Green Building CertificationOptions for CertificationReasons for Certification

November, 2012

Sustainability Sustainable Building Certification

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What does it mean to be sustainable or “green”?

Not a totally new concept400 BC, Aristotle referred to similar concept in

household economicsForestry concerns have long practiced “forest

management” for “sustainable yields”

Sustainability – Common Concepts Sustainable Building Certification

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Brundtland Commission of the UN on March 1987: “sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

Triple Bottom LineEnvironment – Social Equity – Economy (the 3 Es)Planet – People – Profit (the 3 Ps)

History – Application to Buildings

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In the 1970 - 80s society was expressing greater concern for sustainable development

Producers & consumers of the built environment asked:

How to identify legitimate, green initiatives & businesses

How to avoid “Greenwashing”What are sound sustainable goals

Confusion called for definitions & ratings

Sustainable Building Certification

History – Application to Buildings

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U.S. Green Building Council established 199360 firms, a few nonprofits in coordination with AIA

Worked to form coalition of the building industry for green building rating

Advocacy & education resulted in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating

Now 21 rating systems

Prominent Program Types Today Sustainable Building Certification

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Governmental or Community LevelSustainable Jersey – 125 certified NJ communities

More than just building certification

Broad Based Sustainable DevelopmentLeadership in Energy and Environmental Design

(LEED)9 Billion sq ft of certified space since 2000

BRE Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM)European program introduced in the UK in 1990

Green Globes – online assessment toolIntroduced in Canada in 2000

Residential Sustainable DevelopmentLEED for HomesEnergy Star – energy certification onlyNational Green Building Standard

Common Program Attributes

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Metrics for Measurement of:Sustainable Site Development

Water Efficiency

Energy Conservation

Reduce Impact on the Atmosphere

Efficient Use of Materials & Resources

Indoor Environmental Quality

Impact of Location & Linkages to Community

Advancing Awareness & Education

Promoting Regional Priorities & Innovation

Benefits of Certification Sustainable Building Certification

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Increased comfort

Improved indoor air quality

Numerous environmental benefits

Lower utility bills

Personal satisfaction

Increased value Not quantifiable yet, but significant anecdotal

evidence

Reduced maintenance

Good for marketing message

Limitations of Certification Sustainable Building Certification

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Certification often chosen for the wrong reasons

Public relations or marketing alone – sustainability goals unclear or not important

Certification by checking the boxesGet the points even if it doesn’t make sense

Bicycle racks and showers in the exurbs with no bike lanes

Choosing low hanging fruit vs. project goalsNo attempt to introduce innovation

Conflicting prioritiesHigh performance foam insulations vs. environmental

impacts of these products

Limitations of Certification 10 most popular LEED options – Selection based on ease vs. impact

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LEED credit Usage Description from LEED user guide

Hire LEED accredited professional 99.7% "you can easily earn this point."

Use low-emitting paints and coatings 93.3% "an easy, no-cost credit."

Boost energy performance 10.5% 92.2% "the most important credit in LEED"

Use low-emitting adhesives & sealants 91.5% "it shouldn't cost anything to earn this credit"

Use recycled materials in construction 90.9% "easy to achieve"

Reduce water use by 20% 90.6% "it's very doable"

Use low-emitting carpet 89.7% "a pretty easy credit, minimal additional cost"

Divert half of construction waste from landfill

89.6% "the ease or difficulty of this credit depends on project-specific and regional conditions"

Boost energy performance 14% 89% "the most important credit in LEED"

Water-efficient landscaping 86.9% "can be either simple or complex"

Based on an examination of 7,100 LEED buildings THE PATH TOWARD GOING GREEN USA Today, October 24, 2012

Limitations of Certification 10 least popular LEED options – Hard, costly or only works on some projects

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LEED credit Usage Description from LEED user guide

10% of materials such as beams and doors are reused or salvaged

4.7% "only works for the right kind of project"

Reuse existing building elements 5.6% "can be labor-intensive"

Use on-site renewable energy 6.6% "technologies aren't cheap"

Use rapidly renewable materials 7.2% "can be very easy to achieve"

5% of materials such as beams and doors are reused or salvaged

7.3% "only works for the right kind of project"

Reuse 95% of a building exterior 8% "intensive calculations"

Use on-site renewable energy 9.9% "technologies aren't cheap"

Boost energy performance 42% 9.9% "the most important credit in LEED"

Reduce use of potable water in wastewater

12.5% "can require waterless urinals or on-site waste treatment"

Reuse 75% of a building exterior 13.2% "intensive calculations"

Based on an examination of 7,100 LEED buildings THE PATH TOWARD GOING GREEN USA Today, October 24, 2012

Limitations of Certification

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Certification does not guarantee performance

Measured vs. Proposed LEED Savings Percentages

Energy Performance of LEED for New Construction 2008 New Buildings Institute Report

Why Certify? Is Self-rating an Option? Sustainable Building

Certification

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Self-rating No limit to optionsTechnological advancements provide varietyThe right thing to doIt’s not cost prohibitive (just more costly)Large and small green measures availableBiggest benefits with an integrated approach

Certification Proof of “Success” Teaching & learning opportunitiesGood for Purdue “Branding”

Options for Ross Reserve Project Sustainable Building Certification

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LEED for HomesAbout 15,000 certified homes

ENERGY STAR homesMore than 130,000 new homes earned the

ENERGY STAR in 2011 alone

National Green Building StandardAbout 4,000 certified since 2009

Living Building Challenge

Growth of Residential Certification

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Green homebuilding up during economic downturn

ENERGY STAR homes accounted for 26% of new

construction in 2011

ENERGY STAR® Home ProgramEnergy Certification Only

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Environmental Protection Agency started in 1995

GoalHomes 30% more efficient than 1992 Model Energy

CodeUpdated to new codes in 2006 and 2012

Two certification pathsPrescriptive path

Predefined improvements based on climate zone

Performance pathUses home energy modeling

ENERGY STAR® Home ProgramEnergy Certification Only

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Based on Home Energy Rating System (HERS)On-site inspection by a home energy rater

Certified by Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET)

Builder may submit plans to a home energy rater before

construction for a review

Computer simulation estimates annual energy use

The rater can make recommendations to the builder for

changes necessary to meet program requirements

ENERGY STAR® plaque awarded

ENERGY STAR® mortgage available

National Green Building Standards Sustainable Building Certification

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Builder can use green online tool to score projects

Strategically Promotes Innovation National Green Building Standards

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Innovation using common residential building systems

Customization avoidedResidential trades

usedTypical construction

sequenceMaterials from

standardsupply channels

Best Practice guides

Prescriptive & Performance options available

Cost are kept under control

Optimal Value Engineering (OVE) Framing

LEED for HomesSustainable Building Certification

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Can be used to rate:Single-family homesLow-rise multifamily homesManufactured or modular housingExisting homes

Green Rater conducts field inspections & testing

Minimum of two site visitsSome energy performance testing required

Green Rater verifies credits earned

Mostly prescriptive choices

Green Building Std. vs. LEED for HomesSustainable Building

Certification

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Six major point divisions very similarLEED adds education and a bonus innovation division

Green Std. bonus resource points for 3 BR homes less than 2500 sf and neutral up to 4000 sf

LEED neutral 3 BR home size is 1900 sf

Both have prerequisites (between 18 and 21)

Green Building Std. vs. LEED for HomesSustainable Building

Certification

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Both require verificationLEED uses HERS rating, inspection & testingGreen Std. uses NAHB Research Center inspection &

testing

LEED flexibility more limitedGreen Std. has both prescriptive and performance

optionsLEED compliance cost higher (1-2% vs. 3-4%)

Certification Fees (2009 data)LEED for Homes $1,050 - $2,350Nat. Green Building Std. $650 - $1,250

On The HorizonSustainable Building Certification

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DOE Challenge Home (energy only)

A step beyond Energy Star (Energy Star Home replacement?)

Introduced July 2012Goal “Net-Zero Ready”HERS Target Index of 55 (45% better than

code)Target excludes any credit for on-site power

generation

Prescriptive and Performance Options2,200 sf 3 BR benchmark home

Source MaterialSustainable Building Certification

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J. H. Reposa Jr. Ph.D., LEED™-AP, CGP (2009). Comparison of USGBC LEED for Homes and the NAHB National Green Building Program, International Journal of Construction Education and Research, 5:2, 108-120

THE PATH TOWARD GOING GREEN, USA Today, October 24, 2012 http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/10/24/table-most-popular-options-going-green-leed/1652869/

C. Turner, & M. Frankel (2008). Energy Performance of LEED® for New Construction Buildings. New Buildings Institute. http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=3930

U.S. Energy Information Administration