Education:
The University Of Texas At Arlington
Arlington, TX 2002
Master's Degree
Real Estate Finance and Development
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock
Little Rock, AR 2000
Associate's Degree
Construction Management
The University Of Texas At Dallas
Richardson, TX 1990
Bachelor's Degree
B.S. Acct/Finance
The University Of Texas At Arlington
Arlington, TX 2002
Master's Degree
Real Estate Finance and Development
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock
Little Rock, AR 2000
Associate's Degree
Construction Management
The University Of Texas At Dallas
Richardson, TX 1990
Bachelor's Degree
B.S. Acct/Finance
About Me:
My name is Richard Ellsaesser and I am an environmentalist by nature with an innate desire to create and build living environments that are not only energy efficient but also healthy and desirable to live in. I have dedicated my life to this endeavor and have a solid working knowledge of what energy efficient materials, methods, systems and designs are economically as well as functionally viable. I consult on all size projects including implementing energy efficient upgrades to existing commercial and single family homes, new home construction, smaller commercial construction, developing new subdivisions and consulting on large commercial projects.
It is only through many years of practical experience and education that I have been able to see the construction, living and ecological environment in their entirety and the dependency and influence they have on one another and become proficient at providing solutions to many problems within the construction environment. Each structure and site are unique as well as the desired living environment and there is no one approach, technique or style that suits every project. There are many considerations on every project which is influenced by location (both urban and geographical), availability of materials and skilled labor, site conditions, local codes and restrictions, owner/occupant desires as well as many others.
Let my put my experience to work for you.
My name is Richard Ellsaesser and I am an environmentalist by nature with an innate desire to create and build living environments that are not only energy efficient but also healthy and desirable to live in. I have dedicated my life to this endeavor and have a solid working knowledge of what energy efficient materials, methods, systems and designs are economically as well as functionally viable. I consult on all size projects including implementing energy efficient upgrades to existing commercial and single family homes, new home construction, smaller commercial construction, developing new subdivisions and consulting on large commercial projects.
It is only through many years of practical experience and education that I have been able to see the construction, living and ecological environment in their entirety and the dependency and influence they have on one another and become proficient at providing solutions to many problems within the construction environment. Each structure and site are unique as well as the desired living environment and there is no one approach, technique or style that suits every project. There are many considerations on every project which is influenced by location (both urban and geographical), availability of materials and skilled labor, site conditions, local codes and restrictions, owner/occupant desires as well as many others.
Let my put my experience to work for you.
Background
I grew up in the 70’s in the backdrop of an energy/gas shortage and began to take a real interest in the state of the environment and conserving energy. My family was involved in home building and I started my career working for contractors of all types. During this period I was fortunate enough to build adobe homes as well as high end stick built residential construction and was able to get a feel and working knowledge of how both performed. After finishing my undergraduate degree I went to work for the largest Savings and Loan in America and managed multi-million dollar renovation projects on commercial properties all over the southwest. I acquired valuable knowledge not only in construction materials and methodologies, but also within the financial, budgeting, legal and contractual side of the construction industry. I then established my own home building company in the early 1990’s and built custom and spec residential homes in a smaller community lacking city code and building restrictions. This allowed me to maintain a crew to perform most all construction functions while subcontracting out only a portion of the overall building process. I was also able to add energy efficient improvements to all my homes and monitor their cost versus performance. During this period I returned to college and finished an Associates degree in Construction Management and then went on to complete my Master's in Real Estate Finance and Developement at which time I went to work for a commercial developer for several years before forming my own company.
I have learned over the years that there are many energy efficient upgrades with a simple payback period of only 3 to 8 years which then provide returns to the owner on the initial investment for years to come. In addition, there are many so called energy efficient upgrades offered by contractors that will never recoup their initial investment cost and thus are an economic waste. My practical experience as well as performing an analysis of proposed upgrades provide solutions to proposed energy efficient improvements as well as whole structure energy efficient designs.
During my 30 years in the construction field I have read countless books and case studies on energy efficient materials and methodologies as well as renewable energies, properties of thermal mass and transference of energy, and have studied near every construction material and methodology in all locations and climates. There are many methods, materials and devices on the market offering savings and many are affective, however many are not or are cost ineffective and end up consuming more energy and resources than they save. My knowledge and experience can save you thousands as I have taken countless courses, attended many seminars, reviewed hundreds of case studies and performed numerous site inspections of LEED Certified and energy efficient commercial and residential buildings of all kinds. In this process I have not only tested many of these materials, processes and products, but have interviewed many whom have. A summation of my findings and experience is that there is no “one kind” fits all method of construction as each building and its' environment are unique based upon geographic location, climate conditions, urban/suburban location, building codes and restrictions as well as the materials and local labor skills readily available there. I have lived in many parts of the country in different climates, and various methodologies and building practices are just not valid, practical or even permitted by codes in some areas. In addition, each person is unique and has different requirements and expectations for their individual living environment. I have accumulated tens of thousands of hours of study on building methods as well as practical applications on living environments and energy efficient construction over my life that has developed into a solid foundation of construction methodologies, energy efficient construction materials and green building techniques of all kinds within the built environment. Living environments can be built far more energy efficient and much healthier to live in at a minimal increase in construction costs, and will provide a living environment that is also much more enjoyable and comfortable to live in as well as provide cash flow back into your pocket in lower energy costs and greater resale values.
I grew up in the 70’s in the backdrop of an energy/gas shortage and began to take a real interest in the state of the environment and conserving energy. My family was involved in home building and I started my career working for contractors of all types. During this period I was fortunate enough to build adobe homes as well as high end stick built residential construction and was able to get a feel and working knowledge of how both performed. After finishing my undergraduate degree I went to work for the largest Savings and Loan in America and managed multi-million dollar renovation projects on commercial properties all over the southwest. I acquired valuable knowledge not only in construction materials and methodologies, but also within the financial, budgeting, legal and contractual side of the construction industry. I then established my own home building company in the early 1990’s and built custom and spec residential homes in a smaller community lacking city code and building restrictions. This allowed me to maintain a crew to perform most all construction functions while subcontracting out only a portion of the overall building process. I was also able to add energy efficient improvements to all my homes and monitor their cost versus performance. During this period I returned to college and finished an Associates degree in Construction Management and then went on to complete my Master's in Real Estate Finance and Developement at which time I went to work for a commercial developer for several years before forming my own company.
I have learned over the years that there are many energy efficient upgrades with a simple payback period of only 3 to 8 years which then provide returns to the owner on the initial investment for years to come. In addition, there are many so called energy efficient upgrades offered by contractors that will never recoup their initial investment cost and thus are an economic waste. My practical experience as well as performing an analysis of proposed upgrades provide solutions to proposed energy efficient improvements as well as whole structure energy efficient designs.
During my 30 years in the construction field I have read countless books and case studies on energy efficient materials and methodologies as well as renewable energies, properties of thermal mass and transference of energy, and have studied near every construction material and methodology in all locations and climates. There are many methods, materials and devices on the market offering savings and many are affective, however many are not or are cost ineffective and end up consuming more energy and resources than they save. My knowledge and experience can save you thousands as I have taken countless courses, attended many seminars, reviewed hundreds of case studies and performed numerous site inspections of LEED Certified and energy efficient commercial and residential buildings of all kinds. In this process I have not only tested many of these materials, processes and products, but have interviewed many whom have. A summation of my findings and experience is that there is no “one kind” fits all method of construction as each building and its' environment are unique based upon geographic location, climate conditions, urban/suburban location, building codes and restrictions as well as the materials and local labor skills readily available there. I have lived in many parts of the country in different climates, and various methodologies and building practices are just not valid, practical or even permitted by codes in some areas. In addition, each person is unique and has different requirements and expectations for their individual living environment. I have accumulated tens of thousands of hours of study on building methods as well as practical applications on living environments and energy efficient construction over my life that has developed into a solid foundation of construction methodologies, energy efficient construction materials and green building techniques of all kinds within the built environment. Living environments can be built far more energy efficient and much healthier to live in at a minimal increase in construction costs, and will provide a living environment that is also much more enjoyable and comfortable to live in as well as provide cash flow back into your pocket in lower energy costs and greater resale values.