FGBC Courses

A core mission of the Florida Green Building Coalition is to provide education to both industry professionals and the general public. FGBC is a strong advocate of professionalism and is committed to providing quality education for its members. Earning a professional designation is recognized as a huge achievement and represents advanced knowledge and skills, providing a mark of distinction above competitors. 

FGBC offered courses are as diverse as the needs of participants and enhance both technical ability and business competency, contributing to both business and personal success, plus afford attendees opportunities to earn continuing education units. Through partnerships, FGBC offers these courses as in-house presentations to any organization that has a minimum of 20 participants.

Affordable Design Concepts: Creating Value by Going Green  

Builders, communities and buyers are recognizing the importance and value of going green but is the grass really greener on the other side of the fence? Cost implications, value in the marketplace and special building requirements are among the factors that keep many builders from the green market.  Find out if it’s right for you, by discovering:

  1. What is the environmental and economic impact of green building.
  2. What is the impact on densities, construction and appearance when building green.
  3. What does it take to start building green — is it all or none or can you get in slowly. What design, regulatory, production, liability and marketing issues are involved.
  4. Who is attracted to green homes and communities and how do you reach them. Learn how the marketing efforts may change.

Best Practice Tips & Techniques for Building Energy Efficient Homes
CILB Course #: 0611234 CEUs: 5-General

A home’s energy performance often looks good on paper, but does not always meet the design or customer’s expectations in regards to comfort and energy costs. This presentation, developed from working with field problems, focuses on technologies and installation practices that improve a home’s energy performance. Case studies will illustrate practical, cost-effective solutions to building energy-efficient homes that are more durable, healthy, and safe to live in. Discussion topics include: Integrated design concepts, building science fundamentals, the four control layers in building enclosures, water & moisture management, indoor air quality science, window technologies & installation, framing techniques, energy-saving floor plans, high-performance walls, floors & attic, HVAC system design & options, ventilation, plug loads, lighting, and water heating strategies.

Building Green with Sustainable Profits
CILB Course #: 0608297 CEUs: 1-General
Architect Course #: 9878175 CEUs: 1-HSW

This seminar will present the building science of integrated whole-house systems along with five key elements that represent green building construction practices. Focus will be on fitting green building practices into affordable housing utilizing quality construction methods along with readily available materials. Field examples of basic as well as advanced green building strategies will be critiqued — what worked and what hasn’t over the past twenty-five years.  How various building components interact with each other to effect health, building maintenance, water conservation, and energy efficiency will also be addressed.

Building Science for Green Professionals
CILB Course #: 0608298 CEUs: 16-General
Architect Course #: 9878267 CEUs: 12-HSW 

This course for building professionals discusses strategies for incorporating green-building principles into homes without driving up the cost of construction. You’ll learn the techniques behind building green, including building system design and product selections. Also discussed is how to convey to the prospective client the value of a green-built home with improved indoor air quality, energy and resource efficiency, and durability.

Building Water Efficiency into Your Construction Projects
CILB Course #: 0610477 CEUS: 1.5 General
Architect Course #: 9878312 CEUs: 1.5-HSW

This course explains water conservation and efficiency strategies for both residential and commercial construction. Discussed will be various alternative ways to supply water, including rainwater harvesting, greywater reuse, and community provided reclaimed water. It will then narrow down to the individual building strategies for water efficiency that address both indoor and outdoor water use. An explanation of water-efficiency certification programs available in Florida will be included.

Durability and Disaster Mitigation

This course will explain the importance of disaster mitigation, discuss the programs established to address mitigation, explain the contractor’s role in mitigation, review construction features that are proven to reduce property losses from natural disaster, and describe the resources available through the Disaster Contractors Network.

Energy & Renewable Home Building Options

This course will present information on the newest energy and solar building technologies, along with consumer preference market research and strategies for incorporating these technologies into residential housing.

Engineered Wood Products - Basic Design Techniques & Applications

Introduce students to design specifications, application, installation details, and how to use design tables for engineered wood products and how it can be used to comply with the Florida's  Building Code. The products discussed will include plywood, Oriented Strand Board (OSB), I-joist and Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL). The applications discussed will cover roof, floor and wall construction. Students will learn how to use APA's Engineered Wood Construction Guide as a field reference.

Commercial Building Green Priorities
CILB Course #: 0610108 CEUs: 2-General
Architect Course #: 9878556 CEUs: 2-HSW

This course will explain green building priorities for the design and construction process as well as how to incorporate green building criteria to meet owner project requirements. It will clarify concepts and approaches for improving the environmental health of occupants, achieving optimal building performance, and establishing priorities relating to operations.  

Going Green - What It Really Means to the Builder
CILB Course #: 0608299 CEUs: 2-General
Architect Course #: 9878176 CEUs: 2-HSW            

This class introduces and explains the seven key concepts of building green, including energy efficiency, passive design, construction process, water efficiency and quality, indoor environmental quality, site and landscape, and materials selection. In addition the class presents the Florida Green Building Coalition Green Home Standard Certification criteria and process.

Green Building Made Simple
CILB Course #: 0608300 CEUs: 2-General
Architect Couse #: 9878177 CEUs: 2-HSW

This class will explain the construction practices of green building, including energy efficiency, indoor air quality, resource efficiency, and material selections. Participants will learn:

  1. How to build homes using green building guidelines
  2. About new technologies and advanced construction materials
  3. How to construct homes that use less energy and water
  4. How to select materials that contribute to improved indoor air quality

Green Building Certification with FGBC                                  

This class explains the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) Green Home Designation Standard. It provides a general introduction to green building, the FGBC, the green home certification process and provisions, the eight categories contained in the green certification standard, and how to become a Florida Green Home Certifying Agent.

Green Landscape Design

With water conservation being a primary issue in many areas, come hear about the latest design trends in landscape architecture — from the new wave in rain gardens and green roofs to Florida Friendly landscape concepts and irrigation reservoirs. You'll also get the most recent information on the Water Wise Initiative.

Guiding Principles of Energy Efficient Homes
CILB Course #: 0608301 CEUs: 1-General
Architect Course #: 9878178 CEUs: 1-HSW

This course will explain energy design considerations for very high performance homes, including reducing whole house energy demand, heating and cooling energy demand, special mechanical system considerations, mechanical and ventilation system options, critical envelope details, the role of ventilation in whole house performance, solar water heating, and photovoltaic design and prerequisites. Participants will learn the components of whole house energy use, including:

  • The key components of heating and cooling loads
  • Specifications for special mechanical system design criteria

They will also learn:

  • How to select from a flow chart an appropriate ventilation system design for their climate
  • How to identify key elements of solar systems
  • Prerequisites for viable solar applications

Health House Design & Construction

Participants will learn about the American Lung Association Health House program and the market niche it offers. This program offers an overview of designing and constructing a Health House, lessons on allergens and toxins, ventilation and dehumidification system design, as well as ways to position yourself to get a share of the IAQ-conscious consumer market.

How to Market & Sell the Advantages of Green Building          

People generally want to do the right thing, so the challenge and opportunity for the green marketer is to make it easy for people to do so. Find out what niche marketing techniques are and how to use them specifically for selling a Certified Green Home. Learn to tip the balance with your competitors by educating the consumer about the environmental benefits of a green home and discover tools that measure the effectiveness of your sales and marketing efforts.

How to Maximize on Minimizing Water Demand in New Home Construction   

Florida Water Star and other water conservation measures are the smart builder's marketing edge. From Florida-Friendly and cost-saving designs of irrigation systems to plumbing and appliance performance comparisons, find out how to capitalize on the available incentives.

High Performance Housing
CILB Course #: 0608302 CEUs: 2-General
Architect Course #: 9878179 CEUs: 2-HSW

This course introduces the concept of high performance housing. Causes of poorly performing housing are explained and systems engineered solutions are described.

Indoor Air Quality

This course teaches participants how to improve indoor air quality by recognizing IAQ problem sources and identifying potential solutions. Special emphasis is on material selection, ventilation, dehumidification, filtration and HVAC systems.

Insulation Options for New & Existing Homes
BCAI Course #: 5007867 CEUs: 1-General

This course introduces the concept of high performance housing. Causes of poorly performing housing are explained and systems engineered solutions are described. Participants will learn the critical elements of high performance housing to improve energy efficiency, indoor air quality, resource efficiency, disaster resistance, comfort, and durability, plus learn strategies to improve each aspect without degrading other aspects through intelligent choices.

Integrated HVAC Design
CILB Course #: 0608303 CEUs: 1-General
Architect Course #: 9878180 CEUs: 1-HSW

This course will explain advanced technology methods for designing a compact, energy-efficient HVAC system. It will examine building envelope specifications to reduce overall building loads and duct layout for maximum efficiency.

Introduction to Green Washing
CILB Course #: 0608304 CEUs: 1-General
Architect Course #: 9878181 CEUs: 1-HSW

This class will explain the laws enforced by the Federal Trade Commission Act Section 5 relating to "unfair or deceptive acts or practices" as they relate to the FTC Guide for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims." It will examine the use of general terms such as green and eco, explain the term "Green Washing," the six sins of greenwashing, and how to avoid greenwashing. The presentation will include examples covering several construction-related industries and products.

LEED vs. FGBC - How Green Building Programs Compare     

LEED, FGBC, GBI, ENERGY STAR, oh my! Green Building abounds but do you really know what you’re getting into or which program is the best fit for your company?  This session provides overview of program similarities and differences, benefits, tax credits and other promotional and financing availabilities. An extensive Q&A session from a panel of Green Building program practitioners follows.

Not So Big House Principles

This course explains the building processes and materials that builders can utilize to create more sustainable houses. It will include examining floor plans, integrated building systems, energy and water efficiencies, and improved indoor air quality. Participants will learn how to:

  • Create more energy-efficient homes
  • Use panelization technology for housing envelopes
  • Reduce construction waste
  • Optimize square footage
  • Use sustainable building practices and materials — in foundations, framing efficiency, siding/exterior surfaces, roofing, insulation, windows and finishes

Partnerships for Profit - Energy & Green Pricing Trends

This course will present technical information on building technology, utilities, energy efficiency, and green products, along with strategies for market differentiation to bridge the builder/consumer perception gap. It will include information on how to benefit from strategic partnerships and position a company to outsell the competition with innovative energy and green options. Course participants will learn (1) The latest trends in energy and green products and design (2) the marketing and profit benefits of partnering with established energy and utility programs, (3) how to position themselves to improve community visibility, and (4) how to use consumer research information to increase client pool and customer satisfaction.

Pocket More Profit with Energy Tax Credits

This class will walk participants through the new energy tax credit legislation, explaining how the credits impact builders and the new-construction market, which construction techniques and equipment are impacted by the legislation, and how builders and their homeowners can qualify for these credits.

Prioritizing Green Building Strategies
CILB Course #: 0608305 CEUs: 1.5-General
Architect Course #: 9878182 CEUs: 1.5-HSW

This presentation will have a strong emphasis on regional and climate impact on construction practices and material selection as they relate to the whole-house system approach and green building.

Resource Efficient Construction

Part one of this program is intended to introduce the concept of resource efficiency construction, green building, showcase case studies, and identify solutions to provide healthy and efficient structures.  Part two of this program will focus on advanced concepts in resource efficiency, their importance, techniques, and implementation.

Strategies for Improved IAQ, Sustainability & Durability

This class will demonstrate best building practices to eliminate construction defects, offer solutions to reduce water intrusion into homes, and identify building materials that result in better air quality and a more durable structure.

Universal Design for the Active Adult Market

With the emphasis on lifestyle, universal design for today’s active adult market must be just the right combination of aesthetic appeal and supportive design.  With a special focus on kitchens and baths, this seminar will show universal concepts and products that will help sell homes and projects, and help clients actively age in place.