Healthy, Adaptive & Efficient Buildings
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Support High Performance Building Resources and Training for the Development Community (1.B.1.)
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The City of Bozeman's building code is determined by the State of Montana's adopted building code, leaving the development community in Bozeman with the agency to build beyond the minimum code standard. The City can guide the development community toward more efficient building practices by providing high-performance building training and resources.
- The Sustainability Division collaborated with partners on engagement and education events for contractors that including:
- Multiple trainings for building industry professionals on best practices in new home construction led by Earth Advantage. The trainings included an energy efficient home site visit, full day classroom trainings, and a training on installing heat pumps.
- Heat pump water heater trainings that have engaged 20+ local plumbers in partnership with Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA), NorthWestern Energy, and Pacific Plumbing.
- An engagement event with 45 local contractors and industry professionals about air-source heat pumps that included an update from the MT DEQ about Inflation Reduction Act Programs, an update from NorthWestern Energy on rebates, and a panel conversation with heat pump manufacturers (Mitsubishi, Daikin, and Carrier).
- Online education opportunities in partnership with NEEA.
- The Sustainability Division developed a case study resource about the sustainability aspects of the new Bozeman Fire Station #2.
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The Sustainability Division partnered with the MT DEQ to launch a heat pump water heater rebate pilot rebate program that can provide 85 rebates for $500 each. Multiple city departments (Economic Development, Sustainability, Water Conservation, Solid Waste, Community Development, and City Management) collaborated to develop model Homeowners' Association (HOA) covenants that encourage water conservation, neighborhood and community connectivity, accessory dwelling units, childcare, drought-tolerant landscaping, composting, local food, recycling, energy efficiency, solar installations, and sustainable building practices. The Sustainability Advisory Board provided input on the covenants. The City Commission adopted Resolution 5555 to adopt the Model HOA Covenants.
- The Sustainability Division will continue to:
- Develop partnerships and launch new building resources and training opportunities to advance Net Zero Energy, solar-ready design, and electrification strategies that are aligned with the State of Montana's adoption of the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (see 1.B.2)
- Collaborate with regional partners to implement federal programs and funding opportunities to support high-performance building practices across the state.
