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Green Building Conference features energy efficient renos

With an emphasis on renovating and alternative building methods (focused on energy efficiency), this conference is well worth attending.

Planning some renovations this year? Want to learn tips and techniques from leading experts in the field? Look no further than the 4th Annual Green Building Conference to be held in Kimberley, May 10 and 11, at the Kimberley Conference and Athlete Training Centre.

With an emphasis on renovating and alternative building methods (focused on energy efficiency), this conference is well worth attending.

Wildsight, the City of Kimberley, the College of the Rockies and the Rocky Mountain chapter of the Canadian Home Builders Association are running the show and are looking forward to an exciting event.

The group has managed to bring together speakers and presenters from across the province and the country to share their expertise on current advancements in energy efficiency, green building codes and alternative building methods and products.

"Many of the houses in Kimberley and the surrounding region are older mining homes, many of which are being renovated," said Erna Jensen-Shill, one of the organizers. "This year's conference will feature plenty of workshops that will explore the best way to optimize energy efficiency."

Friday, May 10, will feature three-hour-long workshops in which presenters can go into a high level of detail about their subject: ideal for building professionals and home-owners interested in green building practices.

Keynote speaker, Lorraine Gauthier will present "Retrofit Revolution" on Friday evening, where she will explore the transformation of older homes into net zero homes with no energy bills.

As well, there will be a number of green building and renovating products and services being exhibited at the Green Building Showcase.

The general public is invited to Friday night's events.

"Saturday's program features two workshop streams focusing on either energy efficient home renovations or a variety of green or alternative building methods and materials," said Jensen-Shill. "We will have two days filled with the latest in green building, high performance renovations, net zero and passive homes."

Jensen Shill encourages anyone with an interest in building and renovating to come along.

"The event really is a great investment of time and money for anyone in the industry," she said. "Builders, designers, realtors, or anyone considering building or renovating with an eye on the environment will all benefit from the conference."

Kimberley building inspector Andy Christie is keen to see renovators and builders attend.

"When you consider the amount of time and money that people invest in either building or renovating their homes," he said, "the cost of registration and time spent attending the conference is well worth the amount of knowledge and resources that participants come away with, not to mention the payback down the road due to decreased energy consumption."

Early bird rates for registration are available until April 19. See www.greenbuildingconference.ca for more information.