Exploring The Future of Green Housing – Solar Decathlon 2009 September 10, 2009

For the fourth time since 2002, the U.S. Department of Energy will be hosting the Solar Decathlon on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. from October 9th-18th. The purpose of the Decathlon is two-fold: 20 universities from around the world compete to design and build the most sustainable solar-powered single-family home, while the public gets a chance to tour the complex of houses, catching a glimpse of what housing may look like in the future. The competition was founded as a means of helping solar-power technologies break into the mainstream market.

Two years before the competition begins, the student-founded teams begin to design their entry into the competition, then build it on site, and later transport it to the National Mall (some from as far away as Madrid, Puerto Rico, and Munich), where it will be judged in ten different fields, including architecture, lighting design, communications, hot water, comfort and market viability. While the competition is taking place, the public is encouraged to walk through the houses and better see what scientists, engineers, and designers are envisioning as the building norms of the future.

The number one reason that the competition has been made public is to show the greater population that it is possible to power every part of a home through wind and solar energy, as each house is built entirely off the grid. Building materials also play a huge role in the competition. Many entries from previous years relied heavily on recycled materials like shipping crates, as well as sustainable materials like bamboo to earn extra points from the judges. Passive heating and cooling measures, as well as solar water heaters, are staples in the design of most of the houses.

For more information about the houses, the universities involved, or the Solar Decathlon in general, visit the USDoE’s website.

Federal Stimulus Takes Water Issues Seriously May 1, 2009

Green jobs and energy have been given new life by the stimulus bill. While environmental issues took a backseat at the beginning of the recession, the stimulus spending has reawakened the sense that green jobs can create a sustainable economy and slow the rapid pace of climate change. For a variety of reasons, energy has dominated the conversation, but there are other important environmental provisions in the bill. Principal among these is another, though not nearly as talked about, of the world’s other major resource problem we’re facing: water. The spending portion of the stimulus bill provides for a whole range of problems surrounding water on a regional scale:

• $290 million for watershed and flood prevention activities
• $50 million for watershed rehabilitation
• $1.38 billion for rural water and waste disposal loans and grants
• $1 billion for Bureau of Reclamation Water and Related Resources treatment facilities

These programs, among other water and environmental cleanup measures, are being administered by the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of the Interior, and Department of Agriculture.

The severe weather resulting from climate change, increasing population, demographic shifts, and agricultural stresses are creating problems for water availability (see the 3^rd UN World Water Development Report for more info). These problems are manifest in the US too, and this is reflected in stimulus package spending. As one of the most basic of human needs and one of the most dangerous weather threats, it will create jobs to build, staff, and maintain water treatment plants, enact flood prevention measures, and clean up, replant, and landscape for the ecological restoration of watersheds. While these efforts don’t have the commercial appeal of renewable energy, they are nonetheless just as essential for the environment, economy, and long-range viability of our communities.

Federal Stimulus: Creating the New Economy April 23, 2009

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has been hailed as an environmental triumph. Specifically, the stimulus package’s promise is in its potential to create green jobs, principally in the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries. And to most environmentalist’s joy, money for two hotly contested environmental issues, nuclear power and clean coal, were dropped from the final bill. Green jobs, in an energy industry which boasts more potential than IT, were going to simultaneously lift us out of an economic recession and fend off climate change. For the past month, however, the economy has shown signs of picking back up without the help of stimulus funds.

In the past month, the stock market has increased and the beginning of first quarter reports has been quite encouraging. A few days ago, Wells Fargo announced a big first quarter profit, an excellent sign from the troubled banking industry. The remainder of first quarter reports will have a big impact on whether investors think the market has bottomed out yet or not. This could very well be a short-term trend or perhaps an authentic road to recovery. At first blush it would seem the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act had started to make changes. However, as NY Times Columnist and Nobel Laureate Paul Krugman explained on NPR, the act was signed six weeks ago so only an insignificant amount of stimulus money is in the economy; the positive outlook is due much more to the Federal Reserve board’s robust interest rate cuts.

It seems that green jobs might not be an economic savior. After all, the current economic crisis was thought by some to be the inevitable result of a fossil-fueled, speculation-based, over-consuming economic system. Terrible as the direct impact of the recession has been on the average American, it could have been a correcting measure for the economy as a whole. Americans were driving less and growing more gardens. But if everything returns to normal, very few results have been gained.

The fact remains, however, that even if the economy can rebound to its old form, its lifespan is limited. And even if the economy recovers without the salvation of green jobs and the clean energy sector, it is difficult to think that the federal government’s investments and the current administration’s priorities will let things go on as normal. Consider the Washington Post’s breakdown of the $48.9 billion spent on energy and water:

- $8 billion in federal loan guarantees for renewable energy systems and electricity transmission

- $18.5 for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs

- $ Other, including modernizing the electricity grid

Additionally, Obama’s climate change stance, energy policy, and the upcoming climate meeting in Copenhagen all set the stage for an unprecedented next couple of years.

We could wish that green jobs will bring our economy back to what it was a year ago, but really we should wish that green jobs create a better economy altogether. The changes that the stimulus package implements must be independent of the current economic model if it is truly to be sustainable. An economy that matures, that experiences growth to a limit, is sustainable. One that uses energy endlessly and is based upon constant growth is not. An economy that builds durable houses for people, not just for a developer’s profits, is itself durable. That is part of the appeal of stimulus funds for creating green jobs – it is based on programs like weatherization for low income homeowners, improved energy efficiency and conservation, and local transit systems. These are programs which can change our economics.

It Makes Sense to Build Green – Part 6 of 6 (IEQ) February 12, 2009

Building a low impact building means good indoor air quality (IAQ), both for the health of the buildings occupants and for the sustainability of the building. This credit requires minimum indoor environmental quality (IEQ) performance to enhance the air quality of the building. It starts early in the construction phase when the buildings toxins are flushed out and strict monitoring of pollutants and contamination are controlled by air quality testing. In addition to a reduction in air quality contaminants, which can also be attributed to low-emitting materials, the building must also provide adequate capacity for ventilation.

Two prerequisites are required to meet the indoor environmental quality credits. First, the buildings indoor air quality must comply with the code requirements LEED uses. The building is also required to establish an environmental tobacco smoke plan (i.e. no smoking inside the building and only within a certain distance outside of the building). After these requirements are met, this category offers 15 possible points in 8 credits. The construction and pre-occupancy steps must include steps to minimize indoor air pollution in order to to meet the level required once the building is completed. Proper installation and monitoring of the building’s ventilation systems will help meet this requirement. Selecting low-emitting materials, such as adhesives and sealants, paints and coatings, carpet, and composite wood and agrifiber products, will reduce air contaminates. Reducing the number of chemicals that ever enter the building will also help you achieve points and more importantly, create a healthier building. Comfortable thermal systems with individual controllability will cut costs and improve worker performance. Using daylight and views along with controllable lighting systems will have the same effect.

Indoor environmental quality is a crucial measure to the sustainability of your building and its occupants, and it works collectively with the other LEED credit categories to construct a low impact, eco-friendly, sustainable building. By following the LEED credits, you can work toward certifying your building and establishing an environmentally friendly building that improves your workers’ health and performance, cuts your cost, reduces environmental impacts from building, and improves the economic sustainability of your building.

As you know if you have read through these posts, there are many steps that can be taken to obtain certification and these will differ based on the building, resources used, and a host of other factors. The system also allows for innovative measures, should you meet the intent of one of the points but are not doing it exactly as specified in the guide. A LEED accredited professional can work with you and the USGBC to determine if the point will apply, not to mention that you get one point just for having a LEED AP on your team!

These posts are meant to be a brief introduction, since we have LEED APs for projects and we often get some of these questions. The US Green Building Council site provides additional information, as well as checklists for each of the different guides.

It Makes Sense to Build Green – Part 4 of 6 (Energy & Atmosphere) January 29, 2009

Creating an energy efficient and clean atmosphere in a building is perhaps the most complex aspect of building green. Reaching optimal energy levels and employing clean and renewable energy systems which in turn reduces ozone depletion and global warming is the overall intent of the energy and atmosphere credits. To achieve points in this category all parties must be on the same page and establish precise energy goals.

In order to be eligible for any points in this section, three prerequisites must be met and they all revolve around planning and management. First, a Commissioning Authority must be assigned to the project to review, plan, and report on the project. It is vital that the owner’s project requirements and the basis of design are followed and commissioned in order to perform and meet expectations. Proper commissioning allows a project to establish minimum energy performance requirements and install adequate refrigerant management systems. Once the prerequisites are set in place you should use your energy baseline and construct optimal energy performance goals for your building.

There are 17 possible points amongst 6 credits in this section. To get points in this section, you must take your baseline building performance rating and increase it by 10.5 percent just to get 1 point, then to earn more points you can add 3.5 percent to the 10.5 percent performance and earn 1 more point per each 3.5 percent increase. You may earn up to 10 points in this section by reaching 42 percent total. (The performance percentages above the baseline will vary depending on the building). Meeting this requirement is essential to greening your building and can drastically cut your energy cost each month. To increase your energy efficiency you should install appropriate HVAC systems, recover your wasted energy, harvest free/renewable/clean energy, and reduce your demand for energy.

Commissioning your building early and thoroughly along with using proper refrigerant management can significantly reduce the environmental impact of your building if you measure and verify your energy use and energy systems over time. It is very important to commit to using renewable energy / green power in your building. Engaging in very available renewable energy sources will not only save you money but will most importantly create a low impact sustainable building and a healthy atmosphere.

Earning points in this category is a must, and working with a third party to meet these low impact requirements can make the task much easier. Consulting is available for energy commissioning and we recommend you use a third party to meet the Energy Star performance standards. More information is provided by the Department of Energy and the USGBC.

It Makes Sense to Build Green – Part 3 of 6 (water consumption) January 22, 2009

Water consumption is one of the greatest threats society has on its natural resources. Everyday, roughly 340 billion gallons of fresh water are withdrawn from rivers, streams, and reservoirs, and 65 percent of the water consumed is discharged back into the water supplies after use. Needless to say, we must focus on water efficiency throughout the world and definitely in buildings.

LEED addresses water efficiency in three credits worth five total points. The overall intent of this category is to limit or hopefully eliminate the use of unnecessary potable water, decrease the demand of wastewater and potable water, and to maximize water efficiency within the building. Points can be earned in this category by water efficient landscaping – which we hope you can achieve by completely eliminating potable water use. Architects can design systems that capture rainwater, recycled wastewater and gray water to hydrate your landscape vegetation. Also, captured wastewater may be treated and infiltrated for on-site use. A vital way to earn points is reducing the amount of water used by at least 20 percent and, for more points, by 30 percent. Water reduction can easily be obtained by installing high-efficiency fixtures, occupant sensors, and use of storm water and gray water.

A water efficient building is responsible, and preserving your community’s municipal water resources and cutting down on water bills is the logical way to build. For example, installing one waterless urinal can save approximately 40,000 gallons of water per year. Imagine if everyone considered water efficiency when building. Again, the details and specific requirements for obtaining points in this category can be found by visiting the USGBC and referring to the USGBC Reference Guide.

It Makes Sense to Build Green – Part 2 of 6 (site selection) January 15, 2009

Please note that the following credits being discussed apply to various types of buildings, new or renovated, and the strategy toward meeting the credits expectations will depend on the building, but regardless, the intent of the credits do not change.

The first section of the LEED Reference Guide which can be purchased from the USGBC, and also the first step in building green is sustainable site selection and control. This section is composed of fourteen possible points, but in order to even attempt this credit, your building must first meet a prerequisite: to reduce pollution caused by the construction site. This expectation is achieved by drafting and following an ESC (Erosion / Sedimentation Control) Plan. Basically, preventing air pollution caused by dust, preventing loss of soil, and preventing sedimentation from storms, sewers, or streams. Conforming to the ESC Plan will be a requirement throughout the construction process and will ultimately contribute to the sustainability of your building.

While Sustainable Sites, like all the categories of LEED, is made up of different credits, the overall intent of the section is to reduce the environmental impact from the location of the building. A sustainable site criteria includes one or more of the following:

• Developing in urban areas, close to public transportation and amenities
  
• Avoiding development of inappropriate sites, such as greenfields (areas that have not been build upon)
• Rehabilitating damaged sites
• Reducing pollution from construction activity
• Conserving and restoring natural habitats
• Managing storm water runoff
• Reducing the impact of auto use, and
  
• Reducing heat island effects.
  

Most of the efforts of the sustainable sites are constructed in the design phase of LEED certification, but in order to meet the intent of the requirement, a strategy to address it must be implemented throughout the construction process.

Building a sustainable site can have a major impact on our eco-system, therefore meeting as many of these credit requirements as possible is essential. Depending on your building, some of these credits may not apply, but all are important to consider during the LEED process and application. Strategy, implementation, and code compliance for each credit can be outlined in great detail by visiting USGBC and by referencing the LEED Reference Guide.

It Makes Sense to Build Green – Part 1 of 6 (making the case), January 6, 2009

Buildings have a significant impact on the environment. Buildings greatly affect our water supplies, natural resources, air quality, and overall eco-systems. According to the AGC (Associated General Contractors of America), in the United States, buildings consume 12 percent of water use, 39 percent of CO2 emissions, 65 percent of waste output, 71 percent of electricity, and 39 percent of overall energy. And worldwide, buildings account for 17 percent of fresh water withdrawals, 25 percent of wood harvest, 33 percent of CO2 emissions, and 40 percent of materials and energy use. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) reports that annually buildings generate 25 to 40 percent of the solid waste stream, which totals close to 140 million tons. Those figures are just some impacts that buildings have on the environment; countless other reports could be included in this synopsis.

So, it is obvious that buildings have a tremendous impact on the environment. But how can we address the issue? Through sustainable design, construction, and management of buildings.

Vast efforts have been made to implement green building methods throughout the United States and across the world. For decades, engineers, builders, architects, administrators, and other players have practiced and advocated for eco-friendly sustainable buildings, but in the past few years, and even more so today, green building has become more accessible and more trusted. Sustainable construction is becoming the standard for any type of structure and the benefits of building green are becoming evident to people all across the spectrum. It is important to remember that reducing our carbon footprint for future generations is the underlying objective of sustainability, but in the meantime, making eco-friendly decisions can have a profound impact on your life and your business.

The environmental, economic, health, and community benefits of green building are astounding. Records from the USGBC (United States Green Building Council) show that green buildings can save 30 percent on energy, 35 percent on carbon, 30 – 50 percent on water use, and 50 – 97 percent on water cost. Green buildings also report 16 percent gains on worker productivity. A healthy environment has a trickle down effect, and not only yields a better work environment but also contributes to good health which in turn puts less of a strain on healthcare demands. In addition, roughly 25 percent of the increase in carbon dioxide is attributed to buildings; energy efficiency can reduce that percentage by 50 percent. Other major aspects of green building such as recycling and waste managemnet, use of local materials, etc. have played a collaborative role in shaping the standard for green building.

In 1993, the USGBC was formed, and since its origin, it has developed the standard for green building via the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design) system. Today, LEED is comprised of multiple rating systems, including: LEED for New Construction version 2.2, LEED for Existing Buildings, and LEED for Commercial Interiors. While each varies, they all have the same intent, but to maintain consistency I will be navigating through LEED NC version 2.2.

In order to factor in the various aspects of green building, LEED is split into major categories. They include sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality. Each category is broken down into credits that are worth points, and points vary depending on the significance of the credit. Together there are 69 total points and depending on the number of points awarded, a building fits into a category. A certified building earns 26 – 32 points, a silver rated building earns 33 – 38 points, a gold building earns 39 – 51 points, and a platinum building earns 52 – 69 points. Achieving points is much easier if a building is attempting LEED certification early in the design phases but regardless of what rating the building receives or if it is certified at all, the design and construction of the building can work toward implementing eco-friendly LEED standards.

Collectively the LEED system offers great progress in reducing the environmental impact of buildings and as resources become more available and as green building/renovation demand increases, and as people become more educated, our environment will become more sustainable.

A series of blog entries will follow this report, each outlining the categories of LEED, the intent of those categories and their environmental, economic, and health implications. Please note, the concepts being covered can be applied to any building from a small home to a large commercial building.

Tax Credit for Renewable Energy November 20, 2008

If you are planning to install solar panels or wind turbines, this is the time to act fast. In January 2009, Federal tax credits will be given to the U.S. homeowners who have invested money in renewable energy sources. So in addition to the savings in utility bills, these tax credits make renewable energy sources more lucrative.

On the installation of new gadgets for utilizing renewable energy, you can save up to 30%. The upper limit of tax credit is $2,000 for solar water heating, whereas solar electric systems are not capped. The tax credits are also available for reducing the energy consumption by adding insulation to homes, energy efficient windows or heaters. There is 10% tax credit available, up to a total of about $500, for these energy efficient measures. This will encourage people to join the energy policies of new administration.

Similar tax benefits were given in 2006, but they expired in 2008. The details of the program can be found on Energy Star website. Now, as a part of economic bailout package, tax credits are announced, starting from January, 2009. Last time, these tax credits were available only for solar energy, but now the benefits are extended to wind turbine with an upper limit of $4,000. Home fuel cells, geothermal heat pumps and biomass stoves are also included. If you want to lower the gas bills along with electricity, there are options for that too. The tax credits are available for plug-in hybrids of GM and Nissan. Some states also offer similar benefits to the homeowners for renewable energy initiatives. So collect the information and read the fine print to join the fight against global warming. For state incentives, check out the Database for State Incentives on Renewable Energy (DSIRE) website.

Green, From the Inside Out: The Benefits of Indoor Plants For Your Home or Office August 9, 2008

Research has shown that indoor air pollution is the cause of many of our common and even more serious ailments; from headaches, fatigue, and toxic and allergic reactions, to asthma, infections, and “sick building syndrome”, etc. Research has also shown that certain plants clean the air by removing carbon dioxide and dangerous airborne chemicals while releasing oxygen for you. But, the benefits of indoor plants don’t stop there. Additional benefits of indoor plants are as follows:

• Are welcoming and aesthetically appealing.
• Reduce light reflection and improve noise absorption.
• Soften harsh areas and hide imperfections.
• Can be used as banners to direct (foot) traffic or to partition off an area.
• Release moisture into the air.
• Can raise morale and reduce stress.
• Just might even enhance creativity and increase productivity.
• Just might make people feel calmer and more optimistic, and therefore, happier!
• Offer an inexpensive, easy to maintain, and locationally flexible way to have your very own “bio-filtration system” for your home or office.

A sampling of recommended indoor plants: Orchids, epiphytic bromeliads, anthuriums, snake plants, broadsword ferns, rubber plants, chrysanthemums, gerbera daisies, spider plants, majesty palm, spathiphyllum, golden pathos, and heart leaf philodendron. Most of us spend the majority of our time indoors, so why not make that air as clean and healthy as possible? Happy greening!