NEW HOME CONSTRUCTIONGREEN BUILDING GUIDELINES

2007 Edition

NEW HOME CONSTRUCTIONGREEN BUILDING GUIDELINES

2007 Edition

NEW

HO

ME

CO

NSTR

UCTI

ON

GR

EEN

BU

ILD

ING

GU

IDELI

NES

2

Recycling Agencies In Contra Costa

The local recycling agency phone numbers below willput you in contact with a representative for one of thenineteen cities or the unincorporated areas of ContraCosta County. These agencies offer a wide range ofprograms in the areas of waste reduction, recycling,composting, market development and other relatedtechnical assistance.

CITY/COUNTY PHONE NUMBERSAntioch 925-779-6137Brentwood 925-516-6090Clayton 925-673-7300Concord 925-671-3394Danville 925-906-1801El Cerrito 510-215-4350Hercules 510-215-3125Lafayette 925-906-1801Martinez 925-372-3531Moraga 925-906-1801Oakley 925-335-1231Orinda 925-906-1801Pinole 510-215-3125Pittsburg 925-252-4110Pleasant Hill 925-671-5203Richmond 510-215-3125San Pablo 510-215-3125San Ramon 925-973-2800Walnut Creek 925-906-1801Unincorporated County(all other areas) 925-335-1231

Construction & Demolition Waste

Construction and demolition (C & D) debris compriseup to 30% of materials disposed in California landfills.Through job site recycling, efficient use of materials,use of recycled content building materials and similarpractices, you can effectively decrease the amount ofmaterials needed for home construction.

All cities and counties in California are required toimplement programs that divert waste from landfills.The County and many cities have passed C & D ordinancesthat require certain construction projects to reuse andrecycle jobsite debris. For additional details regarding

these ordinances, go to http://www.cccrecycle.org/debrisor call the Contra Costa County Community DevelopmentDepartment at 925-335-1231. Free copies of the“Contra Costa Builder’s Guide to Reuse and Recycling”,which identifies resources to reuse and recycle C & Ddebris are available on-line at http://www.cccrecycle.orgor by calling the Recycling Hotline at 1-800-750-4096.

Household Hazardous Waste Facilities

Serving West County:West County Household Hazardous WasteCollection Facility 888-412-9277

Serving Central County:Central Contra Costa Sanitary District HouseholdHazardous Waste Collection Facility 800-646-1431

Serving East County:Delta Diablo Sanitary District Household HazardousWaste Collection Facility 925-756-1990

Local Water Utilities

The following cities/communities are served by theirown local water utility:

CITY/COUNTY PHONE NUMBERSAntioch 925-779-7060Brentwood 925-516-5416Bay Point 925-458-3112Martinez 925-372-3575Oakley 925-625-3798Pittsburg 925-252-4940

The remaining cities and unincorporated communitiesare served by one of the below water utilities.

Serving West County and portion of Central County:East Bay Municipal Utilities District 510-287-1380or www.ebmud.com

Serving majority of Central County: Contra CostaWater District 925-688-8000 or www.ccwater.com

Energy Utility

PG&E’s Smarter Energy Line 800-933-9555 orwww.pge.com

Design: Celery Design Collaborative, Berkeley, CA Printing: 100% post-consumer recycled paper using soy-based inks. March 2007

About Build It Green

Build It Green is a professional non-profit membershiporganization whose mission is to promote healthy,durable, energy- and resource-efficient buildings inCalifornia. Supported by a solid foundation of outreachand education, Build It Green connects consumers andbuilding professionals with the tools and technicalexpertise they need to build quality green homes. BuildIt Green fosters collaboration with key stakeholdergroups to accelerate the adoption of green buildingstandards, policies, and programs.

In addition to providing these Guidelines for educationalpurposes, Build It Green offers the following companionresources at www.BuildItGreen.org:

• Green Points calculator

• List of references for all Guidelines measures

• Innovation checklist for approaches beyond themeasures described in the Guidelines

• Cross-referencing with other residential initiatives(e.g. ENERGY STAR® Indoor Air Package, LEED-H,CA Green Builder and the NAHB Guidelines)

• Addendums that explain how to use the Guidelinesin conjunction with other programs

• Information about new practices and materials orcorrections that are identified after publication

LOCAL SUSTAINABLECONSTRUCTION RESOURCES

Green Building Program Information925-335-1230 or www.cccrecycle.org/greenbuilding

Construction & Demolition Debris Recovery925-335-1231 -or- www.cccrecycle.org/debris

Recycling Hotline800-750-4096 -or- www.cccrecycle.org

NEW

HO

ME

CO

NSTR

UCTIO

NG

REEN

BU

ILDIN

GG

UID

ELIN

ES

33

DisclaimerThese Guidelines are provided exclusively for general education andinformational purposes and as a public service of Build It Green, aCalifornia non-profit corporation registered under Section 501(c)(3) ofthe Internal Revenue Code. Built It Green authorizes you to view theseGuidelines for your use and to copy any part of them as-is. In exchangefor this authorization: (i) you agree not to alter, sell or publish theGuidelines in any way without first receiving written permission fromBuild It Green; and (ii) you waive, release and covenant not to sueBuild It Green and all others affiliated with developing these Guidelinesfrom any liability, claims and actions, both known and unknown, forany losses, damage or equitable relief you may now have a right toassert or later acquire, arising from such use or reliance on theGuidelines. Unauthorized use of these Guidelines is prohibited anda violation of copyright, trademark and other laws.

Nothing in these Guidelines constitutes an endorsement, approval, orrecommendation of any kind by any persons or organizations affiliatedwith developing these Guidelines. The suitability and applicability ofthis information for a given use depends on various factors specific tothat use. These include, but are not limited to, laws and regulationsapplicable to the intended use, specific attributes of that use, and thespecifications for any product or material associated with this infor-mation. All warranties, express or implied, are disclaimed, and thereader is strongly encouraged to consult with a building, product,and/or design professional before applying any of this information toa specific use or purpose.

RESOURCES

AccessGreen Directory

Locate green building products, local suppliers andservice providers that correspond with the measureslisted in the green building guidelines. The database iscontinuously updated based on the local availabilityof products and development of new materials. It issearchable by product categories, product names,and green building measures. Available atwww.BuildItGreen.org

Ask an Expert

Have a green building question? The Ask an Experthotline is a FREE service that provides homeownersand building professionals with unbiased, technicalinformation for their green project.

Call today!888-40-GREEN (888-404-7336) orwww.BuildItGreen.org

NE

W H

OM

E C

ON

STR

UC

TIO

N G

RE

EN

BU

ILD

ING

GU

IDE

LIN

ES

Foreword

4

These residential Guidelines were developed for thefollowing reasons:

• To provide local governments with an educationaltool for city staff, builders and homeowners interestedin green residential construction

• To present a range of voluntary measures forbuilders to choose from when constructing a greenhome in California

• To create a policy foundation for local governmentsinterested in implementing a green building program

• To establish regional consistency in green buildingguidelines to increase predictability for builders

• To integrate varying residential initiatives in order toachieve greater simplicity and local applicability

• To offer a set of guidelines developed by an independent, third-party source.

Guidelines Development Process

The New Home Construction Guidelines were developedthrough a collaborative process that included the following steps:

These guidelines are based on the Alameda County NewHome Construction Green Building Guidelines, whichwere first developed in 2000 through a collaborativeprocess and public-private partnership among builders,green building experts, and local government staff inAlameda County. Representatives from major productionbuilders, including Centex Homes, Greenbriar Homes,Ponderosa Homes, Pulte Homes, Shea Homes,Signature Properties, Silverwood Homes, and TollBrothers, provided input and direction in the developmentof the original Guidelines.

The Guidelines were updated in 2005 to expand itsapplicability throughout California, address changes inTitle 24, and incorporate measures from other residentialgreen building initiatives such as the California GreenBuilder program, National Association of HomeBuilders guidelines, and the pilot draft LEED forHomes checklist.

The Green Residential Environmental Action Team(GREAT), a task force of state agencies including theCalifornia Integrated Waste Management Board,California Energy Commission, Office of EnvironmentalHealth Hazard Assessment, Office of the StateArchitect, Department of General Services,Department of Water Resources, and California AirResources Board, provided technical expertise andinput in the update of these Guidelines.

Build It Green—a professional non-profit organizationwhose mission is to promote green building inCalifornia—expanded and facilitated the stakeholderprocess to include input from its various councils,including the Public Agency Council, Builders Council,Non-Profit Network, and Suppliers Council. In 2006the water efficiency measures in the Guidelines wererevised based on input from the Southern CaliforniaPublic Agency Council.

Publicly available information, scientific data, andthird-party standards were referenced in the developmentof these Guidelines. The Guidelines are intended tobe a living document, and will be regularly updated asadditional technical and quantitative informationbecomes available, measurement tools such as LifeCycle Assessment become more accessible, and newgreen measures are developed.

NE

W H

OM

E C

ON

STR

UC

TION

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

GU

IDE

LINE

S

5

ENERGY EFFICIENCY• Douglas Beaman, Douglas Beaman Associates• David Blanke, Southern California Gas Co.• Elaine Hebert, California Energy Commission• Gary Klein, California Energy Commission• Randel Reidel, California Energy Commission• David Springer, Davis Energy Group

WATER EFFICIENCY & STORMWATER MANAGEMENT• Diamera Bach, Alameda County Public

Works Agency• Geoff Brousseau, California Stormwater

Quality Association• Dan Cloak Environmental Consulting• John Koeller, California Urban Water

Conservation Council• Tom Larson, DUDEK• Carlos Michelon, Metropolitan Water District

RESOURCES• Gregory Dick, California Integrated Waste

Management Board• Teresa Eade, Bay-Friendly Landscaping• Cynthia Havstad, Bay-Friendly Landscaping• Clark Williams, California Integrated Waste

Management Board

IAQ/HEALTH• Peggy Jenkins, California Air Resources Board• Richard Lam, California EPA, Office of

Environmental Health Hazard Assessment • Jed Waldman, California Department of

Health Services

BUILDERS• Don Babbitt, Heartwood Communities• Troy Bevilacqua, Christopherson Homes• Amy Christopherson Bolten,

Christopherson Homes • Pamela Hardy, Ponderosa Homes• Stephen Holmes, Brookfield Homes• Jeff Jacobs, Centex Homes • Dave Kay, Shea Homes

PUBLIC AGENCIES• Southern California Public Agency Council

Technical Advisory Committee• Jill Boone, County of San Mateo RecycleWorks• Peter Bruck, City of Rohnert Park• Michael Foster, City of San Jose• Alec Hoffmann, County of Marin• Laura Ingall, City and County of San Francisco• Karen Kho, Green Building in Alameda County• Glenn Kirby, City of Union City• Mauricio Mejia, City of Pasadena• Kae Ono, Contra Costa County

Community Development• Annette Puskarich, City of Palo Alto• Greg Reitz, City of Santa Monica • Keith Roberts, City of Sacramento• Billi Romain, City of Berkeley• Rosalind Rondash, City of Pleasanton• Peter Schultze-Allen, City of Emeryville• Gregory Shreeve, City of Dublin• Wendy Sommer, Green Building in

Alameda County• Wes Sullens, Green Building in Alameda County• Scott Terrell, Truckee Donner Public

Utility District• Dell Tredinnick, City of Santa Rosa

NON-PROFIT AND COMMUNITY GROUPS• Build It Green• Global Green USA• Healthy Building Network• San Luis Obispo County Green Building

Initiative Group• Santa Cruz Green Building Working Group

OTHERS• David Johnston, What’s Working• Marc Richmond, What’s Working• Jennifer Roberts, Editor• Donald Simon, Wendel, Rosen, Black & Dean

Front cover photo courtesy of Christopherson Homes. Back cover photos courtesy of East Bay Habitat for Humanity, Bruce Hammond,Victoria and Michael Johnston, Leger Wanaselja Architecture, and Ponderosa Homes.

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to the following individuals and organizations for contributing to the development of these guidelines:

Table of Contents

1. OVERVIEW OF GREEN BUILDING 7Introduction 8

Fundamental Objectives of Green Building 9

The House as a System 12

Cost Considerations 13

2. HOW TO START BUILDING GREEN 14What’s Inside the Guidelines 16

3. GREENPOINT CHECKLIST 17

4. GREEN BUILDING MEASURES 22Community Design and Planning 23

A. Site 25

B. Foundation 27

C. Landscaping 28

D. Structural Frame and Building Envelope 33

E. Exterior Finish 37

F. Insulation 38

G. Plumbing 39

H. Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning 40

I. Renewable Energy 44

J. Building Performance 46

K. Finishes 48

L. Flooring 51

M. Appliances 53

N. Other 54

5. MARKETING GREEN HOMES 55

Chapter One:

Overview of Green Building

Overarching Principles of Green Building

Build for the long-termBuild durable homes & livable communities.

Build for our childrenMake their homes, communities & environment safe.

Build for the planetUse natural resources wisely.

OVE

RVIE

W O

F GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

7

12

3

“As our population along the coast increases, our resources are decreasing and it is only responsible to build homes that use less water and energy if thetechnology is available and cost-effective.”

—Amy Christopherson Bolten, Christopherson Homes

OVE

RVI

EW

OF

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

GN

EW

HO

ME

CO

NS

TRU

CTI

ON

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

G G

UID

ELI

NE

S

In response to growing concerns about building quality, health, quality of life, energy

costs and dwindling natural resources, an increasing number of California homebuilders

are embracing “green building.” This holistic approach to homebuilding emphasizes quality

construction, energy efficiency, good indoor air quality and livable neighborhoods. As you’ll

discover in these Guidelines, green building provides myriad benefits to California’s

homebuilders, homeowners and communities.

Does green building really matter?

Green building means improving our design andconstruction practices so that the homes we build todaywill last longer, cost less to operate, and won’t harmpeople’s health. It also involves protecting naturalresources and improving the built environment so that people, communities and ecosystems can thriveand prosper.

With the budget and time pressures we’re all undertoday, is it really worth the extra effort? Increasingly,builders, developers, real estate professionals, policy-makers and homeowners agree that it is worth theeffort. Better homes, it turns out, are also better forbusiness. Developers, builders and other real estateprofessionals who follow “building as usual” practicesmay find themselves at a competitive disadvantage asregulatory and market forces shift the industry towardbuilt environments that are healthier, more resourceefficient and less polluting.

Green building is gaining momentum in California, andfor good reason. To meet expected population growthbetween now and 2020, approximately 220,000 housingunits need to be added annually. That’s 3.3 millionhomes over the next 15 years.

Imagine the demands that all those homes will put onour water and energy supplies, forests, farmlands,recreational areas, roadways and municipal infrastructure.

Green building offers solutions to meeting those demandswhile minimizing environmental impacts. By buildingdurable, healthy homes that consume less energy,water and other resources, today’s green homebuildersare helping to safeguard the well-being and prosperityof Californians today and for decades to come.

Introduction

8

OVE

RVIE

W O

F GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

NE

W H

OM

E C

ON

STR

UC

TION

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

GU

IDE

LINE

S

There’s nothing mysterious about green building—it’s really just applied common

sense. To move forward with greening your construction project, it is helpful to think

of green building as quality design and construction achieved through the convergence

of four fundamental objectives:

1. Conserve natural resources

2. Use energy wisely

3. Improve indoor air quality

4. Plan for livable communities

Fundamental Objectives of Green Building

Conserve natural resources

Conventional building construction and operationconsumes large quantities of wood, water, metals, fossilfuels and other natural resources. Even though themajority of the materials used to build a home are putto good use, vast quantities of resources are wasted. Infact, building an average 2,000-sq. ft. house producesabout 7,000 pounds of waste.

Much of this waste is avoidable. Careful managementof the construction process makes a big difference.There are also many well-established homebuildingpractices that help protect natural resources. Forexample, advanced framing techniques can substantiallyreduce lumber requirements without compromisingstructural integrity. Using engineered lumber andwood products certified by the Forest StewardshipCouncil can help protect old-growth forests.

There are many effective building strategies that conservenatural resources, as well as provide benefits such ascost savings. These include using durable productssuch as roofing materials with 40- or 50-year warranties,and specifying recycled-content products that divertwaste from landfills. Recycled-content decking,reclaimed lumber and other products put waste togood use, while providing quality and durability that

often exceed conventional materials. For example,decking materials made of recycled plastic mixed withwood waste fibers can last up to five times longer thanwood decking, and never needs to be treated or painted.

Water is another critical resource. California residencesuse 5.6 million acre-feet of applied water annually.Our prosperity and ability to meet the needs of ourgrowing population hinge on having adequate suppliesof clean, fresh water. Homes built and landscaped touse water wisely make a tremendous contribution toprotecting our shared resources. An added benefit islower expenses for the homeowner. Today’s builders cantake advantage of a new generation of cost-effective,high efficiency appliances and landscape watermanagement systems.

Use energy wisely

New houses in California must be built to the moststringent energy code in the country, but given thestate’s projected population growth, even this may not beenough to keep demand for energy in check. Generationand use of energy are major contributors to air pollutionand global climate change. With homes accounting forroughly 31% of the electricity consumed in the state, it is clear that homebuilders have a significant role toplay in helping our society address energy-related concerns now and in the coming decades.

9

Energy efficiency is the cornerstone of every greenhome. Improving energy efficiency and using renewableenergy sources are effective ways to reduce the potentialof energy supply interruptions, improve air quality,reduce the impacts of global warming, and slow therate at which we need to build new power plants.

Energy efficiency also makes good sense for home-owners: an energy-efficient house saves money byreducing utility bills year after year, and providesother valuable benefits. Better insulation, for example,reduces uncomfortable drafts, and double-pane windowsmake for a quieter home.

Improve indoor air quality

On average, Americans spend 90% of their time indoors,yet the air in new homes can be ten times more pollutedthan outdoor air, according to the U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency. Children are particularly vulnerablewhen it comes to air pollution. A report in the NewEngland Journal of Medicine states that 40% of children will develop respiratory disease, in part dueto the chemicals in their homes.

A common source of indoor air pollution is the off-gassing of chemicals found in many building materials.Kitchen cabinets, countertops, shelving and furnituremay be made from particleboard or medium density

fiberboard. These pressed-wood products are typicallymade with adhesives that release urea formaldehyde—a known human carcinogen—into the home for yearsafter installation. Also, many paints, floor finishes,adhesives and sealants emit unhealthy volatile organiccompounds (VOCs). That “new house smell” is a telltale sign that there are harmful chemicals in theindoor environment.

Fortunately, the building products industry is respondingto these indoor pollution problems by developing saferproducts, including low-VOC paints, cleaners andadhesives. These products are now commonly availablefrom most major suppliers at costs comparable to conventional products. California also now has specifications available for some materials to assurethat they are low emitting and safe.

Poor indoor air quality is also often caused by biologicalcontaminants, such as mold that grows as a result ofmoisture infiltration due to inadequate ventilation,poor design and maintenance, and other factors. Dust,another major source of air pollution inside homes,can be reduced by installing permanent front doorwalk-off mats and by using hard surface flooringmaterials such as natural linoleum, bamboo, wood

or wood alternatives, or concrete.

OVE

RVI

EW

OF

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

GN

EW

HO

ME

CO

NS

TRU

CTI

ON

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

G G

UID

ELI

NE

S

10

Pleasant Hill CoHousing Common House, Pleasant Hill, CA.

Plan for livable communities

California’s homebuilders and homebuyers are makingdecisions today that will affect the quality of our livesfor decades to come. New construction, whether of asingle home or a large development, contributes to thestate’s economic vitality and helps meet our pressingneed for more housing. At the same time, every newhome places additional demands on our supplies ofland, water and energy, and on our infrastructure ofroads, sewers and other services.

Green building offers homebuilders, community leadersand California residents sensible solutions that improvean individual home’s performance and provide broad-based community benefits. These benefits range from cleaner air to reduced traffic congestion, frommore appealing recreational opportunities to greatereconomic vitality.

For local municipalities, green building can providemany economic benefits. Developments designed toreduce dependence on cars help ease traffic congestion,which can improve business productivity. Mixed-usedevelopments encourage economic vitality and adiversified municipal tax base. Infill projects helprevitalize older urban areas and allow public funds to be used for upgrading existing services such asschools, transit and sewers, rather than diverting limitedfunds to the development of new services.

For California residents, developments designed tocluster homes help preserve open space for recreation,

views and natural habitats. Pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly neighborhoods provide people with opportunitiesto exercise and get to know their neighbors. Higherdensity urban infill developments allow people to live closer to where they work, shop and go to school, which means less time spent driving and more time for family, community and personal activities.

Clearly, green building cannot solve all the social, economic or environmental challenges facingCalifornia’s communities. Still, green building gives homebuilders a valuable set of strategies formeeting residents’ expectations for livable, healthy, sustainable communities.

OVE

RVIE

W O

F GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

NE

W H

OM

E C

ON

STR

UC

TION

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

GU

IDE

LINE

S

11

Centex Homes, PowerSave Plus home at Lunaria inWindemere, San Ramon.

OVE

RVI

EW

OF

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

GN

EW

HO

ME

CO

NS

TRU

CTI

ON

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

G G

UID

ELI

NE

S

12

The House as a System

A house is an intricate system made up of interdependentcomponents. Changing one aspect of this system cancreate a ripple of effects in other areas. Builders werereminded of this when they began building tighterhouses in the 1970s in response to rising energy costs.Tightly sealing the thermal envelope reduced heatingand cooling costs but sometimes had unintendedresults, such as increased indoor air pollution due to inadequate ventilation or problems with mold dueto moisture trapped within the structure.

The solution was not to return to the days of leaky,uncomfortable houses that wasted energy. Instead,what grew out of this experience was a new approachto home building, called the whole-house systemsapproach. In collaboration with building-scienceresearchers, home-building associations and governmentagencies such as the U.S. Department of Energy’sBuilding America program, many home buildersacross the nation are now successfully using thisapproach. It emphasizes strategic planning, systemsanalysis, and testing and verification to ensure thatimprovements in one area won’t jeopardize health,safety, affordability, durability, profitability and othervital concerns.

Ideally, home builders should incorporate green buildinginto their practices as part of this whole-house systemsapproach. This requires taking into account the inter-action of many factors: the building’s structure andthermal envelope; heating, cooling, water heating andelectrical systems; renewable energy systems; thesite’s climate, topography, landscaping and surroundingstructures; aesthetics; health and safety requirements;and how the occupants will use the house.

For example, a green builder concerned with improvingthe performance of the whole house will not merelyselect a more energy-efficient heating and cooling systemand call it a day. Instead, the builder will look foropportunities to improve the thermal envelope anddecrease heating and cooling loads, such as by reducingair leakage, designing and locating ductwork to minimizeenergy losses, increasing insulation, and choosinglow-e windows. These improvements may allow theuse of significantly smaller—and less costly—heatingand cooling systems. Properly sized HVAC systemsalso lower the owner’s energy costs and providegreater comfort.

According to Building America, a whole-house systemsapproach can reduce the energy consumption of newhouses by as much as 40% with little or no effect onthe cost of construction. Usually the decisions made aspart of a whole-house approach yield multiple benefits.

For example, framing the home with 2x6 studs spacedat 24 inches allows increased insulation compared toconventional 2x4 studs spaced at 16 inches. Increasedinsulation saves heating and cooling energy andimproves comfort. Also, as mentioned above, it mayallow the downsizing of heating and cooling equipment.What’s more, the 2x6 framing technique reduces wooduse and labor costs.

The whole-house systems approach requires that thedesign and construction process be highly integrated.This involves:

• Careful planning and attention to detail from theoutset of design through all the phases of construction.

• Understanding of building science principles,including the principles of air, heat and moisture flow.

• Good communication among the entire team,including the developers, architects, engineers,builders, trade contractors, and material suppliers.

• Proper sequencing of decision-making and building activities throughout the entire design and construction process.

• Adequate training and supervision to ensure qualityconstruction.

• Testing and verifying performance during and afterconstruction, and establishing a feedback loop toimprove future designs based on the testing results.

Building America provides detailed information aboutthe whole-house systems approach on their website,www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/building_america.

It’s no coincidence that green homes designed with a whole-house systems approach are better homes.Improving building performance takes time and care,but can significantly reduce energy needs, improvehealth and comfort, and reduce builder risk and cost.

There are many reasons to build green. These includeconcern for the environment, desire for higher qualitybuildings, health considerations and interest in creatingan environmentally friendly image for your business.Although some individual green building strategiesmay cost more, the benefits of adopting a greenapproach to homebuilding are remarkable.

Balancing costs and benefits

These Guidelines recommend methods and materialsthat range in cost—some of them cost no more oreven less than conventional options. In fact, when a home is designed from the outset to be green, itneed not cost more than a conventionally built home.While not all measures recommended in theseGuidelines will be applicable to your project, themeasures included are relevant and reasonable forresidential developments built today.

Some of the recommended measures do cost moreinitially, but this additional cost needs to be evaluatedin the context of the longer-term benefits provided:utility cost savings, better indoor air quality for residents, healthier jobsites for workers, and longerbuilding life. When considering green building measures,it is very important to balance upfront design, productand construction costs with these other significant benefits.

How green building can reduce costs

While the health and environmental benefits ofgreen building are well established, many peoplestill assume that green building costs more. But takinga whole-house systems approach to green building,as described on the previous page, can actuallyreduce construction and operating costs compared tostandard practice. This integrated approach to greenbuilding can help steer the design away from expensivesolutions and toward cost-effective ones.

During schematic design, for example, the teammight consider strategies such as simplifying a building’swall structure by changing the wall articulation to a flat wall with bolted-on overhangs and thick trim.Such a change can often save money and materials,but would be costly to do once construction documentswere underway.

To give another example, a design team that takes a whole-house systems approach might recommendincreasing the exterior wall thickness to accommodatemore insulation, which could result in reducing thesize and cost of the heating system.

The key to reducing costs is to evaluate opportunitiesas early as possible in the design process because the range of cost-effective solutions narrows as thedesign progresses. Consider framing techniques.During schematic design, the design team mightdecide to incorporate advanced framing techniques.These techniques, as described in the Guidelines,reduce wood and construction costs while maintainingstructural integrity and meeting building code. But if framing changes aren’t considered until much laterin the design or construction process, significant costand resource-saving opportunities may be missed.

Green building is pushing the design and constructionindustry to do things that may be new, such as taking a whole-house systems approach to designand construction. Learning new practices sometimesinvolves an initial outlay of time and money. Butgreen buildings are more than just buildings. Theyare the end result of a collaboration between peopleon all levels of design and construction who arecommitted to improving on past practices andimproving homes for today and the future.

OVE

RVIE

W O

F GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

NE

W H

OM

E C

ON

STR

UC

TION

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

GU

IDE

LINE

S

Cost Considerations

13

Sample utility bill for a zero net energy home.

NE

W H

OM

E C

ON

STR

UC

TIO

N G

RE

EN

BU

ILD

ING

GU

IDE

LIN

ES

Chapter Two:

How to Start Building Green

These Guidelines are for developers, builders and home-

owners planning to construct a single-family residential

project in California. The Guidelines provide a range of

green building practices that can be implemented by people

who are new to green construction as well as those aiming

for higher levels of building performance.

14

HO

W T

O S

TAR

T B

UIL

DIN

G G

RE

EN

“Ponderosa Homes believes green homes are kinder to the environment andprovide substantial economic and comfort benefits. Homeowners can expectlower utility bills, higher resale values and reduced maintenance.”

—Dennis Swickard, Ponderosa Homes

How to Start Building Green

For building professionals, building green involvesnew ways of thinking about common building practices.Generally, it is best to build from your existing marketbase, adding green features as the market evolves andmatures. If you start gradually, you are less likely tomake expensive mistakes. It is critical to carefullyconsider the changes you make and the additionalcosts you might incur. The earlier you start integratinggreen strategies into your building process, the less it may cost you and the consumer in the long run.

Local governments can facilitate green building byproviding educational opportunities and consideringincentives for better quality construction. Buildersvalue incentives that save them time in the developmentprocess or allow them to differentiate their homes inthe marketplace. Incentives can include streamlined orexpedited permitting, offering community recognitionor partnering with organizations that offer consumermarketing programs.

Taking steps toward building green

The measures in these Guidelines range from basic,common sense recommendations such as ventingbathroom fans to the outside, to more sophisticatedstrategies such as installing renewable energy systems.

No matter where you are on the green building spectrum—from novice to expert—you will findresources, design ideas, and real-world advice that you can put to use today.

If you are new to green building, you can start takingsteps right away toward creating healthier and moreenergy- and resource-efficient homes. Inside theseGuidelines, you’ll find many strategies that are easy to implement and add virtually no cost.

As your team’s experience with green building grows,you’ll likely find yourselves scaling up to even healthierand more effective design and construction practices.The GreenPoint Checklist in Chapter Three providesa very convenient way for you to track green featuresin a particular project, as well as benchmark yourprogress over time as you and your company gainexperience with green building.

If you are experienced with building green homes, some of the approaches and practices recommendedhere may already be part of your daily practice. In thatcase, these Guidelines will help you employ moreadvanced green-building strategies that will reinforceyour organization’s leadership position.

15

HO

W TO

STA

RT B

UILD

ING

GR

EE

NN

EW

HO

ME

CO

NS

TRU

CTIO

N G

RE

EN

BU

ILDIN

G G

UID

ELIN

ES

NE

W H

OM

E C

ON

STR

UC

TIO

N G

RE

EN

BU

ILD

ING

GU

IDE

LIN

ES

16

HO

W T

O S

TAR

T B

UIL

DIN

G G

RE

EN

The measures in these Guidelines are listed in theSingle-Family GreenPoint Checklist (Chapter 3) anddescribed in detail in Chapter 4. The measures aregrouped into sections corresponding to the variousstages of construction. This organization will help you understand which green building measures can beincorporated at various points of a construction project.However, it’s essential that each measure be consideredand planned for holistically prior to designing a home.

These Guidelines also include some sidebars titled“Building Basics.” They are included for general educational purposes and are not listed in Single-Family GreenPoint Checklist.

The sections are briefly summarized here:

Community Design and Planning. These measures arenot part of the GreenPoint Checklist because theymay not be in the developer’s or builder’s control.This section includes strategies to help preserveopen space; promote social interaction, physicalactivity and community safety; and make homesmore accessible to people of all physical abilities.

A. Site. Site measures include recommendations formanaging the construction process to minimize disruptions to the building site, reduce waste, and prevent pollution of air, soil and waterways.

B. Foundation. New-home builders have the opportunityto make the buildings green from the ground up.This section includes suggestions for incorporatingrecycled flyash in concrete, using frost-protectedshallow foundations in cold climates, and installingradon-mitigation measures where appropriate.

C. Landscaping. These measures offer strategies tokeep pollutants out of waterways, reduce water use,promote healthy soils, create fire-safe landscaping,and reduce excessive outdoor lighting.

D. Structural Frame and Envelope. These measuresaddress the building’s structural frame, includingthe walls, floors and roof. Following these recom-mendations will result in more durable buildingsthat use energy and other resources more efficiently.

E. Exterior Finish. This section focuses on siding, roofingand decking materials that will hold up well fordecades and help protect the home from moisturedamage, fire, and general wear-and-tear.

F. Insulation. The measures in this section encourageproper insulation installation techniques, and theuse of insulation products with recycled contentand low or no formaldehyde emissions.

G. Plumbing. This section addresses ways in whichbuilders and homeowners can save water and energy by designing the plumbing system to reducehot-water runs, insulating hot water pipes andinstalling water-efficient toilets.

H. Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning. Thesemeasures provide two main, and complementary,benefits: energy efficiency and better indoor envi-ronmental quality. Houses with high-efficiencyheating and cooling equipment tend to be morecomfortable. Effective ductwork and ventilationprovide better indoor air quality.

I. Renewable Energy. These measures describe solarhot water systems that reduce water heating energycosts, and photovoltaic systems that generate electricityfrom sunlight.

J. Building Performance. This section providescost–effective recommendations for designing andbuilding high performance homes that meet orexceed the state’s building energy efficiency standards.

K. Finishes. Many conventional interior materials,including particleboard, paints and sealants, offgasnoxious chemicals into the home. Most of themeasures in this section describe healthier optionsfor paints, trim, cabinets and countertops that per-form well and are readily available. Other measurespromote environmentally preferable materials forinterior finishes.

L. Flooring. This section provides recommendations for a wide range of finish flooring materials that areattractive, long-lasting and environmentally friendly.

M. Appliances. High efficiency residential appliancescan significantly cut a home’s energy and wateruse. This section recommends choosing dishwashers,clothes washers, and refrigerators that exceed minimum federal efficiency standards.

N. Other. This section encourages innovative approachesto green building that go beyond the basic measuresdescribed in these Guidelines.

What’s Inside the Guidelines

NE

W H

OM

E C

ON

STR

UC

TION

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

GU

IDE

LINE

SChapter Three:

Single–Family GreenPoint Checklist

17

The GreenPoint Checklist offers builders, homeowners and

municipalities a tool to assess how environmentally friendly

or green a home is. This checklist is also the basis for

Build It Green’s third-party verification program—

GreenPoint Rated. GreenPoint Rated was developed with

the cooperation of local builders, city planners and building

officials. Each green measure has been assigned a point

value based on its benefits to the homeowners and the

environment, as well as its ease of implementation.

A home can be considered green if it fulfills the prerequisites,

earns at least 50 points and meets the minimum points

per category: Energy (30), Indoor Air Quality/Health (5),

Resources (6), and Water (9). Please contact Build It

Green for a list of certified GreenPoint Raters if you are

interested in obtaining a green home rating.

“Centex Homes continues to pursue sustainable building methods andpractices in all our Northern California neighborhoods. The GreenPointChecklist provides a meaningful way to gauge our progress.”

—Jeff Jacobs, Centex Homes

GR

EE

NP

OIN

T CH

EC

KLIS

T

GR

EE

NP

OIN

T C

HE

CK

LIS

TN

EW

HO

ME

CO

NS

TRU

CTI

ON

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

G G

UID

ELI

NE

S

18

Single-Family GreenPoint Checklist 2007 EDITION

POINTS PER CATEGORY Community Energy IAQ/Health Resources Water

A. SITE1. Protect Topsoil and Minimize Disruption of Existing Plants & Trees

a. Protect Topsoil from Erosion and Reuse after Construction 1 1

b. Limit and Delineate Construction Footprint for Maximum Protection 1

2. Deconstruct Instead of Demolishing Existing Buildings On Site 3

3. Recycle Construction Waste (Including Green Waste)

a. Minimum 50% Waste Diversion by Weight (Recycling or Reuse) - Required P

b. Minimum 65% Diversion by Weight (Recycling or Reuse) 2

c. Minimum 80% Diversion by Weight (Recycling or Reuse) 2

4. Use Recycled-Content Aggregate (Minimum 25%)

a. Walkway and Driveway 1

b. Roadway Base 1

Site = Total 12

B. FOUNDATION1. Replace Portland Cement in Concrete with Recycled Flyash or Slag

a. Minimum 20% Flyash or Slag 1

b. Minimum 25% Flyash or Slag 1

2. Use Frost-Protected Shallow Foundation in Cold Areas (C.E.C. Climate Zone 16) 3

3. Use Radon Resistant Construction (In At-Risk Locations Only) 1

4. Design and Build Structural Pest Controls

a. Install Termite Shields & Separate All Exterior Wood-to-Concrete Connections 1by Metal or Plastic Fasteners/Dividers

b. All New Plants Have Trunk, Base, or Stem Located At Least 36 Inches from Foundation 1

Foundation = Total 8

C. LANDSCAPING1. Construct Resource-Efficient Landscapes

a. No Invasive Species Listed by Cal-IPC Are Planted 1

b. No Species Will Require Shearing 1

c. 75% of Plants Are Drought-tolerant California Natives, Mediterranean, 3or Other Appropriate Species

2. Use Fire-Safe Landscaping Techniques 1

3. Minimize Turf Areas in Landscape Installed by Builder

a. All Turf Will Have a Water Requirement Less than or Equal to Tall Fescue 2(0.8 plant factor)

b. Turf Shall Not Be Installed on Slopes Exceeding 10% or in Areas Less than 8 Feet Wide 2

c. Turf is <=33% of Landscaped Area (total 2 points) 2

d. Turf is <=10% of Landscaped Area (total 4 points) 2

4. Plant Shade Trees 3

5. Group Plants by Water Needs (Hydrozoning) 2

6. Install High-Efficiency Irrigation Systems

a. System Uses Only Drip, Bubblers, or Low-flow Sprinklers 2

b. System Has Smart Controllers 3

7. Incorporate Two Inches of Compost into the Top 6 to 12 Inches of Soil 3

8. Mulch All Planting Beds to the Greater of 2 Inches or Local Water Ordinance Requirement 2

9. Use 50% Salvaged or Recycled-Content Materials for 50% of Non-Plant 1Landscape Elements

10. Reduce Light Pollution from Site Lighting by Shielding Fixtures and/or 1Directing Light Downward

Landscape = Total 31

POINTS PER CATEGORY Community Energy IAQ/Health Resources WaterN

EW

HO

ME

CO

NS

TRU

CTIO

N G

RE

EN

BU

ILDIN

G G

UID

ELIN

ES

GR

EE

NP

OIN

T CH

EC

KLIS

T

19

D. STRUCTURAL FRAME & BUILDING ENVELOPE1. Apply Optimal Value Engineering

a. Place Rafters & Studs at 24-Inch On Center Framing 1

b. Size Door and Window Headers for Load 1

c. Use Only Jack and Cripple Studs Required for Load 1

2. Use Engineered Lumber

a. Beams and Headers 1

b. Insulated Engineered Headers 1

c. Wood I-Joists or Web Trusses for Floors 1

d. Wood I-Joists for Roof Rafters 1

e. Engineered or Finger-Jointed Studs for Vertical Applications 1

f. Oriented Strand Board for Subfloor 1

g. Oriented Strand Board for Wall and Roof Sheathing 1

3. Use FSC-Certified Wood

a. Dimensional Lumber, Studs and Timber: Minimum 40% (total 2 points) 2

b. Dimensional Lumber, Studs, and Timber: Minimum 70% (total 4 points) 2

c. Panel Products: Minimum 40% (total 1 point) 1

d. Panel Products: Minimum 70% (total 2 points) 1

4. Use Solid Wall Systems (Includes SIPs, ICFs, & Any Non-Stick Frame Assembly)

a. Floors 2 2

b. Walls 2 2

c. Roofs 2 2

5. Reduce Pollution Entering the Home from the Garage

a. Tightly Seal the Air Barrier between Garage and Living Area 1

b. Install Garage Exhaust Fan OR Build a Detached Garage 1

6. Design Energy Heels on Roof Trusses 1(75% of Attic Insulation Height at Outside Edge of Exterior Wall)

7. Design Roof Trusses to Accommodate Ductwork 1

8. Use Recycled-Content Steel Studs for 90% of Interior Wall Framing 1

9. Thermal Mass Walls: 5/8-Inch Drywall on All Interior Walls or Walls Weigh 1more than 40 lb/cu.ft.

10. Install Overhangs and Gutters

a. Minimum 16-Inch Overhangs and Gutters 1

b. Minimum 24-Inch Overhangs and Gutters 1

Structural Frame and Building Envelope = Total 36

E. EXTERIOR FINISH1. Use Recycled-Content (No Virgin Plastic) or FSC-Certified Decking 2

2. Install a Rain Screen Wall System 2

3. Use Durable and Noncombustible Siding Materials 1

4. Use Durable and Noncombustible Roofing Materials 2

Exterior Finish = Total 7

F. INSULATION1. Install Insulation with 75% Recycled Content

a. Walls and/or Floors 1

b. Ceilings 1

2. Install Insulation That Is Low-Emitting (Certified CA Section 01350)

a. Walls and/or Floors 1

b. Ceilings 1

3. Inspect Quality of Insulation Installation before Applying Drywall 1

Insulation = Total 5

G. PLUMBING1. Distribute Domestic Hot Water Efficiently

a. Insulate Hot Water Pipes from Water Heater to Kitchen 1 1

b. Insulate All Hot Water Pipes 1 1

c. Use Engineered Parallel Piping 1

GR

EE

NP

OIN

T C

HE

CK

LIS

TN

EW

HO

ME

CO

NS

TRU

CTI

ON

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

G G

UID

ELI

NE

S

20

POINTS PER CATEGORY Community Energy IAQ/Health Resources Water

d. Use Engineered Parallel Piping with Demand Controlled Circulation Loop 1

e. Use Structured Plumbing with Demand Controlled Circulation Loop 1 2

f. Use Central Core Plumbing 1 1 2

2. Install Only High Efficiency Toilets (Dual-Flush or 1.3 gpf) 4

Plumbing = Total 17

H. HEATING, VENTILATION & AIR CONDITIONING1. Design and Install HVAC System to ACCA Manual J, D, and S Recommendations 4

2. Install Sealed Combustion Units

a. Furnaces 2

b. Water Heaters 2

3. Install Zoned, Hydronic Radiant Heating with Slab Insulation 1 1

4. Install High Efficiency Air Conditioning with Environmentally Responsible Refrigerants 1

5. Design and Install Effective Ductwork

a. Install HVAC Unit and Ductwork within Conditioned Space 3

b. Use Duct Mastic on All Duct Joints and Seams 1

c. Install Ductwork under Attic Insulation (Buried Ducts) 1

d. Pressure Balance the Ductwork System 1

e. Protect Ducts during Construction and Clean All Ducts before Occupancy 1

6. Install High Efficiency HVAC Filter (MERV 6+) 1

7. Don't Install Fireplaces or Install Sealed Gas Fireplace with Efficiency Rating 1Not Less Than 60% using CSA Standards

8. Install Effective Exhaust Systems in Bathrooms and Kitchens

a. Install ENERGY STAR Bathroom Fans Vented to the Outside 1

b. All Bathroom Fans Are on Timer or Humidistat 1

c. Install Kitchen Range Hood Vented to the Outside 1

9. Install Mechanical Ventilation System for Cooling

a. Install ENERGY STAR Ceiling Fans & Light Kits in Living Areas & Bedrooms 1

b. Install Whole House Fan with Variable Speeds 1

c. Automatically Controlled Integrated System 2

d. Automatically Controlled Integrated System with Variable Speed Control 3

10. Install Mechanical Fresh Air Ventilation System

a. Any Whole House Ventilation System That Meets ASHRAE 62.2 1 2

b. Install Air-to-Air Heat Exchanger 1 2

11. Install Carbon Monoxide Alarms 1

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning = Total 37

I. RENEWABLE ENERGY1. Pre-Plumb for Solar Water Heating 4

2. Install Solar Water Heating System 10

3. Install Wiring Conduit for Future Photovoltaic Installation & Provide 200 ft2 2of South-Facing Roof

4. Install Photovoltaic (PV) Panels

a. 30% of electric needs OR 1.2 kw (total 6 points) 6

b. 60% of electric needs OR 2.4kw (total 12 points) 6

c. 90% of electric need OR 3.6 kw (total 18 points) 6

Renewable Energy = Total 34

J. BUILDING PERFORMANCE1. Diagnostic Evaluations

a. House Passes Blower Door Test 1

b. House Passes Combustion Safety Backdraft Test 1

2. Design and Build High Performance Homes - 15% above Title 24 - Required 30

3. House Obtains ENERGY STAR® with Indoor Air Package Certification 5 2

Building Performance = Total 39

K. FINISHES1. Design Entryways to Reduce Tracked-In Contaminants 1

2. Use Low-VOC or Zero-VOC Paint

a. Low-VOC Interior Wall/Ceiling Paints (<50 gpl VOCs (Flat) and <150 gpl VOCs (Non-Flat)) 1

b. Zero-VOC: Interior Wall/Ceiling Paints (<5 gpl VOCs (Flat)) 3

NE

W H

OM

E C

ON

STR

UC

TION

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

GU

IDE

LINE

SG

RE

EN

PO

INT C

HE

CK

LIST

21

POINTS PER CATEGORY Community Energy IAQ/Health Resources Water

3. Use Low-VOC, Water-Based Wood Finishes (<250 gpl VOCs) 2

4. Use Low-VOC Caulk and Construction Adhesives (<70 gpl VOCs) for All Adhesives 2

5. Use Recycled-Content Paint 1

6. Use Environmentally Preferable Materials for Interior Finish: A) FSC-Certified WoodB) Reclaimed, C) Rapidly Renewable D) Recycled-Content or E) Finger-Jointed

a. Cabinets (50% Minimum) 1

b. Interior Trim (50% Minimum) 1

c. Shelving (50% Minimum) 1

d. Doors (50% Minimum) 1

e. Countertops (50% Minimum) 1

7. Reduce Formaldehyde in Interior Finishes (CA Section 01350)

a. Subfloor & Stair Treads (50% Minimum) 1

b. Cabinets & Countertops (50% Minimum) 1

c. Interior Trim (50% Minimum) 1

d. Shelving (50% Minimum) 1

8. After Installation of Finishes, Test of Indoor Air Shows Formaldehyde Level <27ppb 3

Finishes = Total 22

L. FLOORING1. Use Environmentally Preferable Flooring: A) FSC-Certified Wood

B) Reclaimed C) Rapidly Renewable D) Recycled-ContentE) Exposed Concrete. Flooring Adhesives Must Have <50 gpl VOCs.

a. Minimum 15% of Floor Area 1

b. Minimum 30% of Floor Area 1

c. Minimum 50% of Floor Area 1

d. Minimum 75% of Floor Area 1

2. Thermal Mass Floors: Floor Covering Other than Carpet on 50% or More of Concrete Floors 1

3. Flooring Meets Section 01350 or CRI Green Label Plus Requirements (50% Minimum) 2

Flooring = Total 7

M. APPLIANCES 1. Install Water- and Energy-Efficient Dishwasher

a. ENERGY STAR 1

b. Dishwasher Uses No More than 6.5 Gallons/Cycle (total 2 points) 1

2. Install Water- and Energy-Efficient Clothes Washing Machine

a. Meets CEE Tier 2 requirements 1 2(modified energy factor 2.0, Water Factor 6.0) (total 3 points)

b. Meets CEE Tier 3 requirements 2(modified energy factor 2.2, Water Factor 4.5 or less) (total 5 points)

3. Install ENERGY STAR Refrigerator

a. ENERGY STAR Qualified & < 25 Cubic Feet Capacity 1

b. ENERGY STAR Qualified & < 20 Cubic Feet Capacity 1

4. Install Built-In Recycling & Composting Center

a. Built-In Recycling Center 2

b. Built-In Composting Center 1

Appliances and Lighting = Total 12

N. OTHER1. Incorporate GreenPoint Rated Checklist in Blueprints - Required P

2. Develop Homeowner Manual of Green Features/Benefits 1 1 1

3. Innovative Measures That Meet the Green Building Objectives of the Guidelines. Maximum of 20 points.

4. Community Design Measures and Local Priorities: Maximum of 20 points. 20

Other = Total 43

Total Available Points in Specific Categories 24 108 45 66 47 290

Innovation Points Available in Any Category 20

OVERALL TOTAL (Note: Some points are not applicable to every project type.) 310

MINIMUM POINTS REQUIRED IN SPECIFIC CATEGORIES 30 5 6 9 50

Community Energy IAQ/Health Resources Water Total

NE

W H

OM

E C

ON

STR

UC

TIO

N G

RE

EN

BU

ILD

ING

GU

IDE

LIN

ES

Chapter Four:

Green Building Measures

Every green feature in these Guidelines benefits the

builder, homebuyer and the environment. This chapter

lists each feature, discusses the conditions under which it

should be used, and describes the benefits. A few

green building practices are required by California or

local codes. These “Building Basics” are included for

educational purposes and are not numbered or listed in the

GreenPoint Checklist.

22

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

G M

EA

SU

RE

S

“Green Building is about combining land use planning and buildingconstruction to create communities that are better for people. It is time forhomebuilders to combine stewardship of the environment with economicgrowth to create a healthier and more environmentally sustainable future.”

—Don Babbitt, Heartwood Communities

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

ME

AS

UR

ES

NE

W H

OM

E C

ON

STR

UC

TION

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

GU

IDE

LINE

S

23

Community Design and Planning

Community design and planningmeasures have a substantial influence on the overall environ-mental impact of a home. The following green building practicesare recommended in the Guidelinesbut not listed separately in theSingle-Family GreenPoint Checklistbecause they may not be in thedeveloper’s or builder’s control.Projects may receive points forthese measures in Section N of the GreenPoint Checklist.

1. Develop Infill Sites

Description:

Infill development reduces pressureto develop greenfields such as openspace and farmland by reclaimingabandoned and underutilized sitesand buildings.

Application:

When selecting a development site,choose built urban settings wherepublic infrastructure is already inplace. Give preference to locationsthat are: in a downtown area; targetedfor revitalization; close to majoremployment centers; and/or withinan urban growth boundary or designated for development by thelocal jurisdiction. Also, locate theproject within walking distance of amajor transit stop; look for locationswhere good transit service alreadyexists or work with officials to bringpublic transit to the area.

Benefit:

Urban infill allows public funds to be used for maintaining or upgradingexisting services such as schools,transit and sewers, rather thandiverting limited funds to the devel-opment of costlier new services.

2. Cluster Homes and Keep Size in Check

Description:

On a given site, there are often manyoptions for placing and orientinghomes. Paying careful attention toland use and home size can helpconserve natural resources.

Application:

A. Cluster Homes for Land Preservation Two strategies for minimizingdeveloped areas are clusteringhomes and building upward insteadof outward. Besides preservingopen space, certain clustered designsalso use building materials andenergy efficiently due to sharedwalls or roofs.

B. Conserve Resources by Increasing DensityDevelopments that allow for morehouseholds on a given site reducepressure to develop greenfields oropen space. Where there is accessto public transit or commercialactivities, dense developmentsoffer the advantage of shorter commutes, less dependence oncars, and walkable communities.

C. Design Homes for Reasonable Size Homes can be designed to be comfortable and spacious withoutbeing excessively large; smaller,more compact homes conserveland, building materials and energy.

Benefit:

Minimizing the development foot-print and providing permanentopen spaces can help protect the local ecosystem and enhancethe community. Homes that areclustered and not overly large may cost less to build.

3. Subdivision Layout and Orientation

Description:

Summer temperatures in neighbor-hoods that have large expanses ofpavement exposed to the sun canbe several degrees warmer thanneighborhoods with shaded pavement. Homes that are orientedwithout regard to solar access mayrequire excessive energy to heatand cool. Planning strategies thattake solar access into account canaddress these concerns.

Application:

Plan streets and lot layouts to providefor shading of streets by trees toreduce this “heat island” effect.

Keeping streets narrow will makethem easier to shade by trees andwill contribute to traffic calming,improving safety.

Orient homes on an east-westaccess to facilitate passive solardesign, reduce heating and coolingenergy use, and facilitate placementof rooftop solar electric and solarthermal systems. Use alley ways,greenbelts, and other methodsto provide good solar access to the homes.

Benefit:

Planning for solar access andshading can create more pleasantneighborhoods, lower homeowners’energy bills, and reduce relianceon fossil fuel-based energy.

4. Design for Walking and Bicycling

Description:

Walking and bicycling are inexpensive,healthy forms of transportation butthey are often incompatible withconventional car-based developmentpatterns. Convenience, safety andaesthetics are key factors inpromoting travel by foot and bicycle.

Application:

A. Provide Pedestrian Access toNeighborhood ServicesBuild pedestrian-friendly communitiesthat combine residential andcommercial spaces so that peoplecan shop, play and meet their dailyneeds close to where they live.

B. Include Pedestrian Pathways thatConnect to RecreationMany new home developmentsinclude plans for new roadways andpedestrian paths. Where applicable,connect walkways to places of interest,such as parks, stores, and recreationareas. Use landscaping buffers toseparate sidewalks from roadways.

C. Design Traffic-Calming Elements toEncourage Walking and BicyclingDesign 10-foot vehicle travel lanes,rather than the standard 12-footlanes, to discourage fast driving.Use the remaining right of way forbike lanes. Consider rumble strips,bulbouts and raised crosswalks toreduce speeding.

Benefit:

Walking and bicycling are inexpensive,healthy forms of physical activity,transportation and neighborhoodinteraction. Traffic-calming measuresreduce pedestrian injury rates andincrease neighborhood economicactivity and public safety.

5. Design for Safety and Social Gathering

Description:

Design buildings and landscapes to deter crime and promote safetythrough casual observation andcommunity interaction.

Application:

Design all home entrances so thatoutside callers can be seen frominside the home. Place tall windowswith low sill heights at front doors,or use transparent panels in thedoors so any occupant, includingchildren and the disabled, can viewall visitors.

Orient porches to streets and publicspaces to provide natural surveil-lance. Help keep the communitysafe and neighborly by orientingwindows so that residents can easilyview and feel comfortable usingnearby areas such as outdoorbenches, pathways, pocket parks,children’s play areas and other features that promote socializing.

Benefit:

While it may be possible to detersome crime with tall fences, gates,video surveillance and bright lights,these elements also deter outdoorplay and neighborliness. Creating a greater sense of community in residential areas results in safer and more inviting living.

6. Design for Diverse Households

Description:

Simple universal design elementsmake it much more likely thatresidents can remain in theirhomes as they age, if they becometemporarily or permanently disabled,

or if they wish to have elderly relatives join their household.

Application:

Design homes so that at least oneprominent entrance (not from agarage) has a zero-step clearance,with less than 1/2-inch differencein height. Design all main-floorinterior doors and passageways tohave a minimum 32-inch clearpassage space to accommodatedisabled persons. Locate at least ahalf-bath on the ground floor withblocking in the walls for grab bars.Ideally, also locate a bedroom onthe ground floor. Consider providinga full-function, independent unitthat would allow extended familymembers to reside at home yetmaintain independence.

Benefit:

Over the long term, money can be saved and remodeling wasteminimized if homes are designedfrom the outset to accommodatechanging occupant needs and awider range of physical abilities.

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

G M

EA

SU

RE

SN

EW

HO

ME

CO

NS

TRU

CTI

ON

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

G G

UID

ELI

NE

S

24

Sacramento Street Cohousing, Berkeley.

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

ME

AS

UR

ES

NE

W H

OM

E C

ON

STR

UC

TION

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

GU

IDE

LINE

S

25

Passive solar heating involves storingthe sun’s energy during the day inbuilding materials that have highthermal mass; those materials laterconvey their heat to interior spaces,reducing the need for furnace operation. Passive cooling involvesusing overhangs and other exteriorwindow shading to keep the sun out in summer, taking advantage of thermal mass to moderate temperature swings, ventilating thehome with cool night air, and other practices to reduce or eliminate air conditioner operation.

Some of the energy benefitsderived from passive strategies can be evaluated using CaliforniaBuilding Energy EfficiencyStandards (Title 24) compliancemodels. Consider implementingthese passive strategies:

a. Plan subdivision lots and streetlayout to optimize solar accessfor all homes. See SubdivisionLayout and Orientation inCommunity Design and Planning.

b. Orient the home with the longaxis running east-west and minimize east- and west-facingwindows to improve passive solarperformance.

c. Use wall and floor materials that improve thermal mass. Foradditional information, seeProvide Thermally Massive Wallsin Section D: Structural Frameand Building Envelope andProvide Thermally MassiveFloors in Section L: Flooring.

d. Design windows to catch prevailing breezes and providecross ventilation. Install highwindows, skylights or cupolaswith securable low windows tocreate a stack effect thatexhausts rising hot air anddraws in cooler outdoor air.

e. Incorporate roof overhangs,awnings, trellises and shade treesto selectively control solar heatgain through windows.See Plant Shade Trees inSection C: Landscaping.

f. Reduce solar heat gain throughexterior surfaces by using lightexterior colors or paints withreflective pigments, ENERGYSTAR® roofing materials, and/orradiant barrier roof sheathing.Roofing materials are availablethat have a reflectance greaterthan 0.75 and an emittancegreater than 0.70. SeeBuilding Basics in Section J:Building Performance for application details.

g. Install energy-efficient windows(double-paned, low-conductivityframes and low-e coating). Thereare two types of low-e glazing. Oneis heat rejecting (hard coat) andthe other is heat receiving (softcoat). The recommended southglazing for passive solar buildingsis low-e hard coat, heat receivingglazing with a U-factor of .40 or lower and a solar heat gaincoefficient (SHGC) of .65 orhigher. See Building Basics inSection J: Building Performancefor additional informationabout windows.

A. Site

1. Protect Topsoil and MinimizeDisruption of Existing Plants and Trees

Description:

Soil is a valuable, living resourcethat should be protected. Throughcareful planning and constructionpractices, valuable soil as well asmature trees and other plants canbe preserved.

Application:

Limit and delineate the constructionfootprint; restrict heavy equipmentthat compacts soil, including cars,to areas that are or will be paved or

built over. Identify areas to be pavedas a place to store existing topsoil, iftopsoil needs to be removed from anarea during construction. Protectstored soil from erosion.

Complete a landscape survey todetermine the feasibility of preservingor relocating mature trees, shrubsand native vegetation. Protect treesand shrubs from construction equip-ment by placing temporary fencingbeyond their driplines. Create or pre-serve wildlife corridors adjacent toopen space, wild lands and creeks.

Design for minimum building andhardscape footprints and little or no

grading. When grading is unavoidable,existing horticulturally suitable topsoilshall be stockpiled and re-spreadduring final landscape grading.

After construction, evaluate the qualityof the stockpiled soil, amend withcompost, and re-spread. Any new soilthat needs to be added shall besimilar to existing soil in pH, texture,permeability, and other characteristics,unless soil analysis reveals that adifferent type of soil is appropriate.

Benefit:

Plants thrive in healthy soil.Healthy soils can also significantlyreduce storm runoff, reduce fertilizer

Incorporate Passive Solar DesignBUILDING BASICS

and pesticide requirements, improvewater quality and conserve irrigationwater. Protection of existing maturelandscape features helps preventsoil erosion, keeps the home andsurrounding environment cooler inthe summer, keeps plant waste outof landfills, preserves nature andadds value to the community.

2. Deconstruct Instead ofDemolishing Existing Buildings

Description:

Deconstruction of existing buildingsis a good way to salvage qualitybuilding products that have not yetreached the end of their usablelife, even if the building or part of ithas. Salvaged materials may be lessexpensive, of higher quality, or havemore character than new materials.

Application:

Whole house deconstruction requiresa team of workers experienced in dismantling buildings. Locate a demolition contractor who offersdeconstruction services or an organi-zation that specializes in salvagingbuilding materials. In some cases,deconstruction may cost more thantraditional demolition, but donatingthe salvaged materials to a nonprofitor charity may result in a substantialtax deduction that can offset the cost.

Common salvageable materialsinclude timber, doors, sinks, fencing,bricks, tile, pipes, hardware andlight fixtures. Reclaimed lumber, inthe form of studs, beams, flooringand trim, is among the most valu-able and available of salvagedbuilding products.

Benefit:

Reusing building materials typicallygenerates less waste and pollution thanrecycling does, decreases disposalcosts and increases landfill capacity.

3. Recycle Construction Waste

Description:

Each year close to nine million tonsof construction and demolition(C&D) debris is disposed of inCalifornia landfills. This represents22% of the statewide wastestream, but in newer communitiesC&D waste sent to landfills can beas high as 50%. Constructionwaste generally consists of wood,drywall, metal, concrete, dirt andcardboard. It can also includeplant debris (green waste) from thelandscape. Much of this materialcan be reused or recycled.

Application:

Identify the types and quantities ofmaterials generated at the job siteand determine what can be reusedin the current project or on anotherproject, and what can be recycled.On the jobsite, allocate space forrecycling bins and storage areas forreusable materials. Train workerson what goes where. Separategreen waste from other materials.Cardboard, concrete and asphaltcan almost always be recycled. At least 50% of the remaining con-struction materials, including greenwaste, should be recycled. Contactlocal recycling facilities and haulersto identify terms and conditions

required for recycling materials.Contact the California IntegratedWaste Management Board atwww.ciwmb.ca.gov for more information on recycling facilities.

Benefit:

Reuse and recycling of constructiondebris conserves natural resourcesand slows the rate at which land-fills reach capacity. In addition,builders can save money by lowering disposal fees.

4. Use Recycled-Content Aggregate

Description:

Virgin aggregate comes from sourcessuch as riverbeds and quarries wheremining activities may disturb theenvironment. Recycled aggregateconsists mainly of crushed concreteand crushed asphalt pavement.Recycled concrete and asphaltcrushed to 3/4-inch meets theCalifornia Department ofTransportation’s (CalTrans) specifi-cation for Class 2 Aggregate Base.

Application:

Use wherever Class 2 aggregate is specified; for example as drainagebackfill, and under driveways, sidewalks and building slabs.

Benefit:

Recycled aggregate puts wastematerials to good use.

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

G M

EA

SU

RE

SN

EW

HO

ME

CO

NS

TRU

CTI

ON

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

G G

UID

ELI

NE

S

26

Other 21%

Metal 3%

Corrugated 6%

Concrete 15%

Wallboard 13%

Wood 42%

TOTAL 100%

Source: Based on waste generation studies for three residential developments in Alameda County (1999–2004) and compiled by Matthew J. Southworth, P.E. – Civil Engineer

Construction Waste Generated from a 2,000-Square-Foot New Home

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

ME

AS

UR

ES

NE

W H

OM

E C

ON

STR

UC

TION

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

GU

IDE

LINE

S

27

1. Replace Portland Cement inConcrete with Recycled Flyash or Slag

Description:

Flyash is a byproduct of coal-burningpower plants. It is typically landfilled,but can be an inexpensive and qualitysubstitute for a portion of the Portlandcement in concrete. Concrete suppli-ers routinely replace 10 to 15% of thePortland cement in their mixes withflyash. Slag, a byproduct of the steelindustry, may also be used like flyashto replace some of the cement.

Application:

Up to 50% of cement can bereplaced with flyash or slag in manyresidential concrete mixes. However,high-volume flyash or slag mixes(35% replacement or more) mayrequire longer cure times and different finishing techniques thanstandard concrete. Consult a struc-tural engineer for information.

Benefit:

Flyash and slag improve the per-formance of concrete by increasingstrength, reducing permeability andreducing corrosion of reinforcingsteel. Using flyash or slag alsoreduces use of water and cementneeded. Cement production isenergy intensive; it accounts formore than 6% of the world’s carbondioxide emissions that contributeto global warming.

2. Use Frost-Protected ShallowFoundation in Cold Areas(Climate Zone 16)

Description:

Foundations in cold climates typicallysit deep below the frost line to preventheaving damage from the freeze-thawcycle. A frost-protected shallow foun-dation (FPSF) is surrounded by insula-

tion, which, in effect, raises the frostline to just below the surface, allowingreduced excavation and foundationwall depths.

Application:

Excavate the foundation perimeter to16 inches rather than the 36 to 48inches typical for cold climates. Placeinsulation horizontally 4 feet extendingout from the foundation, against theoutside face of the foundation wall,and under the entire slab.

Benefit:

An FPSF typically reduces both concrete use and labor by up to40%. An FPSF's insulation can significantly moderate the foundationtemperatures, making the home moreenergy efficient and comfortable.

3. Use Radon-ResistantConstruction

Description:

Radon gas is naturally emitted bysome soils and rocks. The U.S.Environmental Protection Agencyestimates that exposure to radon maybe the second leading cause of lungcancer, after cigarette smoking. InCalifornia about 1% of homes haveradon levels above the recommendedmitigation level (4 picocuries). Most of these homes are located inthe Sierra foothills and coastalmountains and foothills.

Application:

Use radon-resistant construction ifa home is being built in EPA RadonZone 1 or identified by the CaliforniaDepartment of Health Services ashaving above average risk(www.cal-iaq.org/RADON). Lay aperforated pipe in a 4- to 6-inchlayer of large gravel under thefoundation slab. Connect this to a

solid pipe running to the attic andthrough the roof. Attach a fan tothis pipe for discharging the radon.

Benefit:

Installing a radon mitigation systemwill significantly reduce the occupants’levels of radon exposure.

4. Design and Build StructuralPest Controls

Description:

Ants, termites and other pests candamage cellulose-based buildingmaterials, but some chemicaltreatments designed to deter pestsmay also be toxic to humans andother animals. Permanent, struc-tural pest controls can help keeppests out of the home.

Application:

a. Install Termite Shields andSeparate All Exterior Wood-to-Concrete Connections by Metal orPlastic Fasteners or DividersInstall a continuous, durable termiteshield around all foundation slabpenetrations, at the junction of thefoundation or piers and the wallframing, and wherever slab perimeterinsulation is installed. When wood is in constant contact with concreteor soil, it remains moist. Create aseparation to allow water to drainand wood to dry out.

b. Locate All New Plants At Least 36 in. from FoundationThis keeps roots away from the foun-dation, reduces the chance of peststraveling from nearby branches ontothe home, and makes it easier toinspect for termite tunnels.

Benefit:

Physical pest controls reducechemical use and increase thehome's durability.

B. Foundation

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

G M

EA

SU

RE

SN

EW

HO

ME

CO

NS

TRU

CTI

ON

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

G G

UID

ELI

NE

SC. Landscaping

BUILDING BASICS Control Stormwater Runoff

Land development and constructionactivities can significantly alternatural drainage patterns and pollute stormwater runoff.Excessive stormwater runoff canerode residential landscapes andlocal streams, and stress localstormwater drainage systems,increasing flood risks. Keepingsediment and pollutants out ofstorm drains helps protect localcreeks, reservoirs and the ocean.Increases in impervious surfacesare directly related to reductionsin water quality in nearby creeks,rivers, lakes and bays.

Because controlling stormwaterrunoff is critical to protectingwater quality, many projects willneed to file a Notice of Intent (NOI)and prepare a Stormwater PollutionPrevention Plan (SWPPP) per theState General Construction NPDESPermit. Be sure to contact your localmunicipality for during-constructionand post-construction stormwaterquality control requirements.

During construction and grading,use stormwater Best ManagementPractices (BMPs) to control ero-sion and to prevent sediment andpollutants from entering stormdrains. Erosion control protectsthe soil surfaces whereas sedi-ment control traps soil particlesafter they have been dislodged.Consider implementing theseBMPs during the construction stage:

a. Schedule grading so that dis-turbed slopes are stabilized andrevegetated during the non-rainyseason. Minimize and delineatethe area to be disturbed.

b. Trap sediment on site using acombination of effective erosionand sediment control measures.Place barriers around stormdrain inlets to pond water andallow sediments to settle out.

c. Cover construction materialsand stored topsoil exposed torain; store wastes under coverand dispose of properly.

d. Install temporary concretewashout areas for use by con-tractors to prevent pollutionfrom entering storm drains.

e. Educate on-site workers topractice good housekeepingpractices and implement bestmanagement practices to preventstormwater pollution.

f. Inspect and maintain controlmeasures before and after each rainstorm.

Post-construction activities includeprotecting the stormwater byimplementing permanent stormwatercontrols. Consider incorporating thefollowing BMPs into your project:

a. Minimize the total amount ofimpervious paved area used forroadways, driveways, walkways,and patios by avoiding large

expanses of contiguous impermeable surfaces.

b. Install gravel, porous concreteand permeable pavers that allowstormwater to percolate throughand infiltrate into subsurfacedrainage systems or the ground.This reduces stormwater runoffand filters out sediments.

c. Direct stormwater runoff fromhardscapes toward adjacentlandscaped areas that are gradedto receive the excess water;this will help recharge ground-water, filter pollutants, andwater vegetation.

d. Construct rainwater catchmentsystems such as ponds, cisternsand other rainwater collectionbasins. Stormwater ponds collect,retain and filter runoff duringand after a storm. The pond'snatural chemical, physical andbiological processes removesuspended solids, metals anddissolved nutrients.

e. Create a biofilter, such as aswale, to slow the flow ofstormwater into storm drainsand allow pollutants to settleand decompose. This willreduce sedimentation and otherpollutants in the water. Largeplanting beds designed asswales can absorb stormwaterfrom a building's downspouts.

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

ME

AS

UR

ES

NE

W H

OM

E C

ON

STR

UC

TION

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

GU

IDE

LINE

S

29

1. Construct Resource-EfficientLandscapes

Description:

Conventional residential landscapesare often designed without regardfor climate and soil conditions.Typically, they require high inputs ofwater and chemicals and produceexcessive plant debris from pruningand mowing activities. Invasive plantsused in landscaping often escapeinto natural areas, where they canspread rapidly, crowd out nativeplants, degrade wildlife habitat andincrease the wildfire fuel load.Resource-efficient landscapes useplants and techniques that are better

suited to local soils, wildlife, rainfalland climate.

Application:

Evaluate the climate, exposure, andtopography of the site. Assess the soil.Have the soil professionally analyzedfor texture, nutrients, organic mattercontent and pH, especially if thetopsoil was not protected duringconstruction activities. If soilamendments are advised, ask thelaboratory to recommend organic orenvironmentally friendly amendments.

Select drought-tolerant species thatare appropriate for the site’s soil andmicroclimates, such as Californianatives, Mediterranean or other well-adapted species. Plant a variety of

trees, shrubs and other perennialsand limit annuals. Find out whichinvasive species are problematiclocally; do not include them in theplanting palette and eliminate anyfrom the site before planting. See the California Invasive Plant Council website at www.Cal-IPC.org for a listof local invasive species for your area.

Give plants plenty of room to mature,reducing the need for pruning andshearing. Limit turf to the smallestarea that will meet recreationalneeds (see Minimize Turf Areas,below). Include a site for compostingand mulching plant debris.

1 Permeable paving on driveway and walkway to front door

2 Water from roof channeled to cistern

3 Water for wildlife habitat

4 Pavers with spaces and low water use plants between

5 Front lawn replaced by diverse plantings with many California native groundcovers, shrubs and trees, but no invasive species

6 All plants given the space to grow to their natural size

7 Plants selected to match the microclimates

8 Irrigation controller waters hydrozones according to plant needs, soil moisture and weather

9 Deciduous trees placed to the west & southwest of the house & patio for summer cooling

10 Repository for leaves to collect under trees as mulch

11 Mulched paths keep soil covered

12 Drip irrigation for vegetable beds, shrubs, trees and elsewhere where feasible

13 Raised beds are constructed from plastic or composite lumber

14 Compost bin recycles plant and kitchen debris

15 Evergreen windbreak blocks north winter winds

16 Trees not topped but pruned properly

17 Small lawn in backyard where family will use it

1

2

4

3

5

6

7

8

10

11

12

14

13

15

16

17

9

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

G M

EA

SU

RE

SN

EW

HO

ME

CO

NS

TRU

CTI

ON

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

G G

UID

ELI

NE

S

30

Benefit:

A diverse landscape of nativespecies supports beneficial birds,bees and other insects and mayresist disease and other pests betterthan one with little variety. Choosingand placing plants appropriately willalso reduce the amount of plantdebris sent to landfills and waterused for irrigation.

2. Use Fire-Safe Landscaping Techniques

Description:

California’s hot, dry climate makes fireprotection an important considerationfor landscape design, especiallybecause new home developments areincreasingly located adjacent toareas that may be prone to wildfires.Simple landscaping design practicescan help defend the homes byreducing fuel accumulation andinterrupting the fire path.

Application:

Determine whether the site is in ahigh-risk area. Map the site, identi-fying exposure to prevailing windsduring the dry season and steepslopes that can increase wind speedand convey heat. Identify adjacentwildlands or open space, as well assouth- and west-facing slopes andtheir vegetation, particularlyspecies that burn readily.

For sites adjacent to fire sensitiveopen space or wildlands, createdefensible space around buildings;this is an area where vegetation ismodified to reduce fuel load andallow firefighters to operate. Useirrigated, low-growing, fire-resistantvegetation, patios, paving stonesand other low-risk features in the

zone immediately surrounding thestructure. Specify plants with lowfuel volume and/or high moisturecontent. Avoid plants with high oilcontent or that tend to accumulatean excessive amount of dead wood or debris.

Do not plant trees and shrubs atdistances where limbs and brancheswill reach the house or grow underoverhangs as they mature. To minimize fire ladders, do not plantdense hedges or space tall vegetationtoo closely together. Use mulch(except fine shredded bark) anddecomposed granite to controlweeds and reduce fuel for fires.Construct roofs, siding and deckswith fire-resistant materials. Consideralternatives to wood fences, suchas rock walls.

Benefit:

Fire-safe landscaping reduces riskof harm to residents and firefighters,and protects valuable personal andcommunity assets.

3. Minimize Turf Areas

Description:

Lawns (or turf) are useful for recreation and relaxation, but turfrequires frequent cutting, wateringand application of fertilizers orother chemicals to stay green during California’s long dry season.

Application:

Replace decorative lawns withwater-conserving California nativegroundcovers or perennial grasses,shrubs and trees. If lawns aredesired, plant in small areas wherethey are most likely to be used forplay and relaxation. Choose plantspecies that are native or regionally

appropriate and have a waterrequirement less than or equal totall fescue. Avoid planting turf onslopes greater than 10% or inirregularly shaped areas that cannotbe irrigated efficiently. Avoid turfin isolated areas (driveway strips)or other areas less than 8 feet wideon the shortest side, unless irrigatedwith subsurface irrigation or microspray heads.

Benefit:

Minimizing turf conserves water. If a 1,000-square-foot lawn needs 1inch of water per week, reducing itto 500 square feet can save approxi-mately 10,000 gallons of water perdry season. Minimizing turf reducesthe need for mowing and removinggrass clippings. Chemical use may also be decreased, thereby protecting the quality of local waterways and aquifers.

4. Plant Shade Trees

Description:

During summer months, the sunheats up homes, which makes airconditioners work harder anddrives up peak electricity demand.Large shade trees keep direct sunoff the roof, walls and windows inthe summer, thereby lowering cooling costs and increasing comfortwhile providing an attractive andvaluable landscape.

Application:

Augment the existing tree cover onthe site, particularly to the west ofthe building, by planting Californianative or other Mediterranean treespecies that are drought tolerantand appropriate for the site’s soiland microclimates. Plant trees

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

ME

AS

UR

ES

NE

W H

OM

E C

ON

STR

UC

TION

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

GU

IDE

LINE

S

31

to shade walls, windows andpaved areas. If the building designincludes passive solar heating, donot plant trees too close to thehome’s south side. Avoid plantingtrees too close to utilities. Plant avariety of deciduous trees and givethem plenty of room to mature,reducing the need for pruning and shearing.

Benefit:

Shade trees can create a microclimatethat is up to 15°F cooler than thesurrounding area, and can reducesummer air-conditioning costs by25 to 40%. Peak electricity demandis at its highest during late afternoonsin the summer; shade trees play animportant role in reducing thisdemand. Trees provide numerousadditional benefits includingabsorbing carbon dioxide, cleansingthe air, creating habitats for birdsand other creatures, providing playplaces for children, making neighborhood more beautiful andincreasing property values.

5. Group Plants by Water Needs(Hydrozoning)

Description:

Different plants have different waterrequirements. Hydrozoning involvesdividing the landscape into zones oflow, medium and high water use toprevent overwatering.

Application:

Group plants by water needs, creatingirrigation zones based on the plants’water requirements and their expo-sure. Delineate each hydrozone onthe site, irrigation and plantingplans. Place thirstier plants in relatively small, highly visible areasand if possible, in spots that naturally

collect water. Plant the larger areaswith drought-tolerant species. Installseparate irrigation valves for differentzones. Consider that some Californianatives do not tolerate water in thesummer after they are established;be sure to separate them from plantsthat need ongoing irrigation.

Benefit:

Hydrozoning matches irrigation to the plants’ water requirements,conserving water and fosteringresistance to pests and disease.Plant mortality is also reduced,saving time and money.

6. Install High EfficiencyIrrigation Systems

Description:

With increasing demand on suppliesof fresh water, efficient landscapingirrigation is vital in California.Efficient irrigation systems apply onlythe amount of water that the plantsneed, with little or no waste throughrunoff, overwatering or misting.

Drip and bubbler irrigation tech-nologies apply water to the soil atthe plant root zones at the rate thesoil can absorb it, and are oftenmore appropriate than overheadsprinklers in areas that are narrow,oddly shaped or densely planted,or in areas such as parking lotsand medians. Low-flow sprinklerheads apply water uniformly andslowly. Smart controllers regulatethe irrigation program based onweather or moisture sensors, historicdata or a signal. A rain sensor overrides the system in the eventof rainy weather.

Application:

Design the irrigation system tomeet or exceed the requirements

of your local water conservationordinance. Install drip, subsurfacedrip or low-flow irrigation systemsin place of standard systems for alllandscape applications.

A smart irrigation controller willprovide even more water savings.Choose a smart irrigation controllerthat has at a minimum the followingcapabilities: 1) automatic periodicadjustments to the irrigation program,accomplished through externalsensors, internally stored historicalweather data or a provider-suppliedsignal, 2) multiple start times, 3)run-times able to support low-volumeapplications, 4) irrigation intervalsfor days of the week or same-dayintervals, and 5) more than oneoperating program (for example,A=turf, B=shrubs, C=water features). If necessary, turn off theirrigation system or valve for thelandscape or hydrozone that includesonly low water use California natives,once the plants are fully established.

Benefit:

High efficiency irrigationsystems minimize overspray andevaporation and reduce runoff,dramatically reducing landscapewater use while preventing diseaseand minimizing weed growth thatresults from overwatering.

7. Incorporate Compost toPromote Healthy Topsoil

Description:

A robust, living soil with sufficientorganic content is the foundation of a water-conserving, resource-efficient,thriving landscape. Adding good quality compost before planting bringslife to the soil and feeds existing soil organisms, fueling many natural

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

G M

EA

SU

RE

SN

EW

HO

ME

CO

NS

TRU

CTI

ON

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

G G

UID

ELI

NE

S

32

processes that supply nutrients, mini-mize disease and improve soil quality.

Application:

Assess the soil quality on site. Havethe soil professionally analyzed fortexture, nutrient and organic mattercontent and pH, especially if the topsoil was not protected during construction activities. If soil amend-ments are advised, ask the laboratoryto recommend organic or environ-mentally friendly amendments.

Incorporate 2 to 4 inches of compostinto the top 6 to 12 inches of soil, oras much as is required to bring thesoil organic matter content to 3.5%for turf and 5% for planting beds,except for plant species that will not thrive in such soils. Use fully stabilized, certified compost as a soilamendment where appropriate (stabilized compost has been properlymatured and can be safely handled,stored and applied to the soil).Loosen all planting and turf areas toa minimum depth of 6 inches priorto final landscape grading. Topdresswith compost on turf and aroundestablished shrubs and trees.

Benefit:

Compost can increase permeability,water-holding capacity and plantnutrient availability. This encourageshealthy plant growth, improves theability of the soil to filter pollutants,improves water quality, reducesirrigation needs and lowers water bills.

8. Mulch All Planting Beds

Description:

Mulch is any material spread evenlyover the surface of the soil. Organicmaterials, including chipped land-scape debris, are preferable over

inorganic materials because theysupply nutrients over time and provide wildlife habitat.

Application:

Apply and maintain a minimum of2 to 3 inches of natural mulch to allsoil surfaces or at least until plantsgrow to cover the soil. Do not placemulch directly against any plantstem or tree. Designate areas undertrees and away from hardscapes or storm drains as repositories forfallen leaves to remain as mulch.Buy mulch produced from urbanplant waste debris, or from localsuppliers within a 150-mile radius.

Benefit:

Mulch can conserve water, reduce weed growth and simplifymaintenance operations.

9. Use Salvaged or Recycled-Content Materials for Landscape Elements

Description:

Landscape elements present manyopportunities for using salvaged orrecycled materials. Recycled-plasticlumber or recycled-composite lumbermakes a very durable landscapeedging. Broken concrete can beused to make a very attractiveretaining wall or path, and tumbledglass cullet can be used to createbeautiful walkways.

Application:

Use salvaged or recycled-contentmaterials for hardscapes (plantingbeds, patios, decks, walls, walkwaysand driveways) and other landscapefeatures (for example, edging,benches, play equipment). If recycledplastic or composite lumber is notappropriate, use FSC-certified sustainably harvested wood.

Benefit:

For landscaping and hardscaping,recycled plastics or composites aregenerally much more durable thanwood because they do not rot,crack or splinter or require ongoingwood treatments.

10. Reduce Light Pollution

Description:

Light pollution occurs when outdoorlight fixtures let light escape ontoneighboring properties and into thenight sky.

Application:

Avoid outdoor lighting where it isnot needed. Rather than leavingoutdoor lights on all night, uselighting controls such as motionsensors, timers and photosensorsso that the lights are only on whenand where needed. Exterior lightingthat provides low contrast on criticalareas, such as sidewalks and homeentrances, is better for visual acuitythan overlighting.

Eliminate all unshielded fixturesthat let light escape skyward ortrespass on neighboring properties,such as floodlights. Look for fixturescertified by the Dark Sky Associationfor light pollution reduction(www.darksky.org).

Benefit:

Reducing light pollution minimizesneighborhood or wildlife habitatdisruption and saves energy.

1. Apply Optimal Value Engineering

Description:

Optimal Value Engineering (OVE), alsoknown as advanced framing, refers totechniques that reduce the amountof lumber used to build a home,while maintaining structural integrityand meeting the building code.

Application:

Implement any number of commonOVE techniques including framing on24-inch centers instead of 16-inch,using the right-sized headers for theload, using only jack and cripple studsrequired for the load, using insulatedheaders on exterior walls, and buildingtwo-stud corners with drywall clips.

Benefit:

Using OVE techniques saves woodand construction costs without asignificant reduction in structuralstrength. Many OVE techniquesalso allow more of the wall to bebetter insulated, which improvesenergy efficiency and comfort.

2. Use Engineered Lumber

Description:

Solid-sawn lumber in sizes 2x10and greater typically comes fromold-growth forests or large diametertrees. Engineered lumber products,on the other hand, come from small-diameter, fast-growing plantationtrees. These products include gluedlaminated timber (glulam), laminatedveneer lumber (LVL), laminatedstrand lumber (LSL), parallel strandlumber (PSL), wood I-joists, woodfloor trusses, finger-jointed studsand oriented strand board (OSB).

Application:

Use engineered lumber instead ofsolid-sawn lumber wherever appli-cable. Review structural building

plans to make sure that engineeredlumber is called out on the plans.

A. Beams and HeadersEngineered beams and headers caneasily replace any solid-sawn memberof similar size or even larger. Inaddition, large solid-sawn lumberis often used for headers andbeams when smaller dimensionlumber would suffice.

B. Insulated Engineered Headers Engineered headers with pre-installed insulation are lighter thansolid wood headers, do not shrink(reducing cracks in drywall), andinsulate better than solid wood.

C. Wood I-Joists or Web Trusses for Floors The typical 2x10 and larger solidlumber used for floor joists can bereplaced with engineered lumber inmost applications. For long-spanfloor joists use floor web trusses

instead of solid-sawn lumber. Notonly are web trusses stronger thansolid beams, they are lighter. Somehave knock-outs or cavities thatallow ducts, pipes and wires toeasily pass through them, resultingin quicker installation.

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

ME

AS

UR

ES

NE

W H

OM

E C

ON

STR

UC

TION

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

GU

IDE

LINE

S

33

D. Structural Frame and Building Envelope

I-Joists use 50% less woodfiber than solid sawn lumber.

Optimal Value Engineering Techniques.

Adapted from Building Science Corporation

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

G M

EA

SU

RE

SN

EW

HO

ME

CO

NS

TRU

CTI

ON

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

G G

UID

ELI

NE

S

34

Energy Heels on Trusses Allow More Insulation.

Compressedinsulationin this area

Energy heel

Ventilation baffle

Standard heel heightless than 4” for a 4/12 pitch

D. Wood I-Joists for Roof RaftersFor roof rafters, use I-joists insteadof solid lumber.

E. Engineered or Finger-Jointed Studsfor Vertical ApplicationsUse engineered or finger-jointedstuds wherever conventional studsare typically used. Finger-jointedstuds use short pieces of 2x4 or 2x6material glued together to formstandard stud lengths, while engi-neered lumber is typically veneers,strands or flakes of wood glued toform studs. These studs are alldimensionally straight and save onlabor and material costs associatedwith culling crooked lumber andshimming and straighteningcrooked walls.

F. Oriented Strand Board for SubfloorOSB is a type of engineered woodproduct manufactured from fast-growing farm trees. OSB comes insheets and is used as an alternativeto plywood for subfloors.

G. Oriented Strand Board for Walland Roof SheathingUse OSB as an alternative to plywoodfor wall and roof sheathing.

Benefit:

Reducing demand for large dimensionallumber decreases pressure to harvestold-growth or large-diameter trees.Engineered lumber uses wood fibermore efficiently than conventionallumber. Most engineered woodproducts are straighter andstronger than solid-sawn equiva-lents, eliminating crooked wallsand reducing material waste.

3. Use FSC-Certified Wood

Description:

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)certification assures that the forestfrom which the wood was harvestedis managed in an environmentally,economically and socially responsible manner. FSC is the

only lumber verification rating thatmaintains chain-of-custody certifi-cation throughout the cutting,milling and final delivery of products,thus ensuring that the end productoriginated from a certified sustainably managed forest.

Application:

Use FSC-certified solid wood framing,engineered lumber, oriented strandboard and plywood.

Benefit:

FSC certification assures thatforests are managed in a way thatprotects the long-term availabilityof wood resources, the health of forest ecosystems, and the sustainability of local economies.

4. Use Solid Wall Systems

Description:

Solid wall systems include structuralinsulated panels (SIPs), insulatedpre-cast concrete, insulated concreteforms (ICFs), autoclaved aeratedconcrete (AAC), and similar systems that are not constructed of wood studs.

Application:

Each of these systems entails its own specialized installationtechniques. Always follow manufacturer specifications.

Benefit:

These walls replace wood stud construction by including structure,sheathing and insulation in a singledurable, energy-efficient system.Most solid wall systems improvehome comfort and save significantamounts of wood.

5. Reduce Pollution Entering theHome from the Garage

Description:

According to the U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency (EPA), anattached garage is the biggestcontributor to poor indoor air qualityin a home. Car exhaust containsmany known carcinogens and canmigrate into living spaces throughdoors and cracks in walls and ceilings adjacent to the garage.Other pollutants commonly foundin garages include benzene fromlawn mowers and power tools, pesticides for gardens, toxic cleaningagents, and chemicals in paintsand adhesives.

Application:

A. Tightly Seal the Air Barrierbetween Garage and Living Area

Use foams, weatherstripping andcaulking to create an air barrierbetween the garage and livingareas. Completely seal garage wallsand ceilings adjacent to the interior.Doors should have full weather-stripping and sealed thresholds.Spray-applied foam insulation that creates a complete air barrieris recommended.

B. Install Separate Garage Exhaust FanFor added protection, install anexhaust fan in the garage on theopposite wall from the door to thehouse. It can be triggered by anelectric garage door and put on atimer to run after door has beenopened or closed. Detachedgarages provide the most effectivemeans of keeping garage pollutantsout of the home.

Benefit:

Properly designed and isolatedgarages keep polluted air out ofthe home.

6. Design Energy Heels on Roof Trusses

Description:

At the intersection of perimeterwalls and the roof framing, there isoften increased heat loss, becauseconventional roof trusses reducethe area available for insulation toless than 6 inches. An energy heelis a framing technique that raisesthe height of the truss at exteriorwall top plates to accommodatethe full depth of insulation at thehome’s perimeter.

Application:

Install where conventional trussesare used. The increased height mayrequire modifications to exteriorsoffit and trim details.

Benefit:

Energy heels on trusses allow for full insulation around theperimeter, saving energy andreducing utility bills.

7. Design Roof Trusses toAccommodate Ductwork

Description:

One way to include HVAC ducts inconditioned space (see Section H.5.a)is to design trusses with a raisedcenter section that accommodatesthe ducts. This may add onlyslightly to the cost of the trusses.

Application:

Coordinate with the HVAC contractorand structural engineer beforeordering trusses to identify oppor-tunities for including all ducts inconditioned space. If feasible,order trusses with a plenum spacebetween the bottom truss chordand the ceiling; insulate theplenum and seal it with drywall or another air barrier.

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

ME

AS

UR

ES

NE

W H

OM

E C

ON

STR

UC

TION

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

GU

IDE

LINE

S

35Construction using SIPs.

Truss with Insulated Recess Keeps Duct in Conditioned Space.

Steven Winter Associates

Benefit:

Designing trusses to accommodateducts can reduce the cost of theduct installation. It also reducesduct heat loss/gain and air leakageto outdoors.

8. Use Recycled-Content SteelStuds for Interior Framing

Description:

Steel studs can be either stand-aloneor contain wood pieces within the“C” channel. Steel studs may ormay not be load-bearing, dependingon their rating.

Application:

Use in non-insulated interior walls.

Benefit:

In addition to its recycled content,steel provides strength, light weight,exacting specifications, fire- andpest-resistance, and fewer of thetwisting, warping and other defectsthat can plague wood framing.

9. Provide Thermally Massive Walls

Description:

Use wall materials that improvethermal mass.

Application:

Low cost strategies for thermal mass walls include using 5/8” drywall on all interior surfaces. Less conventional approachesinclude using pre-cast insulatedconcrete walls or insulated concrete forms (ICFs).

Benefit:

Increasing thermal mass willreduce heating and cooling energyuse and will moderate indoortemperature swings, keeping thehome more comfortable.

10. Install Overhangs and Gutters

Description:

Overhangs increase a home’s durability by protecting it from the elements and helping regulatethe amount of rain striking walls.Overhangs also provide shading for windows. Gutters provide apathway for water to exit the roof without entering walls andsplashing back onto the foundationand siding.

Application:

Design at least a 16-inch overhangwith gutters around the building’sentire roof. Consider adding deeperoverhangs where needed to shadewalls and windows to provide coolingduring summer. Drain gutters atleast 24 inches from the home andinto a rainwater cistern or towardadjacent landscaped areas that aregraded to receive the excess waterso as to recharge groundwater, filterpollutants, and water vegetation.

Benefit:

Overhangs and gutters protect siding, windows and doors fromwater intrusion, thereby reducingthe likelihood of rot and moldissues. Overhangs also provide protection from the sun’s harsh UVrays, which can degrade building materials and furnishings.

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

G M

EA

SU

RE

SN

EW

HO

ME

CO

NS

TRU

CTI

ON

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

G G

UID

ELI

NE

S

36

1. Use Recycled-Content or FSC-Certified Decking

Description:

Besides being exposed to theweather, the deck often gets heavyfoot traffic. Environmentally soundalternatives to conventional lumbercan extend the life of the deck andconserve natural resources.

Application:

a. Use Recycled-Content Decking Use recycled-content decking in allnonstructural deck applications.There are two types of recycled-content lumber: recycled plastic lumber, which contains only recycledplastic, and composite lumber, whichcombines recycled wood fiber andrecycled plastic. Both can be used inplace of redwood, cedar and pressure-treated lumber for the top planks andrailing. These products accept screwsand nails, and cut like wood. Followthe manufacturer’s installation recommendations closely. Chooserecycled-content lumber that containsno virgin plastic.

b. Use FSC-Certified Wood DeckingFSC-certified lumber comes fromforests managed in an environmentallyand socially responsible manner. UseFSC-certified lumber for all exteriordecking applications or as structuraldeck members in conjunction with

recycled-content decking. Choose aspecies of FSC-certified wood that isappropriate for exterior decking.

Benefit:

Recycled-content plastic and composite decking is more durablethan most wood. It doesn’t rot, crack,splinter, or require staining, andisn’t treated with potentially toxicchemicals. Using recycled-contentdecking also reduces pressure toharvest forests. FSC certificationguarantees that forests are managedin a way that will assure the long-termavailability of wood resources andthe health of forests.

2. Install a Rain Screen Wall System

Description:

A rain screen wall system or ventilated drainage plane is aneffective solution to external moisturepenetration. It allows for an airspace between the siding and wallstructure, protecting the homefrom damaging rain intrusion.

Application:

Install siding with an air spacebetween it and the structural wall.Flash all wall openings correctlyand create vent strips at the topand bottom of the wall.

Benefit:

Rain screen wall systems protect

against moisture intrusion androt; reduce potential for indoor airquality problems associated withleaks; increase the life of sidingmaterials; and reduce heat gainby shading walls.

3. Use Durable andNoncombustible Siding Materials

Description:

Sidings made of metal, stone, brick,stucco and fiber-cement offer adurable and noncombustible home exterior.

Application:

Use in place of conventional wood siding.

Benefit:

Using these siding materials canreduce repainting and maintenance,protect from fire, and may lowerthe homeowner’s insurance, especially in fire-prone areas.

4. Use Durable andNoncombustible Roofing Materials

Description:

Forty- to fifty-year asphalt shingles,tile, slate, fiber-cement, recycledplastic and metal are examples ofdurable roofing materials. A ClassA fire rating offers a home thehighest in fire protection.

Application:

Applicable anytime roofing materialsare specified. The Class A fire ratingis achieved through the roofingmaterial itself or through the roofassembly as a whole.

Benefit:

Short-lived roofing materialsresult in more waste going tolandfills and more money spenton roof replacement.

BUILDING BASICS

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

ME

AS

UR

ES

NE

W H

OM

E C

ON

STR

UC

TION

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

GU

IDE

LINE

S

37

E. Exterior Finish

Most major building failures and construction defect lawsuits are relatedto water intrusion into the building’s walls, ceilings and floors due toincorrectly installed flashing. Water intrusion leads to rot, mold andmildew, and may eventually result in structural and health problems.

Offer detail drawings on plans that show how moisture drains away frombuilding elements. Show proper shingle-flashing of all penetrations andjoints such as chimneys, pipes, roofs, windows, doors, vents and decks. It is a highly recommended practice to provide on-site training for workers.

Avoid Moisture Intrusion

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

G M

EA

SU

RE

SN

EW

HO

ME

CO

NS

TRU

CTI

ON

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

G G

UID

ELI

NE

S

38

F. Insulation

1. Install Insulation with 75%Recycled Content

Description:

Fiberglass insulation typically contains 25 to 30% recycled glass, with a combination of post-industrial and post-consumer content. Materials such as recycledcotton or cellulose insulation contain up to 80% post-industrialor post-consumer recycled materials.

Application:

Choose products with high recycledcontent. Post-consumer recycledcontent comes from products thathave been used and discarded by aconsumer and are then reprocessedas a raw material for a new product.Post-industrial content is wastematerial from a manufacturingprocess that is reused to create a new product.

Benefit:

High recycled content reducesreliance on virgin raw materials.High post-consumer recycled con-tent closes the loop in the curbsiderecycling process and reduceslandfill deposits.

2. Install Insulation That Is Low Emitting

Description:

Many insulation products emitformaldehyde and other volatileorganic compounds (VOCs). Lookfor products that have beentested for low emissions by a reputable third-party organizationor government agency.

Application:

Select a product that has beentested for low emissions accordingto the California “StandardPractice for the Testing of VolatileOrganic Emissions from VariousSources Using Small ScaleEnvironmental Chambers.” Forinformation about this standard, go towww.ciwmb.ca.gov/GreenBuilding/Specs/Section01350/default.htm.

Benefit:

Minimizing formaldehyde andVOCs in the home improves indoorair quality.

3. Inspect Quality of InsulationInstallation before Applying Drywall

Description:

Studies show that poorly installedinsulation severely decreases thematerial's insulating value. Ensurequality installation of insulation in walls, floors and ceilings.Consider installing above Title 24 minimum levels.

Application:

Pay proper attention to installationdetail and quality assurance. Installinsulation with no gaps or voids.Size insulation correctly to fill thecavity side-to-side, top-to-bottomand front-to-back. Cut or fill to fitaround wiring and plumbing withoutcompression. Compared to batts,blown-in fiberglass, blown-in celluloseor spray-foam insulation typicallydo a much better job of filling gapsand sealing around pipes. Don’t betempted to skip the insulation ofcavities that are difficult to access.

Benefit:

Effectively installed insulation creates a more comfortable homeand reduces the owner's utilitycosts. Lower energy demandreduces pollution and improvespublic health.

Damp-Blown Spray Cellulose Wall Insulation.

Recycled-Content Batt Insulation.

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

ME

AS

UR

ES

NE

W H

OM

E C

ON

STR

UC

TION

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

GU

IDE

LINE

S

39

G. Plumbing

1.Distribute Domestic Hot WaterEfficiently

Description:

Locating the water heater close tousage points reduces heat loss,speeds the rate of hot water delivery,and reduces water wasted whilewaiting for hot water to arrive at aplumbing fixture. For larger houses,an on-demand hot water circulationpump may reduce waiting time without wasting energy..

Application:

a. Insulate Hot Water Pipes fromWater Heater to Kitchen Follow Title 24 pipe insulation standards; in addition, insulate the hotwater pipe from the water heater to thekitchen. A no-cost option for insu-lating piping run through attics isto bury them in ceiling insulation.

b. Insulate All Hot Water Pipes Reduce heat loss, waste less water,and improve service by insulating all hot water pipes.

c. Use Engineered Parallel Piping Often termed “home run,” “manifold,” or “parallel” piping, this alternative to typical “branched”piping can save water and waterheating energy, if the system is well designed. Small diameterflexible pipes are run from a manifold (with branched outlets)located near the water heater directlyto the fixtures, thereby decreasingthe volume of water in the individualpipe and reducing friction losses and leaks imposed by elbows and other fittings.

Parallel piping typically uses PEX(cross-linked polyethylene) pipe,although soft copper could be used.Use PEX only where codes permit it.With low-flow fixtures, 3/8-in.

diameter piping should be adequatefor sinks; use 1/2-in. piping forother fixtures. To ensure that pipeefficiency is actually gained, thatlengths are minimized, and thatsufficient flow will be provided,prepare an engineered piping planto show the location and diameterof hot water pipes.

d. Use Engineered Parallel Piping with Demand Controlled Circulation LoopA parallel piping system can stillwaste water. Each time hot water ispulled from a fixture, the plumbingsystem must discharge the water inthe small pipe from the fixture to themanifold as well as the large diameterpipe that connects the manifold tothe water heater. To reduce the waterloss in the large pipe, install a circu-lation loop between the water heaterand the manifold that is run by anon-demand pump.

e. Use Structured Plumbing withDemand Controlled Circulation Loop In larger homes with branched pipingsystems, another way to greatlyshorten hot water delivery times isto install an on-demand hot watercirculation system. These consist of a pump with on-demand controls(push button or motion-sensor acti-vated) that circulate water from thehot water line through the cold lineor via a dedicated return loop to thewater heater. The term “structuredplumbing” is similar to the term“engineered” (as used with parallelpipe systems) in that a structuredpipe system is designed from theoutset to optimize the circulationsystem. Only one pump is neededto supply hot water to all fixtures inthe same circulation loop. All pipescarrying circulated hot water mustalso be insulated.

f. Use Central Core PlumbingThe most effective means of reducingenergy and water loss and materialuse, is to locate the water heaterwithin 8 to 15 feet in plan view of all hot water fixtures, includingbathrooms, kitchen and laundry. Thiscan be accomplished by stacking orclustering rooms that need water, andcreating a central core mechanicalspace to house the water heater andpipes and integrate the furnace, airconditioner and ducts.

Benefit:

Efficient design and distribution ofdomestic hot water saves energy,conserves water, uses less piping,and speeds hot water delivery.

2. Install Only High EfficiencyToilets

Description:

Standard new toilets use 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf). Toilets thatuse less than 1.3 gpf are calledHigh Efficiency Toilets (HETs).HETs are available in dual-flush,pressure-assist and conventionalgravity-flush models.

Application:

Unlike some older models of ultralow-flow toilets, the majority oftoday’s HET toilets perform well anddon’t require multiple flushes. InstallHETs that meet or exceed theMaximum Performance (MaP) testingreport or Uniform North AmericanRequirements (UNAR). Download alist of qualifying HETs fromwww.cuwcc.org/toilet_fixtures.lasso.

Benefit:

HETs perform well, reduce home-owners’ water and sewer costs, andreduce demand on water suppliesand treatment facilities.

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

G M

EA

SU

RE

SN

EW

HO

ME

CO

NS

TRU

CTI

ON

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

G G

UID

ELI

NE

S

40

H.Heating,Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC)

1. Design and Install HVAC System to ACCA Recommendations

Description:

The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) has developed a set of calculation manuals—Manuals J, D and S—to determinethe appropriate size and design ofa home’s heating, ventilation andair conditioning (HVAC) system.

Application:

Design and install the HVAC systemaccording to results obtained fromManual J (the home’s heat load calculation), Manual D (ductworkdesign and sizing) and Manual S(equipment selection and sizing).

Benefit:

Doing these calculations correctlyand installing the system correctlyand as indicated by the calculationswill result in an efficient and effective HVAC system that willdeliver comfort and energy savings.

2. Install Sealed Combustion Units

Description:

Sealed combustion furnaces andwater heaters duct outdoor airdirectly into a sealed jacket aroundthe combustion chamber and thenvent it directly outdoors, eliminatingthe use of house air for combustion.

Application:

Install in place of conventionalatmospherically vented furnaces orwater heaters.

Benefit:

Some gas appliances such as gasdryers and fireplaces require indoorair for combustion and exhaustconditioned air. When a house is

negatively pressurized by exhaustfans, dryers or leaky ducts, carbonmonoxide can be pulled into the house from the combustionchamber. Sealed furnaces andwater heaters eliminate that condition, thereby improving indoorair quality and reducing the dangerof carbon monoxide contamination.Sealed combustion furnaces canalso be installed (by code) in conditioned indoor spaces in tightlysealed houses, thus reducing heatloss to outdoors.

3. Install Zoned, HydronicRadiant Heating with SlabInsulation

Description:

Instead of providing warm air viaducts, hydronic radiant heatingsystems circulate hot water throughunder-floor tubing, wall radiators,or baseboard convectors.

Application:

Hydronic radiant heating is mostappropriate in cold climates or inhomes where air conditioning isnot needed. Design the system inaccordance with Radiant PanelAssociation guidelines and use anRPA-certified installer. To reduceheat loss to the ground, the entireslab (edge and bottom) should beinsulated to a minimum of R-5.

Benefit:

Many people find hydronic radiantheating to be more comfortablethan forced air heating. Hydronicradiant heating can provide evenheat throughout a room, reducedrafts and eliminate duct leakage.Hydronic radiant heating systemsare also easily zoned.

4. Install High Efficiency AirConditioning withEnvironmentally ResponsibleRefrigerants

Description:

Energy-efficient air conditioningequipment saves homeownersmoney and reduces demand forelectricity from power plants.Environmentally sound refrigerantsreduce the risk of damage to theozone layer.

Application:

Choose an air conditioner with aSEER (Seasonal Energy EfficiencyRatio) of 14 or higher or an EER(Energy Efficiency Ratio) of 11 orhigher. While these units usuallyhave higher upfront costs, they area good investment. Many utilitiesoffer rebates for higher efficiencyunits.

The air conditioner should havethermostatic expansion valve (TXV),which is a refrigerant regulationdevice that can help ensure thatthe system operates at maximumefficiency over a wide range of conditions.

Another good strategy for energyefficiency is a zoned system, whichallows two to four zones to be con-ditioned at different temperatures.

Install AC units that don’t usehydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC)refrigerants. HCFCs can destroy theozone layer if the refrigerant leaksout. R-22 (HCFC-22) is commonlyused in many residential coolingsystems. The federal Clean Air Actrequires that HVAC manufacturersdiscontinue using R-22 in new airconditioners by 2010.

Some new AC units already use analternative to R-22 refrigerant,

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

ME

AS

UR

ES

NE

W H

OM

E C

ON

STR

UC

TION

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

GU

IDE

LINE

S

41

including: R-410a, R-134a, or R-407C. Common trade names for these refrigerants are Puron®

SUV-410A® GENETRON AZ20®

DuraCool®, and more.

Always select a reputable dealerthat employs service technicianswho have been EPA certified tohandle refrigerants.

Benefit:

High efficiency air conditionerssave money and energy, and reducepeak electricity demand. Installingair conditioning systems with a TXVlowers utility bills and saves energy.

If the refrigerant leaks duringreplacement, a non-HCFC refrigerantwill not damage the ozone layer.

5. Design and Install EffectiveDuctwork

Description:

Poorly designed and installed duct-work lowers heating and coolingsystem efficiency and capacity,and can contribute to poor indoorair quality and comfort problems.

Application:

a. Install HVAC Unit and Ductworkwithin Conditioned SpaceInstall HVAC unit and all heating and cooling ductwork inside the insulated envelope of the home. Theunit and duct runs may be installedin closets, chases, and soffits purposefully designed toaccommodate them, or they may be installed in an attic that is insulated at the roof deck (unvented attic).

b. Use Duct Mastic on All Duct Jointsand Seams Leaks in the joints between ductworkhave been shown to allow, on average,20 to 30% of conditioned air to leakout. Leaky air ducts can cause negative

pressure in the house, which can drawmany outdoor and indoor contaminantsinto the home, including carbonmonoxide from gas water heaters andfurnaces. Don’t use duct tape to sealducts; it loses its effectiveness in afew years. To maintain a tight seal fordecades, use a water-based mastic atevery duct joint and seam or have professionally installed aerosol sealant sprayed into the ducts.

c. Install Ductwork under AtticInsulation (Buried Ducts) As a low cost alternative to installingductwork in conditioned space, theinsulation value of ductwork can besignificantly improved by buryingducts in loose-fill ceiling insulation.For this approach to be most effective, duct connections must be tightly sealed.

Instead of suspending ducts fromrafters or trusses, allow ducts to layover ceiling joists or the bottomchord of trusses and blow insulationover them. To achieve moderatecoverage, insulate to at least R-38.Using supply boots with sideinstead of top connections keepsducts low and aids burial.

Title 24 credit may be taken for this measure if markers are placedto indicate duct locations and ifinspected by a HERS rater.

d. Pressure Balance the DuctworkSystemWhen a bedroom door is closed, itreduces or cuts off the return airflowpath. This restricts air movement,leading to comfort problems and apressure imbalance, with the bedroompressurized and the rest of the housedepressurized. This may cause infil-tration of contaminated air from theattic or crawl space, or backdraftingof combustion appliances. Install anadditional return duct in the master

bedroom and other large rooms thatcan be closed off with a door. Orinstall a jump duct or transfer grillebetween the hall or main living areaand these rooms with doors. Makethe transfer duct long enough to minimize sound transmission.

e. Protect Ducts during Constructionand Clean All Ducts beforeOccupancyDebris and dust from constructioncan lodge in HVAC units and theductwork, potentially causing occu-pants to have allergic reactions andreducing the effectiveness of theblower fan and heating/coolingelements. As soon as the ducts areinstalled, completely seal off eachduct register and the HVAC unit toblock out any construction dust.Use methods and materials that willstay in place under the abuse of atypical construction site. After construction is completely finished,vacuum the blower unit and ductwork as necessary.

Benefit:

Effective ductwork practices signif-icantly reduce energy loss, minimizeindoor air quality problems andimprove occupant comfort.

6. Install High Efficiency HVACFilter

Description:

HVAC filters remove particulatesfrom the air. MERV, or MinimumEfficiency Reporting Value, is ametric used to measure an air fil-ter’s efficiency. The MERV scaleranges from 1 to 20. The higher theMERV number, the more efficientthe filter is at removing particles.

Application:

Use HVAC air filters rated at MERV6 to 10. These filters are recom-

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

G M

EA

SU

RE

SN

EW

HO

ME

CO

NS

TRU

CTI

ON

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

G G

UID

ELI

NE

S

42

mended for cleaner air withoutcompromising the performance ofstandard mechanical systems.Filters with MERV ratings of morethan 10 create too much resistanceto airflow, because the filter mediabecomes denser as efficiencyincreases. Only use a filter with aMERV of greater than 10 if theHVAC system is specificallydesigned for it.

Benefit:

The U.S. EPA has identified micro-particulates as a leading cause ofrespiratory discomfort. By reducingthese particles in the indoor air, ahigh efficiency filter protects theHVAC equipment and makes theliving space healthier.

7. Don’t Install Fireplaces orInstall Efficient Gas Fireplaces

Description:

Gas fireplaces are installed in alarge percentage of new homesmostly for decorative use. Many havevery low efficiency (as low as 13%),yet homeowners depend on themto meet some percentage of theheating load. Though there are noU.S. or state standards regulatingtheir efficiency, efficiency listingsare required in Canada and areavailable for many models sold inthe United States.

Application:

Do not install gas fireplaces unlesstheir listed efficiency (from NaturalResources Canada) exceeds 60%.

Benefit:

Efficient gas fireplaces consume lessgas and reduce winter heating costs.

8. Install Effective Exhaust Systemsin Bathrooms and Kitchens

Description:

Bathrooms and kitchens produceodors and a lot of moisture that cancause mold and other problems ifthe rooms are not properly ventilated.Gas ovens and cooktops producecarbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxideand other pollutants. Additionally,cooking food produces odors and particulates.

Application:

a. Install ENERGY STAR® bathroomfans vented to the outside. Exhaustall bathroom ventilation fans to theoutdoors, not to the attic. ChooseENERGY STAR®–qualified bathroomfans; quieter fans will have a ratingof 1.5 sones or less.

b. Put all bathroom fans on timer orhumidistat. This ensures proper run-time to adequately removemoisture from the room. Timers are triggered when the lights areturned on, and then run for a settime, such as 15 to 30 minutes.Humidistat controllers are even better,as they automatically switch onwhen moisture in the air reaches a threshold level, and shut downwhen the moisture level subsides.

c. Install kitchen range-hood exhaustsystem vented to the outside. Usehigh efficiency range-hood exhaustsystems that are ENERGYSTAR®–qualified and vent them tothe outside. ENERGY STAR® unitsare typically designed to be quieter(less than 4 sones) so that peoplewill be more likely to use them.Don’t buy overpowered hoods thatmay cause backdrafting of combustion appliances.

Benefit:

Effective bathroom and kitchenexhaust systems reduce energy usecompared to standard models, providebetter efficiency and comfort withless noise, and reduce moisture andindoor air quality problems.

9. Install Mechanical VentilationSystem for Cooling

Description:

Ceiling fans improve a home’s comfort by circulating air. ENERGYSTAR®–qualified models are energyefficient thanks to improved motors,blade designs and fluorescent lightkits; also, they can be operated to either draw warm air upward inthe summer or push it downwardin the winter.

Whole house fans are used instead ofan air conditioner to cool a house atnight. They exhaust warm indoor airand bring in large volumes of cooloutdoor air. However, they requireopen windows to admit air, and theydo not filter the air. Integrated venti-lation cooling systems integrate withheating and cooling equipment, areautomatically controlled, do notrequire the use of windows, anddeliver filtered outdoor air.

Radiant Floor Heating.

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

ME

AS

UR

ES

NE

W H

OM

E C

ON

STR

UC

TION

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

GU

IDE

LINE

S

43

Application:

Install ENERGY STAR® ceiling fansand light kits in areas where occu-pants tend to spend more time,such as bedrooms and family rooms.Anchor ceiling fans to ceiling joists.Select models with ENERGY STAR® –qualified compact fluorescent lightfixtures, or purchase an ENERGYSTAR®–qualified light kit.

Install a whole house fan with variablespeeds. In a multistory home it mustbe mounted in a hallway ceiling onthe top floor. An insulated, airtightseal is necessary to prevent air leakagein winter. Fans should be sized toproduce between four to five airchanges per hour and should havetwo speeds: low speed for continuousventilation and high speed. Whenthe fan is running, you must keep afew downstairs windows open toallow the outdoor air in and to avoidbackdrafting of carbon monoxidefrom gas appliance flues.

Ventilation cooling systems shouldbe sized for four to six air changesper hour, and should have at leasttwo speeds. Integrated ventilationcooling systems that combine withvariable speed furnaces or air handlers use less fan energy andoffset more air conditioning energy.

Benefit:

Ceiling fans can make residentsfeel more comfortable whilecutting back on their use of heating and air conditioning systems. An average whole housefan uses one-tenth the electricityof an air conditioner. Moving largevolumes of air can achieve indoorcomfort at higher temperatureswithout air conditioning.

10. Install Mechanical Fresh AirVentilation System

Description:

An air-to-air heat exchanger (alsocalled a heat or energy recoveryventilator) is a mechanical fresh airventilation system that recoversheat from exhausted indoor air andtransfers it to the incoming freshair stream.

Application:

California Title 24 standards requiremechanical ventilation when “tight”construction is used for compliance(specific leakage area, or SLA, is lessthan 3). Design the mechanical ven-tilation systems to meet establishedventilation standards such as inASHRAE Standard 62.2. Provide thehomeowner with clear informationabout such systems, so that they canoperate and maintain them properly.

When used for whole-house venti-lation, exhaust fans should operatecontinuously and include provisionsfor filtered makeup air. Integratedsystems use the furnace fan to bringin outside air through a damperedduct, and should be equipped withcontrols to regulate volume of air.

Stand-alone systems include heatrecovery ventilators (HRV’s) and energyrecovery ventilators (ERV’s) thatemploy heat exchangers to recoverheat and/or moisture. HRV’s andERV’s are appropriate for colder climates; their high fan energy usemay not justify their use in mostCalifornia climate zones.

Install an air-to-air heat exchanger todeliver fresh air to high occupancyareas like bedrooms and livingrooms. Use of this equipment is particularly appropriate if a blower

door test of the home shows lessthan 0.35 Natural Air Changes perHour (NACH7).

Benefit:

Mechanical ventilation systems provide today’s tighter homes withfresh outdoor air. Whole house ventilation systems improve indoorair quality by diluting pollutants.Air-to-air heat exchangers introducefresh air into the home while reduc-ing energy loss by capturing heatfrom the exhausted air stream andtransferring it to the incoming air.

11. Install Carbon MonoxideAlarms

Description:

Carbon monoxide (CO) is emittedfrom fuel-burning appliances suchas stoves, cooktops, water heaters,furnaces and fireplaces, as well asfrom cars and some landscapeequipment. If a home is tightlybuilt for energy efficiency but hasleaky HVAC ducts, the air leaksmay depressurize the home andreverse the flow of exhaust ventpipes. This can introduce carbonmonoxide from fuel-burning appli-ances back into the home, aprocess known as backdrafting.

Application:

Install a carbon monoxide alarmper manufacturer’s instructions.Alarms must comply with both UL2034 and CSA 6.19 standards.Alarms must be replaced everythree to five years, as they losetheir sensitivity over time.

Benefit:

A carbon monoxide alarm providesan added level of home safety.

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

G M

EA

SU

RE

SN

EW

HO

ME

CO

NS

TRU

CTI

ON

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

G G

UID

ELI

NE

S

44

1. Pre-Plumb for Solar Water Heating

Description:

Preparing for the installation ofsolar water heating will substantiallyreduce the cost of future installation,and adds little cost during the timeof construction.

Application:

Installation of insulated copper pipesand sensor wiring between the atticand the water heater location willfacilitate future installation of asolar water heater. To accommodate“active” systems, provisions shouldalso be made for a solar storagetank (with pressure relief drain line)and an electrical outlet for a pump.Provide at least an 8 ft. by 8 ft.clear section of south-facing rooffor future installation of solar panels.

Benefit:

Solar hot water pre-plumbing willmake it easier and less expensiveto install a solar water heater inthe future.

2. Install Solar Water Heating System

Description:

Solar water heating systems usesolar panels and water storage tocollect and store heat from the sunfor domestic hot water use orspace heating. Solar water heatingsystems are typically used to deliverpreheated water to a standardwater heater. Solar water heating ismore cost effective than ever, as aresult of new technologies, reliableproducts, and rising energy prices.

Application:

Use only solar water heaters thatare SRCC (Solar Rating andCertification Corporation) certified.Ensure that there is sufficientsouth-facing roof area for collectors,that the roof structure will accom-modate the system’s weight, andthat there is adequate area nearthe conventional water heater foradditional mechanical equipmentsuch as storage tanks, pumps,pipes and controllers.

Federal tax credits are currentlyavailable for installing solar hotwater systems. Consult a tax advisor or solar energy installer for more information.

Benefit:

Many solar water heating systems can provide all the hot water neededduring summer months. For manyhouseholds, these energy savings can offset the cost of the systemin less than ten years.

3. Pre-Wire for FuturePhotovoltaic (PV) Installation

Description:

Making provisions during constructionfor installing future PV systemscan significantly lower the costwhen systems are installed later.These provisions include installingconduit from the attic to a locationnear the electric service entrance/circuit breaker panel, allowing spacefor installation of PV modules onsouth-facing roofs, and ensuringthat roof trusses are adequate toaccommodate any added roof loads.

Application:

Maintain a 200-square-foot or largersection of south or west roof areaclear of vent pipes and otherobstructions to allow for the instal-lation of modules. Install 3/4-inchor larger conduit with pull boxes asneeded to run wire from the atticto a junction box near the mainpanel and meter. Provide the ownerwith a roof plan with the preferredlocation for PV modules and theconduit location clearly marked,and provide structural informationon what added loads the roof can

I. Renewable Energy

Solar Hot Water and Space Heating System

SolarCollector

Col

d Hot

Hot WaterStorage Tank

HeatExchanger

Installing Solar Water System.

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

ME

AS

UR

ES

NE

W H

OM

E C

ON

STR

UC

TION

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

GU

IDE

LINE

S

45

accommodate. (One type of PV systems, called building-integratedPV modules, typically weigh lessthan the roof tiles they replace.)

Benefit:

Net metering rules and time-of-useelectric rates are improving theeconomics of photovoltaic systems,which can provide all of the elec-trical energy needed by a home ona net annual basis. PV-generatedelectricity produces no air pollutionand reduces the need for buildingnew power plants. Photovoltaicpanels and systems may drop inprice over the next few years, andCalifornia incentives may increase.

4. Install Photovoltaic (PV) Panels

Description:

PV systems convert solar energy intoelectricity when sunlight strikes thePV cells. Most residential systems aregrid connected; when the PV systemis providing more power than thehome uses, additional electricity isfed back into the utility grid. Thiseffectively spins the home’s electricitymeter backward in what is known asnet metering.

When the sun is not shining or whenthe home requires more electricitythan the PV system can produce, the home draws power from the grid.If there is a power outage, a homewith a grid-connected PV system willlose power just like homes withoutPV systems.

Adding battery back-up to the PV system is expensive but allows thehomeowner to keep some electricalsystems running during power outages.

Application:

For cost and appearance, the bestlocation for PV modules is flush on

south or west-facing roofs. South-facing modules produce more energyannually, but west-facing modulescan take better advantage of time-of-use rates that are availablefrom some utilities, and help reducethe electricity grid’s peak load.

For tile or metal roofs, building-integrated modules can be easierto install and are designed toblend in well with the roof. Forother roof types, specially designedracks that anchor to the rafters are typically used to mount the PV panels.

Current incentives include aCalifornia Energy Commission “buy-down” and a federal tax credit.

Benefit:

Benefits include lower utility costs,reduced greenhouse gas and otheremissions from fossil fuel–burningpower plants, reduced need todevelop new power plants, andimproved national energy security.

Photovoltaic panel system, Centex Homes, Livermore.

Power meter showing the amount of solarelectricity generated and used.

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

G M

EA

SU

RE

SN

EW

HO

ME

CO

NS

TRU

CTI

ON

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

G G

UID

ELI

NE

S

46

In October 2005, revisions toCalifornia’s Building EnergyEfficiency Standards (Title 24)went into effect.

Consider the following energy efficiency strategies to achieveand exceed Title 24 standards.

a. Improve Insulation

Insulation in exterior walls andceilings can reduce demand forair conditioning and heating andmake homes more comfortable.However, if the insulation is notproperly installed, the insulation'sstated value will not be achieved.Ensure quality installation of insulation. Title 24 now allows acredit for “quality installation”whereby a certified professionalverifies in the field that insulationhas been installed well, and withminimal gaps and voids.

b. Install Radiant Barrier Roof Sheathing in Warm Inland Climates

Radiant barrier sheathing is a roofsheathing material with a reflectivelayer (film or foil) applied to theunderside. Use in place of, andinstall in the same manner as,conventional roof sheathing.Radiant barrier sheathing canreduce attic temperatures by asmuch as 30 degrees on hot days.

c. Install Energy Efficient Windows

When selecting windows, look forlow-e models that have an NFRC

label listing a U-value of 0.4 orless and an SHGC of 0.4 or less.The cost premium for low-e glassis minimal and typically pays foritself very quickly. There are twotypes of low-e glazing: heat rejecting(soft coat) and heat receiving(hard coat). The soft coat low-e ismore commonly available, and itis effective as a cooling strategy.However, the hard coat low-e isrecommended for south glazing inpassive solar buildings. Wood,vinyl and fiberglass frames generallyinsulate much better thanaluminum frames.

d. Install Tankless Water Heaters

The new generation of tanklesswater heaters can meet the hotwater needs of most houses, haveno standing pilot, and can reducewater heating gas use by 50% ormore. Instead of storing hot waterthey heat water as needed, thusreducing standby energy use.Install the tankless water heateras close to the points of use aspossible, and adjacent to an exteriorwall or roof to reduce the cost ofventing (stainless steel venting isrequired). A control that allowsthe hot water temperature to bevaried is recommended.

e. Install Water Heater withEnergy Factor >0.62

Water heaters with high energyfactors use more of the energy for

heating the water rather than losing it out of the flue. This alsosaves money on fuel costs.

f. Install High Efficiency Furnace(AFUE 90 % or higher)

Install a furnace with 90% AFUE(annual fuel utilization efficiency)or greater. A properly sized, highefficiency furnace costs less tooperate and reduces air emissions.Furnaces with variable speed fansalso use less electrical energy.Check with your local utility company for rebate information.

g. Install High Efficiency AirConditioner (SEER >14) with a Thermostatic Expansion Valve (TXV)

Air conditioning is the greatestcontributor to residential peakloads in California. There are twoefficiency ratings, SEER (seasonalenergy efficiency ratio), whichreflects energy use at 82ºF outdoortemperature, and EER, which is measured at 95ºF outdoortemperature. The higher the SEERand EER numbers, the lesselectricity is required to providecomfort. Both values should be considered, since most ofCalifornia’s air conditioning occursat temperatures above 82ºF. TXVis a refrigerant regulation devicethat can help ensure that the airconditioning system operates atmaximum efficiency over a wide rangeof conditions, and can compensatefor incorrect refrigerant charge.

J. Building Performance

Design Energy-Efficient HomesBUILDING BASICS

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

ME

AS

UR

ES

NE

W H

OM

E C

ON

STR

UC

TION

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

GU

IDE

LINE

S

47

1. Plan Review and DiagnosticEvaluations

Description:

Early review of project plans canhelp maximize a home’s energyefficiency and green building benefits. Homes designed to be veryenergy efficient may still performpoorly. Diagnostic evaluations andinspections can help uncover errorsand fix potential problems.

Application:

Have an experienced and certifiedgreen building professional reviewthe home’s design for maximumefficiency and interaction of thebuilding elements. The plan reviewercan identify additional green buildingopportunities for the project andensure proper installation.

Later, have the home performancetested for thermal envelope andHVAC effectiveness. Inspection anddiagnostic evaluations shouldinclude the following measures:Use a certified Home Energy RatingSystem (HERS) technician to testduct system air delivery (CFM);results should be within 10% ofdesign flow calculations. Pressurizeducts and verify that leakage isunder 6%. Use a blower door testto estimate the interior natural airchanges per hour (NACH) for thewhole house. The NACH should beclose to or less than 0.35; if itisn’t, make any necessary improve-ments and test again.

Perform a combustion safety test ifneeded to ensure carbon monoxideis not backdrafting into the homefrom an open-combustion fireplace,water heater or furnace.

Benefit:

Third-party plan review can lead toadditional green building benefitsfor the project. Third-party homeperformance testing is vital forensuring that homes will performas intended.

2. Design and Build HighPerformance Homes

Description:

California’s Building EnergyEfficiency Standards, commonlyknown as Title 24, set energyefficiency requirements for residentialand nonresidential construction inthe state. High performance homesare designed and built to exceedTitle 24 requirements.

Application:

Identify opportunities whereexceeding Title 24 will be costeffective or will provide othersignificant benefits, such as improvedcomfort, indoor air quality or dura-bility. Homes that exceed Title 24by 15% or more may be eligiblefor ENERGY STAR® certification(see next measure).

Benefit:

People living in a high performancehome will benefit from increasedcomfort, lower energy costs, andhigher quality construction.

3. Obtain ENERGY STAR® withIndoor Air Package Certification

Description:

Homes that earn the ENERGYSTAR® have met guidelines forenergy efficiency set by the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency.ENERGY STAR®’s Indoor AirQuality Package goes beyond

energy efficiency and requires thatduct leakage be controlled, thethermal envelope tightened, airpressures balanced, fresh air introduced, pest control measuresinstalled, indoor contaminantsreduced, and all major moistureissues managed.

Application:

To earn the ENERGY STAR®, ahome must exceed Title 24 by15% and pass a home performancetest conducted by a certified HomeEnergy Rating System (HERS)technician. Incentives may beavailable to help offset the cost ofthe home performance testing.

Fulfill ENERGY STAR® energy-efficiency and Indoor Air Qualityrequirements, apply for and receivequalification. Only ENERGY STAR®

qualified homes are eligible for theIndoor Air Package label.

Benefit:

New homes that qualify as ENERGY STAR® provide greatercomfort, durability and energy savings for the homeowner, and protect the environment byreducing greenhouse gas emissions.Through ENERGY STAR®, buildingprofessionals can differentiatethemselves in the market.

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

G M

EA

SU

RE

SN

EW

HO

ME

CO

NS

TRU

CTI

ON

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

G G

UID

ELI

NE

S

48

K. Finishes

1. Design Entryways to ReduceTracked-In Contaminants

Description:

Up to two-thirds of dust and particulates in houses is tracked in on shoes. These tracked-in contaminants contain everythingfrom soil and pesticides to abrasivesand, mold, road grime and bacteria. Once these particulatesare inside the home, they can bedifficult to get rid of.

Application:

The most effective way to avoidtracking contaminants into thehome is for people to remove theirshoes upon entering. Provide featuresnear entryways that encourage theremoval and storage of outerwearand shoes, such as benches or amudroom. For entryways, avoid carpet, and choose easily cleanedflooring with a hard surface, such as hardwood, bamboo, concrete,ceramic tile or natural linoleum.

Benefit:

The home will be cleaner, with lessdirt and other pollution tracked in.

2. Use Low-VOC or Zero-VOC Paint

Description:

Most interior paints contain volatileorganic compounds (VOCs), a majorclass of indoor and outdoor air pollutants. Besides affecting indoorair quality, certain VOCs react withother chemicals in the atmosphere,producing ground-level ozone(smog) that can affect humanhealth. Low- and zero-VOC paintsreduce these sources of pollution.

Application:

Interior paints with low or zero levels of VOCs are available frommost major manufacturers. Theyare applied and perform like conventional paint.

Low-VOC paints contain less than150 grams per liter (gpl) of VOCsfor nonflat finishes, and 50 gpl orless for flat finishes. Paints thatcontain less than 5 gpl of VOCs are classified as zero VOC.

Benefit:

Low- or zero-VOC paint reducesthe emissions of VOCs, improving

indoor air quality and reducing the formation of smog.

3. Use Low-VOC, Water-BasedWood Finishes

Description:

Conventional petroleum-basedwood finishes can offgas formonths and can be harmful tochildren and chemically sensitiveindividuals. Offgassing means thesolvents in the product arereleased into the air, contaminatingindoor air quality. Low-VOC finishes,such as waterborne urethane andacrylic or plant-based oils, are lowerin toxic compounds compared toconventional oil-based finisheswhile providing similar durability.

Application:

Use wood finishes with VOCconcentrations of 250 gpl or less.If oil-based wood finishes must beused, they should be applied off-siteor allowed to offgas for three tofour weeks prior to occupancy.

Benefit:

Using low-VOC wood finishesreduces offgassing, improvingindoor air quality and reducing the formation of smog.

4. Use Low-VOC Caulk andConstruction Adhesives

Description:

Unlike conventional caulks andconstruction adhesives that mayoffgas toxic compounds formonths, low-VOC products reducetoxic gases such as aromatichydrocarbons or other petroleumsolvents that contribute to indoorand outdoor air pollution.

Application:

Use caulks and adhesives with VOCconcentrations of 70 gpl or less inplace of standard caulks and adhesivesfor all interior applications such asinstallation of framing, subfloors,finish flooring, countertops, trim,wall coverings, paneling andtub/shower enclosures.

Benefit:

Low-VOC caulks and adhesives workas well as or better than conventionalproducts, emit fewer pollutantsand reduce the risk of potentiallyharmful health impacts.

Low/No-VOC paint.

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

ME

AS

UR

ES

NE

W H

OM

E C

ON

STR

UC

TION

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

GU

IDE

LINE

S

49

5. Use Recycled-Content Paint

Description:

A number of manufacturers havedeveloped high-quality recycled-content latex paint and primers.The recycled portion (ranging from20% to 100%) comes fromunused consumer or industrialstock, as well as paint recoveredfrom household hazardous wastecollection facilities. The paint is checked for quality and thensent to paint manufacturers forrecycling and blending with a portion of new paint.

Application:

Latex paint with recycled contentis applied like conventional paint.Due to the blended nature of thepaint, it tends to come in a limitedrange of colors. Look for productsthat are certified by Green Seal tomeet quality, performance, safetyand environmental standards.

Benefit:

Recycled paint is often lessexpensive than new paint. It alsoreduces the need to manufacturenew paint and supplies a marketfor unused paint, rather than puttingit into the waste stream.

6. Use EnvironmentallyPreferable Materials for Interior Finish

Environmentally preferableoptions for interior finishes includematerials that are FSC-certified,reclaimed or refinished, rapidlyrenewable, contain recycled-content or are finger-jointed.

a. Use FSC-Certified Materials

Description:

Forest Stewardship Council(FSC)–certified wood comes fromforests managed in accordancewith stringent sustainableforestry practices.

Application:

Use FSC-certified wood and woodproducts in any application thatnormally calls for conventional plywood or stain-grade materials,such as cabinets, trim, doors,shelving and window frames.

Benefit:

FSC certification assures that forestsare managed in a way that protectsthe long-term availability of woodresources and the health of forestecosystems and local economies.

b. Use Reclaimed Materials

Description:

High quality finish materials anddimensional lumber can often besalvaged from other buildings thatare being deconstructed.

Application:

Use reclaimed material instead of newmaterial. Commonly used salvagedproducts include reclaimed lumberfor nonstructural applications, suchas mantels, nonstructural beams,casing, trim, cabinets and doors;cabinetry; wood flooring; sinks andtubs; electrical products or fixtures;and roofing materials.

Benefit:

Reclaimed materials reduceresource consumption and landfilldeposits. Reclaimed lumber andmany other salvaged materials are often of higher quality thannew products.

c. Use Rapidly Renewable Materials

Description:

Rapidly renewable materials aremade from agricultural products thatgrow quickly and can be harvestedon a relatively short cycle comparedto slower-growing wood. Examplesinclude bamboo, a fast-growinggrass that can be harvested inthree to five years, and straw, thestalk of wheat, rice, barley andother grains.

Application:

Instead of using solid wood, plywoodor wood-based medium densityfiberboard (MDF) for interior finishes,consider rapidly renewable materialssuch as straw-based particleboardand bamboo plywood.

Benefit:

Rapidly renewable materials areattractive, durable and reducepressure to harvest forests. Bamboois as durable as most hardwoodstypically used for interior trim.

FSC-certified cabinets, countertop madefrom wood fibers harvested from sustainableforests and linoleum flooring.

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

G M

EA

SU

RE

SN

EW

HO

ME

CO

NS

TRU

CTI

ON

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

G G

UID

ELI

NE

S

50

d. Use Recycled-Content Materials

Description:

Some recycled-content interior finishes, such as molding, aremade from recycled polystyrene orother plastics. Recycled-contentcountertops include recycled glasstiles, terrazzo-like materials thatblend recycled glass and concrete,and natural fiber compositesderived from rapidly renewable orrecycled resources.

Application:

Use recycled-content finish materialsin any application where virginmaterials are typically used.Recycled-content products areavailable for kitchen and bathroomapplications such as countertops,backsplashes, shower walls andvanity tops.

Benefit:

Recycled-content products keepvaluable resources out of the wastestream. Recycled-content trim mate-rials are often straighter and morestable than conventional clear wood.

e. Use Finger-Jointed Materials

Description:

Finger-jointed trim, studs and fasciaare manufactured from shortpieces of wood glued together tocreate a finished material.

Application:

Use finger-jointed materials in anyapplication where the materials areto be painted.

Benefit:

Finger-jointed elements arestraighter and more stable thanconventional clear wood, and usewood more efficiently.

7. Reduce Formaldehyde inInterior Finishes

Description:

Formaldehyde is often used as abinder in home-building productssuch as plywood, particleboard andother composite wood products. Thesebinders come in two basic forms: ureaand phenol. Urea-formaldehydebinders are common in interior-gradeproducts. Phenol-formaldehydebinders are used in exterior applica-tions because they are more waterresistant. This water resistance qualitymakes phenolic glues offgas moreslowly and in lower quantities thanurea glues, reducing some of theharmful effects on indoor air quality.

Application:

Whenever possible, use interiormaterials (including subfloor andstair treads, cabinets and countertops,interior trim and shelving) thatemit little or no formaldehyde.Select materials that have beentested for low emissions accordingto the California “Standard Practicefor the Testing of Volatile OrganicEmissions from Various SourcesUsing Small Scale EnvironmentalChambers.” (For information, go towww.ciwmb.ca.gov/GreenBuilding/Specs/Section01350/default.htm)

Benefit:

Reducing formaldehyde exposurehelps protect the health of residents,particularly children, who are mostsusceptible.

8. Test Indoor Air for Formaldehydeafter Installation of Finishes

Description:

The California Air Resources Board(ARB) has classified formaldehyde

as a Toxic Air Contaminant. ARBrecommends that formaldehydelevels inside buildings be as low aspossible (no greater than 27 partsper billion) because of formalde-hyde’s cancer-causing potential.Formaldehyde, a colorless gas, isusually present at higher levels inindoor air than outdoor air, in partbecause it is used as a binder andpreservative in many commonbuilding products and furnishings.Formaldehyde evaporates fromproducts into the home’s interior,often for many years after theproduct is installed.

Application:

Using products with low formaldehydeemissions, such as those mentionedin these Guidelines, will usuallylower formaldehyde to this level.

Test the building after installationof all finishes. Home test kits areavailable that measure the averageindoor concentration of formaldehyde.

Benefit:

Reducing formaldehyde can decreasethe risks associated with exposure.

Recycled content glass tile and concretebathroom counters.

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

ME

AS

UR

ES

NE

W H

OM

E C

ON

STR

UC

TION

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

GU

IDE

LINE

S

51

Ingredients of natural linoleum

Used with permission from This Old House

L. Flooring

1. Use EnvironmentallyPreferable Flooring

a. Use Forest Stewardship Council(FSC)–Certified Wood Flooring

Description:

FSC-certified wood flooring comesfrom forests managed in accordancewith stringent sustainable forestrypractices. FSC-certified productsare available in a wide variety ofdomestic and exotic species.

Application:

Use FSC-certified or reclaimedwood in place of conventionalhardwood flooring.

Benefit:

FSC certification assures thatforests are managed in a way thatprotects the long-term availabilityof wood resources, the health of forest ecosystems, and the sustainability of local economies.

b. Use Reclaimed Flooring Materials

Description:

High quality salvaged wood flooringor other salvaged flooring productscan often be reclaimed fromdemolished or remodeled buildings.

Application:

Use low-VOC sealers when refinishingreclaimed wood floors. Find salvagedflooring from building materialsreuse stores or through onlineresources such as Craigslist.organd Freecycle.org. The CaliforniaIntegrated Waste ManagementBoard (www.ciwmb.ca.gov) also provides information aboutmaterial reuse.

Benefit:

Reclaimed building materialsreduce resource consumption andlandfill deposits. Many salvagedproducts are of higher quality andoften cost less than new materials.

c. Use Rapidly Renewable FlooringMaterials

Description:

Bamboo, cork and natural linoleumflooring are alternatives to conven-tional hardwood flooring, carpet orvinyl flooring. Bamboo, which is asdurable as most hardwood used forfloors, is a fast-growing grass that

can be harvested in three to fiveyears. Cork is harvested from theouter bark of the cork oak tree; the tree regenerates its bark withinabout 10 years. Natural linoleum is manufactured primarily fromrenewable materials such as cork,wood flour and linseed oil.

Application:

Use these rapidly renewable flooringmaterials in place of conventionalhardwood, carpet or vinyl flooring.

Cork can also be used as an underlayment for hard-surfacedflooring to reduce impact noisebetween rooms.

Benefit:

Rapidly renewable flooringmaterials are attractive, durable,low-toxic, perform well and reducepressure to harvest forests.Bamboo is as durable as mosthardwoods. Cork and linoleum arenaturally fire and moisture resistantas well as sound absorbent.

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

G M

EA

SU

RE

SN

EW

HO

ME

CO

NS

TRU

CTI

ON

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

G G

UID

ELI

NE

S

52

d. Use Recycled-Content Flooring

Description:

Recycled-content ceramic tiles cancontain up to 70% recycled glassor other materials. Recycled-contentcarpet is made from recycled plasticbottles, recycled nylon and wool, orrecycled cotton.

Application:

Install recycled-content tileswherever conventional tiles arespecified. Recycled-content carpetcan be used in all applicationswhere conventional carpet is speci-fied, and is comparable in appear-ance, performance and price toconventional synthetic carpet madefrom virgin materials.

Benefit:

Recycled-content products keepvaluable resources out of the wastestream. Each square yard of recycled-content carpet usesapproximately 40 two-liter sodabottles. Some recycled-contentceramic tile is very dense, whichsignificantly reduces the amount ofmoisture and stains that areabsorbed into the tile, making itmore durable and easier to maintain.

e. Use Exposed Concrete as Finished Floor

Description:

With slab-on-grade construction,the concrete can be polished, scoredwith joints in various patterns, orstained with pigments to make anattractive finish floor. This approachis especially appropriate for usewith in-floor radiant heating systems and passive solar design.

Application:

Use this approach for slab-on-gradeconstruction. The finish must bedesigned and constructed whenthe slab is being poured, and well protected throughout construction.

Benefit:

Using the slab as a finish flooreliminates the need to use otherflooring materials. It is alsodurable and easy to clean.

2. Provide Thermally Massive Floors

Description:

Use flooring materials that improvethermal mass.

Application:

Low-cost thermal mass includesusing hard floor coverings such astile and wood. Wood flooring over a concrete slab also provides reasonably good thermal mass.

Benefit:

Increasing thermal mass will reduceheating and cooling energy use andwill moderate indoor temperatureswings, keeping the home morecomfortable.

3. Use Flooring That Is Low-Emitting

Description:

Flooring products may emitformaldehyde and other volatileorganic compounds. To protect indoorair quality, look for products thathave been tested and approved forlow-emissions by a reputable third-party or government organization.

Application:

Choose carpet that meets orexceeds the CRIGreen Label Plusrequirements(www.carpet-rug.org)or a flooring productthat has been testedfor low emissions

according to the California“Standard Practice for the Testingof Volatile Organic Emissions fromVarious Sources Using Small ScaleEnvironmental Chambers.” (For information, go towww.ciwmb.ca.gov/GreenBuilding/Specs/Section01350/default.htm.)

Benefit:

Minimizing formaldehyde andvolatile organic compounds in thehome improves indoor air quality.

Bamboo flooring and recycled-content carpet.

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

ME

AS

UR

ES

NE

W H

OM

E C

ON

STR

UC

TION

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

GU

IDE

LINE

S

53

1. Install Water- and Energy-Efficient Dishwasher

Description:

High efficiency dishwashers useless water and energy than conven-tional dishwashers. They reduceenergy use by at least 25% comparedto the federal minimum standards.Some dishwashers are more water-efficient than others, even amongENERGY STAR®–qualified models.The most water-efficient models(which in general are also the mostenergy efficient) use 6.5 gallons orless per cycle in their normal setting,and less if run in the model’swater-saving mode.

Application:

Select water- and energy-efficientdishwashers. They use an internalwater heater to boost temperaturesinside the dishwasher. This meansthat household water heaters canbe turned down to 120°F, savingwater-heating costs. To find modelsthat use less than 6.5 gallons ofwater per cycle in their normalsetting, see the Oregon Departmentof Energy website at:www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/CONS/RES/tax/appdish.shtml.

Benefit:

High efficiency dishwashers reducewater and energy use.

2. Install Water- and Energy-Efficient Clothes WashingMachine

Description:

Compared to standard clotheswashers, high efficiency modelssave up to 9,400 gallons of waterper year and significantly reduceenergy use. To maximize water

efficiency, choose a model thatmeets the Consortium for EnergyEfficiency’s (CEE) Tier 2 or 3 specifications.

Application:

Most high efficiency models have a front-loading design (horizontalaxis) that tumbles clothes in a smallamount of water. Most models alsoinclude a high-speed final spin cyclethat extracts more moisture thanstandard washers. Less moisturemeans less drying time, whichsaves additional energy. Chooseenergy-saving models that meetCEE’s Tier 2 (water factor of 6.0 orless and modified energy factor of2.0) or the more efficient Tier 3(4.5 or less water factor, 2.2 modifiedenergy factor). Information:www.cee1.org. Check with yourwater utility for rebates on thesetypes of machines.

Benefit:

CEE Tier 2 and 3 washing machinesuse substantially less water andenergy than conventional washers.

3. Install ENERGY STAR®

Refrigerator

Description:

Refrigerators and freezers are amongthe largest users of electricity inmost homes. They can account forup to 25% of household energyuse. ENERGY STAR® refrigeratorssave at least 10% over the federalminimum standards. Larger refrig-erators tend to use more energythan smaller models.

Application:

Select an ENERGY STAR®–qualifiedrefrigerator that has less than 20to 25 cubic feet of capacity

(refrigerator and freezer). For a list of qualifying models, visitwww.energystar.gov.

Benefit:

ENERGY STAR® refrigerators canreduce the total annual electricitybill by more than 10%. Choosing a refrigerator that’s not too big willfurther reduce electricity costs.

4. Install Built-In Recycling andComposting Center

Description:

Built-in recycling and compostingcenters provide bins for separatedrecyclables, compostables and trash.

Application:

Install a built-in recycling area inthe kitchen’s base cabinets. Somewaste haulers allow recyclables tobe mixed, while others require thatglass, paper, plastic or other materials be separated. Checklocal requirements and design thebuilt-in recycling area accordingly.

Design a kitchen compost bin thatis protected from pests and isodor-resistant. Food scraps can beadded to a backyard compost pile,or in some cities can be set out atthe curbside in a designated foodscraps bin.

Benefit:

Recycling and composting reducesthe amount of material enteringlandfills and can save money forhomeowners through reduced disposal fees (many waste haulerscharge a lower fee for smallergarbage bins). Composting createshigh quality soil amendments usefulin gardens.

M. Appliances

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

G M

EA

SU

RE

SN

EW

HO

ME

CO

NS

TRU

CTI

ON

GR

EE

N B

UIL

DIN

G G

UID

ELI

NE

S

54

NE

W H

OM

E C

ON

STR

UC

TIO

N G

RE

EN

BU

ILD

ING

GU

IDE

LIN

ES

54

N. Other

1. Include Single-FamilyGreenPoint Checklist inBlueprints

Description:

Attaching the Single-FamilyGreenPoint Checklist to the blue-prints makes it easier for everyoneinvolved—including the buildingprofessionals, homebuyer andmunicipality—to see which greenfeatures are included in the home.

Application:

In one of the first few pages of theproject blueprints, include theGreenPoint Checklist, with theapplicable points checked off. Tomake it easier to verify the project’sachievements, next to each itemon the checklist note the blueprintpage number that corresponds tothat particular point and make anobvious note on that blueprint page.

Benefit:

Including the Single-FamilyGreenPoint Checklist in the blue-prints raises the visibility of greenbuilding. This may encouragebuilders to incorporate more greenfeatures. It also provides a quickreference and benchmark for thebuilder, buyer and municipality.

2. Develop a Homeowner Manualof Green Features, Benefits andOperations

Description:

A green homeowner manualdescribes all of the home’s greenfeatures and their benefits. It alsogives important information aboutbest practices for maintaining andoperating the home.

Application:

Develop a separate green homeownermanual or include a green sectionin the standard homeowner manual.A comprehensive manual shouldinclude the following information:

• description of the home’s greenbuilding features

• explanation of importance ofmaintenance and operations toachieve ongoing green buildingbenefits

• warranty, operation and mainte-nance instructions for equipmentand appliances

• household recycling opportunities

• ways to optimize water and energy use

• clear labeling of safety valves and controls for majorhouse systems

• information about periodicallychecking crawl space for termite tubes

• information on organic pest control,fertilizers, and environmentalcleaning products

• instructions for keepinggutters clean

• information on proper tree maintenance

• instructions for proper handling and disposal of hazardous chemicals

Benefit:

Green homeowner manuals instructhomeowners on best practices tomaximize their investment bymaintaining their home and itslandscaping in a healthy andenvironmentally responsible manner.

3. Innovation

The measures in these Guidelinesare not an exhaustive list of all thegreen elements that could beincorporated into a home. Rather,they are a list of field-testedoptions that are more likely to beused by custom and productionbuilders. Look for opportunities togo beyond these measures andincorporate innovative techniquesand materials that will conservenatural resources and improve thehome’s energy efficiency, durabilityand healthfulness.

Green Building Showroom, Ponderosa Homes.

NE

W H

OM

E C

ON

STR

UC

TION

GR

EE

N B

UILD

ING

GU

IDE

LINE

S

55

Chapter Five: Marketing Green Homes

Depending on which green features you offer, yourstory may focus on environmental stewardship, greatercomfort, lower utility bills, healthier homes andcommunities, or some combination of these benefits.Remember, the story you tell leaves a lasting impressionon all your stakeholders—so take the time to refineyour message.

Market Differentiation

In California’s hot real estate market, virtually anyhome will sell, whether it’s green or not. But even in a seller’s market where homes are sold before they arefinished, building green creates a lasting and positiveimage among buyers, community leaders, governmentofficials and the media. Here are some of the advantagesyour company will enjoy as a result of your green-buildingmarketing efforts:

• Enhance your reputation for quality. Buyers arebecoming more informed as home improvement television shows and mainstream consumer publicationslike Better Homes and Gardens, Redbook, FamilyCircle and Sunset regularly showcase green homesand products. As a result, today’s buyers areincreasingly associating green builders with high-quality construction. What’s more, many communityleaders and government officials associate greenbuilders with companies that care and that are willingto invest in their community’s best interest. A solidreputation for quality and caring will serve your businesswell over the decades, regardless of market conditions.

• Outshine the competition by offering green amenities.As a green builder, you are not asking your buyers tosacrifice anything. Instead you are offering

them additional value—whether it’s lower utilitybills, the peace of mind that comes with knowingthe home was built with healthier products, or the prestige and “bragging rights” of owning an environmentally responsible home. By providingbuyers with these valuable amenities, you engendergood will and loyalty, which may translate into referralsand repeat sales down the road.

• Reap the rewards of positive media attention. Thenews and trade media are hungry for positive stories.Green building is still a fresh concept, making yourstory attractive to them. Media coverage draws publicinterest and helps you more effectively engage yourpotential customers. It’s possible this positive mediacoverage may also serve your business well when youare working to gain approval for new developments.

Educate Your Sales Staff

Sales are everything. It doesn’t matter how well builtor how green your projects are if your sales staff doesn’tcommunicate the value of green to your customers.Your salespeople are your greatest advocates, so takethe time to effectively train them and get them excitedabout the green features and benefits you offer.Providing people with quality homes is a rewardingprofession, and adding the green factor gives yoursales staff even more reason to be proud of what theydo. Once you sell them on the idea that green buildingis good for business, good for people, and good for thecommunity, they will enthusiastically convey this messageto potential customers.

MA

RK

ETIN

GG

RE

EN

HO

ME

S

Every green feature provides your customers with a benefit. Communicating these

benefits and conveying the superior value of a green home are key aspects of your

marketing effort. Train sales staff to tell the stories behind the features. For example, a

buyer is more likely to perk up her ears if you talk about lower utility bills and

greater comfort than if you merely tell her that the house is energy efficient.

NE

W H

OM

E C

ON

STR

UC

TIO

N G

RE

EN

BU

ILD

ING

GU

IDE

LIN

ES

56

Convey the Benefits

It is important to complement green products andpractices with a marketing program that clearly identifiesthe benefits. Homeowners do not always intuitivelygrasp how they directly benefit from energy efficiency,improved indoor air quality, or resource conservation.One way to address this in your marketing efforts is tosort the features in terms that are important to thebuyer. Use the lists below as a tool to assist you increating marketing materials and assembling the storyof how your homes are different from those built bythe competition.

The following is a list of green building features thathelp convey the benefits of building green:

BENEFITS: Higher Quality, Low Maintenance, Goodfor the Environment

Most green building products were developed to dosomething better than their conventional counterparts—they may be stronger, last longer, use resources moreefficiently, or manufactured in an environmentally soundmanner. Consider offering the following features:

• Durable and noncombustible roofing and siding• FSC-certified or reclaimed wood• Engineered wood beams, joists and studs• Resource-efficient landscaping• Natural linoleum, cork and bamboo flooring• Recycled-content ceramic tile • Recycled-content or composite decking

BENEFITS: Greater Comfort and Lower Utility Bills

Comfort drives high energy use. When it gets hot orcold, we turn on the air conditioning or furnace. Bydesigning the home and its systems properly from thestart, you can provide your customers with greatercontinuous comfort while reducing their utility bills.Emphasize that green doesn’t necessarily cost moreand will generally save money in the long run.Consider offering the following:• Passive solar heating• ENERGY STAR® appliances• Efficiently designed/installed ductwork

• Whole house fans• Photovoltaic panels• Improved wall and ceiling insulation• High efficiency toilets• Efficient landscape irrigation systems

BENEFITS: Healthier Products and Practices for Families

What is more important than the health of our families?The public health community has identified homes as one of the most significant threats to children’shealth. It makes sense to reduce the use of productsthat are known to have adverse health impacts.Consider offering the following:• Low and no-VOC paints and adhesives• Building products with low or no

formaldehyde emissions• Water-based, low-VOC wood finishes• Exhaust fan in attached garages• Low-sone range hood vented to outside• High quality air filters on heating/cooling unit• Sealed combustion furnace and water heater

BENEFITS: Healthy Communities

Living green should extend beyond the boundary ofthe individual home to the entire neighborhood.Healthy communities offer residents opportunities tointeract with neighbors and watch out for each other,enjoy walks, bike rides and other outdoor recreation,walk to local services, or use mass transit. Consideroffering the following:• Clustered homes for land preservation• Mixed-use, walkable communities• Located near a major transit stop• Pedestrian pathways to open space,

parks, and trails • Home entrances with porches and views

of the neighborhood• Accessible entrances and pathways• Rental units

NE

W H

OM

E C

ON

STR

UC

TIO

N G

RE

EN

BU

ILD

ING

GU

IDE

LIN

ES

MA

RK

ETI

NG

GR

EE

N H

OM

ES