The Greenwich Country Day School · Plumbing 28 Fix leaks immediately in pipes, appliances, etc. ! ! ! ! 29 Prevent pipe freezes: Turn off outdoor faucets ! 30 Keep water heater temperature

Page1

The Greenwich Country Day

School

Single Family Housing

Operations and Maintenance Manual

Page2

ContentsQuickLook-Up.................................................................................................................................3

Part1:IntroductiontoyourGreenHome ......................................................................................5

WhyGreenHomes?............................................................................................................6 YourRoleinKeepingYourHomeGreen ............................................................................8EmergencyInformationandSafetyTips ...........................................................................9PurposeandStructureofManual...................................................................................11

Part2:HowtoMaintaintheGreenFeaturesinYourHome.........................................................12

IndoorPollutants .............................................................................................................13TheExteriorStructureorEnvelope .................................................................................17InteriorDurabilityandFinishes.......................................................................................20LightingandAppliances ..................................................................................................22Heating,Cooling,andVentilationSystems .....................................................................25Plumbing .........................................................................................................................30YourYard .........................................................................................................................32

Part3: SuggestionsonHowtoLiveMoreSustainably…………………………………………………………...36

Part4:ResourcesforSustainableAdditionsandRetrofits ...........................................................37

Appendices

A:DocumentationforYourLEED-certifiedhome .......................................................... A-1

B:DetailedManufacturer’sInfoaboutProductsinYourHome .................................... B-1

C:PhotographLibrary ................................................................................................... C-1

Page3

QuickLook-Up

SummaryofSuggestedOperationsandMaintenanceTipsAdescriptionofeachofthesetipsispresentedinParts2and3ofthismanual.

MaintenanceTask Season

Winter

Spring

Summer

Fall

EveryFewYears

IndoorPollutants

1 Check/Replacebatteriesincarbonmonoxidealarms ! !

2 Cleanorreplacewalk-offmats ! 3 Check/cleanfireplace !

ExteriorStructure

5 Cleandebrisfromguttersanddownspouts ! !

6 Removeexcesssnowfromrooftopreventicedams ! 7 Inspectbasement/crawlspaceforseepage/leakage !

8 Check/repairroofingandflashingforsignsofwearordamage ! ! 9 Check/repairallcrackedormissingexteriorcaulking !

10 Check/repairairleakageinside:replaceweather-stripping ! 11 Check/repairdamagedshingles !

InteriorDurabilityandFinishes

12 Check/repaircaulking/groutinandaroundshowers/baths ! 13 Ifpaintisneeded,useonlylowemissionpaint !

LightingandAppliances

14 Ifreplacinglights,useonlyLEDbulbs ! 15 Usepowerstriptoreducephantomloadsfromchargers,TV,etc. !

16 Cleanlintscreenanddryervent ! ! ! ! 17 Ifreplacingappliances,useonlyENERGYSTARlabeledones !

QuickLook-Up(cont’d)

Page4

SummaryofSuggestedOperationsandMaintenanceTips

AdescriptionofeachofthesetipsispresentedinParts2and3ofthismanual.

MaintenanceTask Season

Winter

Spring

Summer

Fall

EveryFewYears

Heating,Cooling,andVentilationSystems

18 Cleanorreplacefurnacefilter ! ! 29 Adjustthermostatforseasonchange ! ! ! ! 20 Haveairconditionerandheatingsystemserviced !

21 Removeleaves,debrisaroundairconditioningcondenser ! 22 Cleaninandaroundgrillsandregisters;vacuuminsideofducts !

23 Check/adjusthumiditylevels;Airoutdampbasement ! ! ! ! 24 Checkthatroof/soffitventsareopenanddebris-freeifvented ! 25 Check/cleanmechanicalventilationsystem ! ! ! ! 26 Checkthatexhaustfansareunobstructedandworking ! 27 Check/cleanairintakesandexhaustsfordebris ! !

Plumbing

28 Fixleaksimmediatelyinpipes,appliances,etc. ! ! ! ! 29 Preventpipefreezes:Turnoffoutdoorfaucets ! 30 Keepwaterheatertemperatureat120F ! ! 31 Checkhotwaterheaterformineralbuildup,drain,andrefill !

YourYard

32 Replaceandrepairlandscaping-mulch,permeabilityfeatures !33 Storefirewoodofftheground,awayfromhome ! 34 Maintainpropergradesfordrainageonallproperty ! ! 35 Avoiddamagingde-icers ! 36 Keepallplantsatleast24"awayfromhome ! 37 Avoidtoxicchemicalsforpestcontrolandchemicalfertilizer ! ! ! !

Part1

Page5

IntroductiontoYourGreenHome

" WhatareGreenHomes?

" YourRoleinKeepingYourHomeGreen

" EmergencyInformationandSafetyTips

" PurposeandStructureofthisManual

Page6

WhatareGreenHomes?Generallyspeaking,agreenhomeisdesignedandbuilttobe:

Healthy,

Comfortable,

Durable,

Energyefficient,and

Environmentallyresponsible.

Acommonmisconceptionisthatallnewhomes,builttotheminimumbuildingcodes,arehighqualityandhighperformancehomes.However,manynewhomesdonotachieveseveralofthebenefitslistedabove.Greenhomesarebuilttosubstantiallyexceedtheperformancelevelsofferedbyconventional,code-compliantnewhomes.

Also,whilemanynewhomesmayclaimtobegreen,theydifferinhowthoroughlytheyachievethebenefitsabove.Inotherwords,theyachievedifferentdegreesofgreen,dependingonthedegreetowhichtheydeliverthesebenefits.

WhyGreenHomes?

Homeshaveaverysignificantenvironmentalimpact.AccordingtotheU.S.DepartmentofEnergy,allhomesintheU.S.accountfor:

22%ofthetotalenergyconsumed;and

21%ofcarbondioxideemissions.

Also,certainindoorairpollutantscanoftenbefourtofivetimeshigherthanoutdoorlevels.Constructionanddemolitionwaste(includingbothresidentialandcommercialbuildings)represents40%ofthesolidwasteintheU.S.Homesalsohaveasignificantimpactontheamountofwaterconsumed,ontheamountofchemicals(e.g.,fertilizer,pestcontrolchemicals)thatcandamagenearbywaterbodies,andotherconsequences.

Shiftingtowardsthedesignandconstructionofmoresustainablehomescanhaveenormousbenefitsfortheenvironment,aswellasfortheoccupants.

WhatisLEEDforHomes?

LEEDforHomesisavoluntaryratingsystemadministeredbytheU.S.GreenBuildingCouncil(USGBC).USGBCisanon-profitorganizationthatpromotesthedesignandconstructionofhighperformancegreenbuildings.TobecertifiedundertheLEEDforHomesprogram,ahomemust:

# Includeseveralrequiredgreenmeasures(“prerequisites”)(e.g.,achieveenergyefficiencyatleast15%1betterthanconventionalhomes),and

1Homesmustbe15%moreefficientinmild&moderateclimatesand20%moreefficientincoldclimates.

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# Includemanyadditionalgreenmeasures.Thesearechosenbythebuilderfromavarietyofoptionalmeasures(“credits”)toearnpoints.Aprojectmustearnaminimumnumberofpointstoachievecertification.

Theprogramincludesseveraladditionalrequirementsaswell,suchasverificationbyaLEEDforHomesGreenRater.TheLEEDforHomesGreenRaterisnotassociatedwiththeprojectteam(i.e.,thispersonisa“third-party”)andheorshehastraininginverifyinggreenhomes.Intheverificationprocess,theLEEDforHomesGreenRaterconfirmsthat:

# Alloftherequiredgreenmeasuresareinstalledinthehome(byvisualinspection),and

# Theperformancelevelofthehomemeetstheprogramrequirements(byphysicaltestingofthehome’sairleakage,ductleakage,etc.).

FormoreinformationontheLEEDforHomesprogram,goto:

www.usgbc.org/LEED/homes

Page8

YourRoleinKeepingYourHomeGreenLEEDcertifiedhomesneedregularmaintenancetopreventequipmentmalfunctions,minimizehealthrisks,andkeepitoperatingasefficientlyaspossible.

Agreenhomemayalsohavespecialfeaturesthatyoumaybeunfamiliarwith.Someofthesespecialfeatureshaveoperationsandmaintenancerequirementsthatwillhelptoensurethatyourhomeremainsenvironmentallyresponsibleandresourceefficientthroughoutitslifetime.

ThismanualprovidesoperationsandmaintenancetipsonhowtokeepyournewLEED-certifiedhomehealthy,comfortable,durable,efficient,andenvironmentallyresponsible.

Page9

EmergencyInformationandSafetyTips

Thissectionoffersemergencyandsafetytipsthatareimportantforanyhome.Thesetipsaremeanttobeabriefsummaryandnotacompletelist.Formoredetailedemergencyandsafetyinformation,goto:

U.S.FireAdministration www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens

HomeSafetyCouncil www.homesafetycouncil.org/index.asp

EmergencyInformation

Duringthefinalwalk-throughwiththebuilders,makesureyouknowhowtodothefollowing:

# Locatecentralshut-offvalvesforeachofthefollowing:

" Watersupply;

" Electricitysupply;and

" Heatingfuel(e.g.,gas,oil,propane).

# Contactlocalauthoritiesforemergencysuggestionsforlocalandregionalnaturaldisasters(e.g.flood,hurricane,tornado,earthquake).Identifyfireescaperoutes,particularlyinlargehomesormultifamilybuildings.

SafetyTips# Regularlyreplacebatteriesinsmokealarmsandcheckthattheyarefunctioning.

# Periodicallycheckelectricalcords,plugs,outlets,andotherequipmentfordamage,andreplaceasneeded.Also,askyourtenantsnottooverloadelectricalcircuits.

# Requireyourtenantstokeeptheareaaroundfurnaces,hotwaterheaters,andothercombustionequipmentcleanandfreeofcluttertohelppreventfires.

# Requireyourtenantstoneveruseanyunventedcombustionequipmentinsideyourhome,suchasbarbequegrills,campingstoves,keroseneheaters,etc.

# Inspectyourhotwaterequipmentannuallyforrust,disconnectedvents,orothersignsofaproblem.Forexample,thepipecarryingexhaustfromahotwaterheatermaybecomecrackedordisconnectedovertime,whichcancausecarbonmonoxidetobereleasedintothehome,orafire.

# Setyourhotwaterheateratorbelow120⁰F.ThisisrecommendedbytheHomeSafetyCouncilforsafety2,anditwillalsosaveenergy.

2http://homesafetycouncil.org/SafetyGuide/sg_water_w003.asp

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PurposeandStructureofthisManual

AlistofallofthemeasuresinstalledinyourLEED-certifiedhomeisshownintheProjectChecklistinAppendixAofthisdocument.FurtherinformationonthesemeasurescanbefoundintheLEEDforHomesRatingSystem3.Notethatbuildershavesomeflexibilityinwhichgreenmeasures(orLEEDcredits)theyinstallineachLEED-certifiedhome.SomeofthefeaturesdescribedinthismanualmaynotbeincludedinyourLEED-certifiedhome.ReviewtheLEEDforHomeschecklistthatwasfilledoutspecificallyforyourhometofindoutwhichfeaturesareinstalled.

Thepurposeofthisdocumentisto:

Part2.HighlighttheoperationandmaintenanceproceduresfortheLEEDfor

Homesmeasuresthatareinstalledinyourhome.NotethatmanyoftheLEEDforHomesmeasuresinstalledinyourhomeshouldnotrequireanyoperationsormaintenance.Forexample,insulationthatismoreeffectivethanwhatisrequiredbycodeisinstalledbehindthedrywall.Thisandothermeasuresinstalledbehindthedrywallshouldprovidetheirintendedbenefitsthroughoutthelifeofyourhome,withouttheneedformaintenance.Featuresthatdonotrequiremaintenancearenotincludedinthismanual.

Part3.DescribeoperationandmaintenanceinformationforspecialLEEDfeaturesthatyourbuilderhasinstalledinyourhome.Yourbuilderhasincludedthesespecialfeaturestosubstantiallyimprovetheoverallperformanceofyourhome.

Part4.Suggestresourcesifyoudecidetodoarenovationoradditiontoyourhome.

Part5.Providegreenlifestyletips.YourLEED-certifiedhomeincludesmanymeasuresforefficiency(i.e.,gettingmoreusefuloutput,suchaslight,hotwater,etc.fortheamountofenergysupplied).Youcanfurtherreduceenergyandwaterbills,andyourenvironmentalfootprint,byfollowingbasicmeasuresforconservation(i.e.,usinglessenergy,water,andotherresources).Inaddition,thedaytodaybehavioralchoicesthatyoumakeinotherareasofyourlife,suchastransportation,cleaning,andpurchasing,cangreatlyaffectyouroverallenvironmentalfootprint.Thegreenlifestyletipssuggestbehavioralchoicesthatwillhelpyoulivemoresustainably,andthatwilloftenhelpsaveyoumoneyaswell.

3TheLEEDforHomesRatingSystemcanbedownloadedatnochargefrom

www.USGBC.org/LEED/homes.

Page11

Part2

HowtoMaintaintheGreenFeaturesinYourHome

OperationsandMaintenanceTipsfor:

" IndoorPollutants

" TheExteriorStructureorEnvelope

" InteriorDurabilityandFinishes

" LightingandAppliances

" Heating,Cooling,andVentilationSystems

" Plumbing

" YourYard

Page12

HowtoMaintaintheGreenFeaturesinYourHome

ThissectionincludesoperationandmaintenancetipsforLEEDforHomesfeaturesinstalledinyourhomethatrequiresomeupkeeporuseroperation.Keepinmind:

# Themaintenancerequirementsforyourhomearespecifictothetypesofsystemsthatareinstalledinyourhome.Itisveryimportantforyoutobefamiliarwiththeproductmanufacturer’sspecificrecommendationsforeachsystem(seeAppendixB).

# ManyofthefeaturesinyourLEED-certifiedhomewillnotrequiremaintenance,sotheyarenotdescribedhere.Butmanystillrequirethatyouusethemproperlyinordertofullyreaptheirbenefits.Forexample,ifyourLEED-certifiedhomeincludesdualflushtoilets,thisfeaturewillonlyconservewaterifeveryoneinyourhomeusesthepartialflushfeaturewhenappropriate.ReviewtheLEEDforHomeschecklist(AppendixA)thatwascustomizedforyourhometofamiliarizeyourselfwithwhichgreenmeasuresareinstalledinyourhome.

Thissectionisorganizedbythesystemsinyourhome.Eachsectionincludesinformationon:

# Whythissystemisimportant;

# Tipsforoperatingandmaintainingthesystem;and

# Websitesthatprovideadditionalinformationandmaintenancetipsforthesystem.

Page13

2.1IndoorPollutants

Therearemanypotentialsourcesofpollutioninanyhome.Forexample,combustionequipment(anythingthatburnsfuel,suchasagas-firedwaterheaterorwoodstove)releasescarbonmonoxide.Fireplacesandcookingcanreleasesmallairborneparticles,whichcancausebreathingproblems,especiallyforpeoplewithasthma.

Ingeneral,indoorpollutioncanbecontrolledby:• Reducingtheamountofpollutantsthataregenerated(forexample,bynot

havingafireplace,orbyusingafireplacethatiscleanerburning);and

# Dilutingpollutantsoncetheyarecreated,bybringinginfreshair(ventilation)orremovingpollutedairwithexhaustfansandvents.

CombinationsofthesepollutioncontrolmethodsareusedinLEED-certifiedhomes.Butyoucanfurtherreducepollutantsinyourhomethroughoperationandmaintenance.

Thissectionincludessuggestionstohelptocontrolthefollowingindoorpollutants:

# Carbonmonoxide;

# Radon;and

# Airborneparticles.

CarbonMonoxide

Carbonmonoxide(CO)isacolorless,odorlessgasthatisgenerallyreleasedduringcombustion(e.g.,burningofafuelinequipmentlikecars,gas-firedappliances,andfireplaces).Athighlevels,COcancausehealthproblems,suchasheadachesandnausea.Atveryhighlevels,COwillcausedeath.LEED-certifiedhomesincludeCOmonitors,whichcanhelpwarniftherearedangerouslevelsinyourhome.

AsmentionedintheEmergencyInformationandSafetyTips,neverbringanunventedcombustionsource,likeabarbequegrill,intothehome.Ventedcombustionsources,suchashotwaterheaters,haveapipethatcarriescarbonmonoxideandothercombustionpollutantsoutofyourhome.Equipment,suchasbarbequegrills,campingstoves,keroseneheaters,etc.,willcreatecarbonmonoxideandotherdangerouspollutants.Becausetheequipmentisunvented,thepollutantscannotescapethehome.Thecarbonmonoxidecanquicklybuildupinthehomeandbecomedangerous.

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OperationsandMaintenanceTips

Thefollowinggeneralmaintenancestrategiesarehighlyrecommended.

RelatedLEEDforHomesMeasures

FormoreinformationonthisLEEDmeasure,pleaselook-upthefollowingcredit:

# IndoorEnvironmentalQuality(EQ)2:CombustionVenting

Radon

Radonisanaturallyoccurringgasthatisemittedfromsoil.Differentsoilsemitradonatdifferentrates.Exposuretoradonisthe#1causeoflungcanceramongnon-smokersintheU.S.

Homescanbebuiltwithradonresistantconstructiontechniquestoreducetheamountofradonthatentersyourhomefromthesoilbelow.Thisincludesaradonventpipe,whichrunsfrombelowyourhometotheoutside(generallythroughtheroof).LEED-certifiedhomesthatareconstructedinareasthathavebeenfoundtohavehighlevelsofradoninthesoil(inRadonZone1)arerequiredtoincorporatetheseradon-resistantconstructiontechniques.LEED-certifiedhomesinareasthathavemoderateorlowlevelsofradoninthesoil(inRadonZones2and3)areencouragedtobebuiltwiththesetechniques.Ingeneral,thissystemworkswithoutanymaintenanceonyourpart.However,periodicallycheckthattheradonventpipeisnotblocked(e.g.,clearofleaves).Insomehomes,thepipewillventoutthroughtheexteriorwall,insteadofthroughtheroof.

OperationsandMaintenanceTipsThefollowinggeneralmaintenancestrategiesarehighlyrecommended.

1. Check/Replacebatteriesinsmokeandcarbonmonoxidealarms.Replacethebatteriesregularlyinallcarbonmonoxidealarms.Ifthealarmgoesoff,contactaprofessionaltofindandfixtheproblemimmediately.

1. Testyourhomeforradon.Thebestwaytoensurethatyourhomedoesnothavearadonproblemistoperformasimpletest.Radontestkitsareavailableatyourlocalhardwarestore.TheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyprovidesguidanceonhowtoconductthetest.Ifthetestshowshighlevelsofradon(above4picoCuriesperLiterofair[pCi/L]),youshouldhirearadonprofessionaltoinstallaradonmitigationsystem.Ifyourhomewasbuiltwithradonresistantconstructiontechniques,thenitcanbemodifiedwithanexhaustfantomakeitmoreeffective.

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# IndoorEnvironmentalQuality(EQ)9:RadonProtection

AirborneParticles

Airborneparticlesarecommonpollutantsinthehome.Airborneparticleseventuallysettleoutoftheairandbecomedustonasurface.Butsmallparticlestakealongtimetosettleout,andtheycaneasilybekickedupintotheairagain(i.e.,re-suspended)withactivity.Airborneparticlescanbeinhaled,causinghealthproblemssuchasasthma.Someparticlescontainallergens,lead,orothercomponentsthatcancauseadditionalhealthproblems.

LEED-certifiedhomesincludeseveralmeasurestoreduceairborneparticles:

# Onewaythatparticlesaretransportedintohomesisbypeopletrackingtheminonshoes.ManyLEED-certifiedhomesincludewalk-offmatsandshoestorageareasateachentryway.

# Cooking–especiallyfrying–generatesparticles4.AllLEED-certifiedhomesincludekitchenexhaustsystemsthatexhaustparticles,humidity,andotherpollutantsfromyourhome.Askyourtenantstousethisfanwhenevertheycook.

# Fireplacesareacommonsourceofparticlesinthehome.YourLEED-certifiedhomeshavefireplaceswithsealedcombustiontoreducetheamountofpollutantsindoors.

Youruseandmaintenanceoffeaturesinstalledinyourhomeareimportantinkeepingthemworkingeffectively.


4 Wallace, L.A., et al. Environmental Science & Technology. 2004 Apr 15;38(8):2304-11. “Source strengths of ultrafine and fine particles due to cooking with a gas stove.”

1. Makesurewalk-offmatsatallentriesarecleanedorreplacedregularly.Walk-offmatsaredesignedtotrapdirtandkeepitoutofthehome,andbyhelpingtoremovedirtfromshoes.However,ifnotcleanedandreplacedregularly,walk-offmatscanbecomeasourceofparticles.

Page16


FormoreinformationonthisLEEDmeasure,pleaselook-upthefollowingcredits:

# IndoorEnvironmentalQuality(IEQ)2:CombustionVenting

# IndoorEnvironmentalQuality(IEQ)8:ContaminantControl

AdditionalInformation

Formoreinformation,resources,andtoolsrelatedtominimizingyourexposuretoindoorpollutants,visit:

USEPA’sIndoorEnvironmentsDivision(EPAIED)

www.epa.gov/iaq/combust.html

www.epa.gov/iaq/co.html

www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.htmlTheCarpetandRugInstitute(CRI)

www.carpet-rug.org/residential-customers/cleaning-and-maintenance/basic-cleaning/index.cfm

2. Check/cleanfireplaceandvents.YourLEEDcertifiedhomeshavedirectventgasfireplaceswhichburnverycleanandrequirelittlemaintenance.Ingeneral,theU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(U.S.EPA)recommendsthatagasfireplacebeprofessionallyservicedatleasteverytwoyearstoensuretopperformance,andthatallventsbeinspectedonanannualbasistoensurethatventsarenotblockedbyleaves,nests,orotherdebris.Youalsocanperformroutinetaskssuchascleaningtheblowermotorandtheviewingglass.

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2.2TheExteriorStructureorEnvelope

Yourhomeisdesignedtoprotectyouoryourtenantsfromconditionsoutside,includingheat,cold,wind,andrain.LEEDforHomesfocusesonimprovingtheperformanceofthreeaspectsoftheexteriorstructure(orexteriorenvelope)ofyourhome:

# Thethermalperformance(heatflowresistance);

# Theair-tightness(airflowresistance);

# Thewater-proofing(moistureflowresistance).

Thissectionincludesoperationsandmaintenancesuggestionsfortheexteriorstructureofyourhome.Additionalsourcesofinformationonexteriorstructuresarelistedattheendofthissection.

OverallDurabilityofExteriorStructure

Theexteriorofyourhome,includingtheroofandsiding,isthefirstlineofdefenseinprotectingyourhomefromrain,coldair,pests,andotherthingsbestkeptoutside.Itisimportanttokeeptheexterioringoodcondition.

Ifwaterpenetratesintothestructureofthebuilding,itcancausedamage(e.g.,woodrot),whichisamajorsafetyconcern.Itcanalsoreducetheeffectivenessofmaterialssuchasinsulation.Ingeneral,watershoulddrainawayfromyourhome,anditshoulddosoasquicklyaspossible.Waterthatpoolsonasurfacecaneventuallyleakthroughcracksinthesurface,potentiallycausingdamagetothestructure.

YourLEED-certifiedhome’sbuilderisrequiredtoconsiderthedurabilityrisksatyourhome’ssite,andtodesignandbuildyourhometomitigatetheserisks.(SeetheLEEDforHomesdurabilityformsinAppendixA.)AllLEED-certifiedhomesalsohavewaterresistantmaterialsinwetareas,suchasbathrooms,kitchens,andentryways.

OperationsandMaintenanceTips

Thefollowinggeneralmaintenancestrategiesarehighlyrecommended.

Page18

1. Check/repairallexteriorcaulking,weather-stripping,andpaint.Checkandrepairthesealingoftheexteriorofyourhome,especiallyaroundjoints,windows,doors,trim,andplumbingandutilityopenings.Re-sealwithcaulk,windowputty,weather-stripping,andotherairsealingmaterials.Materialssuchascaulkandweather-strippingareinexpensiveandcansaveyouconsiderablemoneyinenergybills.Bykeepingyourhomewellsealed,youwillalsohelppreventpestsfromentering.Checkthepaint,siding,andothermaterialsontheexteriorofyourhomefor

damageeveryfewyears.Peelingpaintshouldbesandedandrepainted.Followmanufacturer’sinstructionswhenrepaintingtoavoidmorepaintpeelinginthefuture.Ifpeelingcontinues,theremaybeamoistureproblem.Ifso,contacta

professionalthatspecializesinfixingmoistureproblems.

2. Checkroofingandflashing,andrepairanydamagedmaterials.“Flashing”issheetmetalorothermateriallaidoverroofvalleys,windows,orotherareaswherewateroftendrainsorcollects.ManyLEED-certifiedhomeshaveflashing,becauseithelpspreventwaterfromseepingintothebuildingstructure.Flashingandroofmaterials(e.g.,shingles)becomedamagedovertime.Checkthesematerialsatleastonceayear,particularlybeforetherainyseason,tomakesurethattheyareingoodcondition(e.g.,notmissingordamaged).Replaceifneeded.Materialssuchasflashingareinexpensiveandcansavemoneybyreducingtheneedforcostlyrepairs.

3. Cleandebrisfromguttersanddownspouts.Downspoutsandguttersareimportantfordrainingwaterawayfromyourhome.Theyshouldbecleanedregularly(generallyeveryspringandfall)toremoveleaves,dirt,nests,andotherdebris.

4. Removeexcesssnowfromrooftopreventicedams.Icedamsformwhensnowmeltsontheroof,andthenre-freezesfurtherdowntheroofbeforeitcandrain.Icedamsformwhenareasofyourroofarecolderthanothers,becausesomesectionsoftheundersideoftheroofarebetterinsulatedthanothersections.Icedamscausewatertopoolontheroof,whichcanthenleakintothehome’sstructure.Thebestsolutionforhandlingicedamsistopreventthemfromforming.Soon

afterasnowfall,useabroomtoremovesnowfromtheedgesofyourroof.Doingthispreventssnowfrombecomingice.Avoidusingrakesorsharptools,becausethesecandamagetheroofsurface.Ifyourroofisfrequentlyformingicedams,

consultanicedamspecialisttodiagnoseandfixtheproblem.Forexample,yourhomemayneedadditionalinsulationinsomesectionsoftheattic.

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# InnovationandDesign(ID)2:DurabilityManagementProcess

# EnergyandAtmosphere(EA)3:AirInfiltration


Formoreinformation,resources,andtoolsrelatedtothedurabilityofyourhome,visit:HomeEnergyResource(formerlyHomeSmart),BasicCare

www.homeenergyresourcemn.org/UniversityofMassachusetts,BuildingandConstructionTechnology,PreventingIceDams

bct.nrc.umass.edu/index.php/publications/by-title/preventing-ice-dams/

USEPA’sENERGYSTARPrograms,HomeImprovement–PeelingPaint

www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_solutions.hm_improvement_peelingpaint

5. Inspectbasement/crawlspaceforseepage/leakage.Periodicallyinspectthelowestpartofyourhome(e.g.,thebasementorthecrawlspace)forpoolingwateranddampareas.Thesemayindicatethatwaterisnotdrainingproperlyawayfromthehome.Contactabasementwaterproofingspecialisttoidentifyandfixtheproblem.

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2.3InteriorDurabilityandFinishesTheprevioussectionhighlightedtheimportanceofmaintainingtheexteriorstructureofyourhome.TheinteriorofyourLEED-certifiedhomeiscarefullydesignedandconstructedaswell.ThissectionincludesoperationsandmaintenancesuggestionsrelatedtotheinteriorfeaturesofyourLEED-certifiedhome,including:

• InteriorDurability(controlofmoisture);and

• PaintsandCoatings(controlofchemicalemissions).

InteriorDurability

Justasraincancausedamageifitentersyourhome’sexterior,leaksandmoistureoriginatingwithinthehomecanalsodamagethestructure.YourLEED-certifiedhomeincludesmeasuressuchasproperdrainageanddrainpansforappliancesthathelppreventwaterfrompoolingonsurfacesinyourhome.Youshouldcheckperiodicallythateverythingisinworkingorder(e.g.,drainingfreely),andthatmaterialssuchasbathtubgroutareingoodcondition.Thiswillhelpkeepwaterfromdamagingmaterialsbelow,andhelpreducemoldandmildew.


1. Check/repaircaulking/groutinandaroundshowers/baths.Forexample,checkandrepaircaulkandgroutinwetrooms,suchasaroundbathtubsandsinks,betweenwallsandvanities,countertops,orbathtubs.

2. Checkforwaterleakagearoundwaterheaters,clotheswashersanddishwashers.Asmalldriporleakisasignthattheapplianceneedsrepair.Usuallysmallleaksquicklyevolveintomajorleaksthatcancausemajordamage.Ifthereisevidenceofaleak,contacttheappropriateequipmentrepairmanimmediately.

3. Requireyourtenantstorunbathroomfanfor30minutesaftershowering.Askyourtenantstoturnonyourbathroomfanwhileshoweringorbathing,andallowittorunfor30minutesafterwards.Ithelpsremovemoisturethatcanleadtomoldandmildew,andthatcandamagethestructureofthebuilding.Youshouldalsoaskyourtenantstousethekitchenfanwhilecooking,toremovepollutantsandodors.

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InnovationandDesign(ID)2:DurabilityManagementProcess

PaintsandCoatings(e.g.,finishes,shellacs,stains)

Interiorpaintsandfinishesaddtothebeautyofhomes,andhelpprotectsurfaces.However,manypaints,coatings,andadhesivescontainchemicalsthatslowlyoff-gasintotheair.ThesechemicalsarecalledVolatileOrganicCompounds,orVOCs.SomeoftheseVOCs(e.g.,formaldehyde)canbeharmfultoyourhealth.MostVOCsarereleasedatthehighestratewhentheyareapplied–the“newpaintsmell”.However,significantlevelsofVOCswillcontinuetooff-gaslongafterapplication.ManyLEED-certifiedhomesincludepaint,adhesives,andothermaterialsthatare“lowVOC”.Thesehavealowercontentoftheseharmful,off-gassingchemicalsthanconventionalproducts.

Furniture,cabinets,cleaningproducts,andothermaterialscanalsohavehighlevelsofVOCs.ThesearediscussedinPart5.




# MaterialsandResources(MR)2:EnvironmentallyPreferableProducts

# IndoorEnvironmentalQuality(IEQ)8.3PreoccupancyFlush


Formoreinformation,resources,andtoolsrelatedtomaintainingyourhome’sinterior,visit:

GREENGUARDEnvironmentalInstitute,Consumers

www.greenguard.org

1. Ifpaintisneededfortheinteriorofyourhome,usepaintthatislowemitting(“lowVOC”)orZeroVOC.Severalprograms,suchastheGreenSealStandard,willlabelproductsthathavealowVOCcontent.

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2.4LightingandAppliancesAccordingtotheUSDepartmentofEnergy’sResidentialEnergyConsumptionSurvey(2001),lightingandappliancesuse34%ofenergyconsumedinhomesandaccountfor47%oftheenergycosts.YourLEED-certifiedhomeincludesenergyefficientlights,andENERGYSTAR-ratedappliances.Recommendconservingenergybyturningofflightswhentheyarenotinuse,andbyreducingtheenergyusedbyhomeelectronicsinstand-bymodebyunpluggingappliances,orbyusingpowerstrips.

Thissectionincludesoperationsandmaintenancesuggestionsrelatedtoyourhome’s:

• Lighting;and

• Appliances.

Additionalsourcesofinformationonmaintainingyourlightingfixturesandappliancesarelistedattheendofthissection.

Lighting

Collectively,interiorandexteriorlightingtypicallyaccountsfor5%to15%ofanewhome’stotalenergyuse.Energyefficientbulbsandfixturescanuse50-75%lessenergy,andcanemitthesameamountoflight.Thesealsorequirelessfrequentreplacement.




# EnergyandAtmosphere(EA)1:OptimizeEnergyPerformance

# EnergyandAtmosphere(EA8):Lighting

1. Ifreplacinglights,useonlyLEDlights

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Appliances

Householdappliancestypicallyuse20-30%ofahome’stotalenergyuseandabout25%ofahome’sindoorwateruse.YourLEED-certifiedhomeshaveENERGYSTAR-labeledappliances,whichcanuse10-50%lessenergyandwaterthanstandardmodels.


1. Clean/adjustdirectionofceilingfansseasonally.Inthesummer,ceilingfanscanbeusedtomakepeoplefeelcoolbyblowingaironthem.Remembertoturnoffthefanwhenusedforcoolingifnooneisinaroom.Fansdonotcoolrooms–theyonlycoolpeople.Aceilingfancanalsobeusedtohelpwarmaroomwhenitisoperatedinreverse,

bygentlypushingwarmairbacktothefloor.(Hotairrises.)Mostceilingfanshaveaswitchthatallowsyoutoreverseitsdirection.Reversethedirectionoffanseachsummerandwinter.Useaverylowspeedforwinter,andturndownyour

thermostattocapturetheheatingbillsavingsfromusingfans.

Cleanthefanbladesatleastannually,toreduceparticlesinyourhomeandtokeepthefaningoodcondition.

2. Adviseyourtenantstoconnectappliances(e.g.,televisions,chargers)toapowerstripandswitchitoffwhennotinuse.“Phantomloads”refertoenergythatappliances(e.g.,televisions,cellphone,laptopchargers)continuetodrawwhentheyareturnedoff.TheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyestimatesthathouseholdsspend$100peryeartopowerdevicesinthisstandbymode1.Unplugapplianceswhentheyarenotinuse,orconnectthemtoapowerstripandturnoffmultipleapplianceswhentheyarenotinuse.Somepowerstripsalsoserveassurgeprotectionforappliances.TheU.S.EPAhasalsobeguntoidentifysomeproducts,suchaspoweradaptors,

withtheENERGYSTARlabel.Lookforthislabeltoidentifyproductsthataremoreefficientthanconventionalmodels.

Requireyourtenanttocleanlintscreenaftereveryuse.Periodicallycleandryervent.Fordryers,cleaningthelintscreenaftereveryusehelpsreduceenergyuse,anditreducestheriskoffire.Also,periodicallychecktheexhaustventforthedryerontheoutsideofthesehomes.Makesurethattheventscreeniscleanandfreeofleaves,debris,etc.,sothatexhaustcanfreelyescapetotheoutside.

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# EnergyandAtmosphere(EA)1:OptimizeEnergyPerformance

# EnergyandAtmosphere(EA)9:Appliances


Formoreinformation,resources,andtoolsrelatedtomaintainingyourhome’slightingandappliances,visit:

U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(USEPA)EnergyStarprogram,resourcesforlightingandappliances:

www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=lighting.pr_lighting

www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=appliances.pr_appliancesAlliancetoSaveEnergy

www.ase.org/section/topic/lightsFederalTradeCommission’sHowtoBuyanEnergy-EfficientHomeAppliance

www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/homes/rea07.shtmDepartmentofEnergy,EnergyEfficientAppliances

www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/pdfs/26468.pdfCaliforniaEnergyCommission’sConsumerEnergyCenter

www.consumerenergycenter.org/home/appliances/

3. ChooseENERGYSTAR-labeledappliances.ENERGYSTAR-labeledappliancesuselessenergyand/orwaterthanconventionalmodels.Whiletheseoftenhaveaslightlyhighercost,theywillsavemoneyinthelong-runbecauseoflowerenergyorwaterbills.Alsomakesurethatyoubuytherightsizedapplianceforyourhousehold’sneeds.Forexample,refrigeratorsthataretoofull,orthatarealmostempty,willnotperformattheratedefficiency.1

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2.5Heating,Cooling,andVentilationSystemsWell-designedheatingcoolingandventilationsystemsareessentialelementsofacomfortableandhealthyLEED-certifiedhome.Moreimportantly,theyalsoprovideforsignificantenergysavings(atleast30%inmostLEED-certifiedhomes).

Thissectionincludes2relatedtopics:

• HeatingandCoolingSystems;and

• VentilationSystems.

Additionalsourcesofinformationonthesesystemsarelistedattheendofthissection.

HeatingandCoolingSystems

Heatingandcoolingsystemsarerequiredtomaintaincomfortabletemperatureswithinahome.Theyarealsooneofthemajorcausesofexcessiveenergyuseinhomes.

LEED-certifiedhomeshaveheatingandcoolingequipmentthatisoften20to30%moreefficientthanequipmentthatmeetstheminimumefficiencystandards.Itisalsocorrectlysized,basedonthesizeofyourhome,howwellyourhomeisinsulated,andotherfactors.Thistranslatesintolowerenergybills.


1. Cleanorreplacefiltersinheating/coolingequipment.Dirtyfiltersareacommoncauseofequipmentmalfunctionordamage.Cleanfilterswillallowyourequipmenttorunmoreefficiently.Filtersarerelativelyinexpensiveandeasytoreplace.AccordingtotheU.S.DepartmentofEnergy,keepingthefiltercleanonanairconditionercanlowertheairconditioner'senergyconsumptionby5%to15%.1Howoftenyouwillneedtoreplaceyourfilterwillvarydependingontheproduct.Someunitshaveanindicatorlightshowingwhenthefilterneedstobereplaced.Generally,itisrecommendedthatairfiltersshouldbereplacedmonthlyduringtheheatingorcoolingseason.Replacethefilterwiththesametypeoffilterthatwasoriginallyinstalled.Thiswillkeeptheequipmentoperatingasdesigned,anditwillcontinuetoremoveparticlesforbetterindoorairquality.

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ExampleTemperatureSettingsforProgrammableThermostat

Season TimeofDay

Night Day

Occupied Un-Occupied

Winter 60 70 60

Summer 75 75 85

2. Adjustthermostatforseasonchange.Setyourprogrammablethermostatto“reasonable”set-pointstoconserveenergy.LEED-certifiedhomesgenerallyhaveprogrammablethermostatswhichallowyoutosetdifferentset-pointtemperaturesatdifferenttimesoftheday.Examplesettingsareprovidedbelow.

3. Allcomponentsoftheheatingandcoolingsystemsshouldbeservicedbyaqualifiedtechnicianabouteverytwoyears.Thetechnicianshouldchecksettings,cleanandlubricatepartsinsidethesystem,tightenelectricalconnections,andprovideotherservices.Thiswillhelpkeepyourequipmentrunningingoodorder.

Oneservicethatatechniciancanprovideforanairconditioningsystemisrechargingtherefrigerant.AllLEED-certifiedhomesarerequiredtohaveairconditioningsystemstestedatinstallationtoensurethatitiscorrectlycharged(i.e.,hastherightamountofrefrigerant).Thesystemshouldbetestedperiodicallyandrechargedifneeded.TheAmericanCouncilforanEnergyEfficientEconomyreportsthatfixinganincorrectlychargedsystemcanimproveitsefficiencyby20%.1

4. Removeleavesanddebrisaroundtheoutdoorcondenserofanairconditioner.Conventionalairconditioningsystemsincludeanoutdoorcondenserunit.Twiceayear,makesurethattheareaaroundthecondenserisclearoftrash,plants,etc.TheDepartmentofEnergyrecommendstrimmingbackanyfoliagesothatitisatleast2feetfromtheunit.1Cleananyleavesorotherdebrisfromthe“fins”–themetalslatsthroughwhichairpasses.

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# IndoorEnvironmentalQuality(IEQ)3:MoistureControl

# EnergyandAtmosphere(EA)6:SpaceHeatingandCooling

# EnergyandAtmosphere(EA)11:AppropriateHVACRefrigerants

5. Cleaninandaroundgrillsandregisters;vacuuminsideofducts.Forforcedairsystems(i.e.,systemsthatblowhotorcoldairthroughducts),annuallyremovetheheatingregistersandvacuuminsidetheductsthatarewithinreach.

6. Check/adjusthumiditylevels.AsdescribedinthesectiononDurability,wetbuildingmaterialscanleadtorotorotherdamagetothebuilding’sstructure,andleadtomoldormildewgrowth.Monitortherelativehumidityinyourhome.Relativehumiditymonitorsareinexpensiveandavailableathardwarestores.Ingeneral,therecommendedrelativehumidityinthehomeshouldbebetween30to60%.Useyourhome’ssystems(e.g.,fansinwetrooms,anddehumidifiers,ifpresent)tokeeptherelativehumidityinthisrange.Iftherelativehumidityisoftenwellabove60%,orifyourhomeshowsothersignsofhighhumidity(suchaswindowswithcondensationontheinsideoradampbasement):

Firstcheckthateveryoneinthehouseholdisusinglocalexhaustfansproperly(e.g.,turningonbathroomfansduringbathingandkitchenfanswhencooking);and

Ifyourhomestillhashighhumidity,considerinstallingadehumidifier(ifyourhomedoesnotalreadyhaveone).

Ifyourhomehaslowhumiditylevels,youmaychoosetoinstallahumidifier.Continuetomonitortherelativehumidityclosely.Donotoperateahumidifierwhiletheairconditionerisrunning.

7. Checkroof/soffitventsforflowandobstructions.Manyhomesincludeventedattics.Theseventsallowhotairtoescapeduringthehotsummermonths.Inthewinter,ventedatticshelptokeeptheatticcool,reducingthechanceforicedamstoform.1Ifyourhomehasventsintheattic,donotcoverthesewithinsulationoranyothermaterial.Periodicallycheckthatventshavenotbecomecoveredorobstructedbyitemsintheattic.Otherhomesaredesignedwithunventedattics(i.e.,theatticisconditioned).Yourbuilderwillhaveconsideredwhetherroof/soffitventswerebeneficial

foryourparticularhome,aspartoftheprogram’sdurabilityrequirements.

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# IndoorEnvironmentalQuality(IEQ)7:AirFiltering

VentilationSystems

Ventilationsystemsexhaustairbornepollutantsfromyourhomeandalsoreplenishyourhomewithfreshair.Generallythereare2typesofventilationsystemsthatareusedinyourhome:

1. LocalExhaustSystems(i.e.,bathandkitchenfans);and

2. Whole-houseventilationsystems.

AllLEED-certifiedhomesarerequiredtohavewhole-houseairventilationsystems,whichprovidetherightamountoffreshairintoyourhome.(Therateisbasedonthesizeofyourhomeandnumberofbedrooms.)Also,allLEED-certifiedhomesmusthaveexhaustfansinkitchensandbathrooms,whichmustbeventeddirectlytotheoutdoors.Thesemeasureshelpprovidebetterindoorairquality,andtheyprotectthestructurefrommoisturedamage.Evenmoistaircanbecomeaproblemifitisnotexhaustedfromyourhome,becauseitcancausedamagestructuresandleadtomoldgrowth.(Incontrast,manycodehomesdonothaveventilationsystemsand/ordonotexhaustmoistairdirectlytotheoutdoors.)


1. Checkoperationofmechanicalventilationsystems(forexample,anHRV/ERV)andregularlyreplacefilters.Ventilationisoftenprovidedinthesamesystemasheatingorcooling.Suchsystemsrequireregularfilterchangesandbi-annualservicecheck-ups.

However,somehomeshaveaseparateordedicatedventilationsysteminstalled.YourLEED-certifiedhomesincludeanEnergyRecoveryVentilator(ERV).AnERVperformssimilarly,butitremovesheatfromtheincomingair,usingthecoldstaleairthatitexhausts.Thesesystemsreduceenergyforheatingandcooling,andprovidefreshair.

Cleanorreplacethefilterregularly.Checkyourmanufacturer’sinformationforyourproduct’sspecificrequirements,butageneralruleofthumbiseveryonetothreemonths.1Periodicallychecktheintakeandexhaustventstoensurethattheyareclearfromleaves,debris,etc.

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# IndoorEnvironmentalQuality(IEQ)4:OutdoorAirVentilation

# IndoorEnvironmentalQuality(IEQ)5:LocalExhaust


Formoreinformation,resources,andtoolsrelatedtomaintainingyourhome’sheating,cooling,andventilationsystems,visit:

GreenHomeGuidebytheU.S.GreenBuildingCouncil(USGBC)

www.GreenHomeGuide.com

U.S.DepartmentofEnergy(DOE),EnergySaver’swww.energysavers.gov

U.S.Government,HomeOwnerResources

http://www.usa.gov//Citizen//Topics//Family//Homeowners.shtml

U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(USEPA),EnergyStarprogram

www.energystar.gov/homes

www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=dehumid.pr_basics_dehumidifiers

CaliforniaEnergyCommission,ConsumerEnergyCenterwww.consumerenergycenter.org/home/heating_cooling/index.html

NaturalResourcesCanada,RoutinemaintenanceforHRV’shttp://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/Publications/infosource/Pub/hrv/maintenance.cfm?attr=4#schedule

2. Checkoperationoflocalexhaustfans.Atleastonceayear,checkalloftheexteriorvents(e.g.,kitchen,bathroom)whereairexitsfromyourhome.Thesearelocatedontheroof,ormaybelocatedonexteriorwalls.Makesurethattheyareclearofleaves,debris,etc.,andthatthedamper(theflapcoveringtheopening)canmovefreely.

Also,periodicallycheckthatyourexhaustfansareoperating:Holdapieceoftoiletpaperuptotheexhaustfaninthebathroomwhilethefanisrunning.Thepapershouldbeheldfirmlyagainstthatfangrille,afteryouletitgo.Ifyoufindaproblem,contactaventilationspecialist.

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2.6PlumbingWaterisanimportantresource,andittakesconsiderableenergytomove,treat,andheatwater.Theaveragefamilyoffourcanuse400gallonsofwatereveryday,and,onaverage,approximately70%ofthatwaterisusedindoors5.Leakypipesandfixturescanresultinlargeamountsofwastedwater,andcausedamagetostructuresbelow.Plumbingcanalsoseriousdamageitnotmaintainedduringthewinter.

Thissectionincludesoperationsandmaintenancesuggestionsrelatedtoyourplumbingequipment.Notethattipsonmaintainingtheefficientuseofwateroutdoorsareincludedinthe“YourYard”sectionbelow.TipsonconservingwaterbothindoorsareoutdoorsareprovidedinthePart5.

IndoorPlumbingFixturesandFittings

AllLEED-certifiedhomesincludemeasuresthatshouldreducewateruse,relativetoconventionalhomesthatarebuilttotheminimumbuildingcode.Measuresthatreducehotwaterusewillsavebothenergyandwater.Manyofthesemeasureswillnotrequireanyspecialmaintenance.Forexample,manyLEED-certifiedhomesincludelowflowfixtures(e.g.,low-flowfaucetsorshowers,dual-flushtoilets),ortheplumbinghasbeendesignedsothatthehotwatertankisclosetothefixturesthatrequirehotwater.


5http://www.epa.gov/watersense/pubs/indoor.html

1. Check/fixleaksimmediatelyinpipes,fixtures,andappliances.Immediatelyfixanyleaksinpipes,equipment(e.g.,waterheaters,clotheswashers),andplumbingfixtures(e.g.,toilets,sinks).AccordingtotheU.S.EPA’sWaterSenseprogram,leakyfaucetsthatdripattherateofonedrippersecondwastemorethan3,000gallonsofwatereachyear.1Overtime,waterleaksmayleadtostructuralproblems.Ifyourhotwatertankisleaking,shutoffthewatersupplytothetank,andshutoffthefuelinput(orelectricity)untilaplumbercanrepairorreplacethesystem.Thepressurereliefvalvemaybecloggedornotworking,ortheremaybesomeother

problemthatshouldbeaddressed.

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# WaterEfficiency(WE)3:IndoorWaterUse

# EnergyandAtmosphere(EA)7:WaterHeating

# EnergyandAtmosphere(EA)9:Appliances


Formoreinformation,resources,andtoolsrelatedtomaintainingyourhome’splumbingfixturesandfittings,visit:

H2OUse,HouseholdWaterEfficiencyResources

http://www.h2ouse.org/resources/links/index.cfmUrbanWaterResourcesManagement,WaterConservationTips

http://www.gdrc.org/uem/water/conservation.htmlNationalAssociationofHomeBuilders,TOOLBASE,Lowflowfixtures

http://www.toolbase.org/Techinventory/TechDetails.aspx?ContentDetailID=868&BucketID=6&CategoryID=9

FlexYourPower,LowFlowShowerheads

http://www.fypower.org/res/tools/products_results.html?id=100160

MontanaWeatherizationTrainingCenter,WaterHeaterMaintenanceTips

http://www.weatherization.org/waterheatermaintenance.htm

2. Preventpipesfromfreezing:turnon/offoutdoorfaucets.Whenwaterpipesrunthroughtheexteriorwallsofyourhome(e.g.,outdoorfaucets,orgardenhoses),theyaresusceptibletofreezinginthewinter.Asthewaterinthepipesfreezes,itexpandsandcanpotentiallycausethepipetoburst.Topreventthis,inlatefall,turnoffthewatersupplytotheoutdoors.Thendrainthesefixturestotheoutdoorstoremoveanywaterthatremainsinthepipesorhoses.Mosthomeshaveaseparateshut-offvalveforeachoutdoorfaucet.Ifyougoonvacationinthewinter,turntheheatdown,butnotoff,inyour

home.Thehomemustbewarmenoughtokeepthepipesinsidefromfreezing.

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2.7YourYard

Youryardcanprovideusefulenvironmentalbenefits,suchasprovidingshade,erosioncontrol,andmanagingstormwaterrun-off.However,apoorlymanagedyard(e.g.,onethatisover-wateredandtreatedwithharmfulchemicals)canbeadrainonresourceslikewatersupplies,andcausedamagetothelocalenvironmentandtoyourhome.

Thissectionincludesinformationonwaysthatyoucanminimizetheenvironmentalimpactofyouryard.Threegeneralaspectsofyouryardareaddressed:

• Landscaping;

• Irrigation;and

• PestControl.

Additionalsourcesofinformationonmaintainingyouryardarelistedattheendofthissection.

Landscaping

Landscapingcanbeamajoruseofwaterforyourhome,anditcanhavesignificantimpactsonthelocalecology.EveryLEED-certifiedhomeisrequiredtoincorporategoodlandscapingpracticesduringconstruction,suchasconservingtopsoil,controllingerosion,andnotplantinginvasivespecies.ManyLEED-certifiedhomesalsohavelessturfgrassandmoredrought-tolerantplantspeciesthanconventionalhomes.Thesepracticesreducetheamountofsiltthatenterslocalbodiesofwaterandreducetheamountofwaterthatisneededtokeepayardlookingattractive.


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# SustainableSites(SS)2:Landscaping

# SustainableSites(SS)3:LocalHeatIslandEffects

# SustainableSites(SS)4:SurfaceWaterManagement

1. Replaceandrepairlandscaping-mulch,permeabilityfeatures.ManyLEED-certifiedhomesincludemulchedareas.Mulchprovidesnutrientstoplants,helpstoretainmoistureinthesoil,andhelpspreventweedsfromgrowing.Replaceoraddmulchtoplantedareaswhenneeded.Afewinchesofmulchtocoverthegroundisgenerallysufficient.ManyLEED-certifiedhomesincludepermeablefeaturesthatcapturewaterand

allowittoinfiltratethegroundbelow.Thesemayincluderaingardens,drywells,swales,cisterns,permeablepaving,andotherfeatures.Checkthesefeaturesperiodicallyafterarainstormtoensurethatwaterisproperlydraining.For

example,theporouslayerbelowpermeablehardscapesmayclogwithdebris,andcouldneedtobevacuumed.Raingardensneedtoberegularlyweeded.

Ifplantsdieorneedtobereplacedforotherreasons,considerreplacingthemwithnativeordroughttolerantspecies.Checkwithyourlandscaper,localuniversity

agriculturalextensionoffice,orotherresourceforguidance.

2. Checkforpoolingofrainwateronproperty.ManyLEED-certifiedhomeshaveslopedareasonthepropertythataregradedawayfromthehomeorincludeerosioncontrolmeasures(e.g.,swales,terracingorretainingwalls).Thesefeatureswillhelppreventwaterfromflowingtowardsthefoundationofthehome,helpingtokeepitdry.Ifyounoticepoolingofrainwater,youmayneedtohirealandscapeprofessionaltore-gradetheareatoguiderainwaterawayfromyourhome.Ifyourlandscapingincludeserosioncontrolsuchasswales,terracingorretainingwalls,inspectthese

featuresannuallytomakesuretheyareingoodcondition.

3. Avoiddamagingde-icersonhardscapes.Inwintermonths,shovelorplowsidewalks,driveways,andotherhardscapessoonafterasnow-fall.Thiswillpreventicebuild-up.Ifyoumustaddchemicalde-icers,usemagnesiumchlorideorcalciumchlorideproductsinsteadofsodiumchlorideorpotassiumchlorideproducts.Allchlorideproductsdamagevegetation,butmagnesiumchlorideandcalciumchloridearelessdamagingtoconcreteandotherman-madesurfaces.Sandcanalsobeused.Sanddoesnothelpmeltice,butitwillprovidetraction.

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Irrigation/Watering

Waterusedtoirrigateplantscanhaveamajorimpactontotalwateruse.Forexample,inCalifornia,50%to70%ofhouseholdwaterisusedoutdoors6.Bydeliveringwateronlywhenitisneeded,andonlytotheplantsthatneedit,youcanhelpconservewaterandreduceyourwaterbills.

Collectingrainwaterandusingittowaterplantsprovidesseveralenvironmentalbenefits,suchasreducingthedemandforpublicwatersupply(andrelatedelectricityusedforpumping).



# WaterEfficiency(WE)1:WaterReuse

PestControl

Pestssuchastermites,ants,androdentscandamagethestructureandcausehealthproblems.Thesecanbecontrolledthroughstrategiesotherthantheuseoftoxicchemicals.Longtermexposuretosuchchemicalscanbeharmfultoyourfamilyandpets.Preventingpestsfromentering,ornestingin,yourhomeisthebeststrategy.LEED-certifiedhomesareoftendesignedwithphysicalbarriersthatblocksomeofthecommonentrypointsforpests.

Youcanalsofollowpestpreventionmeasures.Ingeneral,pestsaredrawntoshelter,water,andfood.Keepingyourhomeandyarddryandtidywilldiscouragepests.


6http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/Water/waterconservationInfo.htm

1. Keepplantingsatleast24"awayfromhome.Don’tplantanyvegetationwithinthisarea,andtrimlandscapingsothatallbranchesarefurtherthanthisfromthehome.Alsomaintainatleast12”ofexposedconcreteonallexteriorwallsbetweenthegroundandthebeginningofthewoodsiding.Thisenablesthevisualcheckingfortermitepathwaysfromthesoiltothewoodsiding.

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# SustainableSites(SS)5:Non-ToxicPestControl


Formoreinformation,resources,andtoolsrelatedtomaintainingthesustainabilityofyouryard,visit:

U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(USEPA),“SustainableLandscaping:TheHiddenImpactofGardens”presentation

www.epa.gov/greenacres/smithsonian.pdf

U.S.EPA’s“GreenScapes”

www.epa.gov/greenscapes/index.htm

http://www.epa.gov/WaterSense/docs/water-efficient_landscaping_508.pdfTheH2ouseGardenGuide

www.h2ouse.org/gardensoft/index.aspx The USDA’s National Resource Conservation Service

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/backyard/

The Irrigation Association www.irrigation.org/

Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program, University of California

www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/WATER/U/alternative.html

2. Storefirewoodofftheground,awayfromhome.Storeallfirewoodatleast20feetawayfromyourhomeandseveralinchesofftheground.

3. Avoidoverwateringyouryard.Standingwatercanattractinsects,ascanexcessivenutrients.

4. Avoiduseoftoxicchemicalsforpestcontrolandchemicalfertilizer.Insecticidesandchemicalfertilizerskillpestsandweeds,buttheycanalsoharmpeopleandpets.Ifyouliveinanareawithahighriskfortermites,considergettingatermiteinspectionannually.Ifyourhomedoesdevelopapestinfestation,selectlowtoxicityinsectandpestcontrolsystems.

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Part3

ResourcesforSustainableAdditionsandRetrofits

TheREGREENProgram

Ifyoudecidetoadd-ontoyourhomeorretrofitpartofit,itisimportanttodosoinathoughtful,sustainableway.ThisistoensurethatanyremodeldoesnotaffectanyofthegreenfeaturesorsystemsinstalledinyourLEED-certifiedhome.Ideally,theremodelitselfshouldalsobegreen,tocontinueinthedirectionofsustainabilitysetbytheoriginalLEEDforHomesbuilder.

TheREGREENresidentialremodelingprogramprovidesavaluablestartingpointforgreenremodels.ThisresourcewasdesignedbytheU.S.GreenBuildingCouncil(USGBC)andtheAmericanSocietyforInteriorDesigners(ASID).Itprovides:

• Information;• Casestudies;• Astrategygenerator;and• Guidelines.

Theprogramisdesignedtoservebothhomeownersandbuildingprofessionals.

InformationontheREGREENprogramisavailableat:www.regreenprogram.org

GreenHomeGuide

Thepeoplethatyouhiretodoaretrofitorremodelplayacriticalroleinthequalityandoverallsustainabilityoftheproject.Itisimportanttoselectprofessionalscarefully,especiallybecausedifferentprofessionalshavevaryingexperiencewithremodelinggreenhomes.

TheUSGBCcreatedtheGreenHomeGuideresourceforsustainability-relatedconsumerresources.Thiswebsiteincludesthe“FindaPro”featurewhichhelpsyoufindaqualifiedgreenprofessionalinyourarea.

GreenHomeGuideisalsoavaluableresourceforlearningabout,andmaintaining,yourgreenhome.Thewebsiteincludes:

KnowHow:Articles,insightsandtipsfromexperiencedgreenprofessionals.

AskaPro:Haveagreenhomequestion?Askourteamofexperts.

ResidentialPrograms:Learnaboutprogramsthatoffergreenhomeeducationandcertification

InformationontheGreenHomeGuideisavailableat:www.greenhomeguide.com

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Part4

SuggestionsonHowtoLiveMoreSustainably

Thissectionincludesasummaryofsuggestionsforlivingmoresustainably,suchasconservingwaterandenergy,reducingwaste,andprotectinglocalbodiesofwater.Manyofthesesuggestionswillalsosaveyoumoney.Theselifestylesuggestionscanbeadoptedbyresidentsofanyhome,whetherLEED-certifiedornot.However,severalofthelifestylesuggestionsoverlaptheinformationprovidedinothersectionsofthismanual.Whilethelistprovidedhereisagoodstart,therearecountlessotheropportunities.Thereareadditionalresourceslistedafterthetablewithwebsitesthatcanprovidefurtherdiscussionofsomeofthetipsinthetable,andoffernewtips.

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GreenLifestyleTips

Suggestions

EnergyEfficiency

Purchasegreenpower(generatedbyrenewableenergy)UseENERGYSTARprogrammablethermostatKeepunoccupiedroomsclosed(doorsandheating/coolingvents)Keepventsclearoffurniture,rugs,etc.UseinsulateddraperiesUseenergy-savingmodeforelectronicswhennotinuse,orpowerstripsTurnofflightsinroomswhennotinuse

Usecold/warmsettingsforlaundry

WaterEfficiency

TakeshortershowersUsedish-andclothes-washersonlywhenfullTurnwateroffwhileteethbrushingAvoidwateringlandscapingatmid-day

Installanautomaticshut-offnozzleongardenhose

WasteManagement

Properlyrecyclegas,kerosene,paint,andotherhazardouswasteDonateitemsinsteadofthrowingthemawayBuysecond-handproducts,orproductswithrecycledcontentUsere-usableshoppingbagsReducepaperwaste(e.g.,useclothnapkins)Useunbleachedcoffeefilters,papertowels,etc.Opt-outofjunkmailingsifpossibleFindoutwhatcanberecycledinyourareaandrecycletheseproducts

IndoorsandCleaning

Usenontoxic,biodegradabledetergentsandcleanersHavehometestedforradon

BuyfurnitureandfurnishingswithlowVOCcontent.

FoodPurchases

Purchaselocallygrown,andorganicfoodParticipateinaCommunitySupportedAgriculture(CSA)programEatlessmeat

Purchaseseafoodfromsustainableseafoodprograms

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GreenLifestyleTips(cont’d)

Suggestions

Transportation

BikeorwalkforshorttripsUsepublictransportationCarpooland/orrunerrandsinfewertripsAvoididlingcarsunnecessarilyRegularlymaintaincars,othervehicles

Purchasecarbonoffsetsfromflyingorcommuting

YourYard

Refrainfromuseoftoxicchemicals,insecticides,fertilizers,etc.PlantnativestreesandplantsPlacehardwoodmulcharoundtreesandgardensUsecompostingfromkitchenongardensandlandscapesLeavegrassclippingsonyardtoprovidenutrientsbacktosoil

Addrainbarrelforrainwaterharvesting

HomeOfficeandStudy

UseelectronicformatinsteadofpaperasmuchaspossibleRecyclepaper,usedprintcartridges,andoldelectronics

Userecycledpaper,andrecycledprintcartridges

AdditionalResources

Thefollowingresourcescanprovidefurtherinformationonsomeofthegreenlifestyletipslistedinthetable.

EnergyEfficiency

TheEnergyStarprogramfromtheU.S.EPAandU.S.DepartmentofEnergy:www.energystar.gov

TheConsumerEnergyCenterfromtheCaliforniaEnergyCommission:

www.consumerenergycenter.orgWaterEfficiency

TheWaterSenseprogramfromtheU.S.EPAwww.epa.gov/watersense/

WasteManagement

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TheNationalResourcesDefenseCouncilwww.nrdc.org/cities/recycling/gelectronicsrecycling.asp

Indoors&Cleaning

TheGREENGUARDEnvironmentalInstitutewww.greenguard.org/

FoodPurchases

TheNationalResourcesDefenseCouncilwww.nrdc.org/health/food/default.asp

TheMontereyBayAquarium

www.montereybayaquarium.org/TheCityofAnnapolis

www.ci.annapolis.md.us/sustainability.asp?page=13694Transportation

TheBestWorkplacesforCommutersprogramfromtheU.S.EPAhttp://www.epa.gov/omswww/bwc.htm

ThePennsylvaniaAmericanAutomobileAssociation’sGasWatcher’sGuide

www.aaapa.org/pdfs/Gas_Watchers_Guide.pdfYourYard

TheLadyBirdJohnsonWildflowerCenterwww.wildflower.org

ThePlantNativeOrganization

www.plantnative.orgHomeOffice&Study

TheNationalResourcesDefenseCouncil

www.nrdc.org/land/forests/gtissue.aspTheForestStewardshipCouncil

http://fscus.org/Thefollowingresourcesprovideadditionalgreenlivingtips:

http://www.nrdc.org/greenliving/

http://www.ci.annapolis.md.us/sustainability.asp?page=13694

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CopyrightCopyright©2010bytheU.S.GreenBuildingCouncil.Allrightsreserved.

TrademarkLEED®isaregisteredtrademarkoftheU.S.GreenBuildingCouncil.ISBN#978-1-932444-09-4

Page42

A-1

AppendixALEEDforHomesDocumentation

ThegreenmeasuresinstalledineveryLEED-certifiedhomemustbeverifiedbyathird-partyverificationorganization(otherthantheprojectteamthatdesignedandbuiltyourhome).ThisorganizationiscalledaLEEDforHomesProvider,whichincludesoroverseestheLEEDforHomesGreenRater.Atthecompletionoftheverificationprocess,theseverifierspreparethefollowingthreedocuments:

" ProjectChecklist;

" DurabilityForms;and

" AccountabilityForms.

Copiesoftheseverificationdocumentsareincludedinthisappendix.

A-2

Insert:LEEDforHomesProjectChecklisthere

A-3

Insert:LEEDforHomesDurabilityEvaluationFormhere

A-4

Insert:LEEDforHomesDurabilityInspectionChecklisthere

A-5

Insert:LEEDforHomesAccountabilityFormshere

B-1

AppendixBDetailedManufacturer’sInfoaboutProductsinYourHomes

Thisappendixincludesmanufacturers’productinformation,organizedasfollows:

" IndoorPollutants;

" TheExteriorStructureorEnvelope;

" InteriorDurabilityandFinishes;

" LightingandAppliances;

" Heating,Cooling,andVentilationSystems;

" Plumbing;

" YourGarage;and

" YourYard.

C-1

AppendixCPhotographLibrary

ThisappendixincludesphotographsofthemostimportantLEEDforHomesmeasuresinyourhome(intermsofoperationsandmaintenancerequirements)aswellasotherrelevantconstructionphotos.Mostofthesephotographsweretakenbytheprojectteamthatdesignedandconstructedyourhome.

C-2

Guidelinesforphotographs:

1. Photosshouldbedatestamped.

2. Photosshouldnotbeblurryordistorted.

3. Photosshouldbearrangedinalogicalsequence.

4. Ifpossible,LEEDforHomesfeaturesinphotographsshouldbelabeled,asdescribedbelow.

Labeleachphotographwiththefollowinginfo:

1. NameofLEEDforHomesfeatureinphotograph.

2. LocationofLEEDforHomesfeature.

3. Briefdescriptionoffeature(onesentence).

4. BriefstatementofbenefitprovidedbyLEEDforHomesfeature.

5. PagenumberwhererelatedO&Mtipislocatedinthismanual.

Documents

The Greenwich Country Day School · Plumbing 28 Fix leaks immediately in pipes, appliances, etc. ! ! ! ! 29 Prevent pipe freezes: Turn off outdoor faucets ! 30 Keep water heater temperature