My new, free, comprehensive Green Building course is now available online!

After many months of long days and nights of research and writing my Green Building course is finally complete and is available on the website of the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI). This course is free to the public and can be taken as often as you like. The content is also available on my website to be used as a reference.

The course is designed to educate those wishing to provide neutral third-party verification of green features in homes. For example, it defines "Passive Solar Design" so that no one can claim they have a passive solar design simply because they have windows on the South side of the home. The course typically takes 8-10 hours to complete, not including following the links, which are extensive.

The information available here was pulled together from many sources, spread widely accross the internet and the print media. Some, such as the section on photovoltaic inspections, is the result of my original research. This course is designed for inspectors, but is relevant to anyone involved in real estate and interested in green building. Here is the Table of Contents...

InterNACHI GREEN BUILDING COURSE

1. ENERGY
   1. Report on Energy Status
   2. Non-renewable Energy
   3. Renewable Energy
2. CLIMATE CHANGE
   1. Climate Change
   2. Natural Climate Change
   3. Possible Results of Climate change
3. WATER
   1. Groundwater Depletion
   2. Water Quality
   3. Home Water Treatment
   4. Indoor Water Conservation
   5. Outdoor Water Conservation
4. LOT DEVELOPMENT
   1. Erosion
   2. Landscaping and Grading
5. BUILDING METHODS
   1. Engineered Lumber
   2. Value Engineering
   3. Enhanced-efficiency Building Methods
   4. Strawbale Homes
6. BUILDING ENVELOPE
   1. Climate Zones
   2. Insulation
   3. Conduction, Convection and Radiation
   4. Air Movement in Buildings
   5. Attic Ventilation
   6. Moisture Control
   7. Mold
7. PASSIVE SOLAR HOMES
   1. Passive Solar Home Design
   2. Energy-efficient Windows
8. PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEMS
9. SOLAR THERMAL (solar water heating)
10. LIGHTING
    1. Lighting: Bulb and Fixture Types
    2. Daylighting and Controls
11. PLUMBING
    1. Plumbing Pipes
    2. Hydronic Heating
    3. Hot Water Recirculation Systems
12. HVAC
    1. Furnaces
    2. Air-conditioners
    3. Air ducts
    4. Evaporative Coolers
    5. Humidifiers
    6. Heat Pumps
13. WOOD-BURNING APPLIANCES
    1. Wood Stoves
14. ROOF
    1. Roof Defects
    2. Green Roofs
15. INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
    1. Radon
    2. Asbestos
16. SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES and MATERIALS
    1. Sustainability
    2. Standards and Certification
17. ENERGY PROGRAMS AND LEGISLATION
    1. Incentives: Renewable-energy/Energy-efficiency
    2. Home Energy Audits
    3. Home Energy Ratings
    4. Energy Codes
    5. Green Building Standards
    6. Energy (Labeling) Program Comparisons
    7. Green Mortgages