Green Basics for Green Basics for Florida’s Affordable Florida’s Affordable HousingHousing

Florida Housing Coalition’s Florida Housing Coalition’s

22nd Annual Affordable Housing Conference: 22nd Annual Affordable Housing Conference:

"The Route to Recovery""The Route to Recovery"

Orlando, FloridaOrlando, Florida

September 21, 2009September 21, 2009

Cathy Byrd GreenHeights Development Corp. www.GreenHeightsHomes.com

Who are the recognized Who are the recognized credentialing authorities?credentialing authorities?

Florida Green Building Coalition Florida Green Building Coalition

The National Association of Home Builder’s The National Association of Home Builder’s

The U.S. Green Building CouncilThe U.S. Green Building Council

Comparison SnapshotComparison SnapshotFGBC NAHB USGBC

Levels of Certification Possible

Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum

Bronze, Silver and Gold

Green, Silver, Gold and Platinum

Credentialed AgentRegistered Certifying

Agent

Accredited Verifier

Accredited Professional

Credentialed Agent Required?

Yes Yes No

Fees to Register $0 $0 $225 ($150)

Fees to Certify (not including consulting fees)

$100 ($50) $500 ($200) $300 ($225)

What made it green?What made it green?POINTS!POINTS!

Every project is evaluated and scored in Every project is evaluated and scored in the following categories:the following categories:

1.1. Energy EfficiencyEnergy Efficiency

2.2. Water ConservationWater Conservation

3.3. Lot Choice/Site SelectionLot Choice/Site Selection

4.4. Site (Construction Process)Site (Construction Process)

5.5. Health/Indoor Air QualityHealth/Indoor Air Quality

6.6. Material SelectionMaterial Selection

7.7. Disaster MitigationDisaster Mitigation

8.8. General/MiscellaneousGeneral/Miscellaneous

First Costs?First Costs?

Each GreenHeights Home is cost neutralEach GreenHeights Home is cost neutral Some items are more expensiveSome items are more expensive

Structural systemStructural system Cabinets and countertopsCabinets and countertops WindowsWindows

Some items are less expensiveSome items are less expensive Speed of installation of structureSpeed of installation of structure Smaller a/c system due to “tightness” of envelopeSmaller a/c system due to “tightness” of envelope Floor finishFloor finish

There is a learning curve but efficiencies reduce There is a learning curve but efficiencies reduce costs and improve bottom linecosts and improve bottom line

Second Costs?Second Costs?

There aren’t any…it is all savings!There aren’t any…it is all savings! Electric bill is ½ when compared to new, Electric bill is ½ when compared to new,

traditionally built homestraditionally built homes Reduced need for pest controlReduced need for pest control Reduced need for general maintenanceReduced need for general maintenance Reduced need for constant yard careReduced need for constant yard care Longer life materialsLonger life materials

Life Cycle AnalysisLife Cycle Analysis

Cradle-to-GraveCradle-to-Grave Cradle-to-grave is the full Life Cycle Assessment Cradle-to-grave is the full Life Cycle Assessment

from manufacture ('cradle') to use phase and from manufacture ('cradle') to use phase and disposal phase ('grave')disposal phase ('grave')

Cradle-to-CradleCradle-to-Cradle Cradle-to-cradle is a specific kind of cradle-to-grave Cradle-to-cradle is a specific kind of cradle-to-grave

assessment, where the end-of-life disposal step for assessment, where the end-of-life disposal step for the product is a recycling process the product is a recycling process

Second Cost SavingsSecond Cost Savings

Reduced electric billsReduced electric bills Reduced water billsReduced water bills Reduced homeowners insuranceReduced homeowners insurance Eligible for e-mortgagesEligible for e-mortgages Little or no pest controlLittle or no pest control Lower replacement costs due to longer Lower replacement costs due to longer

life span of materialslife span of materials

ResourcesResources

Florida Green Building Coalition Florida Green Building Coalition www.floridagreenbuilding.orgwww.floridagreenbuilding.org

WaterStar Program WaterStar Program www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservationwww.swfwmd.state.fl.us/conservation

National Association of Home Builders National Association of Home Builders www.nahb.orgwww.nahb.org

US EPA Energy Star Program US EPA Energy Star Program www.energystar.govwww.energystar.gov