leed for homes

Quint Newcomer, PhDDirector, UGA Costa Rica

2 August, 2011

NATURE : An ideal model of sustainability

CANON OF LAWSNature runs on sunlight.Nature uses only the energy it needs.Nature fits form to function.Nature recycles everything.Nature rewards cooperation.Nature banks on diversity.Nature demands local expertise.Nature curbs excesses from within.Nature taps the power of limits.

From: Benyus, Janine. Biomimicry

INCREASING GAP BETWEEN CONSUMPTION RATES & PRODUCTION RATES: Energy

• U.S. Department of Energy predicts that the U.S. energy consumption will increase to approximately 130 quadrillion Btu annually by 2020.

• By using the last decade’s production growth rates, the energy shortage in 2020 will be approximately 55 quadrillion Btu. (Our total energy consumption in 1980 was approximately 68 quadrillion Btu. )

• Buildings annually consume more than 60% of the electricity used in the U.S.

Source: USGBC New Construction & Major Renovation Reference Guide Version 2.2

GREEN BUILDING BENEFITS:

• Reduce operating costs

• enhance building marketability

• enhance building durability

• reduce potential heath hazards resulting from indoor air quality problems

• Increased productivity in workplace and schools

Source: USGBC New Construction & Major Renovation Reference Guide Version 2.2

901 Cherry Offices by William McDonough + Partners, San Bruno, CA

LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design)

Source: www.usgbc.org

LEED for Homes

The LEED for Homes Rating System measures the overall performance of a home in eight categories (a holistic approach to sustainable design certification):

1. Innovation & Design Process (ID) – Special design methods, unique regional credits, measures not currently addressed in the Rating System, & exemplary performance levels.

2. Location & Linkages (LL) – The placement of homes in socially and environmentally responsible ways in relation to the larger community.

3. Sustainable Sites (SS) – The use of the entire property so as to minimize the project’s impact on the site.

4. Water Efficiency (WE) – Water-efficient practices, both indoor and outdoor.

5. Energy & Atmosphere (EA) – Energy efficiency, particularly in the building envelope and heating and cooling design.

6. Materials & Resources (MR) – Efficient utilization of materials, selection of environmentally preferable materials, and minimization of waste during construction.

7. Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ) – Improvement of indoor air quality by reducing the creation of and exposure to pollutants.

8. Awareness & Education (AE) – The education of the homeowner, tenant, and/or building manager as well as taking measures to help bring awareness to general public through marketing.

Source: USGBC LEED for Homes Rating System, January 2008

LEED for Homes

LEED for Homes Certification Levels:

Certified (45-59 points)Silver (60-74 points)Gold (75-89 points)Platinum (90-136 points)

LOCATION & LINKAGES (LL)1. LEED Neighborhood

Development2. Site Selection3. Preferred Locations (edge

development/infill/previously developed)

4. Existing Infrastructure5. Community Resources/Transit6. Access to Open Space

Since sustainability is a cultural process, it depends on the everyday actions of ordinary people. … Bringing sustainability home is about growing a culture of sustainability that is suited to the particularities of place.

Sim van der Ryn and Stuart Cowan, Ecological Design

SUSTAINABLE SITES (SS)1. Site Stewardship

1.1 Erosion controls during construction1.2 Minimize disturbed area of site

2. Landscaping2.1 No invasive plants2.2 Basic landscape design (see list)2.3 Limit conventional turf2.4 Drought tolerant plants2.5 Reduce overall irrigation demand

3. Local Heat Island Effectsa. Locate trees & plantings to shade

50% of hardscapeb. Install light-colored, high albedo materials for at least 50% of hardscape

SUSTAINABLE SITES (SS)4. Surface Water Management

4.1 Permeable lot4.2 Permanent erosion controls

4.3 Management of run-off from roof

SUSTAINABLE SITES (SS)5. Nontoxic Pest Control

6. Compact Development

SUSTAINABLE SITES• Reduce local heat island effects

WATER EFFICIENCY (WE)1. Water Reuse

1.1 Rainwater Harvesting System1.2 Graywater Reuse System1.3 Use of Municipal Recycled Water

2. Irrigation System2.1 High Efficiency Irrigation System2.2 Third Party Inspection2.3 Reduce Overall Irrigation Demand by at Least 45%

(see water use calculator)

WATER EFFICIENCY (WE)3. Indoor Water Use

3.1 High Efficiency Fixtures and Fittings (dual-flush toliets)3.2 Very High Efficiency Fixtures and Fittings

a. The average flow rate for faucets are equal to or less than 1.5 gpm (EPA WaterSense Certification)

b. The average flow rate for showerheads are equal to or less than 1.75 gpm

ENERGY & ATMOSPHERE (EA)1. Optimize Energy Performance (beyond Energy Star Requirements)

2. Water Heating (efficient distribution and pipe insulation)

3. Refrigerant Management (use appropriate refrigerants & do charge test)

ENERGY & ATMOSPHERE• Good insulation

– Caulk & Seal– Spray-in icynene foam in

roofline – Spray-in cellulose (recycled

fibers/newsprint) in 2x6 walls– Ecobatts in interior walls for

acoustics

ENERGY & ATMOSPHERE• Good Windows

– Energy Star windows – Passive solar design

ENERGY & ATMOSPHERE• Lighting

– Installed more than 7 ENERGY STAR labeled light fixtures or ENERGY STAR labeled CFL bulbs

– LED lighting

MATERIALS & RESOURCES (MR)1. Material-Efficient Framing

1.1 Framing order waste factor limit (Prerequisite for LEED)1.2 Detailed framing documents1.3 Detailed cut list and lumber order

1.4 Framing efficiencies 1.5 Off-site fabrication

MATERIALS & RESOURCES (MR)2. Environmentally Preferable

Products– Flooring: Concrete (with fly ash),

reclaimed wood, and recycled content carpeting all sourced within 500 miles (all finishes also meeting low-VOC standards)

MATERIALS & RESOURCES• Environmentally preferable products

– Paints & Stains: • Mineral paints by San Marco USA on interior walls (zero VOCs, maintains wall

breathability, prevents mold growth, & pulls CO2 from the air in carbonization process)• Trim paints are zero VOC by Sherwin Williams• Stains are all low-VOC

MATERIALS & RESOURCES• Environmentally preferable products

– Reclaimed Barn Wood from Site

MATERIALS & RESOURCES• Environmentally preferable products

– Interior Doors:• Formaldehyde-free EccoDoors with 100% recycled content

MATERIALS & RESOURCES• Environmentally preferable

products– Cabinetry:

• Formaldehyde-free plywood and low-VOC finishes

• FSC certified teak counter

MATERIALS & RESOURCES (MR)3. Waste Management• Diverted 68% of construction waste from landfill

– Recycled wood, sheetrock, metal, plastic, & cardboard

INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (EQ)1. Energy Star with IAP2. Combustion Venting

– Wood burning stove, HearthStone, is listed by a testing laboratory and EPA certified for efficiency & emissions (88% efficient & will heat up to 1500 ft2)

3. Moisture Control4. Outdoor Air Ventilation5. Local Exhaust6. Distribution of Space Heating &

Cooling7. Air Filtering8. Contaminant Control

8.1 Indoor contaminant control during construction8.2 Indoor contaminant control (shoe removal area)8.3 Preoccupancy flush (run all fans with windows open for 48 hours)

INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY9. Radon Protection

INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY9. Garage Pollutant Protection

10.1 No HVAC in garage10.2 Minimize pollutants from garage10.3 Exhaust fan in garage10.4 Detached garage or no garage

EDUCATION & AWARENESS (AE)1. Education of the Homeowner Tenant

1.1 Basic Operations Training1.2 Enhanced Training1.3 Public Awareness - (Website: Lori-Quint House on facebook.com)

Why Do This?

• Academics: engage intellectual resources of faculty and students

• Community education: awareness, understanding, motivation, behavior change

• Decision-making: support clear decisions, set priorities, engage stakeholders

• Visibility: stimulate discussion through media, promote green design business

Challenges For Appraisers

• Few green buildings actually change hands• Other house features predominate• Benefits of green building accrue solely to the occupier, not

necessarily the owner• Lack of comparables• Non-LEED “green” homes may be unnecessarily punished• Current state of knowledge within valuation industry in

question