Looking for an introduction to municipal green building programs or energy efficiency codes?  In October of 2009, David Neiger of Populus Sustainable Design Consulting traveled to Idaho to present to the Hailey City Council and the Blaine County Board of County Commissioners regarding above-code energy programs and green building codes. The presentation is a great introduction for elected officials and municipalities to the world of green building.

Watch the full presentation on the Environmental Resource Center’s website: Creating a Green Building Program.

Populus is a full service sustainable design consulting firm that focuses on high performance, net-zero and near-net-zero custom residential and multi-family projects.  Populus guides architects and builders through the requirements of mandatory green building codes and optional green home certification programs, providing HERS rating, LEED for Homes Green Rater services and municipal energy code consulting.  In addition, Populus offers an Energy Code Workshop for architects and municipalities, as well as LEED for Homes training.  Visit Populus at www.popboulder.com.

On Monday night, David Neiger of Populus Sustainable Design Consulting presented regarding high performance green homes to a sold out crowd at USGBC Colorado’s monthly Monday evening series at REI Denver.  The topic of the evening was “How to Build an Energy Efficient, Green Home.”

Neiger and Smith answer questions regarding green homes after Monday night's presentation.

Sean Smith of Sean Smith & Company presented alongside Neiger, sharing lessons learned as a LEED Gold homebuilder. In addition to discussing the the challenges and opportunities of building green homes, Smith presented data regarding the increased costs of high-performance systems.  A case study for a recent project demonstrated how a home can be built to achieve a level of energy performance that is 35% more efficient than code in a cost neutral manner (over the 30 year term of a mortgage).  When Smith added modest fuel price escalation  to the equation, the energy efficiency upgrades became cash positive, offering a healthy return on investment.

David Neiger, who has consulted on high performance green homes nationally, gave the crowd a “behind-the-scenes” look at residential energy modeling, describing how home energy performance can be measured to create a “miles per gallon” rating for a house.  In addition, he discussed the various green home building programs available to architects and builders, including USGBC’s LEED for Homes program, the EPA’s ENERGY STAR and Indoor airPLUS programs and the DOE’s Builders Challenge certification.  While these programs can offer market differentiation, they also offer tremendous value to a project team looking to employ best practices for managing durability, indoor air quality and moisture concerns, while optimizing home energy performance.

Populus presents to USGBC Colorado's first sold-out REI Monthly Monday seminar

If you’d like to learn more about LEED for Homes, David Neiger will be teaching a LEED for Homes Intensive Training over three Monday evenings in March 2010 in Boulder, Colorado.  Learn more on the Populus website.  Interested in pursuing a green certification for a project or having energy analysis performed on a proposed project?  Give Populus a call at 303-325-7650 or contact Populus by email at info@popboulder.com.

Populus is a full service sustainable design consulting firm that focuses on high performance, net-zero and near-net-zero custom residential and multi-family projects.  Populus guides architects and builders through the requirements of mandatory green building codes and optional green home certification programs, providing HERS rating, LEED for Homes Green Rater services and municipal energy code consulting.  In addition, Populus offers an Energy Code Workshop for architects and municipalities, as well as LEED for Homes training.  Visit Populus at www.popboulder.com.

Want to learn more about the requirements for the EPA’s Indoor airPLUS program?  Both the City of Boulder’s Green Points program and the USGBC’s LEED for Homes program give credit for Indoor airPLUS certification.  Populus Sustainable Design Consulting is an EPA Indoor airPLUS Partner and can provide third-party verification for EPA Indoor airPLUS certification.

The EPA is hosting a free webinar which will teach you more about building to satisfy the requirements of the program:

Join EPA for a free webinar Dec 3, 2009, from 2-3 p.m. EST.

In this training session, attendees will learn about EPA’s new Indoor air PLUS program, which helps builders design homes with indoor air quality in mind. Attendees also will learn the value proposition for improved indoor air quality in new home construction and view the various marketing and technical resources available to program partners.

Who should attend? Anyone involved in the construction of new homes or who has an interest in indoor air quality, including homebuilders, real estate agents, home energy raters, manufacturers, architects, consultants, subcontractors, government officials and health-based organizations.

Register early: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/624265424

Populus is a full service sustainable design consulting firm that focuses on high performance, net-zero and near-net-zero custom residential and multi-family projects.  Populus guides architects and builders through the requirements of mandatory green building codes and optional green home certification programs, providing HERS rating, LEED for Homes Green Rater services and LEED for Homes training.  Visit Populus at www.popboulder.com.

Join us for a free one hour workshop on designing high-performance green homes in Denver, followed by a wine and cheese networking reception.  Event will include a LEED for Homes plaque dedication by Deb Kleinman, Executive Director of the USGBC Colorado Chapter.

When: Thursday, October 22nd 6pm-8pm

Where: 233 South Washington Street, Denver, Colorado (LEED for Homes™ Gold, ENERGY STAR, Indoor Air Package and Builders Challenge Certified home)

Free Workshop Includes:

• Green features tour and building details discussion of a LEED for Homes Gold Certified Wash Park home by general contractor Sean Smith of Sean Smith & Company, LLC
• Behind-the-scenes explanation of how architects can use the Home Energy Rating System (“HERS”) as a tool to design high-performance homes by David Neiger of Populus Sustainable Design Consulting
• Overview of available green home certification programs and the benefits to architects and homeowners of certification, including: LEED for Homes (USGBC), Builders Challenge (DOE), ENERGY STAR (EPA), and Indoor airPLUS (EPA).

Continuing Education for Architects: Under the State of Colorado’s rules for continuing education for state licensure renewal, this program meets the requirements for 1.0 HSW professional development unit (HSW).

RSVP by October 18^th at http://event.pingg.com/GreenHomesDenver or to laura@popboulder.com

Populus is a full service sustainable design consulting firm that focuses on high performance, net-zero and near-net-zero custom residential and multi-family projects.  Populus guides architects and builders through the requirements of mandatory green building codes and optional green home certification programs, providing HERS rating, LEED for Homes Green Rater services and LEED for Homes training.  Visit Populus at www.popboulder.com.

Ready to go beyond carbon neutral?  Register now for the BGBG’s September 23rd Building On-Site Seminar at Jim Logan’s beyond-net-zero, carbon neutral “Logan Wiggins House 3.”

Logan Wiggins House 3 goes beyond net-zero in its bid to achieve LEED for Homes Platinum certification.

The home, designed by Jim Logan Architects and built by Hughes Construction, is pursuing LEED Platinum certification in the USGBC’s LEED for Homes Rating System.  With its super high performance energy features, it looks as though this project may end up being the highest scoring LEED Platinum project in the country to date. 

Populus Sustainable Design Consulting provided HERS energy modeling and rating services, as well as LEED for Homes Green Rater services on the project. 

This beyond-net-zero home utilizes an Earthlinked Technologies refrigerant-based ground-source heat pump with a forced-air delivery system.

Namaste Solar, also a Boulder-based company, provided the grid-tied PV System for the home, while Aircraft installed the Earthlinked Technologies ground source heat pump.  The home also incorporates Serious Materials’ (formerly Alpen) triple pane double Heat Mirror windows.

Interested in learning more about the green features of this beyond net-zero, carbon neutral home?  Join us for the BGBG’s Building On-Site Seminar or visit the home during the Center for ReSource Conservation’s Tour of Solar and Green Homes on Saturday, September 26th.

See Inside a Lifebreath Heat Recovery Ventilator ("HRV")

Populus is the exclusive sponsor of the Logan Wiggins House 3 on the CRC’s tour and will be on-site during the day to answer your questions regarding the green, high-performance features of the home.

Populus is a full service sustainable design consulting firm that focuses on high performance, net-zero and near-net-zero custom residential and multi-family projects.  Populus guides architects and builders through the requirements of mandatory green building codes and optional green home certification programs, providing HERS rating, LEED for Homes Green Rater services and LEED for Homes training.  Visit Populus at www.popboulder.com.

Register online for the CRC’s upcoming Solar & Green Home Tour.  The tour will be held in Boulder, Colorado on September 26th from 10am to 4pm.  Populus Sustainable Design Consulting is the exclusive sponsor of the “Logan Wiggins House 3″ by Jim Logan Architects.  Populus provided the energy analysis and LEED for Homes Green Rater services on the home and will be on-site during the tour to answer questions and showcase the home’s green features.

The Logan Wiggins House 3  goes beyond net-zero in its bid to achieve LEED for Homes Platinum certification.  Based on the energy modeling provided by Populus, the home will be a net-producer of energy, providing enough additional electricity to charge a Plug-in Electric Hybrid Vehicle.  The home’s numerous energy efficiency features include optimum value engineered (“OVE”) framing, insulated concrete formwork, open-cell foam insulation, a high-efficiency ground source heat pump system, and a solar photovoltaic array.  Beyond energy efficiency, the home uses only low VOC interior finishes and a heat-recovery ventilation system to ensure healthy indoor air quality as well as a graywater re-use system and low-flow fixtures to minimize water consumption.  Finally, the use of responsible materials, such as the building’s salvaged brick façade, reduces the home’s embodied energy and preserves resources.

Populus is a full service sustainable design consulting firm that focuses on high performance, net-zero and near-net-zero custom residential and multi-family projects.  Populus guides architects and builders through the requirements of mandatory green building codes and optional green home certification programs, providing HERS rating, LEED for Homes Green Rater services and LEED for Homes training.  Visit Populus at www.popboulder.com.

Compleat Development recently completed construction of 2068 Alpine Drive, a luxury home in Boulder, Colorado’s Hillcrest Neighborhood.  Populus Sustainable Design Consulting provided green building consulting and energy modeling on the project to assist Compleat Development with the rigorous energy efficiency and green building requirements of the City of Boulder’s Green Points program.  The home is also certified in the EPA’s ENERGY STAR and Indoor Air Package programs.

Want to see the amazing views from the upstairs balcony?  Zachary Epps, a Boulder Realtor, recently completed a video profile of the home.  The home is currently offered for sale, with an open house scheduled for this Sunday, September 13th.

Populus is a full service sustainable design consulting firm that focuses on high performance, net-zero and near-net-zero custom residential and multi-family projects.  Populus guides architects and builders through the requirements of mandatory green building codes and optional green home certification programs, providing HERS rating, LEED for Homes Green Rater services and LEED for Homes training.  Visit Populus at www.popboulder.com.

Pursuing EPA Indoor airPLUS Certification for Green Points or the USGBC’s LEED for Homes program?  Based on our experience, there are a few key requirements to keep in mind when designing and building a project to meet EPA’s Indoor airPLUS standard.  Here are the major requirements of the program, with a few of the often-overlooked requirements highlighted for easy reference.

Eligibility Prerequisite

As a prerequisite, a home must be EPA ENERGY STAR Qualified in order to participate in the Indoor airPLUS program.  Populus can provide the HERS rater services as well as the Thermal Bypass Inspection to demonstrate your project’s compliance with the requirements of ENERGY STAR for New Homes.

Materials

There are a few materials specifications that are especially important to keep in mind.  First, all pressed wood materials (i.e. plywood, OSB, MDF and cabinetry) must be certified low-formaldehyde.  Next, interior paints and finishes must be low-VOC or no-VOC.  Finally, all carpet, carpet adhesives and cushions must qualify for CRI Green Label Plus or Green Label testing program.

Moisture Control Measures

When preparing site plans and construction drawings, remember to specify the following moisture control measures:

Site & Foundation:

• Site & foundation drainage: sloped grade, protected drain tile & foundation floor drains
• Capillary break below concrete slabs & in crawlspaces (with specific exceptions for free draining soils and dry climates)
• Foundation wall damp-proofed or water-proofed (except where no below-grade walls)

Wall Assemblies:

• Continuous drainage plane behind exterior cladding, properly flashed to foundation
• Window & door openings fully flashed

Roof Assemblies:

• Gutters/downspouts direct water a minimum of 5′ from foundation (exception for dry climates)
• Fully flashed roof/wall intersections & roof penetrations
• Bituminous membrane installed at valleys & penetrations (exception for dry climates)
• Ice flashing at eaves (except Climate Zones 1 – 4)

Interior:

• Moisture-resistant materials/protective systems installed (i.e. flooring, tub/shower backing)
• No vapor barriers installed on interior side of exterior walls with high condensation potential
• No wet or water-damaged materials enclosed in building assemblies

Radon Measures

Indoor airPLUS requires that homes built in EPA Radon Zone 1 be constructed with approved radon-resistant features according to EPA Building Radon Out; NFPA 5000, Chapter 49; IRC, Appendix F; CABO, Appendix F; or ASTM E1465.  Indoor airPLUS recommends, but does not require, that radon-resistant features be used for homes built in EPA Radon Zones 2 and 3.  In addition, the builder must provide two radon test kits with instructions for homebuyers in Radon Zones 1 and 2.

Pests

• Foundation joints & penetrations sealed, including air-tight sump covers
• Corrosion-proof rodent/bird screens installed at openings that cannot be fully sealed

HVAC

To achieve Indoor airPLUS certification, projects must have HVAC room loads calculated and documented and system design documented.  In addition, projects must have duct system design documented (i.e. a Manual D) and ducts properly installed (there is an exception for projects that have room-by-room duct system testing performed, however projects in the City and County of Boulder will need an ACCA Manual D for code compliance).  Populus now offers ACCA Manual J load calculating services and ACCA Manual D services that will allow your project to meet these requirements.

In addition, Indoor airPLUS requires the following HVAC specifications:

• No air handling equipment or ductwork installed in garage (ducts in floor cavities over garages but outside of the fire-rated envelope are allowed); continuous air barrier for adjacent assemblies
• Rooms pressure balanced as required (via dedicated returns, transfer grilles,  jump ducts or door undercut) OR tested
• Whole house ventilation system (e.g., a continuously operating exhaust fan or an HRV) installed to meet ASHRAE 62.2 requirements (it is good practice to have your mechanical contractor test the flow rates for installed venitlation systems and to minimize the number of elbows in the system which may result in a lower air flows than the equipment’s rated performance capacity)
• Local exhaust ventilation to outdoors installed for baths, kitchens, clothes dryers, central vacuum system, etc.
• Central forced air HVAC systems must have minimum of MERV 8 filter, no filter bypass & no intentional ozone generation (electronic air cleaners cannot be MERV rated and therefore, do not meet the requirement; further the performance of these cleaners tends to decrease as the systems becomes dirty, unlike standard filters which filter finer particles as they become dirty)
• In warm-humid climates, additional dehumidification measures are required

Combustion Pollutants

Combustion Source Controls

• Gas heating equipment must be direct vented; oil heat & water heaters must be power vented or direct vented (with a few exceptions)
• Fireplaces/heating stoves vented outdoors & meet emissions/efficiency standards/restrictions
• Certified CO alarms installed in each sleeping zone according to NFPA 720
• Certain smoking prohibitions for multi-family projects

Attached Garage Isolation

• Common walls/ceilings air-sealed before insulation installed; house doors gasketed & closer installed
• Exhaust fan (min. 70 cfm rated for continuous use) installed in garage & vented to outdoors

Before Occupancy

Before occupancy, the HVAC system & ductwork must be verified dry, clean and properly installed.  Populus recommends covering all duct registers to prevent dust from entering ductwork during construction.  In addition, the home should be ventilated before occupancy or initial ventilation instructions must be provided to the buyer.  Additional requirements for pre-occupancy home commissioning include:

• HVAC contractor must document measured airflow or pressure drop across the cooling coil or heat exchanger within +/- 15% of system design airflow or manufacturer-specified operating range
• HVAC contractor must document the installation and testing of proper refrigerant charge

Visit EPA’s Indoor airPLUS program to see a full set of program requirements and to learn more.  You can contact Populus at info@popboulder.com to find out how your project can participate in the program.

Populus is a Boulder-based, full-service sustainable design consulting firm that focuses on high performance, net-zero and near-net-zero custom residential and multi-family projects.  Populus is your partner in high-performance design solutions, specializing in energy efficiency codes, green building certifications and LEED for Homes™ training.  Contact Populus at news@popboulder.com.