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