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Presentations


BOWA Gives Green Building PresentationsIf you know of a homeowner, industry professional or government group that could benefit by learning more about various aspects of green building, let us know!

Over the past two years, BOWA’s team of experts has had the honor of giving presentations to numerous groups throughout the region. Each presentation has received a tremendous response from the attendees on the quality of the material, depth of knowledge, and appropriateness for the audience.

We would welcome the opportunity to customize a presentation to meet the specific needs of your audience, agenda and time allotment (Download PDF).

Details and Contact Information

  • We can use our own projector, screen and laptop, or arrange to use yours
  • We will travel to your location in Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C. or Montgomery County, MD
  • For additional information or to schedule a presentation, contact Doug Horgan at 703-873-8009 or doug@bowa.com

Available Topics:

Green Remodeling / One hour

In an informative one-hour discussion, aimed at homeowners considering green renovations,
we cover:

  • Tools like REGREEN and ENERGY STAR Home Advisor that help you evaluate your home and prioritize improvements
  • How a home energy audit works and what type of results to expect
  • Typical energy upgrades that are good for the environment and your wallet
  • Rebates, tax credits and other incentives
  • Other facets of green – indoor air quality, reducing damage to the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem, “deconstruction”

Planning Green Renovations / 35 mins.

This presentation covers planning tools for homeowners:

  • Using free resources like REGREEN and the ENERGY STAR Home Advisor to help plan renovation projects
  • How a home energy audit works and what type of results to expect
  • Typical energy upgrades that are good for the environment and your wallet
  • Rebates, tax credits and other incentives

Green Remodeling – Short Version / 20 mins.

Designed for realtors, business groups, and similar venues where 20 minutes is appropriate. Gives a flavor of green renovation techniques and priorities:

  • How a home energy audit works and what type of results to expect
  • Typical energy upgrades that are good for the environment and your wallet
  • Rebates, tax credits and other incentives
  • Other facets of green – indoor air quality, reducing damage to the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem, “deconstruction”

Energy Priorities / 40 mins.

Presentation on reducing energy use, using energy efficiently, and employing renewable technology like solar panels or wind generators:

  • How fixing existing homes typically saves more energy faster than any other tactic
  • Efficient HVAC and hot water systems including geothermal
  • Viability of solar, wind, and other renewables in the mid-Atlantic area

LEED for Homes / 40 mins.

An introduction to the LEED for Homes certification program. Both the mechanics of certification and a quick overview of the prerequisites and point opportunities:

  • The provider model and how it differs from other LEED systems
  • Tools and education available from USGBC and others
  • The seven points categories, their prerequisites and where other points can be achieved

ENERGY STAR Qualified New Homes / One hour

An introduction to ENERGY STAR New Homes:

  • The Performance Path and the Prescriptive Path
  • HERS ratings – what they are, how they work
  • The Thermal Bypass Checklist (TBC)
  • Key lessons on framing & insulation to pass the TBC

Key Trades / One hour

One-hour overviews of quality construction planning and detailing, taken from BOWA in-house training classes. Available for the following trades:

  • Roofing
  • Insulation
  • Basement Waterproofing
  • Plumbing
  • Masonry Water Management
  • Electrical

Customized Presentations

We would be happy to customize a presentation on these or other green or construction quality topics to meet the specific needs of your audience, agenda and time allotment.

Presenter: Doug Horgan, Vice President of Best Practices

Drawing on 20 years experience in residential remodeling, Doug Horgan is recognized as one of the area’s foremost authorities on green remodeling and construction quality. As BOWA’s Vice President of Best Practices, Doug combines his enthusiasm for great building and knowledge of construction, into a hybrid research, training and quality-control position. In this role, Doug champions BOWA’s standard of excellence, the benefits of which are seen on each and every one of the company’s projects.

Throughout his career, Doug has achieved numerous industry certifications and honors, including most recently being one of the first in the country to earn the LEED AP for Homes credential, and the first in the D.C. area to achieve the NAHB Certified Green Professional designation. In addition, he was selected to teach NARI Metro D.C.’s Green Education Class, which is among the most rigorous training programs in the housing industry, and assist the Montgomery Country Sustainability Working Group in the preparation of its 2009 Climate Protection Plan.

Doug has parlayed his experience in and passion green building and construction quality into speaking opportunities with homeowner and industry groups throughout the region.

Recent Engagements

  • Washington Chapter of the American Institute of Architects’ Committee on the Environment
  • Virginia Sustainable Building Network
  • Northern Virginia Community College
  • Avenel Homeowner’s Association
  • Arlington County Government and Residents
  • Great Falls residents and others

Comments From Recent Attendees

  • “Great speech! Everyone seemed to receive it well and learn a lot. Thanks again for agreeing to join us!!!” ~ Cheryl Anne Ash, eCycle Green Collective
  • “Your presentation was very good, it was informative and exactly what we were looking for.” ~ Vimal Kapoor, President, Mid-Atlantic Chapter American Society of Home Inspectors
  • “Doug is a really good person to put in front of a crowd with that kind of info to convey. I enjoyed his talk.” ~ Anne Dutcher, Anne Dutcher Interiors
  • “I really enjoyed your presentation! I learned a lot and was entertained in the process. Hopefully we will see you out here again.” ~ Nathan Webb, AIA, LEED a.p., Reader & Swartz Architects, P.C.