Green Building 101 For Homes

Light HouseSustainable Building Centre

A “first-stop-shop” for information, technical assistance and friendly advice

Our goal is to connect individuals and organizations with the inspiration, information, services and skills they need to implement sustainable building solutions

Toward Sustainable Buildings

Our vision is a world in which buildings are designed, built, operated, maintained, rehabilitated and

deconstructed in a manner that meets the social, economic and environmental needs of current

and future generations.

Light House vision statement

Our activities

• Information• Education• Consulting• Research• Partnerships &

Program Support

Brought to you by…

CAS CADIA REG IO N GREEN BUI LDING COUNC IL A CHAPTER OF THE US & CANADA GREEN BUILDING COUNCILS

Green Building 101 For Homes

What we are going to do today

• Identify key issues and concepts• Connect you with information and resources• Provide you with tools to help you ask the

right questions

We are not going to provide you with technical advice on your project or on project management, but we will help connect you with the people who can!

GB101 Workshop Outline1. Get Ready

• Research: What is Green?• Setting Green Goals and Priorities

2. Design• CMHC Examples• Integrated Design and Systems Thinking• Case Study: Hanvey Home

3. Act• Experts and Service Providers• Rating Systems• Making Decisions• Inspiration and Resources: People and places to help

You Thrive

Get ReadyResearch – what is green?

Environmental Impact of Buildings(Source: Canada Green Building Council)

• 1/6 of the world's freshwater withdrawals• 1/4 of all the world's wood harvest• 40% of global consumption of raw materials• 20-30% of North American landfill is taken up by

construction and demolition debris • 54% of energy consumption is directly or indirectly

related to buildings and their construction• 35% of greenhouse gas emissions

Health Impact of Buildings(Source: GVRD BuildSmart)

• North Americans spend 90% of their time indoors

• 30% of new and renovated buildings have poor indoor air quality

• 30% of Canadian households have humidity and potential mould problems

• An estimated 15% of the population has some form of environmental sensitivity

• How healthy are the paints, carpets, cleaners and finishes in your home?

“We don’t know what we don’t know”

Dust Mites

Mold

VOC Paints

Avoid that “new home” smell!

Asbestos

Adhesives and Laminates

Cleaning Materials

Cigarettes, fireplaces,Oil-burning appliances

Indoor Air Contaminants

Benefits of “going green”

• Improving productivity and health• Saving money and using resources

efficiently• Alignment with values and ethics

It’s an individual decision!Where do you want to start?How far do you want to go?What are your green goals?

Green Buildings and Sustainable Development

“ …meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations

to meet their own needs”(Our Common Future, 1987)

Equality“Triple Bottom Lines”

Development not Growth

Green and Sustainable• Sustainability is about integrating a broad range of

social, environmental and economic issues• Green tends to be more narrowly focused on health,

environment and economics

The focus today is on GREENThe direction we’re heading is SUSTAINABILITY

• … protect, enhance and restore natural ecosystems

• … use and produce resources such as materials, energy and water wisely and efficiently

• … contribute to the health and well-being of their occupants and their community

• … support diverse, thriving regional economies in compact communities

• … are beautiful and demonstrate excellence in integrated systems, adaptability and accessibility

Sustainable buildings….

Get ReadySetting green goals and priorities

Land Use

Water

Energy

Materials

Health

A Definition“Green” design and construction practices reduce or eliminate the negative impact of buildings on their occupants and the environmentuse a systems approach and an integrated design processThey involve activities in five broad areas…

1. Land Use and Site PlanningE.g. impacts on soil erosion or water runoff

2. Water and Water EfficiencyE.g. minimizing use and collecting rainwater

3. Energy Efficiency and RenewablesE.g. minimize use and generate power

4. Materials and ResourcesE.g. using local, recycled, renewable, durable materials

5. Healthy Indoor Environment E.g. bringing in daylight and eliminating toxins

Land Use and Site PlanningWhere your home is, how it connects with your community and how it impacts the land it sits on

WaterHow much water you use and how efficiently you use it

EnergyHow much energy you use and how efficientlyyou use it

Materials & ResourcesWhere your building materials come from andhow efficiently you use them

Healthy Indoor EnvironmentHow healthy the living space in your home is

In-Class Activity – What are your green goals and priorities?• Review the green goals and how it applies to your

homes and space• Identify those you are passionate about • Share them with your neighbour!

DesignExamples

Land-Use &

Landscape

CMHC Healthy HousingTM

Fact Sheets

Kitchen

CMHC Healthy HousingTM

Fact Sheets

Bathroom

CMHC Healthy HousingTM

Fact Sheets

Breakdown of Indoor Water UseSource: AWWA Research Foundation Residential End Use of Water Data

1.7%21.7%

2.2%

15.7%

1.4%16.8%

26.7%

13.7% BathClothes Washer Other DomesticFaucetDishwasherShowerToiletLeak

Factoid: In 1999, Canadian homes consumed 52% of municipal water,

3 times more than industry

Average daily water use (Litres)

208150

360

19 40 9

786

64 32

255

10 34 8

403

0

100200

300

400500

600

700800

900

Toilets Washingmachine

Shower& bath

Dishwasher

Kitchen Faucets Total

Before After

Example: Hanvey House

50% reduction= 100L/p/day

General Interior

CMHC Healthy HousingTM

Fact Sheets

DHW = Domestic Hot Water, HRV = Heat Recovery Ventilators. Source: www.esim.ca

Energy Use In Canadian Detached & Row Homes~ 63% Space Heating~ 15% Domestic Hot Water~ 20% Appliances~ <2% Fans & CoolingIn BC:~ 52% Space Heating~ 19% Domestic Hot Water~ 27% Appliances~ <2% Fans & Cooling

Renovating? If you …

• Upgrade the furnace• Add ceiling and wall insulation• Insulate and draft-proof the foundation• Draft-proof the remainder of the house• Upgrade doors and windows

… you get energy savings of 31-48%

See CMHC Renovating for Energy Savings Case Studies

Strategy Estimated reduction

(% current

consumption)

KWh saved

Home Office Replace old CRT computer with

laptop

50% 19

Kitchen

Appliances

Replace old stove kettle with electric

one

10% 20

Laundry Utilize new clothes line April -

October

50% 158

Refrigerator Set fridge and freezer to level 3 and

cool food items before putting in

fridge/freezer

10% 59

Space heating

fan

Remove and replace with a small

high-efficiency pump to circulate hot

water

50% 454

Lighting: Replace remaining incandescent

lamps with LED or CFL

35% 300

Power

Average non-heating, non-hot water electrical in BC Homes is 8300 kWh / year so a savings of 18%

Green Hanvey Home non-heating, non-hot water electrical load is 4976 kWh / year so a savings of 30%

Free Solar EnergyIf you think about….• Site• Shape• Efficiently locating windows • Shading the glazing• Shape of openings• Daylighting• Natural ventilation• Adjusting material properties and colours

you should beable to get 50%

better energy/GHGfrom low/no cost

improvements

DesignIntegrated Design & Systems Thinking

A Typical Green Project

Get more help!Problem-solve and make decisions Act

Get help!A design processDesign

• Green goals & priorities

• Green research

Your goals, needs, wants, prioritiesResearchTimeline & budget

Get Ready

• Green service providers

• Systems thinking

• Integrated design & problem solving

Traditional Value Chain

Client Architect M & E

Structural

Other Consultants

Contractor

Integrated Design Process• AKA The

Whole Systems Approach to Design

• Links goals to design

• Links designers to builders

Site & Orientation

Budget & Timeline

Building Envelope

Features & Finishes

Equipment &

Appliances

Personal & Green

Goals

IDP

Your body is a system …

…and your home is a system

Heat

Moisture

Air

People

Each part is connected

Benefits of Systems Thinking: Tunneling through the Cost Barrier

Stuff

$$$

Windows

Insulation

Energy savings and incentives (heating & lighting)

Smaller heating, ventilation and/or air-conditioning

More efficient furnace

Heat recovery ventilator

Net Savings ($$$)

Less than conventional yet improved health & energy performance!

DesignHanvey Home Case Study

Before & After

Before…. And After!

Pergola/entry

Interior from the Patio

Time to Take a Break

• Hockerton Housing Project (1998)• UK's first earth sheltered, self-sufficient

ecological housing development

ActExperts and Service Providers

Experts & Service Providers

• What makes a green building expert different than other design professionals?

– Experience, certification, knowledge, commitment• What guidelines do they follow?

– Best practices, rating systems / programs• How should I choose my professional?

– Industry associations, building stores– Certifications and certifying organizations – Always get 3 quotes and check referencesLH residential service provider directoryhttp://www.sustainablebuildingcentre.com/view/RSP-search

When you hire a contractor in BC

• Make sure you’re protected: liability insurance, Worksafe BC, Homeowner Protection Office

• Get it in writing: contract, product specification sheets

• Planning is critical: get a detailed cost breakdown from the builder before you start. Understand cash-flow.

Reference: CHBABC “How to hire a contractor in BC”

Questions to ask• What makes your homes/ work different? • What do you do for energy efficiency?• Can you predict my energy costs?• How are you environmentally friendly?• What about my family’s health?• What do inspectors think of your work?• Do you know where to find green materials? Are you willing

to look?• Are you a member of professional associations?• Do you have any green qualifications? References? Projects?• … use your green goals as a starting point!

Tips for Integrated Design• Bring everyone together • Hire by the hour • Do more with less

Integrated system design requires the right knowledge, the right people and the right approach (process)

ACTRating Systems

What is a Rating System?• Way to evaluate the environmental

performance of a building against a set of criteria.

• Different projects can be compared based on their success at meeting established green building targets

• Prevents “greenwashing”• Provides consumers with information

to help them make choices

Building Certification• LEED Canada

– Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. – Canada Green Building Council

• Built Green– Home Builder’s Association

• R-2000– Natural Resources Canada

Common Features?– Combination of standards and points– LEED & BG have multiple levels (bronze, silver, gold

etc.)– Linked to energy, water, building standards– Focus on all five areas (land-use, water etc.)

ecoEnergy Program

• From EnerGuide to ecoENERGY• Administered by Natural Resources Canada• Energy rating system and financial incentive• http://www.ecoaction.gc.ca• Overview

• ecoENERGY home evaluation by certified advisor• up to $5,000 in incentives• identify improvements from checklist (with $$ amounts)• implement upgrades within 18 months• post-retrofit energy evaluation and application

BC Hydro Power Smart at Home• Tools - Analyze My Home, Appliance and

Lighting Calculator

• Incentives - Fridge Buy-Back Program, Lighting Rebates, Windows Rebate Program

• Certification – Power Smart for new homes– Apply through the BC Hydro website,

http://www.bchydro.com

Incentives and Tools - Utilities

Incentives and Tools - Utilities

Terasen Gas– Home energy savings tips– Brochures and links

GVRD BuildSmart– Case studies, best practices– Product Directory, Incentives, Service

databases

Product Rating Systems• FSC Certified Lumber

– Forest Stewardship Council – Certified wood products, online sustainability criteria– http://www.fscus.org/

• EcoLogo– Environmental Choice Program– 300 product categories (including construction)– Online database and criteria– http://www.environmentalchoice.com/

• Energy STAR– Rating system for heating systems, appliances and consumer

electronics– http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/energystar/english/consumers

/index.cfm

Other Product Rating Systems• Green Seal

– Independent, non-profit organization– Scientifically based environmental certification standards

http://www.greenseal.org/

• Cradle to Cradle– Environmental Choice Program– 300 product categories (including construction)– Online database and criteria– http://www.c2ccertified.com/

• Sustainable Forest Initiative– Alternative to FSC– http://www.sfiprogram.org/

Information - CMHC• Healthy HousingTM essentials and checklists

– Occupant health, Energy efficiency, Resource efficiency, Environmental responsibility, Affordability

• Flex HousingTM – “the best of housing”– Adaptability, Accessibility, Affordability, Healthy

Housing• Equilibrium Housing (Net-Zero)• Case studies on innovative and low-impact

homes

ActMaking Decisions

Making DecisionsSeven questions to consider…

• Ways to make wise, healthy and planet-friendly choices about the products you buy

1. Cyclic?• Is the product made from materials that can be

continuously reused without creating any waste?

A little piece of the old house lives on…

The wood ceiling is saved and sold…

… to the Stanley Park concession stand!

Salvaged bricks

2. Solar?• Is the product manufactured using clean,

renewable energy from the sun or wind?

3. Safe

• Was the product made using non-toxic substances?

• Will it be safe to dispose of? • A product that is free from pollutants is

healthy to make, use and recycle.• Check labels, ask store assistants

4. Efficient• A new product that has been made using a

less wasteful process and is more efficient to use than what is already available.

Reduce floor area

• Save money on the structure and systems

• Its official: small homes make us happier!

Energy and Water: Reduce demand• CFL lightbulbs• EnergyStar labeled appliances• Look for water-efficient or cold-

plumbed models to reduce water-heating costs

• Low-flow / dual-flush toilets• Front-loading washing machines• Low-flow faucet & showerheads• Water-wise garden• Rainwater collection

5. Durable

• How long do you want the product to last? • Will it age gracefully and increase in value? • Is it easy to maintain and repair? • Investment in high quality construction expertise is as if

not MORE important than durable materials

6. Communicative

• Does the product give the right amount of information to help us better understand its impacts?

7. Beautiful

• Under what conditions was the product manufactured?

• Fair and just operating conditions for workers bring us all closer to a more sustainable future.

• Local is good!

Inspiration and ResourcesPeople and Places to Help You Thrive

Some Projects to Check OutSingle Family Homes• Hanvey House (North Vancouver, 2004)• Irwin House – (Stevensville, Montana, 2001)• Toronto Healthy House – (Toronto, 1996)Row-Houses• Passive Houses – (Sweden, 2001)• Koo’s Corner – (Vancouver, 2002)Highrise• The Silva – (Vancouver 2005)Under Construction• The Verdant – (SFU UniverCity, 2007)• Dockside Green – (Victoria, 2006 onwards)

There are lots of examples and resources …

• Organizations and case studies:– CMHC (www.cmhc.ca)– GVRD BuildSmart

(http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/buildsmart)– Light House Sustainable Building Centre

(www.sustainablebuildingcentre.com) – NRCan (www.SustainableBuildings.gc.ca)– CAGBC (www.cagbc.ca)

• Books and other resources– Check out the Light House resource library!

Take Home Messages…• Green does NOT have to be more expensive

• Focus your budget on quality not quantity

• Integrated decisions – think about impacts that a change in the plan may have on other systems.

• You’re in charge – stay on top of things! Ask for daily / weekly reports

• Read the label: if you don’t understand, ask

Remember, building is a team sport!

Light HouseSustainable Building Centre

Thank you for coming!Come back soon – We’re open 12-5 Mon-Sat

www.sustainablebuildingcentre.com