Many of you have probably heard that beginning on January 1, 2012, a new law will go into effect “phasing out standard 100-watt incandescent bulbs”. This law was enacted to encourage the use of more energy-efficient lighting and other countries like Switzerland and Australia have already started their planned phase-outs. Some have criticized this new law stating that it puts a imposed cost increase on light bulbs for those who might not be able to afford them, but the new and improved energy-efficient light bulbs will save you the cost of replacing the bulbs earlier.

Yahoo! has put together some myths that have sprung up with this new law, so here’s a link to their story “The Truth About the New Light Bulb Law”.

We’d love to hear what you think about the new law?

Photo via Yahoo!

We understand that many of you find joy decorating your home with thousands of lights during the holiday season, we just want you to think green this year and try using eco-friendly LED lights. Holiday lights use a lot of energy and as you can attest run up your energy bill.

This year decorate your tree with energy-efficient LED (light-emitting diode) lighting. They not only conserve electricity, but are encased in hard plastic, which is safer to use around small children.

Another benefit of using LEDs are that they produce less heat than traditional lighting, reducing the risk of fire.

Photo via Sunset magazine

So this holiday season throw out your old lighting and reach for the LEDs.

The importance of energy modeling in zero net energy home design cannot be overstated. Energy modeling is an early design phase analysis used to determine the projected energy needs of the structure to be designed.

Michael Rath, a Breckenridge, Colorado zero net energy home builder and managing partner at Trilogy Partners, says, “One of the most important aspects of creating the ZNE structure is energy modeling. This takes place early in the design phase. It’s important to estimate accurately the energy requirements of the finished structure. An energy census is completed and sophisticated computer modeling is employed. Once the energy needs of the structure are estimated, systems can then be employed to provide enough energy to the structure so that it consumes no more than it produces and can indeed be called a ZNE building.”

Energy modeling analysis utilizes a proposed building program to define and quantify the energy demand, and to establish design criteria that are technically feasible and economically realistic. It takes into account all of the environmental data, and physical and programmatic information about the proposed net zero energy building.

Trilogy Partners was the first to build a zero net energy home in Breckenridge, Colorado in 2010. Contact us for information on building a home in the Breckenridge, Colorado area that emphasizes sustainability and zero net energy by visiting the Trilogy Partners website or calling 970-453-2230. Trilogy Partners of Breckenridge, CO “Design smart. Build beautiful.”

As the “baby boomer” generation ages one of the growing concerns for homeowners is universal design, or aging in place. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, over 25% of America’s population were born between 1946-1964. “Aging in place is a major issue,” said Stephen Melman, Director of Economic Services at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in D.C.. “Ninety percent of households say they want to age in place, but only 20 percent have done anything about it.”

One of the trends we are seeing in regards to universal design is ground level entrances and masters on the main level. We are also designing homes with wider interior doors, hallways and turn around space. Lever handles are replacing knobs, for they are easier to open and more task lighting, which makes it easier to see.

Bathrooms are becoming equipped with grab bars as well as stepless shower bases. For those who enjoy outdoor living we are finding more requests for zero-entry swimming pool.

If you are interested in learning more about universal design or aging in place please give us a call at 970-453-2230.

We are one step closer to commercial space travel as the Virgin Galactic Gateway to Space’s main hangar and visitor’s experience center finished construction in Spaceport America, New Mexico. On hand for the celebration was the mastermind behind Virgin Galactic, Sir Richard Branson, New Mexico’s Governor Susana Martinez, astronaut Buzz Aldrin and 800 guests, including 150 international Virgin Galactic customers who have already reserved their spot in the first space flights. The highlight of the dedication was the flight of WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo, two spacecrafts in the Virgin Galactic fleet.

Courtesy of Virgin Galactic

Courtesy of Virgin Galactic

“Today is another history-making day for Virgin Galactic,” said Sir Richard Branson. “We are here with a group of incredible people who are helping us lead the way in creating one of the most important new industrial sectors of the 21st century. We’ve never wavered in our commitment to the monumental task of pioneering safe, affordable and clean access to space, or to demonstrate that we mean business at each step along the way.”

The Sir Norman Foster designed building meets LEED Gold standards.The British-based Foster + Partners firm used local materials and installed geothermal heating and cooling systems. To read more about their sustainable design visit inhabitat.com.

Last Friday, September 23rd, started the 2011 Solar Decathlon with 20 teams competing for the best solar-powered house around. Each collegiate team has been asked to “design, build and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy-efficient and attractive.” These 20 innovative homes will be on display at National Mall’s West Potomac Park in Washington, D.C until October 2nd.

Leading the way are University of Maryland and Purdue University.  According to U.S. Department of Energy, who has been spearheading this competition since 2002, the winner will be the team “that best blends affordability, consumer appeal, and design excellence with optimal energy production and maximum efficiency.”

Take a look at the scene on the National Mall this week.

Aerial view of the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011 in Washington, D.C. (Credit: Stefano Paltera/U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon)

Aerial view of the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011 in Washington, D.C. (Credit: Stefano Paltera/U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon)

To learn more about the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon visit www.solardecathlon.gov.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s last remaining hotel recently reopened in Mason City, Iowa. The Park Inn, completed in 1910, was built as a three-story wood-and-brick structure that adjoined another of his designs, the City National Bank. ARCHITECT writes that The Park Inn  “would serve as the bridge between his Prairie School period and his Midway Gardens.”

The restoration, which took 12 years , was the brainchild of a nonprofit group called Wright on the Park. They commissioned Bergland + Cram to oversee the restoration in 1999 for an estimated $18 million. ARCHITECT reports that “the lobby, ladies parlor, and balcony all appear as they did a century ago.”

Courtesy of The New York Times

You can witness the renovation and the story behind The Park Inn in the 2008 documentary, “The Last Wright.”

Experience a night in Frank Lloyd Wright’s Historic Park Inn starting at just $100 a night. For more information call (641) 422-0015 or visit wrightonthepark.org.

Yesterday marked the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and like many we were riveted to the television watching all the live coverage at the National September 11 Memorial at Ground Zero. The 9/11 memorial plaza opened yesterday morning at 10 a.m., almost the exact minute ten years earlier when the first tower fell. In the place in which the World Trade Center’s twin towers once stood are two reflecting pools with the names of 2,977 people killed in the terrorist attacks in New York, at the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania, as well as the six who died in the bombing of the trade center in 1993. There are also over 400 oak trees planted to provide a canopy over the Memorial.

Courtesy of the National September 11th Memorial

Courtesy of National September 11th Memorial

Courtesy of the National September 11th Memorial

According to the 9/11 Memorial, “The Memorial’s twin reflecting pools are each nearly an acre in size and feature the largest manmade waterfalls in the North America. The pools sit within the footprints where the Twin Towers once stood. Architect Michael Arad and landscape architect Peter Walker created the Memorial design selected from a global design competition that included more than 5,200 entries from 63 nations.”

Trilogy Partners. First-ever Net-Zero Energy Home in Breckenridge, Colorado

At Trilogy Partners we understand the importance of building homes with minimal impact to our environment. We are dedicated to designing energy efficient and sustainable custom homes for Colorado and that is one of the reasons why it was so important for us to build the first ever  zero net energy home in Breckenridge.

We believe that we can achieve superior results for our clients while still building eco-conscious homes. The Professional Builder has some great steps that we wanted to share about achieving zero net energy.

1. Design with production in mind
2. Think outside the box when it comes to materials
3. Staggered stud design pays off
4. Make sure your materials are readily available
5. Little improvements add up
6. Constant communication and collaboration are required
7. Evaluate partners before you begin
8. Management buy-in is crucial
9. Don’t beat up your trade partners
10. In-field supervision is critical, especially with first-timers

For information about zero-energy homes in Breckenridge, Colorado please give us a call at 970-453-2230 or visit us online at trilogybuilds.com.

Are you looking for inspiration for your kitchen? The kitchen is considered by many to be the heart of the home, it is where the majority of one’s time is spent.  Whether you are cooking, eating, doing homework or paying bills, the kitchen in your  home should be a multi-functional space.

A great kitchen renovation will also yield the greatest return on your investment in the real estate market. In today’s economy everyone is looking for ways to make a home more appealing for a potential buyer and one of the most important features in a home is the kitchen.

Take a look at some of our kitchens below to help you get inspired for your next remodel.

If you are looking for the kitchen of your dreams give Trilogy Partners in Breckenridge, Colorado a call at 970.453.2230 or visit us online at trilogybuilds.com.