Green Building Certification Inc.

The "GBCI CE" mark indicates that the course, as described in the application and materials submitted by the provider to USGBC, holds a General CE designation and meets the General CE conditions set out in the USGBC Education Partner Program course guidelines.

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Displaying 1 - 25 of 232 results.

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  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Currently, buildings are the single biggest contributor to GHG emissions, accounting for roughly half of all energy consumption in the U.S. and globally. It is crucial to reduce this level of consumption by including high-performance envelope strategies such as shading systems in all new building designs. In this course, we look at shading systems, examine shading and design strategies, and learn tips for successful selection and design.

  • ( ~ 1 hour, 30 minutes ) 

    It’s easy to be overwhelmed by outdoor solar lighting specs and components, especially when every manufacturer presents its products differently. Lighting professionals can help clients put these manufacturers on an equal playing field. Providing an in-depth introduction to the technology and benefits of off-grid solar lighting, this course explores why clients choose commercial solar lighting, what components make up a solar lighting system, and the three steps lighting professionals can take to ensure their clients choose a reliable, efficient, and cost-effective solution that meets their unique expectations.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Concrete is a key construction material in modern society. As the foundation for much of what we make, it has a substantial environmental impact, mainly reflected in its carbon footprint. This course introduces best practices to make concrete more sustainable and lower the embodied carbon in concrete with its use and application.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Identifying, salvaging, and reusing stone and brick is a multifaceted strategy that benefits the environment, economy, and society. It represents a practical and visionary approach to building and design that respects the past, enhances the present, and prepares for a more sustainable future. This course reviews the impact of stone and brick reclamation by examining case studies focusing on modern American architecture and interior and exterior design. The course discusses how material repurposing benefits a society increasingly concerned about environmental sustainability.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    High-performance coatings are a necessity when it comes to protecting building exteriors and restoring them after harsh weathering and UV degradation; the right coatings prolong a building exterior’s life span and divert materials from landfills. New PVDF coating systems provide superior protection while satisfying aesthetic and environmental considerations. Their various characteristics and benefits are explored, and application methods are discussed.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Net zero energy ready buildings are a popular topic in today's world of climate change. This course explores how energy efficiency has expanded toward exterior wall assemblies, where thermal bridging and thermally broken subframing systems are becoming the new norm.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Resilient flooring offers a wide variety of natural wood, stone, and abstract visual designs in numerous formats and installation options. Luxury vinyl flooring (LVF) and stone polymer composite (SPC) are types of resilient flooring designed to replicate the appearance of wood and stone without the labor, maintenance, or cost of natural materials. This course delves into the types, composition, performance features, and applications of LVF and SPC flooring designed for durable and aesthetically pleasing solutions for commercial and residential applications.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Buildings, roads, and man-made landscapes can harm the natural environment with their effect on the natural water cycle. Architects and designers need to be aware of the best practices and experts’ recommendations to specify the correct type of drainage system that serves users and protects the environment. This course discusses the positive contributions of modern drainage systems to the built environment and their role in improving sustainability. The technical and aesthetic aspects of trench drain design are also covered.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    In the fight against climate change, efforts intensify against the planet’s number one enemy—carbon dioxide. The building industry will play a significant role in these efforts. Embodied carbon—the global greenhouse gas emissions generated from sourcing raw material and processing, manufacturing, transporting, and installing building materials—will be the target over the next decade. This course will define embodied carbon, its impact on greenhouse gas emissions, the construction industry's impact, and the methods and tools that building designers can employ to limit embodied carbon.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Daylight is an essential part of our health and well-being, but it needs management. Shading strives to maximize daylight without compromising building occupant comfort and well-being. This course explores the role daylight has within the built environment and its impact on occupants and energy usage, with a focus on how to better specify shadecloth based on factors such as project type, solar optical properties, shadecloth composition, and environmental factors.

  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    The need to evaluate thermal bridging in a building’s design and performance has become more prevalent because of the increasing requirements for more energy-efficient buildings. This course provides an introduction to thermal bridging, energy code requirements, and the use of thermal break solutions designed to improve energy efficiency in the building envelope.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Adequate water consumption is essential to human health, and many turn to bottled water for convenience or out of concerns about the public drinking water supply. But bottled water presents its own water quality issues along with environmental impacts of disposable plastic bottles. This course explores bottle-filling stations that offer safer, convenient, sustainable hydration in a wide range of applications. Also reviewed are the features, benefits, and installation options of bottle-filling stations and how they contribute to drinking water requirements in the WELL Building Standard™ (WELL™) version 2.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    This course aims to educate learners about the chemistry of spray-applied polyurethane foam (SPF), its various applications in the construction industry, safe handling and installation, and its contribution to sustainable design. The advantages of using SPF are highlighted in terms of its benefits to energy conservation and fire safety. Its role as a high-performance air barrier that satisfies code and LEED® criteria and complies with various standards is also discussed.

  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), handwashing is one of the best and easiest ways to prevent the spread of germs. However, drying hands is just as important as washing them. This course introduces the reader to the main features of air knife hand dryers and discusses how their technical components, such as high-efficiency particulate (HEPA) filtration, touch-free operation, and fast dry times, contribute to their hygienic performance.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    When deciding on outdoor cabinetry, understanding the available material options is essential to the selection of a long-lasting, sustainable choice. This course reviews the pros and cons of these options, with a focus on the attributes, sustainability, and performance characteristics of marine-grade high-density polyethylene (HDPE) material, engineered to withstand extreme conditions while maintaining optimal structural integrity.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    This course provides a comprehensive overview of quartz surfacing as a sustainable material in contemporary design. It examines the environmental impact, safety standards, and wide-ranging applications of quartz surfacing. The course focuses on manufacturing processes, performance characteristics, and the material’s contribution to sustainability, equipping participants with the knowledge to effectively utilize quartz surfacing in residential and commercial projects.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    As we become more aware of the levels of toxins in our environment, we are realizing that the quality of air inside our homes is just as important as the quality of air outside our homes. This course outlines why indoor air quality is so important to our health and describes how to improve indoor air quality by using a balanced ventilation system.

  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    Architects and designers have many options for specifying site furniture products for their projects. Selecting materials and finishes is an integral part of this process, yet making material selections has become more and more complex. The course examines conditions and constraints of outdoor environments; evaluates materials commonly used in outdoor applications; discusses using green building standards and rating systems, and the role of suppliers as resources for material selection; and provides examples of products that adhere to a higher environmental standard.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Assesses the urban environmental issues of stormwater runoff and heat islands and describes how their damaging impacts can be mitigated by blue, white, and green roofs. The considerations and additional benefits of each roof type are also discussed.

  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    While frequently chosen for aesthetics and durability, clay brick is not often considered when energy efficiency is a primary concern, even though it historically played a significant role in occupant comfort before the widespread use of HVAC systems. This course discusses the basics of heat transfer, relevant energy code provisions for walls, and how current research by the National Brick Research Center demonstrates the role that brick veneer can play in meeting or exceeding energy requirements in modern wall assemblies.

  • ( ~ 1 hour, 30 minutes ) 

    There is no substitute for the natural beauty of newly installed tropical hardwood, but keeping it looking great and achieving the desired performance over time require careful attention to detail. Choosing the best hardwood species and specifying the appropriate fastening and finishing systems will ensure an aesthetically pleasing, low-maintenance, and successful design in terms of installation, performance, and appearance. This course discusses wood species specification, installation techniques, and finishing methods for tropical hardwoods in conventional and sustainable buildings. As well, international programs that are used to successfully determine sustainability are examined.

  • ( ~ 1 hour, 15 minutes ) 

    Vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) offer higher thermal resistance per unit thickness than traditional insulation materials. This means a building envelope can meet the effective R-values for enclosures required by the energy codes without having to increase the thickness of the walls, roof, or floors. This course discusses how VIPs work, why they are effective, and the impact the properties of the materials used to construct a VIP can have on its performance. VIP installations and the latest developments in VIP technology are reviewed to illustrate the advantages of using VIPs as thermal insulation in the design of energy-efficient buildings.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Slate has been used for centuries as a long-lasting building material, and its natural beauty is unsurpassed. Today, rainscreen cladding systems have been developed to adapt natural slate to new architectural demands for sustainable building design approaches. This course explores the energy efficiency and moisture management benefits of a rainscreen system in combination with the durability and versatility of slate. The different designs and fastening systems are reviewed, and case studies demonstrate the advantages and possibilities for sustainable and beautiful slate projects.

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    The thermal and dual modification of wood are processes used to improve wood’s profile in terms of durability, dimensional stability, overall performance, and inherent resilience and sustainability. The resulting products can be utilized in many building applications, from decking and siding to pergolas and nonstructural beams, as well as paneling, soffits, and interior trim applications. This course explores the science behind the thermal and dual modification of wood. Examples of modified wood and case studies are also reviewed.  

  • ( ~ 1 hour ) 

    Water is one of our most valuable resources, yet many states suffer water shortages due to preventable problems such as overuse and leakages. This course discusses the increased need for water conservation and examines the requirements in CALGreen and the LEED® v4.1, Green Globes®, and BREEAM In-Use green building rating systems. The EPA’s WaterSense® initiative is also discussed, along with case studies explaining the benefits of concealed toilet systems and their contribution to water conservation. This course is one of two identical courses titled Water Conservation: Initiatives and Standards . You will receive credit for taking only one of these courses.

Displaying 1 - 25 of 232 results.

FIRST [1-25] [26-50] [51-75] [76-100] [101-125] NEXT LAST