LEED Blog by Green Street

The number one objection to building green is costs. The perception is green is too expensive.

As marketers and companies use the word loosely, the true meaning of “green” has become cloudy. The public has become skeptical of green marketing claims, and rightfully so.

In order to give the public a different understanding of the meaning of green certified homes by GreenStreet, we provide the prospective buyer with a quantitative Home Performance Report. Listed on the Performance Report, is the pre and post HERS index. The computer generated HERS index is a number given a home based on its energy efficient features; a lower number being better. From this, we are able to provide estimated annual energy savings.

By implementing improvements such as a new HVAC, improved insulation, new windows, cfl lighting, shading, and Energy Star appliances, we are able to improve the HERS index by 50 - 80%. This equates to an estimated annual utility savings of $1200 - $2000 for a 1500 sf home.

The approximate costs of the improvements:
HVAC - $3000
Windows (installed) $2000
Insulation - $350
Lighting - $50
Shading (plants) - $250
Appliances - $1500
Total - $7000

Although labeled “green,” we are going to implement these improvements regardless. Over a period of 10 years, the above improvements will impact the utility savings dramatically, costing the homeowner only $7000 (for ten years). If we do nothing to improve the energy efficiency of the same home, the estimated utility costs over a ten year period will be $27,000. This is a difference of $13,000 after deducting the cost of improvements.

Listed on the GreenStreet Performance Report along with the estimated annual energy savings and HERS report, is the estimated water savings, which are typically 50 - 70%. We accomplish this by using Water Sense fixtures, native landscaping, and a drip irrigation system.

The third category on our Performance Report is indoor air quality, which highlights improved ventilation and filtration strategies, along with low VOC materials. Whereas the debate about the costs for green continue, there is no debating financial savings.

When buying a car, the biggest label displayed is the gas mileage. Why is this not the same for a home?

A Performance Report should be mandatory when selling a home. The consumer should be given this information, and know the real costs of operating their dwelling. And, just like the ingredients found on a box of cereal, the homebuyer should be provided a list of the materials and finishes used in a home.

If a homebuyer is saving $2000 annually in utilities, this equates to approximately $150 a month, or the same as the cost of a $25,000 mortgage payment at current market rates. This means, by living in a high performance home the homebuyer can either afford more, or use the savings for something like their children’s college tuition.

The word “green” has become misused and overused in today’s marketplace. We need to start holding the green claims accountable, and to offer greater description.

In the case of GreenStreet homes we are providing a Performance Report listing estimated annual energy, water, and financial savings.

Why would you not want to live in a home that saves you money, aka a green home?

by: Erik J. Martin | CTW Features

If you want to make your neighbors green with envy – and make Mother Nature blush red with affection – don’t just settle for building green, aim for the Emerald, as in a home that’s been certified as Emerald status according to the National Association of Home Builders’ National Green Building Standard.

Read full article

Before stating going green is too expensive, one must fully understand what it means to go green.

If one’s idea of going green is the installation of solar panels, then the costs may be expensive.

But, if we agree going green means lessening environmental impact and improving the health of a building, then there are dozens of items that may be implemented that do not cost a lot of money.

The environmental impact areas include water, energy, indoor air quality, material selection, and waste and recycling.

My Top 10 list of practical and low budget green home improvements are:

1. Test ducts for tightness, and sealing of leaks.
2. Professional HVAC service, and install of programmable thermostat
3. Caulking of and leaks in the building envelope, including windows and doors
4. The use of a recycle bin in the kitchen.
5. Replacement of incandescent lighting with cfl’s
6. The use of household cleaners that do not contain toxic chemicals. Homemade cleaners are best, using items such as vinegar, baking soda, and tea tree oil. And, the elimination of all chemical air fresheners.
7. The use of shading via plants or screens on walls or windows with high sun exposure.
8. The installation of daylighting in dark areas of your home to reduce the need for lights and to improve mental health
9. Upgrade insulation to a higher R value
10. Installation of highly reflective window film

When replacing items, it is important to dispose of the old items either by recycling or through the most environmentally friendly fashion.

If one wants to implement further green improvements and budget is less of a concern, then the following are some suggestions.

My Top 10 list of open budget items:

1. Foam insulation in the lid of the roof
2. New windows
3. New HVAC (always windows before HVAC, and Manual J required before determining size of unit)
4. Solar Hot water heater (current incentives and rebates results in a $1500 net cost to homeowner)
5. Front loading clothes washer, will reduce water usage by more than 60% compared to a top loading washers)
6. Native landscaping along with an irrigation system, and turf reduction
7. Consideration of low environmental impact materials when selecting new cabinets, flooring, countertops, or paint.
8. A rain capture system, and consideration to low flush toilets and Water Sense labeled fixtures
9. A Photovoltaic system once doing all the above building envelope improvements, which will reduce the size of the PV system needed
10. Get your project LEED or NAHB certified.

If your project is going to be green, it must address water, energy, air quality, design, and location. Before making choices, ask what impact they are having on the environment. Ultimately, reducing your home’s environmental impact does not have to cost a lot of money.

Homebuilders See Market in Solar-Powered and Public Transport-Friendly Homes; Some Homeowners Taking on the Work Themselves.

Read full article

Lennar Homes recorded fourth quarter 2009 profits of 35 million.

Ryland Homes recorded fourth quarter profits of 60 million in 2008, and 30 million in 2009.

KB recorded fourth quarter profits of 919 million in 2008.

One of the most common objections to green building and remodeling is that green is too expensive.

In order to address this common objection to green, we must first define what it means to build green. Referencing a previous blog post, the definition of green remodeling and building is energy efficiency, water efficiency, improved indoor air quality, good design, location near the workplace and local amenities and community services, and a preference to materials that are reused, recycled, or reclaimed.

All of the above have low and high budget construction strategies. With this in mind, this blog post will focus on the practical, low-budget, high impact items.

LEED and NAHB encourage Manual J modeling for the HVAC, waste reducing framing strategies, and the covering of ducts during construction. These simple strategies cost little or no money, and often result in financial savings and improved air quality.

As guided by LEED and NAHB, replacing traditional paint with paints and coatings that meet Green Seal Standard 11 and 43, costs little or no extra money, and dramatically improves indoor air quality.

Native landscaping, and limiting turf significantly reduces water use, as does using fixtures that are Water Sense labeled.

The use of cfl’s in place of incandescent lighting, can often reduce homes energy consumption by 20%, and costs no extra money.

In Arizona, after rebates and incentives, a solar hot water system is reduced from approximately $6500 to $1300.

Green does not have to be more expensive.

In most cases green is improving traditional building practice, resulting in energy and water efficiency, and healthier homes.

Higher SEER HVAC units, solar systems, and foam insulation are higher budget green improvements. But, will payback your investment over the life of your home.

Objecting to green because it is too expensive is not acceptable.
Even during current market challenges, big builders are profitable.
What if we accept green construction strategies, and also accept that the expense does not have to be passed on to the consumer, rather it should become a way of doing business. Green is the right thing to do even if it slightly reduces profits.

Building and remodeling homes should not only about making a profit, but it should also reduce the impact on our environment, and make homes healthier for the occupants.

Green building is simply the responsible thing to do, socially, environmentally, and financially.

The importance of LEED and NAHB and green home standards

Adding to the confusion of defining a green home, is the number of green building programs and standards.

When defining a commercial green building, we accept the LEED standard or Green Globes.

For homes, often municipalities and states have a unique green rating system. Usually, the green rating system is orchestrated by the recognized experts. The issue being, what makes an expert? And, who is qualified to write a green rating system for homes?

If green rated homes are going to be successful, they must share a common language. The two most recognized green rating systems are LEED and the National Green Building Standard, verified by the NAHB.

Sometimes, when an agency or homebuilder cannot meet the demands of LEED or the NAHB, they will create their own standard.

For example, Meritage Homes has labeled their version of green homes, stating the homes are Energy Star or better.
Shea Homes at Trilogy, calls their “green” homes Superiorology; they are located 45 miles from downtown Phoenix, yet Shea Homes claim they help reduce the carbon footprint. KB Home has created their version of a green home called, My Home My Earth,
Beazer’s version of a green home is called eSmart, and focuses on energy and water use.

Another Top 10 home builder Ryland, makes no claim of a green home. Kudos to Ryland.

As “green” continues to gain interest, many are jumping on the bandwagon, including big home builders. But, until a builder adopts LEED or NAHB green building standards and certification, then they are only adding to confusion for the consumer.

Ultimately, if we are going to see green be successful in home building policy must set the standards with one or two common rating systems. Most practical, would be the National Green Building Standard which is currently adopted by American National Standards Institute (ANSI). This is a big step toward a common language and a single green rating system for homes.

We should commend builders or organizations that create their own green standard for homes, as an effort in building a better home. But, we should also caution against those who are using green as a tool to further sales or jump on the green bandwagon. In other words, a builder who is carving out sub-divisions in locations far from the city center should not be using the word green. Building new homes in areas that require miles to commute, is not green.

The most important step a builder or municipality could make in greening homes would be to adopt a recognized standard such as LEED or the NGBS.