of these devices for our courses. The size of these devices do not provide a good learning environment for students taking online or live online based courses.

• Latest Google Chrome is recommended for the best experience.
• Latest Mozilla FireFox
• Latest Microsoft Edge
• Latest Apple Safari

• Office suite software (Microsoft Office, OpenOffice, or LibreOffice)
• PDF reader program (Adobe Reader, FoxIt)
• Courses may require other software that is denoted in the above course outline.