Defense
The Magazine of Military Housing, Lodging & Lifestyles
communities JULY/AUGUST 2011
www.phma.com
Navigating the green marketplace page 9
Water-saving strategies page 13
The latest on zeroenergy homes page 15
Green and GROWING
Military housing professionals are finding more ways to conserve than ever before
CONTENTS 24
GREEN SPECIAL ISSUE
47 9 Navigating the Green Marketplace
Searching for the best green products and deciphering environmental claims, product labels, and industry regulations can be tricky. These tips will guide green product purchasing and help you balance benefits and costs while complying with military mandates. By Dan Silk
13 Let the Savings Flow
Heating water accounts for 14 to 25 percent of the total energy consumed in a typical home. But some simple alterations to domestic water heater systems can reduce energy loss and cut costs. By Matthew D. Conlan
2 Defense Communities
15 When Less Is More
The first zero-energy homes at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, have been open for about a year. Take a look at the lessons these buildings—which produce as much energy as they consume—can teach us about green design, sustainable living, and more. By David Brockman
20 Shedding Light on Savings
The U.S. Department of State has made strides in ensuring that its more than 6 million square feet of domestic building space is as energy efficient as possible. Energy-efficient lighting strategies are one important reason why. By Andy Wakefield
24 Operation Net Zero
Privatization partners have a big role to play in helping Fort Bliss, Texas, achieve its vision of becoming a net zero installation. By Susan Adamson
41
Defense
The Magazine of Military Housing, Lodging & Lifestyles
July | August 2011 u Volume 22, Number 4 u www.phma.com
communities A Publication of the Professional Housing Management Association
32 Good as New
If you think you know furniture refurbishing, think again. Today’s refurbishing techniques are clean and fast and offer significant savings compared with the cost of replacement furniture—all while avoiding landfill waste. By Mario Insenga
DEPARTMENTS 4
6
36 Living Army Green
At Fort Wainwright, Alaska, the North Haven partnership is contributing to the Army’s net zero sustainability goal by creating recycling programs, outfitting homes with energy-efficient appliances, and more. By Betsy Woolley
51
41 Fighting Waste on Home Soil
Veterans have found ways to save energy and aid national security by choosing sustainable energy sources. By Ken Rahn
53
President’s Message n PHMA President Del Eulberg visits Italy. Chapter News n The Cabrillo Chapter plans its 12th annual cruise; the PHMA European Region holds its first-ever multi-chapter training in Italy. Military Marketplace n Check out this go-to resource to find companies that provide products and services to the military housing and lodging industry. Advertising Index
54 P HMA Corporate Sustaining Members
44 Every Drop Counts
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program recognizes products that meet strict water-efficiency and performance standards. Learn how you can take advantage of WaterSense to save water, energy, and money. By Brad Crozier
47 Heat at the Top of the World
Discover how the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, overcame the challenges of arctic construction while updating the heating system at Greenland’s Thule Air Base with new, energy-efficient boilers. By JoAnne Castagna
ABOUT THE COVER This
month’s cover features art made from recycled cardboard and aluminum cans in honor of this special Green Issue of Defense Communities. Starting on page 9, you’ll find articles covering the many innovative ways military housing is going green. Please send your articles for Defense Communities to Birgitt Seymour at phmadefensecommunities@earthlink.net. NEXT EDITORIAL DEADLINE: November/December: September 2
Publisher Editor Managing Editor Contributing Editor Editorial/Production Asst. Art Director
Debra J. Stratton Birgitt Seymour Lisa Junker Sally Zakariya Teresa Tobat Janelle Welch
Publishing Offices Stratton Publishing & Marketing Inc. 5285 Shawnee Road, Suite 510 Alexandria, VA 22312-2334 703/914-9200; fax 703/914-6777 defcom@strattonpublishing.com Advertising Sales Manager Alison Bashian Stratton Publishing & Marketing Inc. 800/335-7500; fax 440/232-0398 alisonb@strattonpublishing.com Editorial Office 544 Windspirit Circle, Prescott, AZ 86303 928/771-9826 phmadefensecommunities@ earthlink.net PHMA Office 154 Fort Evans Road, NE, Leesburg, VA 20176 703/771-1888; fax 703/771-0299 phmaoffice@earthlink.net www.phma.com Executive Director Jon R. Moore Defense Communities (ISSN #1088-9000 USPS #004-502) is published bimonthly by Stratton Publishing & Marketing Inc., 5285 Shawnee Road, Suite 510, Alexandria, VA 22312-2334, for the Professional Housing Management Association, 154 Fort Evans Road, NE, Leesburg, VA 20176. PHMA members receive this publication at the annual subscription rate of $30. Nonmembers’ annual subscription rate is $100. Send sub scription requests to Defense Communities at PHMA. Periodi cals postage paid at Leesburg, VA, and additional mailing offices. Defense Communities, ©2011, Professional Housing Management Association. All rights reserved. All contents of this publication are protected by copyright; however, they may be reproduced in whole or in part with prior approval of the publisher. Prior to photocopying items for educational classroom, internal, or personal use, or to request rights to republish an article, please request reprint permission from Editor, Defense Communities, phmadefensecommunities@ earthlink.net. Unless otherwise stated, articles and editorials express the views of their authors and not necessarily those of PHMA, the editors, or the publisher. Announcements and adver tisements in this publication for products and services do not imply the endorsement of PHMA or any of its members or staff. Postmaster: Send subscription/address changes to: Defense Communities, 154 Fort Evans Road, NE, Leesburg, VA 20176 or e-mail: phmaoffice@earthlink.net.
Defense Communities magazine is designed to keep those who operate and manage the whole spectrum of military housing and facilities maintenance informed on the industry’s latest technology, products, and services. It provides a forum for members to share lessons learned, news and events, and training opportunities and updates.
july | august 2011 3
chapter New s
Cabrillo Chapter Plans 12th Annual Cruise By Joe N. Fitts
C
ontinuing to travel the world by sea, the Cabrillo Chapter plans to trek to the Eastern Mediterranean in 2012, absent any unrest in the area. The proposed itinerary calls for a fall 2012 departure to Italy sailing from Rome eastward with port calls at Ashdod and Haifa, Israel, plus Port Said and Alexandria, Egypt. Additional stops will be in Greece and Turkey. Highlights will include visits to Jerusalem and the Pyramids. An alternate location would be Northern Europe along the North Sea and Baltic Sea during the summer, departing from the United States to the United Kingdom (London) or Copenhagen, sailing to ports of call at Stockholm, Sweden; Amsterdam, Holland; St. Petersburg, Russia; Hamburg, Germany; Helsinki, Finland; and Oslo, Norway. At this time, exact details have not yet been finalized. Potential guests (PHMA members, family members, and friends) can anticipate a cruise of nine to 12 days
6  Defense Communities
at a cost of $1,000 to $2,000 per person, not including air transportation from the United States to the initial country and city of departure and return. As in the past, optional side trips to other major cities in adjacent countries will be included at an additional cost. More information will be provided in the fall of 2011. In the meantime, the chapter’s annual cruise for 2011 to the Western Caribbean (Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama) set for October 22-30 is on track and in its final stages of planning, with limited space still available. Interested persons should contact Joe Fitts at 760/8457257 or 760/435-0701 or via email at joe.fitts@ sbcglobal.net. n Joe N. Fitts is Housing Program Manager for Marine Corps Installation West at Camp Pendleton, California; Western Regional Director for PHMA; and President of the PHMA Cabrillo Chapter. Reach him at joe.fitts@sbcglobal.net.
chapter New s
Group excursion in downtown Naples after a day’s training.
European Region Training Heads South of the Alps By Geert-Jan Hendriks
I
t was a great privilege and pleasure for me to welcome 110 students to the May 2011 European Region MultiChapter Training Meeting at Naples, Italy. Among the attendees were PHMA President Del Eulberg, his wife Karen, and PHMA Executive Director Jon Moore. Training participants came from Navy, Air Force, and Army installations throughout Europe. The event was sponsored by the Naples Chapter. For the first time in the history of the European Region, an event was held south of the Alps, providing professional training opportunities to our Italian colleagues and chapter members from the various European locations. Naples Chapter President Pietro Parillo and his team were fantastic hosts and made us feel most welcome in Bella Italia. I would like to thank Pietro, Ciro Dell’Annunziata, and Sandra Acri for their dedication and support for the European Region of PHMA. After opening remarks in Italian and English and a short presentation of the new PHMA Naples Chapter banner to the chapter members, President Eulberg asked the students to share information obtained at the conference with those who could not attend. He further stated that keeping the workforce trained is integral to a successful housing program and that we must inform our housing leadership about the need for and benefits of professional training.
Training and Exploration Navy CAPT (Ret.) Bruce L. Anderson, Acting Chief of Staff for Navy Region Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia, was our keynote speaker. He spoke about his housing experiences in his position as the Inspector General and Fleet and Family Readiness Director. He was on the regional quality of life team for many years and is therefore most familiar with both Unaccompanied and Accompanied Housing needs. Formal training included eMH automation, furnishings, environmental, customer service, team building, and conflict 8 Defense Communities
resolution presentations. For many Italian colleagues, the Italian-language Italian rental law class was the training highlight for them. They could not get enough and re-grouped after the closing ceremony for another two hours of training. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the professional trainers and presenters for making the event a most memorable and beneficial experience. The Naples training event was sponsored by New Star, ABC-Team, EUROBLIS, and New England Woodcraft. Our main sponsor, New Star, raffled a state-of-the-art laptop and donated $500 to the PHMA scholarship fund. The selected training site in the heart of downtown Naples provided many opportunities for exploring historic sites and shops. Our Italian hosts had an extraordinary afterhours social program set up for us, including a fascinating “Napoli Sotterranea” (Naples Underground) tour sponsored by the Naples Chapter. An English-speaking guide took us 40 meters below street level to the remains of old Roman theaters and cisterns. Attendees also joined us for a fabulous evening in a lounge/disco restaurant and danced the night away. This training would not have been possible without our housing leadership. I would like to thank them for their support of the European Region of PHMA and for giving our colleagues that were not able to attend the CONUS seminars the opportunity to attend professional training. Our next professional development workshop in FY13 will be hosted by the Crystal Chapter in the Regensburg, Germany, area. It will be my pleasure to once again welcome you to a European Region training event. n Geert-Jan Hendriks is a staff member of IMCOM, Europe Region Public Works, Housing. He is also the Director, PHMA European Region. Reach him at geertjan.hendriks@ eur.army.mil.
GREEN SPECIAL ISSUE
Navigating the Green Marketplace How to determine which products offer the greatest environmental benefits to help meet your sustainability goals By Dan Silk
W
hat’s green and what isn’t? How green is this product compared to that one? And how can a housing manager know the difference between green and not so green? As federal agencies face increasing pressure to adopt more sustainable practices, military housing and lodging professionals often need a deeper understanding of a product’s environmental performance. But navigating environmental claims, product labels, and industry regulations
can be challenging and cumbersome. And purchasers must also beware of “greenwashing”—misleading claims regarding environmental practices and product benefits. In addition to meeting green procurement mandates, the military has been specifically challenged to find innovative solutions that effectively manage costs while still meeting the needs of good hygiene and cleanliness. How do you determine which products provide the best balance of benefits and cost savings to meet your
sustainability needs? Here are a few tips to help guide green purchasing decisions.
Remember the three Rs Military professionals are constantly working to conserve natural resources and lessen their environmental impact in order to comply with Executive Order 13423, Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management. Signed by President George W. Bush in 2007 and expanded by President Barack JULY | AUGUST 2011 9
Online Resources The following resources are available to help educate professionals on green purchasing and guide the decision-making process: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/rrr/index.htm EcoLogo Program www.ecologo.org Green Seal www.greenseal.org The Sins of Greenwashing (TerraChoice) www.sinsofgreenwashing.org
sional cific Profes Georgia-Pa
Green by Design (Georgia-Pacific Professional) www.gppro.com/sustainability
Choosing products that use less cardboard, such as coreless bathroom tissue, helps reduce waste and lessen overall environmental impact. 10 Defense Communities
Obama in 2009, the mandate requires federal agencies to meet a number of targets, including 50 percent waste reduction and diversion by 2015. One method that can help you comply with Executive Order 13423 is to follow the three Rs suggested by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. “Reduce” is strategy number one because the most effective approach to managing waste is to avoid creating it in the first place. Implementing systems and products designed with source-reduction benefits contributes directly to waste prevention in a number of ways. Waste is not created just when items are thrown away; it is also generated throughout the entire life cycle of a product, including the development, manufacturing, and transportation processes. Choosing products that control dispensing and use less packaging, such as tissue with no inner wraps
and outer corrugates, means less waste is sent to landfills. Similarly, streamlining the variety of products you use and using products that are more versatile can also help reduce overall environmental impact. As mandated under Executive Order 13423, federal agencies are also required to implement recycling programs to complement their waste-reduction efforts. For military housing and lodging facilities, this includes recycling common solidwaste items such as newspapers, cans, bottles, paper, cardboard, plastic, or metal materials. After collection, recyclables are often sent to a materials-recovery facility where they are separated for sale to manufacturers that use them to make recycled-content products designed to meet the green purchasing requirements of the Executive Order. Recyclables are bought and sold like any other commodity, and the market for recycled products continues to grow due to the world’s increasing demand for recycled fiber. For example, GP Harmon, a business unit of Georgia-Pacific, trades in excess of 100,000 tons of recycled fiber per week. Such companies provide recycled content for product manufacturing across the world by focusing on close relationships with suppliers and customers.
Understand seals and labels In addition to being perceived as environmentally preferable, products may also be labeled with certification seals from a third party or a manufacturer’s program. These seals can help you sift through the numerous green products available, but you should first have a thorough understanding of what they truly represent. Environmentally focused nongovernmental organizations have grown in popularity over recent years. These third-party groups, such as EcoLogo, a division of UL Environment, offer manufacturers a certification program that includes manufacturing
and recycling guidelines. For a fee, manufacturers can have their products stamped and certified if they meet certain environmental impact guidelines. Because of the recent rise in greenwashing, seeking third-party certification has become an important criterion in purchasing decisions. In 2007, in an effort
to describe, understand, and quantify the growth of greenwashing, TerraChoice Environmental Marketing, the agency that manages the EcoLogo program, launched a study called The Sins of Greenwashing that evaluated environmental claims for a variety of consumer and professional products. The study emphasizes
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Even if you understand the importance of purchasing environmentally preferable products, evaluating and comparing them can still be a daunting task. While third-party certification can be helpful in determining the environmental benefits of a product or service, the best way to determine if it matches the needs of a specific facility is to seek advice from a trusted and respected distributor or manufacturer. Regardless of a product’s certification or the claims its manufacturer makes, it’s important to ask for and review the scientific background and documentation that measures the product’s environmental benefits. Third-party certifications, such as EPA’s Design for Environment, EcoLogo, and Green Seal, offer quick standard checks. Always remember, however, that integrity cannot be certified so building trusting relationships with distributors or manufacturers will help to ensure that the products and systems you put in place to support sustainability goals are, in fact, doing what you want them to do. n
Visit JESLighting.com or call 1-800-330-LAMP #201 (5267)
Dan Silk is Vice President of Environmental Sustainability for GeorgiaPacific Professional. Reach him at jdsilk@ gapac.com.
© 2011 JES Lighting 12 Defense Communities JES Island AD 60311 1
the importance of sound science, honesty, and transparency in marketing green products—traits buyers should look for and inquire about when considering a purchase. Some manufacturers have also developed educational resources to help organizations make purchasing decisions. For example, GeorgiaPacific Professional uses its Green by Design platform, a designation for products that follow the EPA’s Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle program. Green by Design products have packaging labels designating and measuring which of the EPA’s three Rs they support. Plus, the program’s website is a resource center for visitors who want to learn about the company’s environmental guidelines, recognitions, commitments, and achievements.
6/3/11 2:18 PM
GREEN SPECIAL ISSUE
Let the Savings Flow
Simple improvements to hot water heaters can result in big energy savings in family housing By Matthew D. Conlan
E
ven small steps can make a difference in energy savings, and one such step is to take a look at the domestic hot water
heater. Utility costs in Army Family Housing (AFH) account for only a small part of the more than $1.3 billion the U.S. Army spends on facility energy costs, but they still represent a large expenditure of funds. The AFH community is incorporating energy efficiency into newer housing designs, but reducing energy use in existing units can require substantial renovation or upgrades and be cost- and time-prohibitive. However, actions can be taken to reduce energy use in these older homes when replacement construction or major renovation is not feasible. An often overlooked area is the domestic hot water heating system. Water heating accounts for 14 to 25 percent of the energy used in a typical home. Older water heating systems are a frequent source of wasted energy, but there are a number ways to reduce energy loss. Individually these are small steps, but
taken together they can have a significant impact on energy reduction efforts.
Better insulation Unless a water heater’s storage tank already has insulation with an R-value of at least R-24, adding insulation to the tank can reduce standby heat losses by 25 to 45 percent, resulting in typical savings of around 4 to 9 percent in water heating costs. Insulating water heater tanks is fairly simple and inexpensive and usually pays for itself within one year. Pre-cut jackets or blankets are commercially available for around $10 to $20 apiece. Blankets should have an insulating value of at least R-8. For electric water heater tanks, consider placing a piece of rigid insulation—a bottom board—under the water heater tank to help prevent heat loss into the floor, saving another 4 to 9 percent of water heating energy. However, this step is best accomplished when replacing an old water heater.
Insulating a water heater tank usually pays for itself within one year. JULY | AUGUST 2011 13
Insulating hot water pipes reduces heat loss, and insulated pipes can carry water that is 2 to 4 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than uninsulated pipes can deliver, allowing for a lower water temperature setting. The wait time for hot water to reach a faucet or showerhead is also reduced, helping to conserve water. Insulating all accessible hot water pipes, especially within 3 feet of the water heater, is a great idea. It’s also a good idea to insulate the cold water inlet pipe for the first three feet from the water heater tank to reduce the loss of heat that migrates up the pipe from the water heater tank.
Lower temperature Simply lowering the water heater thermostat setting can significantly reduce water heating costs. For each 10 degrees Fahrenheit reduction in water temperature, between 3 and 5 percent in energy costs can be saved. Some manufacturers preset water heater thermostats at 140 degrees Fahrenheit, but most households only require a 120-degree setting.
Reducing water temperature to 120 degrees slows mineral buildup and corrosion in water heaters and pipes, helping them to last longer and operate at maximum efficiency.
Lower-flow fixtures Before 1992, some showerheads had flow rates of 5.5 gallons per minute and higher. Current federal regulations mandate that new showerhead flow rates cannot exceed 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm) at a water pressure of 80 pounds per square inch (psi), and new faucet flow rates cannot exceed 2.5 gpm at 80 psi or 2.2 gpm at 60 psi. Low-flow fixtures can save 25 to 60 percent in water use, which means less energy must be used to heat the water. For maximum efficiency, showerheads should have a flow rate of less than 2.5 gpm. Some showerheads are now available with a 1.5 gpm flow rate, offering even more substantial savings. The maximum flow rate for a faucet is ultimately determined by the faucet aerator. Aerators are inexpensive to replace, and they can be one of the most cost-
effective water conservation measures. For maximum water efficiency, aerators should have flow rates of no more than 1 gpm. Some aerators come with shutoff valves that can stop the flow of water without affecting the temperature—a pause function, so to speak. As a good steward of its resources, the Army must constantly seek ways to cut costs without affecting services. The Army needs to find ways to employ its resources most efficiently and effectively to support soldiers and their families. These relatively simple changes to plumbing systems are helpful steps to accomplishing that goal. n Matthew D. Conlan is a Housing Management Specialist, Strategic Planning and Construction Branch, Army Housing Division, Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management. Reach him at matthew.conlan1@us.army.mil. Adapted by permission of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from an article in the March/April 2010 Public Works Digest.
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Advertising Index Company, Contact
Phone
Web Site
Page
ADM International, Gary Raphael
773/774-2400
www.admintl.com
C3
Balfour Beatty Communities, Kathy Grim
610/355-8206
www.bbcgrp.com
1
BedBug Central, Robert DiJoseph
877/411-1142
www.BedBugCentral.com
21
Belfor Property Restoration, Gina Dolezal
214-683-4242
www.belforusa.com
45
Coit Worldwide, Shawn Aghababian
800/367-2648
www.coit.com
27
Davey Commercial Grounds, George Gaumer
800/447-1667 x 225
www.davey.com
6
Dwyer, Toni Pahl
630-741-7900
www.dwyerproducts.com
25
GSA www.gsa.gov
11
HD Supply Facilities Maintenance
877/610-6912
www.hdsupplysolutions.com
C2
Home Depot Government Solutions, Lyn Alvarado
813/806-3170
www.homedepot.com
29
Ista-North American, Bill Kirk
352/895-8839
www.eso-global.com
23
JES Lighting, Jamie Schumaker
888/330-5267 x 201 or 414) 760-3377 x 201 www.jeslighting.com
12
Kaba Multihousing & Institutional, LaShawnda Robinson
248/837-3700
www.kabamultihousing.com
43
Kenyon International, Inc., Suzanne Owens
860/664-4906
www.kenyonappliances.com
19
KLN Steel Products, Kris Benson
210/227-4747
www.3MTF.com
31
Microfridge Inc., Benjamin Otte
508/660-9200
www.microfridge.com
7
MilitaryByOwner Advertising, Dave Gran
540/446-4676
www.MilitaryByOwner.com
14
Moen, Dave Ricci
732/367-9214
www.cfgonline.com
39
Picerne Military Housing, Bill Mulvey
401/228-2800
www.picernemilitaryhousing.com
35
S & Y Trading, Yohanan Berlinerblaw
800/309 3393
www.sandytrading.com
49
Salsbury Industries, Ricardo Alva
323/846-6700
www.mailboxes.com
30
The Refinishing Touch, Mario Insenga
770/642-4169
www.therefinishingtouch.com
28
University Loft Company, James Jannetides
317/631-5433
www.universityloft.com
C4
Valley Forge Fabrics, Jason Gans
954.971.1776
www.valleyforge.com
37
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Customer Service
800/644-8083
www.wellsfargo.com
40
Yardi, Spencer Stewart
800/866-1144
www.yardi.com
5