SUNY Orange to offer green technology programs in 2012

College will work with upstate chapter of U.S. Green Buildings Council on three courses MIDDLETOWN — SUNY Orange will join with the New York Upstate Chapter of the U.S. Green Buildings Council to offer building designers and contractors three continuing education programs in green technology early in 2012. The first 90-minute presentation will be “Design for Well Being” on Tuesday, Jan. 10, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., at the Gilman Center for International Education on the College’s Middletown campus. “Design for Well Being” will introduce building designs for controlling outdoor air ventilation, temperature, moisture, infiltration, chemical sources and indoor contamination, all of which are considered key elements in achieving and maintaining a healthy building environment. Attendees will discuss the design and operational considerations for healthy buildings, including ways to measure and evaluate building performance for occupant comfort, safety and health. The second session will feature “Comfort by design: An Intro to HVAC’s VRFZ Technology” and will be held Thursday, Feb. 9, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., in the Gilman Center. The program will teach participants how to evaluate the energy efficiency and environmental impact of various types of HVAC systems, particularly new Variable Refrigerant Flow Zoning (VRFZ) systems; how to identify the many design options available with VRFZ; and how the indoor environmental quality of buildings can be enhanced with VRFZ Technology. The final topic will be “Biomimicry in Architecture” and the program will be held Tuesday, April 10, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Gilman Center. Biomimicry is a new design discipline that studies nature’s biology to solve human design and engineering challenges. Attendees will learn how to create buildings, products, processes, and policies - new ways of living - that are well-adapted to life on Earth by emulating nature’s time-tested patterns. Essential information To register for any of the three presentations, visit the Green Events calendar at www.greenupstateny.org. The cost for each event is as follows: $10 in advance for USGBC NY Upstate Chapter members and students. $15 for members and students at the door. $15 advance sales for non-members. $20 for non-members at the door. SUNY Orange students will be admitted free with a valid student identification card. For more information, contact Linda Gramm Ferris, SUNY Orange continuing education, at 845-341-4380.