Green + Solar Home Tour

THE 2012

GREEN + SOLAR HOME TOUR P R O D U C E D B Y T H E H I G H D E S E R T B R A N C H O F CA S CA D I A

SATURDAY OCTOBER 6th | 8:30 AM - 5 PM

PHOTO: ROSS CHANDLER

FEATURING 9 CENTRAL OREGON HOMES PACKED WITH GREEN AND SOLAR FEATURES

CASCADIA

OREGON | High Desert Branch

FREE Event begins at 8:30 a.m.

Kick-off event starts at 9:00 am at COCC Campus Center, 2600 College Way Bend Home Tour 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. www.greenandsolarhometour.com Find “High Desert Branch” on Facebook

ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT

It pays to

FIGHT DIRTY ...energy sources with solar

Sunlight Solar has been in Central Oregon since 1997 and since that time we have installed over 1,200 installations throughout the state totaling more than 2.6 megawatts of clean, renewable energy.

We love what we do because we believe in solar and the extraordinary benefits it brings to our local economy and environment. We hope you are as inspired by this tour as we are. There are some amazing, emerging practices that are helping to reshape the way we think about buildings, before, during, and after construction. May this be the beginning to a wonderful adventure for you and your home.

If you decide that you would like to pursue solar, we can help! ✓ Residential and commercial solar electric and solar water heating installations ✓ Individualized proposal based on your needs, goals, energy usage and budget ✓ State and Federal tax credits available ✓ With our Sunrun program, pay as little as $7,500 out-of-pocket ❍ $6,000 state tax credit available – end cost of your system is $1,500 ❍ System pays itself off in less than 4 years ❍ 20 year 100% performance guarantee, repairs, monitoring, insurance included ❍ Worry-free solar!

CCB#158922 541.322.1910 50 SE Scott St., Bend, OR 97702

2 -GREEN & SOLAR HOME TOUR 2012

You can fight

rising energy costs with solar right at home. Now, solar costs less than your current electricity.

With a four-year return on investment, is it a choice you can afford not to make?

www.sunlightsolar.com Lindsey.Hardy@sunlightsolar.com

A warm Central Oregon welcome to the 12th Annual Green and Solar Home Tour!

The High Desert Branch: Your Local Connection to Green Cascadia Green Building Council Mission

To lead the transformation toward a built environment that is socially just, culturally rich and ecologically restorative.

HIGH DESERT BRANCH Mission

Realizing tomorrow’s living future, through today’s sustainable choices. We generate opportunities to consider our choices and encourage informed action by providing events and activities that inspire, educate, and demonstrate options for green built environments and sustainable lifestyles in our high desert community. We are excited about joining with others to keep the spirit of sustainability alive and growing in our area for the future health of our economy, environment and community.

The High Desert Branch of the Cascadia Green Building Council is proud to present the Green + Solar Home Tour. We’ve reviewed applications, asked local experts, and generally snooped around to find the very best green homes in Central Oregon.

The High Desert Branch brings this Tour to you through the tireless effort of volunteers. The Branch is your local connection to a much larger network of Branches that span the Cascadia Green Building Council region (Oregon, Washington, Alaska and British Columbia). Cascadia is a Chapter of both the US and the Canadian Green Building Councils, connecting to an even larger network.

Throughout the region, Cascadia works as a leading advocate for progressive green building laws, regulations and incentives. Additionally, Cascadia provides research to find answers to the technical, scientific and economic unknowns at the leading edge of green building. Cascadia is a program of the International Living Future Institute which works to bring substantial transformative change around the world.

Enjoy this Tour and consider ways that you can transform your world, one choice at a time.

You can support the Tour and the High Desert Branch by joining Cascadia or sponsoring next year’s tour!

http://cascadiagbc.org/branches/or/high-desert-branch ML Vidas

We are very excited about the homes, features and technologies associated with the Tour, and invite you to join us. Each Tour is made possible by a dedicated group of volunteers and organizations who believe Central Oregon is the best place on earth to live, and embrace sustainability in all aspects. Centered on this effort is the Cascadia High Desert Branch of the Green Building Council; where our goal is to bring inspiration, leadership and education about sustainable building to our region. We encourage you to help continue to make Central Oregon an even better place by volunteering for next years’ event, or for any event that helps strengthen our spectacular region. If interested, please add your name to a volunteer sign-up sheet at the kickoff or at any home along the tour.

The Kick-Off and Tour is brought to you FREE by the generosity of many local businesses and organizations who donate money or in kind contributions. A BIG Thank You goes out to our continuing Title sponsor Sunlight Solar and Platinum Sponsor Energy Trust of Oregon!

Other major contributors include the Garner Group, Home Heating and Cooling, Ecodog and Resource Conservation Technologies. Please review this guide and our website for a listing of our many other organizations who donated so graciously but are too numerous to mention here. Many of these sponsors will have booths set-up during the kickoff event so please take the time to visit them.

The theme for the Tour is ‘Behavior’ and we are fortunate to have two pioneers in that field as speakers at the kickoff event. Ron Pitt, the CEO from Ecodog, will be giving the keynote address about his choice to start a company to empower people to make intelligent energy efficient choices with the proper knowledge; and Tom Elliott will be speaking about the choices he is making to build C.O.’s first Living Building, and one of the Tours’ featured homes, “Desert Rain”. We are fortunate to have them, as they are experienced, knowledgeable and passionate about the behavioral choices that are required to become a truly sustainable society.

The kickoff event is a great place to listen to our engaging speakers and visit with sustainable experts from many different fields, not just the building industry. These experts include solar photovoltaic, solar thermal, certification programs, incentives to help lower the cost of energy efficient upgrades, energy monitoring, Commute Options, and many others. To see all of our vendors please check-out our website www.greenandsolarhometour.com and follow or like us on Facebook.

When you are coming to the kickoff event, we encourage you to participate in lowering your carbon footprint by either riding your bike, walking or using public transportation. Several businesses along the Tour route are getting involved in helping to encourage sustainable modes of travel. Details and Tour maps for the Green + Solar Home Tour will be provided at the tour’s kick-off event at COCC and online at the Cascadia Green Building Council’s website, http://cascadiagbc.org/branches/or/high-desert-branch Find transit schedules at: http://www.cascadeseasttransit.com/bendschedule.html See the Tour Map for Bike and Walking Routes, and Tour-goers who participate in alternative methods of travel during the Tour will receive discounts along the ‘bike and walk’ route at Strictly Organic Coffee, Riverside Market, Sage Cafe and Portello.

Greg Anderson & RJ Johnson, Co-Directors of the 2012 Green+Solar Home Tour

GREEN & SOLAR HOME TOUR 2012 - 3

8

4&

GB

M

E

$MJOF 'B

% S

UB )P Q F

B

3B

T 7J

48

48

BZ

BE PS

U

4

UB BU 4

E 4U

/8

%FMBXBSF "WF

/8 $PMPSBEP /8 "SJ[POB

8

4

P

"W

U

BE X # SP /8

/8 4

4U

/8 3JWFSGSPOU 4U JEF #MWE JWFST 8 3 /

PM

48 $ FO UVS Z %S

$

BE P

48

MP S

F

+PIO 'SFFNPOU 4U

S

MJO F 4LZ

4 -GREEN & SOLAR HOME TOUR 2012

4 J NQ T P O " W F

#JLF PS 8BMLJOH 1BUI

McKay

/8 UI 4U

4 8

"MUFSOBUF PGG SPBE QBUI

$PMVNCJB 1BSL

$PMVNCJB Columbia Park 1BSL 'PPUCSJEHF Foot/Bike Bridge

/8 $SPTTJOH %SJWF

. U 8 B T I J O H U P O %

/8 U I

O

#BMUJNPSF

3 B O D I

4 8 5 S P P

%BWFOQPSU

-

/8 (BMWFTUPO "WF

E

JOH UP O %S JW F

3

U

BTI

MGB

MGB

8

JSJU 3PDL 48 4Q

ODI 3E E B 3 B # SBTB

"

MJOFST 3PBE

4LZ

3

DI 3E

BO #SB 3 TBEB

8

SPT

RVF

7B

48

%S PMP

-PMP %S

8BZ SPT

#SBTBEB $BOZPOT (PMG $PVSTF BZ

#&/%

/8 $&"3 5&3 %3 8"

S

MMT ) X

Z

B

G

SXBUF S %

3E

.BSBNPOUF $U

%S

"M

BZ

E #SBTB

X

8

)BU 3P DL PQ -P ODI 3E

/F

#3"4"%" 3"/$) 1PXFMM #VUUF

.

PBE 3

T S JOF 4LZM Q PP

D . "MQJOF 3 E

$M FB

/FXQPSU

%S

5P #FOE

/

8

E

# PO

JMMT SU ) XQP

XF

)JHI -BLFT -PPQ 4VNNJU )JHI 4DIPPM

L 3

5P 1SJOFWJMMF

%SPVJMMBSE "WFOVF

$PNQBTT 1BSL

1BS

XZ VUUF ) MM #

"MGBMGB 3E

/8 $SPTTJOH %SJWF

%P

/8

TJO

T

P $S

)JHI -BLFT -PPQ

/8 $SPTTJOH %SJWF

F

SJW

% H

S TT % J 1B

4VNNJU )JHI -BLFT )JHI 4DIPPM &MFNFOUBSZ 4DIPPM

OF -B [FS O 'SB SJB

/035)8&45 $3044*/(

W MJO

I -FN

S

7JDLJF %S

4IF

4

3E

4& +FSSZ %

-BVSFO %S

/8 $SPTTJOH %SJWF

% S

. U 8 B TI J O H U P O % S J W F

H

.P

4 &

+V PO OJQFS $BOZ

F

E

4& %BWJT 8BZ

SOJO

TJ

HF 8 BZ

BMM

$ PMMF

/8

BE

OE

3P

#F

BS L

RVF 7B 48

JO 1

5P

3E

FW M

8

4I

56."-0

/8

/

Z PO $B

1M

P

IBTUB

$BNQVT $FOUFS

4IVN

JQFS

4 8

XZ

1P

+VO

)

$

XZ

)

/8 #SPBEXBZ

JWF O %S OHUP

4 &

B )

.U 8

M JO

UFST

Z

BV

4JT

X

1

1JOFIVSTU 3E

5P

BTIJ

EVENT KICK-OFF!

4&

$FOUSBM 0SFHPO $PNNVOJUZ $PMMFHF

(FSLJOH .LU 3E

E 4USFFU )XZ

4 $PNCT 'MBU 3E

13*/&7*--&

5P #FOE & S

2012 GREEN & SOLAR HOME TOUR

Tour Home Numbers

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

3rd Party Certified Net Zero Energy Performance Score

59

0.6

58

105 est

59

TBD

36

64 est NA

Earth Advantage® LEED-Homes

pending

ENERGY STAR Home ®

OTHER

OHPH

LBC OHPH

Building Envelope Wall R-value

32

50

32

22

38

47

38

22

Ceiling R-value

50

60

38

49

60

70 15 SOG

49

35

Floor R-value

40

48

38

38

38

43

38

20

0.3

0.32

Window average U-value

0.28 0.19

Ratio of glazing to floor space Blower Door Test ACH@50 Floor space square feet

17% 3.6

14% 19%

15 0.3

0.2 .25>.35

48% 25% 21%

21% 11%

0.23 0.21

2.0 est 2.75 TBD

1

31

0.9

4.9

NA

2010 1878 +144 2000 3571 2450 2200 +500 3568 2596 216 +180

Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Solar Ready

Photovoltaic (PV) System kW

Solar Ready

Solar Water Heating Passive Solar Design Ductless Inverter Heat Pump Hydronic Radiant Lighting CFL or LED Designed for Daylighting Energy Monitoring System

FIDO

RCTech

Indoor Air Quality and Health HRV

ERV

HRV

ERV

Low or No-VOC finishes and adhesives 80% 100% 80%

Reduced Formaldehyde Cabinets, Insulation

Water Conservation Low Flush/Dual Flush Toilets Rain harvesting/Storage Greywater System

Resource Conservation Fly Ash Concrete FSC Certified Wood Products

Construction Waste Reduction Plan

Community Pedestrian Access to Neighborhood Services (walking/biking) Infill Development (reduce utility expansion, conserve land & resources

• Oil, propane, kerosene, butane, or wood heated homes can access the State Home Oil Weatherization (SHOW) Program found on the Oregon Department of Energy website.

ERV

ERV

• Savings within Reach, a program of Energy Trust of Oregon provides moderate-income households with energy-efficiency upgrades with reduced out-of pocket costs.

Step 3: Take advantage of financing and get the work done now!

• Green Street Lending is an energy efficiency financing program through Umpqua Bank.

Step 4: Apply for tax credits and rebates From geothermal, water heaters, furnaces , heat pumps and heat recovery ventilation to duct sealing, document your products. Ask your retrofit specialist to identify the products that may qualify— not all products do.

Check DSIREusa.org for state and federal credits.

Tree and Soil preservation

Sustainable Materials

• Cascade Natural Gas and Pacific Power customers should contact Energy Trust of Oregon for details about the variety of programs offered including home assessments, cash incentives and free instant savings measures.

• Ask your lender or contractor about other financing programs they offer.

Xeriscaping/No Lawn

Salvaged Materials

• Central Electric Cooperative and Midstate Electric Cooperative offer energy conservation assistance, including a free home assessment. Also, learn how you can save energy on your agricultural property with WyEast Resource Conservation & Development.

• Clean Energy Works Oregon offers financing and cash back on loans after a complete home assessment is performed by a qualifying contractor.

Stormwater Retention

Advance Framing: Staggered or 24” o.c.

Step 1: Determine how you heat your home and water Check your bills, identify your utility provider, and visit their website or call them. They will help you conserve energy —really. They have a program just for that!

• Bend Area Habitat for Humanity offers zero interests loans for qualifying homeowners for a variety of services and employs youth from Heart of Oregon to do the work!

ENERGY STAR® Appliances

Hard Surface Flooring

You can upgrade your home and reduce energy costs each month. You can get cash to help pay for the upgrades, get a nice tax return for installing improvements and finance the remaining costs. With the money you save, you can even install solar on your home today. The time is now— we do not know how long these programs will be around.

Step 2: Check if you qualify for FREE services or increased incentives Go to these organization’s websites to see if your income qualifies for their program.

• NeighborImpact is the local community action agency that administers the Oregon Housing and Community Services Low Income Weatherization Assistance Program and covers the tricounty area.

HE Water Heater or Tankless

Ventilation System: ERV or HRV

“You don’t need a new home to go green and solar”

ICF

Step 5: Now that your home is as efficient as possible, it is time to go solar!

Cash incentives through the Energy Trust of Oregon can help lower your upfront costs. Plus 30% federal tax credit and state tax credit: up to $6,000 for electrical and up to $1,500 for water heating can help you recoup your investment. The combined incentives and tax credits available for electric and water heating systems can equal 60% to 80% of your investment, respectively.

– Megan Clark, Lindsey Hardy, Jody Howe GREEN & SOLAR HOME TOUR 2012 - 5

1

#

“One man’s sustainability training is put to the test.”

GREEN AT A GLANCE

3RD PARTY GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATIONS EPS Score 59 Earth Advantage® Silver ENERGY STAR® Home

Designer: The Shelter Studio • Builder: Fusion Homebuilders • Year Built: 2012

Address: 2446 NW Crossing Dr. – Northwest Crossing, Bend The builder/owner of this home has brought all that he learned in the Sustainable Homes Professional Program, offered by Earth Advantage®, to bear on this project.

The context of the design of the home was not only predicated on the slope of the lot, which is extreme, but by a desire to utilize an integrated design process that considers the various systems that will be used before even breaking ground. Some serious engineering and

BUILDING ENVELOPE Wall-double; staggered stud 2x8 plate, R-32 Ceiling: trusses with 16” raised heel, R-50 Floor: 12” engineered joist, R-40 Windows: 323 sq ft, average u-value 0.28 0.16 window to floor ratio, 40% south facing 3.6ACH@50pa (air changes per hour) 2012 square feet

a well-sealed structure ensures that the house works just as the owner planned (see Green at a Glance for systems and products), and in some cases, even better than was imagined. “Even in the winter, just cooking dinner is almost enough to heat up the main living and kitchen area. We can’t turn on the gas fireplace for more than 30 minutes or we’ll be baked out.” The high level of insulation throughout the house, combined with an orientation that takes advantage of the warming sun, keep this home at a comfortable temperature with minimal use of additional heat sources. The owners hope that this home will serve as a showcase of how to work within a budget to create a home that pleases one’s senses as well as one’s sense of sustainability.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY & RENEWABLE ENERGY Heat Source: ductless inverter mini split 85% CFL lighting ENERGY STAR® appliances - refrigerator, dishwasher Daylight design INDOOR AIR QUALITY Low-VOC paints, finishes, cabinets Central vacuum system 50% hard surface flooring HRV Life Breath WATER CONSERVATION Xeriscaping Stormwater Retention and Infiltration Permeable pavement RESOURCE CONSERVATION Lighting to prevent night time sky pollution Construction waste plan Estimated monthly utility cost- $100

Our most efficient heat pump is causing a lot of excitement. Maybe it’s the amazing heating efficiency up to 13 HSPF. Or the incredible year-round energy savings that ensures it’ll start paying for itself no matter when it’s installed. Either way, it’s certainly the most pumped anyone’s ever been over heating and cooling.

Whatever it takes.

TM

• Your Call Will Be Answered Now • Utility Company Approved Contractor • Clean, Background Checked Employees • Straightforward Pricing • Maintenance, Installations, Repairs, Duct Cleaning, Air Purification • Zero Down Financing, On Approved Credit Call your Bryant dealer to see what all the excitement’s about. 541-389-HOME

www.HomeHeatingBend.com CCB#191568

6 -GREEN & SOLAR HOME TOUR 2012

2

GREEN AT A GLANCE

“Net Zero Energy Home Built to Inspire Sustainable Living.”

#

Architect: Neal Huston and Associates • Builder: SolAire Homebuilders • Year Built: 2012

Address: 2334 NW Frazer Lane – Northwest Crossing, Bend In the words of Solaire Homebuilders, this Net Zero Energy Home “integrates the best in energy reduction strategies with renewable onsite energy production.

Rewriting the script for pride of home ownership, the home works hard for the homeowner: reducing electric-

Photo © Ross Chandler

ity bills to near zero, regardless of future utility rate inflation. This home offers long term financial security and environmental responsibility to its future buyers.” And they are not kidding- although much of what makes this level of sustainability possible is invisible to the eye. It is embedded in the four different home sealing measures; the super insulated walls, ceiling, and floors; the passive solar design and low to zero volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from cabinets, paints, and floors. Even the deceptively simple landscape design hides a greater, greener capacity- with deep gravel drain basins that hold rain water on the site, even in the event of a major storm. What you are aware of is how quiet it is (thanks to the 12 inch walls) and how open and airy it feels (due to the open plan and automatic ventilation system that brings in fresh filtered air). Hopefully, the integrity with which this home is built inspires others towards greater sustainable living.

3RD PARTY GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATIONS EPS Score: - 0.2 Earth Advantage® Platinum and Net Zero ENERGY STAR® Home Energy Trust of Oregon “ Live Net Zero” BUILDING ENVELOPE Wall:12” -double 2x4 staggered stud, R-50 Ceiling: R-60, raised heel trusses 18” Floor: 12” engineered joist, R-48 Windows: triple pane, average U-value 0.18-0.20 17% glazing to floor space ratio, 45% south facing SIGA -Air Barrier in ceiling Shading devices Continuous weather barrier, Quickflash covers 1.40ACH@50pa (air changes per hour) 1,878 square feet, plus 144 sf bonus room ENERGY EFFICIENCY & RENEWABLE ENERGY Heat Source: Mitsubishi Mini split 17.5 SEER 10.5HSPF PV: 7.03 kW connected to grid Solar hot water system 100% CFL & LED lighting Home Energy Monitoring, FIDO Night sky lighting Design ENERGY STAR® refrigerator and dishwasher INDOOR AIR QUALITY Zero VOC paint, insulation, hardwood floor Zero added Urea Formaldehyde cabinets, OSB 80% hard surface flooring Energy Recovery Ventilation: Lifebreath 200 WATER CONSERVATION Xeriscaping engineered to retain all water on site Dual flush toilets: 1.0 / 1.6 gpf Low-flow faucets: 1.75 gpm RESOURCE CONSERVATION BIB Insulation 30% recycle content, slag concrete 15%, bamboo flooring, CRI Green plus carpet and recycled content pad. 100% recycled content cabinet boxes. 30% construction waste reduction.

7:30 - 5:30 Mon.-Fri. • 8:00 - 3:00 Sat.

GREEN & SOLAR HOME TOUR 2012 - 7

Make A Difference:

As more Oregonians embrace solar as a clean and smart energy choice for their homes, The Environmental Center is helping make that choice easier and more affordable in Central Oregon.

With the launch of Go Solar! Central Oregon, residents in the tri-county area can purchase solar electric and hot water systems for their homes at substantially discounted prices through October 31, 2012.

“Going solar is a great way for local homeowners to make a difference,” said Mike Riley, executive director of The Environmental Center. “Solar helps families save money on their energy bills, prevent pollution by harvesting energy from the sun, and support Oregon’s economy by buying local. And that’s a win for everybody.”

To be eligible for Go Solar!’s discounted prices, homeowners must first register for the program online at GoSolarCentralOregon.org. Once registered, a Go Solar! contractor will visit their home for a free solar site assessment and develop a solar system proposal.

“Solar has never made more sense as a smart investment in your home and a great hedge against the rising cost of energy,” continued Riley. “The combination of solar panel prices at historic lows, Go Solar!’s discounts, substantial state and federal tax credits, and incentives from the Energy Trust of Oregon means that the average Go Solar! electric system has a simple payback period of 4 to 5 years.”

Go Solar! is presenting free workshops in Bend and Redmond in October. Workshops will include an overview of residential solar energy and the Go Solar! program, as well as available incentives and tax credits. Go Solar’s local contractor partners will also be available to answer questions. Visit GoSolarCentralOregon.org for a complete list of workshop dates, times and locations.

Go Solar! Central Oregon is a pilot program of The Environmental Center, in partnership with local contractors Sunlight Solar Energy and E2 Solar, Oregon solar manufacturer SolarWorld, Northcoast Electric, Bend Radio Group and Combined Communications. For more information visit GoSolarCentralOregon.org.

C

E DISPOS D A C A AS We Do What It Takes

8 -GREEN & SOLAR HOME TOUR 2012

L

3

#

GREEN AT A GLANCE

“This home was specifically designed to allow the homeowner to age gracefully in place.”

Architect: Cheryl Heinrichs Architecture Builder: JB Davis Construction LLC • Year Built: 2011

Address: 2211 NW Clearwater Dr. – Northwest Crossing, Bend There are few people who design their homes with an extended future in mind, so it is a delight to be able to include one in this year’s tour. The owner’s present life includes a variety of needs and loves that the home provides for, such as an office, space for playing music, room to exercise and easy access to

nature, but it is also designed for the future, when greater ease of maneuvering throughout the house may be required. There are no interior thresholds, including the shower entries; the halls and doorways are wide, and all doors utilize lever hardware. The home is also designed for minimal maintenance, with efficient heating and cooling systems, an active solar system, on-demand water heater, and a southern solar orientation that provides glorious daylight, even to the more private spaces. By making the interior walls partial height, daylight is pulled deep into the rooms on the north side via the transoms above the doors, deriving maximum value from the glazing layout that places 75 percent of the windows on the south walls. The clean aesthetics of the finishes, including NW madrone counters and flooring and natural plaster walls will provide a lovely, calming backdrop throughout the years.

3rd PARTY GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATIONS EPS Score 58 Earth Advantage® Platinum ENERGY STAR® Home Oregon High Performance Home BUILDING ENVELOPE Wall:12” -double 2x4 staggered stud, R-32 Ceiling: R-38 Floor: 12” engineered joist, R-38 Windows: average U-value 0.3 15% glazing to floor space ratio, 75% south facing Shading devices, designed for daylight 3.0ACH@50pa (air changes per hour) 2000 square feet ENERGY EFFICIENCY & RENEWABLE ENERGY Heat Source: Hydronic radiant floor, 95%eff gas boiler PV: 3.33 kW connected to grid Tankless water heater: Navien NR-210A ,94% 75% CFL lighting Night sky lighting Design ENERGY STAR® refrigerator, dishwasher, cloths washer Advanced framing -staggered stud, 24”oc INDOOR AIR QUALITY Low/no-VOC paints, caulks, finishes Formaldehyde-free cabinet boxes, interior trim, doors, underlayment 100% hard surface flooring ERV: Lifebreath 155Max 73% eff Garage exhaust, timer controlled ventilation WATER CONSERVATION Xeriscaping with Netafim irrigation system On Site stormwater retention swales Dual flush toilets: 1.0 / 1.6 gpf Low-flow faucets/ showerhead: 1.5 gpm RESOURCE CONSERVATION BIB Insulation 30% recycle content, slag concrete 15%, FSC wood products, locally sourced materials- flooring and counters.

Construction waste reduction, zero maintenance products, night sky light preserved, Infill development, engineered wood, Universal design elements

Geothermal Harrison Crecraft | Senior Project Manager | Bowman Geothermal What is geothermal heating and cooling? It is not about volcanoes and geysers or energy production from deep steam or superheated water. “Little g” geothermal is about using the earth as a natural solar collector. Seasonal heating and cooling of the earth’s surface makes the ground ideal for storing summertime heat to heat us in the winter and for absorbing heat to keep us cool in the summer.

Geothermal heat pumps are used to move the heat between your house and the ground. Geothermal heat pumps are much more efficient than air-source heat pumps. They can work efficiently even on the hottest or coldest days of the year because of the year-round moderate ground temperature. Water and antifreeze are circulated through plastic tubing buried in vertical bore holes, horizontal trenches, or sometimes in ponds. In the winter, cold water extracts heat from the ground, and delivers it to the heat pump, which concentrates the heat to deliver it to your house. In the summer the heat pump extracts heat from your house and circulates warmed water through the ground to shed heat. Heat Pump manufacturers are now introducing the next generation of heat pumps with higher efficiencies than ever possible before. Some also will provide hot water year round. Not only can geothermal systems cut total utility costs in half, a Federal tax credit in effect through 2016 can reimburse 30% of the cost of the entire heating and cooling system.

In order for geothermal heating and cooling to work properly, it is essential that the heating and cooling requirements of the house are properly assessed and that the loop is properly sized. The important properties determining the loop size, in addition to heating and cooling requirements, is the ground temperature and the thermal conductivity of the soil or rock. Although the deep ground temperature is normally uniform and close to the mean annual

air temperature, ground temperatures in trenches are sensitive to depth.

In addition, some areas receive additional heat by ground water circulating within deep faults or volcanic zones. Thermal conductivities for common rock types are adequately known, but for soils, conductivity depends not just on density, clay, and sand contents, but also on moisture. Dry light soil has half the conductivity of dense moist soil. It is important to have a system sized by an installer familiar with the local conditions. Local accredited installers and much more can be found at the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association at www.igshpa.okstate.edu.

541.639.2988

We are glad to help you.

New Home Verifier • Home Performance Contractor “Save money, save energy with Home Performance with ENERGY STAR” Trade Ally of

GREEN & SOLAR HOME TOUR 2012 - 9

GLOSSARY OF GREEN HOME TERMINOLOGY

Glossary adapted from Good Green Homes: Creating Better Homes for a Healthier Planet With permission from the author, Jennifer Roberts. www.jenniferroberts.com www.goodgreenhomes.com

Adaptable building

A building than can be readily remodeled or re-configured to meet an occupant’s or community’s evolving needs.

EPSTM

EPSTM, brought to you by Energy Trust of Oregon, is an energy performance score that helps you assess a home’s energy consumption, energy costs and carbon footprint.”

Advanced framing

Design and construction techniques that significantly reduce the amount of material used to frame a building. Includes strategies such as studs placed 24 inches on center; fully insulated corners; insulated headers; engineered wood products; and roof or floor trusses.

Engineered wood

Air Changes per Hour (ACH)

Air Changes per Hour, is the total volume of air in a space that is exchanged over in hour.

Building products, including beams, framing studs, and floor and roof joists, made from wood fibers bound with adhesives. The wood typically comes from plantation-grown trees, thus reducing demand for old-growth trees. In general, engineered wood products result in less wood waste than solid sawn lumber products.

Alternating current (AC)

Electric current that reverses its direction of flow at regular intervals. In most countries, the electricity provided by utilities is AC electricity.

Fiber-cement siding

An exterior siding product made from a blend of portland cement, sand, cellulose fiber and additives, typically sold as planks or panels, with a smooth or textured finish.

Fly ash

Bamboo flooring

Flooring made from bamboo, a, fast-growing grass with a hollow stem, that can be harvested every three to five years. Tongue-and-groove bamboo floor planks are available pre-finished or unfinished, with a vertical or horizontal grain. An alternative to hardwood.

A waste product from coal-fired electric power plants that can be used as a substitute for portland cement in some concrete mixtures.

Blower Door

It has three primary components: a calibrated variable-speed fan, a mounting system for the fan in a building opening such as a door, and a manometer to measure pressures as a result of fan airflow. A blower door (BD) is used to measure the airtightness of a home/building. It also is used to measure zonal pressures within a building, help locate air leakage sites in a building envelope. Their purpose: to assess the construction quality of the building envelope, locate air leakage pathways, determine if a building is too tight or too loose, or in compliance with building performance standards.

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

An international certification organization that has established voluntary environmental forest management standards. FSC accredits independent third-party organizations that monitor and certify the compliance of forestry operations with FSC standards. FSC-labeled wood products give consumers assurance that the wood comes from trees grown and harvested in an environmentally responsible manner.

Formaldehyde

A colorless, pungent gas used in many glues, adhesives, preservatives and coatings. It also occurs naturally. Products and materials containing formaldehyde can offgas the chemical into the air.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, exposure to formaldehyde may cause allergic reactions, respiratory problems or cancer in humans. Phenol formaldehyde is roughly 4-10% as volatile as Urea-based glues. Phenol is typically used for exterior materials like OSB, engineered lumber and exterior grade plywood.

Geothermal

Energy produced by the internal heat of the earth. It is the normal temperature of the ground at shallow depths. Geothermal energy uses this stable temperature to cool your house in the summer and heat it in the winter. Channels are dug into the ground and pipes laid to circulate water (or refrigerant) throughout the house – one direction in winter to draw in the warmer water and the other direction in the summer to send the heat outside and bring in the cooler temperature water

Glazing

Transparent or translucent material, such as glass or plastic, that lets light into a building.

Borrowed space

Views and daylight from a nearby space used to enliven and seemingly enlarge a room.

British thermal unit (BTU)

The quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit.

Building envelope

A building’s shell, including exterior walls, windows, doors, roof and the bottom floor.

Cellulose insulation

Insulation made from wood fiber, primarily recycled newspaper, treated with nontoxic chemicals to retard fire, mold and insects. Loose-fill cellulose can be blown into attic spaces or packed into wall cavities. Damp-spray cellulose is a damp mix of cellulose and adhesives that is sprayed into wall cavities before hanging drywall.

Certified wood

Wood certified by an independent third-party certification program to have been grown and harvested using environmentally responsible forestry practices.

Graywater

Household wastewater that doesn’t contain sewage and can be reused for toilet flushing. Graywater typically comes from showers, lavatories, and clothes washing machines.

Cistern

A tank, often underground, used to collect and store rain water for later use.

Green roof

Clerestory

A window or row of windows placed high on a wall, often above the main roof line, used for introducing daylight into a room.

A roof that has a layer of soil or other growing medium on top of a waterproofing membrane. May be planted with sedum, grasses, wildflowers or other groundcover. Also known as a “living roof” or “eco roof.”

Compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL)

A fluorescent light bulb designed to replace regular incandescent bulbs and last 10 times longer, use ¼ the energy, & produce 90% less heat.

Halogen light bulb

A type of incandescent light bulb that is filled with halogen gas. It burns longer than a standard incandescent bulb and provides a crisp white light, but gets very hot and is less energy efficient than a compact fluorescent bulb.

Conditioned space

An enclosed space supplied with conditioned air from a heating and/or cooling system.

Heat gain

Heat from the sun, people, electric lights or appliances that cause the temperature in a space to rise.

Conduction

Heat flow from molecule to molecule in a solid substance. A cast iron skillet handle heats up because of conduction through metal.

Heat island effect

The tendency of large areas of roofs, asphalt, concrete and paved surfaces to absorb the heat, making urban areas considerably hotter than nearby rural areas.

Convection

The transfer of heat caused by the movement of a fluid like water or air. When a fluid becomes warmer it becomes lighter and rises.

Heat loss

The decrease of heat in a space as a result of heat escaping through the building’s walls, windows, roof and other building envelope components.

Cork flooring

Flooring, usually sold as tiles, made from cork, which is harvested from the outer bark of cork oak trees without damaging the trees. Cork oaks regenerate their bark and can be reharvested every 9 years.

Horizontalaxis washing machine

A clothes washer with a horizontal tub instead of a vertical tub (also known as front load washing machines). Horizontal-axis washers tend to use significantly less water—and therefore less energy to heat the water—than conventional washers.

Cotton insulation

Insulation made from post-industrial recycled cotton textile trimmings. Typically treated with a nontoxic fire retardant and sold as batts that fit between framing studs.

Daylighting

Using light from the sun to illuminate a room. Usually used in combination with electric lighting.

Heat Recovery ventilation (HRV) system

An air-to-air heat exchanger captures heat from indoor air that’s about to be vented from a home and transfers that heat to fresh air that’s being drawn in from the outside. Exhaust and supply airstreams cross but do not mix. Heat is transferred from warmer to cooler airstream. There are two core types; Cross flow cores and Counter flow cores.

Deconstruction

Disassembling rather than demolishing a building so that its components can be reused.

Direct current (DC)

Electric current that flows in one direction. Photovoltaic systems convert sunlight into DC electricity.

An inverter is then used to convert the DC electricity to alternating current (AC) electricity so that it can be used to power standard household equipment and appliances.

Hydronic radiant-floor heating system

A heating system in which warm water circulates through tubes embedded in a concrete floor slab or attached beneath the subflooring. The floor absorbs heat from the tubes and slowly releases it to the room, providing comfortable, quiet, gentle warmth that doesn’t stir up dust or create drafts.

Impervious surface

A surface that water can’t pass through.

Double-glazed window

A window with two panes of glass separated by an air space. Compared to single-glazed windows, double-glazed windows significantly reduce heat and sound transmission. Some double-glazed windows contain a gas such as argon or krypton in the air gap to provide additional insulation.

Incandescent light bulb

A light bulb that consists of a filament inside a glass bulb. Passing electric current through the filament causes it to heat up and produce light. Standard household light bulbs are incandescent bulbs; they are very inefficient, wasting 90% of their energy as heat instead of useful light.

Energy efficiency ratio (EER)

A measurement of energy efficiency for air conditioners. The EER is computed by dividing cooling capacity, measured in British Thermal Units per hour (BTUH), by watts of power.

Indoor air quality

Energy efficiency

Using less electricity or fuel than a conventional technology to perform the same task.

The level of air pollutants inside a building. Indoor air pollution sources include tobacco and wood smoke; certain building materials and furnishings; certain cleaning, maintenance, and personal care products; dust mites; pet dander; mold; radon; pesticides; and outdoor air pollution. Inadequate ventilation and high humidity levels can also contribute to indoor air quality problems.

ENERGY STAR®

A program sponsored jointly by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy that promotes energy-efficient products, homes and technologies for consumers and businesses. Energy Star qualified products and new homes are often ten to thirty percent more efficient than their conventional counterparts.

Infill development

Building on empty or underutilized lots in cities or older suburban areas instead of building in a previously undeveloped area.

Infiltration

The uncontrolled movement of outdoor air into a building through cracks and other defects around plumbing, floor cavities, soffits, chimneys, ducts. Accompanied by an equal outflow of air from indoors to the outdoors.

Insulated concrete form (ICF)

Plastic foam shaped into hollow blocks, panels or planks and used as a form to create a concrete wall. After positioning the foam forms, rebar is typically inserted into the cavities to reinforce the walls, and then concrete is poured in. Once the concrete cures, the foam remains in place to insulate the walls. Exterior siding and interior wall finishes are attached to the ICFs.

Insulation

A material that has a high resistance to heat flow. Used to keep a home comfortable and reduce the energy needed to heat and cool the home.

Energy Guide label

A yellow sticker required by U.S. law on certain new household appliances, including air conditioners, furnaces, clothes washers, dishwashers, refrigerators and freezers. The label provides information on the amount of energy the appliance will use in one year.

Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV)

A ventilator that recovers latent and sensible energy from the exhaust airstream and imparts it to the incoming airstream. Sensible heat is transferred from the warmer to the cooler airstream and moisture is transferred from the wetter to the dryer airstream. ERVs are used in humid climates to reject outdoor humidity and in very cold climates to retain indoor humidity.

10 -GREEN & SOLAR HOME TOUR 2012

Integrated building design

A collaborative design process that takes into account the interrelatedness of all parts of a building.

It involves designing a building from the outset so that all its components, equipment and systems work together to provide maximum comfort, healthfulness, energy and resource efficiency, and cost effectiveness.

Radon

A radioactive gas derived from the natural decay of uranium. Radon is emitted by some soils and rocks, and can enter a home through cracks and holes in the foundation or through well water.

Exposure to radon causes lung cancer.

Inverter

A device used to convert DC electricity (such as that produced by a photovoltaic system) into AC electricity to power standard household equipment and appliances.

Rainwater harvesting

Collecting rainwater from a catchment area such as a roof and storing it in cisterns or other containers to use for watering a yard or garden, or for other purposes.

Kilowatt (kW)

A unit of electric power equal to 1000 joules per second or 3412 BTUs in output.

Reclaimed material

A material that’s put to a new beneficial use after it’s no longer needed for its original use, such as wood removed from an abandoned building and used to construct a new building.

Kilowatt-hour (kWh)

A unit of electric energy equal to 3600 kilojoules or 3412 BTUs.(relates to usage)

Renewable resource A material that can be replenished in a relatively short period of time after it is harvested or used.

Light emitting diode (LED)

A diode consists of a section of N-type material bonded to a section of P-type material, with electrodes on each end. This semiconductor arrangement produces an electrical current in only one direction. ...this setup has an interesting side effect -- it generates light!

R-value

A measure of a material’s resistance to the passage of heat through it. The higher the R-value, the more effective the material is as insulation.

Lighting controls

Devices used to manually or automatically dim electric lights or switch them on or off. These devices, which include dimmers, timers, motion sensors and photocell controls, provide convenience and energy savings.

Sealedcombustion appliance

A gas-burning fireplace, furnace or water heater with a sealed combustion chamber. Fresh air is supplied directly to the combustion chamber from outside and harmful combustion by-products are exhausted directly to the outside, keeping them out of the home. Same as direct vent.

Linoleum

A smooth floor covering typically used in kitchens and bathrooms. True linoleum is made from natural renewable resources, including pine rosin, sawdust, linseed oil, natural pigments and jute.

Vinyl flooring, sometimes mistakenly called linoleum, is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is derived from petrochemicals.

SEER Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio

Indicates an air conditioner’s energy efficiency. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the air conditioner. The cooling output in BTU’s during a season divided by the total electrical energy input watt-hours during the same period.

Smart growth

Low-e (lowemissivity) window

A window with a special coating that allows daylight to enter a building but reduces the flow of heat. The appropriate type of low-e glazing for a home will depend on the climate and the window’s orientation.

A community planning movement that offers an alternative to unchecked, sprawling development. It advocates protecting open space and farmland, preserving natural and cultural resources, revitalizing inner cities and inner suburbs, and creating communities that are livable and affordable.

Native vegetation

Plants that are indigenous to a particular area, and generally require less water & less maintenance, as opposed to occurring there due to human intervention.

Solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC)

An indication of how much of the sun’s heat will enter through a window. An SHGC of 0.40, for example, means that forty percent of the sun’s heat gets through the window.

Solar electricity

Electricity generated from sunlight. Also called photovoltaic or PV power.

Natural cooling

Cooling a building through passive means rather than mechanical systems such as air conditioning.

Natural cooling strategies include shading, cross ventilation, and the use of thermal mass to moderate temperatures inside a space.

Natural ventilation

The introduction of outside air into a building by using passive means such as open windows and cross ventilation, rather than using mechanical systems such as air conditioners, heating systems or fans.

Solar Thermal or Solar water heating systems

The use of concentrated sunlight to heat or preheat water for domestic use and /or space heating. A closed system of Flat-plate or Evacuated-tube solar collector moves hot water from roof to store in a tank in the building.

Stack effect

The air flow established in a building from air infiltrating low and exiting high. The pressures created are greatest at the highest and lowest points in the building.

Net metering

A billing agreement that allows small power producers, such as homeowners with photovoltaic systems, to feed directly to the utility grid any electricity they generate in excess of their current demand. This causes the electricity meter to spin backwards, essentially selling that power back to the utility system at retail price.

Stormwater runoff

Water that flows off of buildings and paved surfaces and over land during a rainstorm.

Stormwater retention

Generally refers to the collection of stormwater, with no discharge point. Water is collected and then is allowed to percolate into the ground or evaporate

Structural insulating panel (SIP)

An alternative to framing with wood studs and joists. SIPs can be used to build well-insulated floors, walls and roofs. Prefabricated panels typically consist of rigid foam insulation sandwiched between two panels of oriented strand board or plywood.

Sustainability

Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (as defined by the World Commission on the Environment and Development).

Net Zero or Net Zero Energy (NZE) Building

A building that creates at least as much energy as it uses. The home will be small, designed to take advantage of passive solar design, and will focus on reducing energy demand with super-insulation and an air-tight envelope. A combination of solar water heating systems and electricity produced with photovoltaic panels or wind turbines is essential to generate the on-site energy required to achieve net-zero. Use in areas with no utility access are “off grid”.

Offgas

The release of vapors from a material through the process of evaporation or chemical decomposition.

Many building products, furnishings, floor and wall coverings and other products brought into the home offgas formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or other potentially harmful chemicals.

Swale

A shallow depression or hollow in the ground used to slow the flow of stormwater off a property.

Tankless water heater

A water heater that saves energy by heating water as it is needed, rather than storing hot water in a tank. Also known as an instantaneous or demand water heater.

Organic gardening

Gardening without synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers, instead using environmentally responsible techniques and substances like compost, mulch and manure to build healthy soils, manage pests and encourage healthy plant growth.

Thermal bridge

A highly conductive material within a building envelope, such as a steel or wood framing member, that allows heat to bypass the insulation.

Orientation

The relationship of a building, or a window or other building component, to compass direction and consequently to the sun’s position.

Thermal mass

The ability of a material to absorb and retain heat. Materials with a high thermal mass, such as rocks, earth and concrete, have the capacity to absorb heat during the day and release it when temperatures cool.

Oriented strand board (OSB)

An engineered wood panel made from strands of wood arranged in crisscrossing layers and bound with an adhesive.

Truss

Parallel strand lumber

An engineered wood product made from strands of wood glued together under pressure and cut to form beams, columns and other structural building components.

A prefabricated, structural framework for supporting roofs or floors. Trusses, which are shipped to the building site ready to install, are typically fashioned of small pieces of wood joined with metal plates into a triangulated form. They use less wood, and save time and money compared to site-built rafters and joists.

Pascal

A unit of measurement of air pressure

Passive solar design

A building specifically designed to collect and store the sun’s heat, and release that heat into the interior spaces to help warm the rooms naturally. Depending on the design and climate, passive solar heating can be the sole source of heat for the building or can be supplemented with a heating system.

Tubular skylight

A circular skylight that’s much smaller than typical skylights, designed to illuminate interiors with daylight while keeping out excessive heat. It consists of a small, roof-mounted dome attached to a tube lined with reflective material. Light is reflected down the tube, and is transmitted into the room through a translucent ceiling fixture.

U-factor

Indicates how easily heat will pass through a construction assembly, such as a window. The lower the U-factor, the lower the rate of heat flow.

Phantom load

The small amounts of electricity consumed by many appliances and equipment—such as TVs and stereos with remotes, ovens with digital clocks, cell phone chargers and answering machines—even when they’re not in use.

Universal design

An approach to designing a product or a building to make it more easily usable by people of all ages and diverse physical abilities.

Photovoltaic (PV) cell

A material that converts sunlight directly into electricity.

Ventilation

The movement of air through an area for the purpose of removing moisture, air pollutants, or unwanted heat.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

Also known as vinyl. A family of plastics, derived from vinyl chloride, with a wide range of forms and uses. PVC is used extensively in building products, consumer goods and industrial applications. PVC contains or releases many dangerous chemicals including dioxins, phthalates & vinyl chloride. There is no safe way to manufacture, use or dispose of PVC.

Volatile organic compound (VOC)

Post-consumer recycled content

Products that have been used and discarded by a consumer and are then reprocessed as raw material for a new product.

A class of organic chemicals that readily release gaseous vapors at room temperature. VOCs occur naturally in many materials, and can also be manufactured and added to materials and products.

VOCs are released (“offgassed”) into a home by common furnishings and building materials, including many types of particleboard, paint, solvents, carpets and synthetic fabrics. Exposure to VOCs can cause symptoms ranging from short-term nausea, eye irritation and headaches to more severe, longer-lasting effects.

Radiant barrier

A material installed in buildings to reduce summer heat gain (and, to a lesser extent, winter heat loss).

Radiant barrier products typically consist of a thin sheet of a reflective material such as aluminum, attached to a substrate such as plywood, oriented strand board or kraft paper. The product is typically installed in a home’s attic to reduce the transfer of heat from the roof into the home.

Whole-house fan

Radiation

The transfer of heat from a warm object to a cooler object by means of electromagnetic waves passing through air or space. When you stand in the sun, your skin is warmed by radiation. When you stand next to a cold window, your body radiates heat to the cooler window.

A powerful fan mounted in a ceiling opening, used to pull air through the home and exhaust it out the attic and through the roof vents. It provides air circulation and cooling in climates where days are warm and nights are cooler, and can often reduce or eliminate the need for air conditioning. A wholehouse fan is typically used at night to pull cooler outside air into the home through open windows, and to vent warm air through the attic and roof.

Xeriscape

Landscaping design that conserves water by using native or drought-tolerant plants, mulch, and limited or no irrigation.

GREEN & SOLAR HOME TOUR 2012 - 11

4

#

“Embrace life’s changes and design a home that is flexible in its use over time.”

Co-Designers: Jason Offutt and Marayd Allen • Builder: Craig Johannesen Year Built: Under Construction

Address: 18830 MacAlpine Loop, Bend What do you do when the family structure changes, creating different needs from your home? You embrace the change and design a home that is flexible in its use over time. Working intimately with the designer and builder, that is what these owners have done. The 2-story layout allows them to close off the upstairs when their “kids” are not home, focusing their daily living on the main level where they can enjoy the breezes moving through the surrounding trees. That is, of course, when they are not enjoying the mountain bike trails on the adjacent “Phil’s Trail” system. Proximity to these Forest Service trails was

a major deciding factor for the location of the home, and an appreciation for the integrity of the lot’s land and trees influenced their efforts to minimize the amount of development the property received. The design encourages daylight into all high-use areas, creating a visual connection to the beautiful outdoor environment. Knowing that trees can also become a fire hazard, Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF’s) and concrete roof tiles were used to protect as well as insulate the home. A recipient of the Energy Star New Home Verification, an energy efficiency program that addresses systems, products and materials, this home should satisfy their needs and fulfill their dreams for quite some time. The home’s masonry heater is a must see.

GREEN AT A GLANCE 3RD PARTY GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATIONS

EPS Score 105 est Earth Advantage® Platinum ENERGY STAR® Home BUILDING ENVELOPE

Wall: ICF , R22 Ceiling: trusses with 16” raised heel, R-49 Floor: 12” engineered joist, R-38 Windows: triple pane, average U-value .32 11% glazing to floor space ratio, 50% south facing Target 2.0 ACH@50pa (air changes per hour) 3571 square feet ENERGY EFFICIENCY & RENEWABLE ENERGY

Heat Source: masonry heater “Firespeaking”, Secondary Heat: 93% AFUE forced air system Solar ready; 100% CFL lighting or better ENERGY STAR® appliances INDOOR AIR QUALITY

No-VOC paints, glues, and caulk Formaldehyde free cabinets, trim, doors 80% hard surface flooring Central Vacuum system Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) WATER CONSERVATION

Xeriscaping Dual flush toilets, low flow faucets, Permeable pavers RESOURCE CONSERVATION

Reclaimed wood floors, cork floors, countertops.

Fire wood from site

Home Energy Analyst Training at COCC It’s no secret that the building profession has become increasingly competitive in our challenging economy. One way for building professionals to stay competitive and keep business leads coming in is to include home energy efficiency services on existing homes as part of your product and service selection.

COCC’s Continuing Education program offers the classroom and field training to prepare building professionals for the Building Performance Institute’s (BPI) ‘Home Energy Analyst’ certification exams. Participants in the course learn to use testing equipment to provide specific energy utilization information including calculating a home energy use score. Students spend six days learning the fundamentals of building science with partial days in the classroom and partial days practicing energy testing skills in local homes under the guidance of instructor Rod Street. Following the classroom/field learning, candidates will take certification exams proctored by a BPI proctor in order to become certified as a ‘Home Energy Analyst’.

The Home Energy Analyst training has typically been available only in larger cities, so taking a Central Oregon class will save travel time and money. While many other providers of this course offer online options, COCC’s class has been intentional to keep a strong hands-on field learning component, which translates to high retention when students finish the class.

COCC’s next course begins October 24 and meets October 24, 25, 26, 31, November 1 and 2 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at COCC’s Bend campus and alternate locations for field sessions. The deadline to register for this training is October 12 and cost is $1550, which does not include BPI testing fees. For detailed course information go to http://www.cocc.edu/energy.aspx or call Nancy Jumper at 541-383-7273.

12 -GREEN & SOLAR HOME TOUR 2012

5

#

“A safe and nurturing sanctuary; rooted on the earth and soaring to the sky, evoking an expansive, exalted state.”

Designer/Builder/Homeowner: Don O’Brien, Year Built: 2012

Address: 1761 SW Troon, Bend One way to achieve a level of environmental sustainability in a home is to share resources and space, and when the design of that space is done well, it can also facilitate a sustainability of spirit. This is the ultimate

intention behind the design of this home. Three master suites provide personal domains while the main floor is shared by all, creating a collaborative living experience. This connection and collaborative spirit is reflected in the structures and systems throughout the house, beginning with the approach to the house via the elevated entry walkway, which the designer calls a “skybridge.” This bridge connects the land to the structure of the house, but it also serves as the first step of a journey in which the designer hopes that the individual is able to connect with a larger sense of oneself. The small foundational footprint allows for greater use of site for present community events and future gardens that will be irrigated with water from a 2,500 gal. rainwater collection tank. A tremendous use of day lighting, with triple pane glazing, create an extraordinary quality of light; 10 inch walls provide comfort, and the minimalist approach to surface materials create an overall calming environment.

GREEN AT A GLANCE 3RD PARTY GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATIONS

EPS Score 59 Earth Advantage® Silver ENERGY STAR® Home BUILDING ENVELOPE

Wall:2x4 staggered stud , R-38 Ceiling: R-60 Floor: 12” engineered joist, R-38 Blown in fiberglass Windows: triple pane, average U-value .23 47% glazing south facing 2.75ACH@50pa (air changes per hour) 2450 square feet

ENERGY EFFICIENCY & RENEWABLE ENERGY

Heat Source: ductless mini split- 18 SEER, HSPF 9.3 Hot water system -93%EF 90% CFL lighting Passive solar design ENERGY STAR® appliances INDOOR AIR QUALITY

Low-VOC paints, glues, and caulk NA% hard surface flooring Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) WATER CONSERVATION

Xeriscaping Rainwater Harvesting: 2500 gal tank/storage Dual flush toilets RESOURCE CONSERVATION

Estimated monthly energy cost $94.56, Fly ash concrete, construction waste reduction, collaborative living environment, universal design, composting

env ir onment a l building pr oduc t s

FALL FLOORING SALE! 10-60% OFF October 1st - October 31st Bend’s Largest Selection of Healthy Flooring • Wool Carpet • Reclaimed Wood

• Bamboo Flooring • Natural Linoleum

• Recycled Content Tile • Cork Flooring

Think quality, non-toxic materials are out of your budget?

Come check out our unbeatable prices on wool carpet and wood/bamboo flooring

Corner of Greenwood & Wall • 541-317-0202 • www.brilliantmaterials.com

GREEN & SOLAR HOME TOUR 2012 - 13

6

#

“The Desert Rain House is rooted in its environment and responsive to its inhabitants.”

Designer: Tozer Design Builder: Timberline Construction• Year Built: Under construction

Address: 22 NW Shasta Place, Bend Some homes support sustainable living choices; this home requires that the owners truly walk the thin green line in order to achieve what is the most rigorous certification standards in sustainable design and construction to date. According to the team behind the creation of this home, it will be “net zero energy, net zero water and will meet the rest of the Living Building Challenge (LBC) requirements for LBC certification as well as achieve LEED Platinum certification.” The homeowners must not only document their compliance throughout the entire

design and construction process, but must track the home’s performance over the course of a year before receiving the Living Building Challenge certification.

This project models a new level of energy efficiency and sustainability that the owners hope will serve as a learning tool for others, in a design that is warm and welcoming for all. “While not fully ADA compliant, one of the driving factors of the project is to make the home and the grounds as accessible as possible for friends who may have a physical disability.” Open, artfully aesthetic, and practical in how the spaces are to be used, the Desert Rain home intimately engages with its environment and calls all that enter to be mindful of how they engage as well.

GREEN AT A GLANCE

3RD PARTY GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATIONS International Living Building Institute: Living Building Challenge LEED Platinum BUILDING ENVELOPE Wall: R36 - R47 Ceiling: R-70 Floor: R- 43 Windows: triple pane, average U-value .21 25% glazing to floor space ratio, 90% south facing TBD ACH@50pa (air changes per hour) 2200 +500 square feet ENERGY EFFICIENCY & RENEWABLE ENERGY Heat Source: Air to water pump/ solar assist PV:14.8 kW connected to grid Solar thermal domestic hot water Future plans for wind 100% LED lighting Night sky lighting design Passive Solar design ENERGY STAR® appliances or better Home Energy Monitoring system by: Resource Conservation Tech INDOOR AIR QUALITY Low-VOC glues, caulk, finishes on cabinets, millwork NAUF throughout (No Added Urea formaldehyde) No-VOC unfinished ceiling and rafters, exterior siding, soffits.

No paints used.

100% hard surface flooring Central Vacuum system Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) WATER CONSERVATION Xeriscaping, Greywater, Rainwater harvesting, Permeable landscaping Dual flush toilets 1.0 gpf Low flow faucets 1.5 gpm RESOURCE CONSERVATION Minimal impact on landfill byDe-construction, Re-cycle, re-used, -re-purposed construction waste: Salvaged millwork, plumbing fixtures, pavers. FSC lumber, recycled content material.

Building Relationships While Rebuilding a Home: a Story of Sustainability

by Gina Meredith Carol Mergenthaler never saw herself as an environmentalist. She would not have described her daily living practices as being particularly “green.” Then she and her husband decided to remodel their 1970’s “clunker” of a house and she began to see that there could be more to this idea of sustainability than she thought.

Even now, she is reluctant to say that this remodel project was an example of green construction because the home lacks any of those details that have become synonymous with green design- things like solar panels, passive solar orientation or concrete radiant floors. However, it was the deconstruction process of the home and the reconstruction choices made when rebuilding that combined to express a level of sustainability that was real, practical, affordable, and just plain delightful for the greater sense of community it both fostered and benefitted.

The process began with gutting the interior.

Out came the carpet, pads, trim, hardware, appliances, vanities, showers, burnt orange toilets, cabinets and glorious gold switch

plates, as well as some exterior decking. A “free to a good home” advertisement was placed in the Nickel Ads for the decking, which got a positive response from a resourceful couple that was building a cabin in the Strawberry Mountains, east of John Day. Upon arrival, they saw the other “treasures” and, in the spirit of the project, jumped in to help with the deconstruction.

Later, Carol and her family took their good natures and the rest of the deconstruction goods, from the burnt orange toilets to the gold switch plates, on a trip to the cabin in the Strawberry Mountains. She describes it as a wonderful experience in sharing; “We built a relationship with those folks and still exchange Christmas cards, to this day.”

Although Carol and her husband did not begin the project with the intention of being sustainable, that is just what they were doing by passing on their outdated “treasures” to others who were thrilled to give them new life, thus reducing the project’s construction waste. Everything else that was still useful was donated to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Bend and

14 -GREEN & SOLAR HOME TOUR 2012

when it came time to make purchases for the remodel, they returned to the ReStore, keeping the reuse cycle going. Finally, they made two trips to the dump in a 4x8x5 trailer with what could not be recycled or reused, calculating their cubic feet of construction waste to be a mere 160 cubic feet for the deconstruction of the interior of a 1,675 square foot home.

One of the surprises of this project was the discovery of a 2x8 tongue and groove Douglas fir subfloor that had been hiding under all that old carpet. The people at Cutting Edge Flooring (no longer in the area) worked with Carol and her husband to refinish the floor until it was smooth underfoot and glowing with warmth. Now, when they spend time at home, they feel surrounded by the satisfying knowledge that their remodel was sustaining in many unexpected ways, for the family, for the land and for their now greatly extended community.

Practically speaking, Carol’s family saved money by reusing what they could and

putting materials into the reuse stream for others. They saved dollars as well by reducing their volume of construction waste that went to the dump. Their newlyinsulated attic, floor and walls will help reduce their home heating bills and add to the overall feeling of comfort. “Being sustainable,” Carol has learned, “isn’t an end-product to achieve or a competition to see who can be the greenest. It’s a process that you can begin by taking one step at a time, no matter how small and an opportunity to connect in new ways with your community.”

To learn more about the small steps you can take to reduce, reuse, recycle and rethink about waste in Deschutes county, visit WWW. RETHINKWASTE.COM. To see Carol’s specialty wall surfaces and murals, visit WWW.SKIMUM.COM, or stop

by Volcano Vineyards tasting room, which has “layered pigments” on the walls made with local soils from Tumalo and Bachi Mts and features 5 of her “Custom Chandeliers” made from reclaimed materials.

7

#

GREEN AT A GLANCE “A passive solar home that outperforms calculated 3RD PARTY GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATIONS EPS Score 36 Advantage Platinum energy calculations; embracing the owners with gracious, Earth LEED Platinum ENERGY STAR Home healthy living at a fraction of normal utility costs.”

Oregon High Performance Home ®

®

Architect: Lawrence M. Schechter, LEED AP Builder: SolAire Homebuilders • Year Built: 2011

Address: 64970 Gerking Market Rd, Tumalo The design of this award-winning home (2011 COBA Tour of Homes: Green Building Award, plus 5 others) incorporates many notable details, including a passive solar design; 4,000 watt PV solar electric system and solar hot water system; Ground Source Heat Pump and Geothermal wells. No matter what the season, the house maintains a comfortable range of 65 to 72 degrees- due primarily to passive energy- and the first four months of operation

resulted in a net credit from the utility company. Projections are that the annual utility costs will be 40% below the calculated total. Its list of certifications is equally impressive (see Green at a Glance), but it is the livability and simple, natural elegance of the home that the owners love- as well as the savings. In the owners’ words, “this house provides better living than we expected; greater comfort and is more affordable to live in than we imagined.” For this, they point to the initial creation of a design-build team, which included Architect, Lawrence Schechter, SolAire Homebuilders and the owners. It takes a village to create this caliber of sustainable design.

Photo © Ross Chandler

BUILDING ENVELOPE Wall: 2x4 staggered stud, R-31 Ceiling:raised heel truss, R-50 Floor: slab on grade, R-15 Insulation - fiberglass blown in blanket (BIB) Windows: triple pane, average U-value .30 21% glazing to floor space ratio, 50% south facing 0.90 ACH@50pa (air changes per hour) 3568 square feet ENERGY EFFICIENCY & RENEWABLE ENERGY Heat Source: Geothermal- ground source Radiant floor; ground to water heat pump PV: 4 kW connected to grid Solar thermal hot water: 2 panels 80sf 100% CFL and LED lighting ENERGY STAR® appliances Home Energy Monitoring, FIDO INDOOR AIR QUALITY Low-VOC paints and finishes Central vacuum system 90% hard surface flooring Formaldehyde free materials Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) WATER CONSERVATION Xeriscaping , smart irrigation, permeable pavers Dual flush toilets 1.3 gpf Low flow faucets RESOURCE CONSERVATION No cooling required Recycle content material, All mechanical equipment in conditioned space, minimal site disturbance ESTIMATED TAX CREDITS TOTAL: Fed $28,514, State $8,550 Incentives from utility: $2,135

Building Design • Construction Drawings • Consulting Contact us to discuss your next project 541-610 -7351 Glenn Haupt, Owner solarcraftdesign@gmail.com

PH Certified Passive House Consultant

GREEN & SOLAR HOME TOUR 2012 - 15

8

#

“ ‘Exceeding’ is about believing that style and alternative energy systems can work hand in hand to create quite a home.”

Designer: The Shelter Studio • Builder: Black Rock Construction • Year Built: 2012

Address: 14900 Miramonte Ct. Brasada Ranch, Powell Butte Actually exceeding the energy efficiency requirements of Earth Advantage, this home has received a Platinum rating- the highest available in the Earth Advantage certification program. For those who are not familiar with what is entailed in reaching this level of certification, here are some words from Earth Advantage Institute. “Our certification is a holistic program based on building measures in five categories; water,

land, energy, health and materials. The program incorporates systems and materials that create superior indoor air quality, use natural resources responsibly, protect land, and lower water usage. Combining these benefits with the energy efficiency standards of ENERGY STAR ensures that Earth Advantage certified homes exhibit superior performance and environmental responsibility compared to traditionally built homes.” Many of these factors will not be visible in the home; what you will probably be most aware of are the beautiful surfaces from floor, to wall; counter to cabinet and the gracious flow between indoors and out. There is one more detail that you will not be aware of, which sets this home above many others- the attention to recycling jobsite waste. According to the builders, Black Rock Construction, “One hundred percent of the metal, drywall, shrink-wrap, and plastic waste were recycled.” “Exceeding” is about believing that style and alternative energy systems can work hand in hand to create quite a home.

GREEN AT A GLANCE

3RD PARTY GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATIONS EPS Score Target 64 Earth Advantage® Platinum ENERGY STAR® Home BUILDING ENVELOPE Wall: staggered stud 2x4, R- 38 Ceiling: raised heel trusses, R-49 /38 Floor: 12” engineered joist, R-38 Windows: triple pane, average U-value .21 21% glazing to floor space ratio 4.90ACH@50pa (air changes per hour) 2596 square feet ENERGY EFFICIENCY & RENEWABLE ENERGY Heat Source: solar assisted radiant floor Solar thermal hot water: 4 Schuco Collectors Insulation: blown in BIB 95% CFL lighting Daylight design ENERGY STAR® appliances: all Home Energy Monitoring, FIDO INDOOR AIR QUALITY No-VOC paints, glues, and caulk Formaldehyde free: cabinets and flooring components 80% hard surface flooring WATER CONSERVATION Xeriscaping Low Flow “water sense” faucets Dual flush toilets: Toto 0.9 > 1.6 gpf Resource Conservation FSC lumber, Recycle content, recycled interior finishes, Construction waster reduction, Permeable landscaping pavers

Sustainable.Efficient.Intelligent

Living Building Challenge, LEED, Earth Advantage, Energy Star

LIVABLE • SUSTAINABLE

16 -GREEN & SOLAR HOME TOUR 2012

www.TimberlineBend.com info@TimberlineBend.com 541.388.3979 CCB#180380

9

#

“This project is low-tech and low-cost for high-yield.”

Designer/Builder/Owner: David W. Kuperstein Year Built: 2011

Address: 2202 SE Vickie Dr., Prineville It all started with the vegetables. Because they live in a region that has such a short growing season, the owners decided to build a series of cold frames that would allow them to grow more food. Those led to adding a

greenhouse to the shop, which inspired the building of a passive solar sun/garden room addition to their home that also houses a hot tub and a small woodstove. Sound basic design and implementation have created a comfortable, year-round space that helps heat or cool the home, depending on the season.

Tiled, eight inch concrete walls and a stained concrete floor serve as heat sinks, while operable clerestory windows allow excess heat to escape. “Temperature gain/loss can be adjusted with shade-cloth, insulation or passive and active ventilation.” Using simple practices, the owners have realized a reduction in their heating costs of 5% over the course of the year. “Not huge,” says the owner, “but hey, it’s free.” The cost of the structure was also reduced by choosing to use recycled lumber from Pakit and windows from the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, both in Bend. This project demonstrates the realization of sustainability that is accessible on several levels- being financially feasible, as it feeds the body and sooths the spirit.

GREEN AT A GLANCE 3RD PARTY GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATIONS NA BUILDING ENVELOPE Wall: R-22 Ceiling: R-35 Floor: R-20 Windows: U-value .28>.35, SHGC .55 11% glazing to floor space ratio, 74% south facing square feet: 216 greenhouse + 180 cold frame ENERGY EFFICIENCY & RENEWABLE ENERGY PV: solar ready 100% CFL lighting INDOOR AIR QUALITY Recirculating heat filtered 15% hard surface flooring: bamboo Thermostatic controlled ventilation WATER CONSERVATION Xeriscaping Dual flush toilets: 1.6 gpf Permeable pavers, crushed rock, drip irrigation, Gutter barrels for rainwater collection RESOURCE CONSERVATION Structural design to prevent waste, Recycle lumber, night sky lighting, Passive Solar tax credits

Greener and Leaner: Teaching an Older Home New Tricks Bundled in parkas and loading the final remnants of our firewood stash, we vowed it would be the last winter of our dependence on wood heat to keep the utility bills manageable. I had to remind myself that my “new” home was now older than Justin Bieber. The original heat pump and furnace could barely wheeze out a breath of warm air without sending the electric meter into a whirling frenzy. But replacing the entire heating and cooling system presented a daunting financial challenge. And exactly how do you retrofit an older home?

So I was intrigued when I ran across a flyer for Clean Energy Works Oregon (CEWO). With promises of a possible 30 percent savings with an

Louise Hawker

energy efficient upgrade, plus low-interest loans, it was a one-stop shop for my needs. I signed up and was soon scheduled for “the blower door”—whatever that meant. I envisioned us and the cats velcroed to the wall in a negative air flow environment.

In reality, the blower door—the star of the home performance test—helped the project specialist identify air leaks and other deficiencies in the “house as a system.” She also explored the attic and crawl space to assess insulation and duct work. Yep – I could expect to realize 30 percent savings, plus rebates and tax credits, with a new system.

And hey, how about replacing the hot water

heater that’s old enough to vote? I was sold.

With summer temps in the 90’s, the contractors started work at 6:30 most mornings. While it was a bit unnerving to encounter an installer in the hallway on the way to my first coffee, I was impressed with the project’s rapid pace. The heat pump, furnace and water heater were installed in one day. Sealing and insulating duct work, caulking air leaks, weatherstripping, insulating the attic to a whopping R50, correcting the exhaust and attic ventilation, was all accomplished in about one week.

The blower door returned and revealed some remaining areas of improvement. More tweaking,

and a final test determined that our home is now snug as a bug in the proverbial rug.

While the retrofit was under way, we ushered some of the resident water hogs out the door.

An uncooperative toilet was replaced with a lowflush model. An ancient clothes washer spun its last and a new high-efficiency washer took its place.

While we will always manage the heating and cooling system conservatively, it’s reassuring to have a greener home that will increase our comfort, lower our energy bills, and be kinder to the environment, for many years to come. www.cleanenergyworksoregon.org/

Build Your Energy Efficient Home With Our Green Products Pacific Builders

RESOURCE, LLC

Manufacturer Rep For: Structural Insulated Panels

Pacific Builders Resource, LLC

(541) 973-3538 www.Pacific-Builders.com GREEN & SOLAR HOME TOUR 2012 - 17

The Living Building Challenge: The Desert Rain Project The Living Building Challenge is the world’s most rigorous green building performance standard. It is both a philosophy and certification program, challenging building teams to embrace regional solutions in seven areas, or ‘petals’: Site, Water, Energy, Health, Materials, Equity and Beauty. Projects must be in operation for 12 months before they are eligible for certification. These are the worlds greenest buildings and will never get an energy or water bill again.

The Red List, an imperative of the Materials Petal, is intended to eliminate the most toxic chemicals, from a human and ecological standpoint, from the built environment.

Building materials may not contain these chemicals, must come from responsible sources, and from within a relatively short distance. Chemicals, like formaldehyde, PVC (polyvinyl Chloride) and CFC’s are present in our standard construction products. Water pipes, electrical wire, particleboard and plywood are a few of these. The challenge is to build with alternative materials; not an easy task.

In Bend, one of the major challenges of our dry climate, is the Water Petal. It posits that “100% of occupants’ water use must come from captured precipitation or closed loop water systems, purified without the use of chemicals.” This requires a large storage tank to capture water when available in winter, for use in our generally dry summers.

In addition 100% of storm water and building waste water must be managed onsite, purified and reused, often for landscape maintenance. Waste management and the carbon footprint of the construction process are also subject to stringent standards.

The Living Building Institute calls the Challenge “a visionary path to a restorative future”. We are privileged to have the visionary Desert Rain Project, built by Timberline Construction, on the 2012 Tour. There are currently only three projects, worldwide, that have achieved full ‘Living Building’ status by meeting all the Imperatives.

Finally, from the Challenge Guide: “Imagine a building designed and constructed to function as efficiently as a flower, a building informed by its bioregion’s characteristics, and that generates all of its own energy with renewable resources, captures and treats all of its water, and operates efficiently and for maximum beauty.” We are proud to say imagination is becoming reality in Bend.

For more on the Challenge: https://ilbi.org/lbc/

18 -GREEN & SOLAR HOME TOUR 2012

GREEN & SOLAR HOME TOUR 2012 - 19