Uploaded January 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Join our Education Manager as he interviews long-time GHI member and former board treasurer Will Gallmeyer of Green Projects Group. Will is a home electrification coach, so Brett will interview him about his work and help you understand the benefits of hiring a home electrification coach or becoming one yourself to help others. We will also discuss the intersection of his work on that along with the Holland Home Energy 101 program.
Questions
Will, what is a home electrification coach?
Why should someone consider going all-electric, and how does it connect to the Home Energy 101 education program?
Where do energy efficiency in air sealing and insulation come into home electrification?
Where does home health play a role in electrification?
What are some of the biggest barriers to electrification, and how do you, as a coach, help overcome them?
You can still join in the conversation and ask questions in the comments
Join our Education Manager as he interviews long-time GHI member and former board treasurer Will Gallmeyer of Green Projects Group. Will is a home electrification coach, so Brett will interview him about his work and help you understand the benefits of hiring a home electrification coach or becoming one yourself to help others. We will also discuss the intersection of his work on that along with the Holland Home Energy 101 program.
Questions
Will, what is a home electrification coach?
Why should someone consider going all-electric, and how does it connect to the Home Energy 101 education program?
Where do energy efficiency in air sealing and insulation come into home electrification?
Where does home health play a role in electrification?
What are some of the biggest barriers to electrification, and how do you, as a coach, help overcome them?
You can still join in the conversation and ask questions in the comments






![Down to Earth Affordable Housing – Natural & Low Energy Builds
In 2023, Habitat for Humanity Gunnison Valley (HHGV) received the Green Builder Home of the Year Award Overall Grand Winner. That illustrated how big benefits can come in small packages. Cillian Liam Barrett, founder of Hearth Home Design/Build construction homes for HHGV in Colorado will discuss the homes in detail and show how emphasizing sustainability is a way for local families to obtain affordable housing. Cillian will also explain how similar principles were incorporated into a home on Hopi land in northern Arizona. These homes are grounded to the earth, incorporate materials that are earth-friendly, and incorporate passive heating and cooling design principles. Learn about his strategies and those incorporated into other affordable housing across the country. (The course assumes that the attendee will have a grasp of basic building science such as the homes envelope, R-values, insulation, HVAC basics, air tightness, and passive solar.)
Continuing Education Units (CEUS) submitted 1 hour in*
• Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI)
• Building Performance Institute (BPI) NonWholeHouse
• Submitted for American Institute of Architects - AIA (HSW)
• Certified Green Professional (NARI & CGP)
• Certified GreenHome Professional (CGHP) Pillar(s): Energy, Health, Materials, Water, Place
• American Institute of Building Designers (AIBD)
• State Architect / Builder License may be applicable
• Building Science Institute (BSI) Verifier
• Passive House Consultant US (CPHC)
• Society of American Registered Architects (SARA)
Lessons Learned:
1. **Understand** that sustainable housing designs promote health by utilizing earth-friendly materials and passive heating and cooling principles to create a healthier living environment for occupants.
2. **Analyze** how proper orientation and architectural features of a home enhance safety by reducing risks associated with extreme temperatures and power outages.
3. **Introduce** affordable housing solutions that emphasize energy efficiency, which ultimately supports the welfare of families by lowering living costs and improving overall quality of life.
4. **Articulate** the importance of stable interior temperatures achieved through strategic design, as it significantly contributes to the occupants comfort and welfare during varying climate conditions.
Need CEUS?
Take the Quiz here:
https://greenhomeinstitute.thinkific.com/courses/down-to-earth-affordable-housing-natural-low-energy-builds
Speakers:
Cillian Liam Barrett, Designer/Builder: Cillian, principal of Hearth Design Build, was born and raised in Ireland where he was trained as an Architectural Technician. He has lived and worked in the US since 2007 in the construction and architecture industry in California, Alaska, Vermont, Utah, Hopi Land [Arizona], and Colorado. His company offers ecological, social, and economically responsible creative living solutions.
Moderator: Debbie Coleman, Architect, AIA: Debbie founded Sun Plans which provides passive solar house designs and custom home design services throughout the U.S. She authored The Sun-Inspired House and has designed hundreds of homes incorporating passive heating and cooling strategies. Her work has been published in Fine Homebuilding, Mother Earth News, Home Power, and Solar Today. (For ASES, American Solar Energy Society, Debbie is on their board of directors and the Chair of the Solar Buildings Division. For GHI, GreenHome Institute, Debbie is on their board of directors and the Education Committee.) Down to Earth Affordable Housing – Natural & Low Energy Builds](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZU8u2k7q_jY/mqdefault.jpg)



