Green Basics Lazar

ST. JOHNS HOUSING PARTNERSHIP. INC.904-824-0902

PREPARE YOURSELFWho Will Manage This For You?

What is their experience level? • Energy Conservation• Green Resources

Training opportunities• Florida Solar Energy Center• Green Building Certification programs

FSEC overview and comprehension

WHAT WERE WE THINKING?

Phase 1 - not “Energy Star”, just affordable– Weatherization training prepared us for proper sizing of HVAC

and optimizing or “gaming” the software.

Phase 2 - retrofitted to meet “Energy Star”.– Cost upgrades split with the builder, in return for his tax credits

Phase 3 – change insulation types, truss re-design, and upgrade bath exhaust fans.


FIRST THINK “AFFORDABLE”, THEN “GREEN”

WHAT WAS OUR GOAL?

Our first focus was low maintenance and quality construction. Low utility bills were important.

Our “Energy Star” education began with the energy rater who argued the importance of Cost vs. Value of Energy Star upgrades

- What were the simplest cost effective measures?

• Windows, HVAC sizing, insulation

- Increased marketability – low utility bills and indoor air quality- “verified”


PARTNERSHIPS ARE KEYSTRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

Who do you need? A builder with an interest in affordable housing An Architect- with similar experience Local government- How will they help? Energy rater, FYN representative Identify housing programs that will support your

efforts:1) At what stage can the program help?2) What threshold requirements from the

programs?


PARTNERS

Who leads the design discussions? Find a builder who is creative, has an interest in

affordable housing and a good business background - unless you do

Find community partners with related interests: – University of Florida Extension Service

– Pedro Menendez High School masonry program

– Local government Housing Office


Builder and Energy rater


UF EXTENSION SERVICETHE HANCOCK PLACE RE-DESIGN OF RENTENTION POOL


PEDRO MENENDEZ HIGH SCHOOL Masonry Apprenticeship Program



WHAT’S IN IT FOR THEM? WHAT DO THEY EARN?

Ask yourself: What does each of the partners need?– Fee for service - inspection fees or construction earnings– Publicity - recognition of program services

What do they (including you) do for the partnership?– Who carries the risk of building? – Who is responsible for financial management of the

project? – Who finds and educates the home buyers? – Who makes final design changes?

ENERGY RATER Find an “Energy Star” rater who has a

background in construction– There is a learning curve. Must build trust with

the builder and subcontractors– Energy Star construction is at a higher

performance level - it produces a better product - but it may not be “the way we have always done it”

– Clarify potential benefits - for builder and buyer


ENERGY STAR BENEFITS

Energy Efficient mortgage - produces the form for your lender

1st Step in Green Building certification Training in construction techniques-long term

value for construction partners 3rd Party construction inspections- quality

assurance - “building to code” may not meet energy star- pre and post construction help

Possible tax credit for builder



BENEFIT TO BUYERS

Our Energy Star ratings adds $6,500 to the appraised value (with only a $3,500 investment from us)

Energy efficient mortgages help the buyer to qualify, if needed

Energy and Water Conservation - long term utility cost savings for the buyer

Improved Indoor Air Quality / Reduced Call Backs

Problem: Getting Appraisers to recognize green/or Energy Star

improvements- value must meet sales price



COST vs. BENEFITS $ 3,500 per home

Costs (other than construction): Energy rating certification fee = $ 500 -$ 600 per home

– Benefit - Energy Efficient Mortgage/ Builder Tax Credit

Water Star certificate - additional $ 200 -$ 350– Benefit - Water Star Certification

FGBC Green Certification - $ 200– Benefit - Down payment certification and marketing plus

Benefits: Our low 70 Energy Star index gives our builder/ for-profit

partner a $2,000 tax credit- per home



GETTING THE “GREEN” IS ALL ABOUT THE SCORE

The rater inputs your plans and related material choices

“It’s one big math problem” For Green certification (the Florida Green Building

Coalitions' checklist), we earn more points with lower Energy Star rating.

We experimented with various material changes ( and the respective cost differences)to see the impact on the energy score.

Sustainable Development- storm water design and FYN landscape score well


“FIRST GREEN CERTIFIED HOUSE

IN ST JOHNS COUNTY” “Green starts with Energy Star Blue" Affordable first. Low maintenance construction,

energy and water saving measures were all selected to keep the homeowners maintenance costs low.

With a strong HERS score, water conservation and hurricane shutters, we met our green score.

We used very little “green” products; no green paint, no green carpet, no green wood and no solar. If it would add more cost, was it necessary?



PRODUCT SELECTION

Windows:

House sitting (north/south/east/west) determines window specs: a higher solar co-efficient rating

Insulation: R-Value and installation techniques fiberglass, cellulose, or foam

Dual flush toilets/faucet aerators - for water conservation "Florida Friendly Yard” - drought tolerant landscaping NAHB (National Green Building Standard) -

Provides one list of acceptable (certified) products



IMPROVEMENTS

Downsizing our 2 ton HVAC system to a 1.5 ton with a variable speed motor- increases SEER

Move the ducts from un-conditioned to semi-conditioned space. 1st - Create an attic chase over the AC ductwork, 2nd - Open Cell foam under roof

Experimented with insulation - blown and batt fiberglass, open cell foam and blown cellulose. Installation technique was more critical than type

Installed Energy Star bath exhaust fans - improved humidity control



Category 1 EnergyMinimum 30 Maximum 75

Points Achieved Points Possible Criteria

HERS Index Energy Rating

63 3 - 75 Confirmed Florida HERS Rating: 3 pts @ HERS Index pt below 90

Design, Finishes, Amenities

1 1 Ductwork joints sealed with mastic

1 1 Washer & dryer outside of conditioned space

2 1-2 Light-colored interior walls, ceilings, carpet, floors

1 1 Maximum 100 Watt fixtures in bathrooms

1 1 South roof area for future solar use

1 1 Compact hot-water distribution

1 1 Energy-efficient over/range

1 1 Efficient envelope volume

2 2 Outdoor lights are energy efficient

74 30 min–75 max Total Points

Category 2 WaterMinimum 15 Maximum 40


Fixtures

1 1 Low-flow shower heads

1 1 All showers equipped with one showed head

2 2 Duel-flush or low-flow toilets

1 1 Toilet with UNAR Map Rating

Installed Landscape

2 2 Drought-tolerant turf in sunny areas only, no turf in densely shaded areas

3 1-3 50%, 80%, 100% of plants/trees from local drought-tolerant list

2 2 All plants/trees selected to be compatible with local environment/microclimate

3 3 Turf less than 50% of landscape

2 2 Plants with similar maintenance requirements grouped together

2 2 Mulch applied 3-4 inches deep around plants

2 2 Non-Cypress mulch used

10 10 No permanent installed irrigation system



FYN YARDS


FYN YARDS

Category 3 Lot ChoiceMinimum 0 Maximum 15


2 2 Build on an infill site

2 2 Site within ½ mile of existing infrastructures

2 2 Site within ¼ mile to mass transit

2 2 Site within ½ mile of public open/green space

2 2 Site within ¼ mile of basic community resources


Category 4 SiteMinimum 5 Maximum 30


Drainage & Retention

2 2 Onsite designated retention area

3 4 Maintain previous surface area



LOW-IMPACT DETENTIONSustainable Development

Category 5 HealthMinimum 15 Maximum 35


Combustion

2 2 Attached garage with air barrier between garage and living space (including attic)

2 1-2 No unsealed space or water-heating combustion located inside the conditioned area or electric

Moisture Control

1 1 Seal slab penetration

Source Control

1 1 Healthy insulation

Cleanabililty

1 1 Grout lines <1/4 inch

1 1 Useable entry area

Ventilation

1 1 Kitchen-range hood vented to exterior

1 1-2 Efficient HVAC filter

1 1 HVAC filter easily accessible

1 1 Install screens on all windows and doors (excluding front door)

3 3 No air handler/return ducts in garage or unsealed garage attic


Category 6 MaterialsMinimum 10 Maximum 35


Components

1 1 Concrete with fly ash or blast-furnace slag

1 1 Finger-jointed or laminated products

1 1 Eco-friendly trim

Waste Reduction

1 1 Perimeter based on 2-foot dimensions

1 1 Interior floor plan based on 2-foot dimensions

Durability

1 1 3 in 12 ≤ roof slope ≤ 6 in 12

1 1 Window and door flashing

1 1 Plants/turf minimum of 2 feet from foundation

1 1 Use armored/metal hoses from service to all fixtures/appliances

1 1 User-friendly (lever style) clothes washer water shutoff

1 1 Landry room below living floor or drain installed


Category 7 Disaster Mitigation

Minimum 5 Maximum 30


Hurricane (Wind, Rain, Storm Surge)

2 2 Unvented attic or no attic

2 2 Window, door, and skylight protection or impact resistant type

2 2 Exterior structures properly anchored

Flood (must incorporate all 4)

3 3 (1) Finished floor level at least 12 inches above 100-year flood plain

(2) Bottom of slab at least 8 inches above top of backfilled dirt, graded for proper drainage

(3) Grade slopes away from building on all sides

(4) Garage floor and driveway sloped to drain out; garage floor at least 4 inches lower then living floor

9 5 min– 30 max Total Points

Category 8 GeneralMinimum 0 Maximum 40


Small House Credit

28 40 Conditioned house size

Other

1 1-2 Home builder/designer/architect/landscape architect member of FGBC

2 2 Homeowner’s manual given to homeowner

2 2 Educational material given to homeowners

2 2 Training provided to homeowner

2 2 Cooling system uses non-HCFC



The Hancock Place

Technology

Green Basics Lazar