Build Green New Mexico Thermal Bypass Guidelines Revised May 2013

May 30, 2013

All Green Verifiers eligible to participate as a third party verifier for the Build Green New Mexico green certification program for residential projects were notified by the Steve Hale, Director of Build Green New Mexico that the program would no longer require the Thermal Bypass Checklist as one of the documents necessary for certification. The basis for the judgement by the director and his associate certifiers was that the failure of a checklist item on a Thermal Bypass Checklist would be reflected in the blower door results and thus the HERS Rating.  

Further, the director stated in his guidance that it would make the program less cumbersome. Though it would take the program some time to update their written guidance and make it available on their website the new guideline is to be implemented immediately.

Click here to take a short survey and let us know what you think about this ruling by Build Green NM.

Team Go Green NM

State of New Mexico Adopts HERS Index Score as Compliance Option to State Energy Code

The State of New Mexico has adopted a HERS Index Score option to the prescriptive path of the New Mexico Energy Conservation Code.  The New Mexico Energy Conservation Code was amended to be based on the 2009 version of the International Conservation Code (IECC).  The 2009 IECC was amended to allow HERS Index Score target as a option compliance path.  The revised code specifies a HERS Index Score of 83 or less for climate zone 3 (southern portion of the state) and a HERS Index Score of 89 or less in other parts of the state.  The regulation requires that the HERS Index Score must be confirmed by a certified RESNET home energy rater such as Go Green NM LLC. 

The other significant change that the State of New Mexico adopted was determining climate zones based on altitude and not just the DOE latitude map.  So New Mexico went from having three Climate Zones  (3-5) to having five (3-7)
The effort to adopt a HERS Index Score compliance was led by the Santa Fe Area Home Builders Association, Build Green New Mexico and the state’s home energy raters.

The State of New Mexico's action demonstrates the growing momentum of code jurisdictions adopting the HERS Index Score as a performance based code compliance option and the growing number of local home builder associations supporting this movement.  Visit www.gogreennmllc.com for more information.

City of Taos NM Modifies City's Building Energy Code by Adopting HERS 70 or Better

In September 2009 the Taos Town Council adopted the High Performance Program as part of the community’s Vision 2020 Master Plan.  The High Performance Program modified the town’s building energy code to require a HERS Index on all new homes.

When the requirement went into effect, the code required a HERS Index of 85 or better for homes that were 3,000 square feet or larger.  On January 1, 2010 the code was revise to require a HERS Index of 80 or better for all homes.  On January 1, 2011 the HERS Index target was moved to 75 or better.  On January 1, 2012 the requirement was tightened to a HERS Index of 70 or better.
In adopting the HERS Index requirement The Taos Town Council found that “energy rating systems and high performance building standards are now in widespread use to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy costs”.

For more information on the Taos energy code requirement visit www.gogreennmllc.com/news

Go Green, NM provides HERS Ratings in Taos, NM and surrounding communities. Please contact us to learn more about our process or to schedule an inspection or plan review.

Albuquerque Rolls Back Strict Energy Conservation Code

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Updated: December 20, 2011

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —Albuquerque city councilors have narrowly agreed to roll back the city's strict energy code, which was intended to make the city a leader in energy conservation.

The council voted 5-4 along party lines Monday night to abandon the code in favor of the less strict —and less costly —state code. Republicans supported the rollback, saying it will make Albuquerque more builder-friendly...

Contact us to learn how our professional HERS Rating services can help succeed in the new 2009 New Mexico Energy Conservation Code.

Visit Go Green, NM for more information on the New Mexico Energy Conservation Code, www.gogreennmllc.com/news.htm

New PNM Electric Rates Begin August 21, 2011

After a very long and costly regulatory process, a $72 million rate increase approved by the N. M. Public Regulation Commission has been finalized.  That means that starting August 21, PNM bills will be calculated based on the new rates.   We know there is never a good time to raise rates, but sometimes rate increases are necessary to keep your electric service safe and reliable, and to support our state's continued economic growth.

This is a 9.2 percent increase that will go into effect all at once rather than the two phases that we had proposed.  How it will affect you may depend on how much electricity you use.   More ......

Article Courtesy of William Frye, Director of PNM Customer Service

Window Replacement Saves Energy

Replacing window in your home can save you energy translating to saving dollars! For example, you can save up to $222 a year in Albuquerque by replacing single paned windows in your home with Energy Star windows. 

Go Green, NM can help you choose the most energy efficient windows for your home, perform cost benefit analysis, and define other improvements!

Contact us today at www.gogreennmllc.com or 505.474.3627.

Blower Door and Duct Leakage Testing

Go Green, NM provides Blower Door and Duct Leakage testing for build green programs and the Albuquerque Energy Conservation Code. Below are a few tips:

• Draft stop all cavities an seal all corners in platform returns. Alternatively hard duct the return inside the platform.

• Seal all bypasses that allow air to leak into the home. For example, seal penetrations on exterior walls, junction boxes and HVAC registers to sheetrock with canned foam or caulk, caulk bottom plates to foundation, etc.

• Minimize duct leakage to the outside by installing ducts in conditioned space or seal all ducts outside of conditioned space with mastic.
  

Find more information by calling Go Green, NM LLC at 505.474.3627 or Contacting Us at www.gogreennmllc.com