GREEN & SOLAR HOME TOUR 2011 GUIDE
TOUR 7 OF CENTRAL OREGON’S GREENEST HOMES!
Saturday, October 1, 2011
produced by
when FREE event begins at 8:30 am
Kick-off event starts at 9:00 am Home Tour: 10:30 am to 5:00 pm
Campus Center, COCC
where 2600 College Way - Bend, OR For more information:
www.greenandsolarhometour.com • GARRETT KROLL • CLEAR 101.7 • CENTRAL OREGON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Advertising Supplement
2 | GREEN & SOLAR HOME TOUR | 2011
Central Oregon’s Green & Solar Home Tour! Cascadia Green Building Council Mission To lead the transformation toward a built environment that is socially just, culturally rich and ecologically restorative. The High Desert Branch of Cascadia Green Building Council is proud to feature seven homes this year for 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. All seven homes achieved an EPS rating of 50 or better, demonstrating their attainment of energy efficiency. Within these seven gems, you’ll see a variety of responses to green building. We have a remarkably small home designed for comfortable living in its neighborhood. You can view a rainwater system that works to reduce that home’s water needs. Two homes are designed to produce all their own electricity. Imagine living in a home without having to pay an electric bill? We don’t neglect other cost effective measures; you’ll see affordable green is truly an option. The Green & Solar Home Tour gives you a unique opportunity to view these homes and talk with the homeowners, the designers, the builders and their key subcontractors. You can visit each home on Saturday, October 1. Begin your day at the Kick-Off Event at COCC’s Campus Center. You will learn greater detail about key sustainable elements featured in this year’s Tour. Read the Director’s welcome
for more details. This morning event gives you time to ask questions from the experts. As you proceed to tour the homes, you have options. Two bike routes have been selected, view the route elevations posted on the tours website. Go safely and at a pace that suits you, enjoying the neighborhoods as you approach each house. The High Desert Branch brings this Tour to you FREE through the tireless effort of volunteers and the generous donations of local sponsors. This Branch is part of a larger network of Branches that span the Cascadia Green Building Council region (Oregon, Washington, Alaska and British Columbia). Cascadia is a proud member of both the US and the Canadian Green Building Councils. The International Living Future Institute encompasses Cascadia, the Living Building Challenge, The Natural Step and Ecotone Publishing. You can support the Tour and the High Desert Branch by joining Cascadia or sponsoring next year’s tour! Enjoy this Tour and consider ways that you can transform our world, one decision at a time.
ML Vidas, Cascadia Green Building Council Board Chair
Bend’s 11th Annual Green and Solar Home Tour From the GSHT Director Welcome to this years tour. I invite you to take this opportunity and attend our kick-off event plus tour the seven homes. This event is produced through an all volunteer organization. I thank everyone involved for contributing their time, energy, commitment and extra efforts that make this FREE tour possible. I encourage anyone with an interested in future tours to consider volunteering. There are plenty of opportunity for any skill set from solicitors, graphic design, writers, and organizers, there is a role for your talent. Please mark your calendar for next year, volunteer for the Solar and Green Home Tour, sign up as you tour this year’s.
Our event starts with a free kick-off meeting at COCC’s Campus Center. Doors open at 8:30am. Visit with green and solar industry experts, learn about the latest trends in the industry. Check our website (www.greenandsolarhometour.com) for a complete listing of vendors. Our kick-off event will include experts in solar photovoltaic, solar thermal, energy monitoring, home performance measuring, energy retrofits, high performance insulation, incentive programs, green building certification programs, and green building materials. The Nissan Leaf 100% electric vehicle will be on display and will visit the tour homes during the day.
This tour is made FREE by the financial generosity of local and regional business and organizations. Our Co-title sponsors; Sunlight Solar and The Energy Trust of Oregon, have stepped forward to ensure this event will continue to thrive. Additional financial support was received from The Garner Group, Northwest Crossing, and Earth Advantage. Donating services is another way to help support the tour. This year we are thankful for the following service providers: The Bulletin, Clear 101.7, COCC, and Garret Kroll. I also thank the many businesses who have chosen to advertise in the tour guide published by The Bulletin. Their support contributes to the depth of information we are able to include in tour guide.
The 9am presentation features three speakers to engage you. The subjects include; Net zero homes and how essential design details enable homes to produce the energy they use, Bend Habitat for Humanity’s low income LEED Platinum (the highest possible rating), and the inspiring vision of “What Bend could look like in the future” with creative city planning, land use policies and building designs. We encourage touring to homes on bike or carpooling. At the kick off look for the ride sharing program sign up, OFFER or ASK for a ride and we will connect you with someone. We hope you enjoy the tour.
Murray Perkins, 2011 Tour Director
NET ZERO 1. PRAIRIE 2328 Nw Dorion Way NET ZERO 2. CRAFTSMAN 839 NW John Fremont St. SO BIG, 674 sq. ft. 3. NOT 670 NW Mt. Washington Dr. VIEW & EFFICIENT 4. CITY 1754 SW Troon RECOVERY & REUSE 5. RAINWATER 1060 NW Baltimore Ave. LEED PLATINUM 6. HABITAT 2879 NE Spring Water Place
7
ENERGY BLOCK WALL 571 W. Hope, SISTERS BIKE ROUTE
2011 | GREEN & SOLAR HOME TOUR | 3
2011 GREEN at a GLANCE Green and Solar Home Tour
Tour Home Numbers
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
-Bruce Sullivan, Green Building Consultant, Earth Advantage Institute
3rd Party Certified Energy Performance Score
5
2
42
48
46
NA NA
Earth Advantage® LEED for Homes ENERGY STAR® Home
Building Envelope Wall R-value
50
50
21
30
36
24
27
Ceiling R-value
60
60
49
49
46
49
44
Floor R-value
48
48
38
38
20
15
10
Window average U-value
0.19 0.21
0.32 0.29
0.20 0.30 0.22
Ratio of glazing to floor space
15% 11%
14% 21%
20%
Blower Door Test ACH@50
1.5
0.97
3.58 1.79
1513 1534
674 2217
Floor space square feet
14% 15%
2535 1240 2160
Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Photovoltaic (PV) System Kwh
5.185 5.64
2.2
2
2.2
5
Solar Water Heating
Ductless Inverter Heat Pump
A “net zero-energy” building is one that creates more energy than it consumes over the course of a year. In order to achieve this feat, the building will be small, extremely efficient and utility grid-connected. Here are some key attributes:
• Small homes use less energy. All
Hydronic Radiant 100% 100% 100% 77%
75%
100% 100%
Designed for Daylighting
on super-insulation, improved windows and air-tight shells. Properly installed insulation uses no energy and never wears out.
• Most net-zero homes will not need central heating and cooling. Smaller
point sources, such as ductless heat pumps or furnace-rated fireplaces will keep the occupants comfortable.
Energy visionaries have set their sights on designing and building homes that actually create more energy than they consume! These structures are termed “zero-energy or net-zero energy” and in ten to twenty years, every new building could be a net zero energy building.
be designed for their climates and sited to take maximum advantage of nature’s gifts of sun, wind, water and light. Designs must make the best use of material.
HE Water Heater or Tankless
• Highly efficient structures, focusing
In a typical year, millions of houses are built across the nation. Each of these new homes comes with an energy requirement to operate it over its lifetime, which can be from 50 to 100 years. Unfortunately, most of these houses are being designed and built in such a way that they become a drain on our energy resources. But there is good news on the horizon.
• Smart design is the key. Homes must
Passive Solar Design
Lighting CFL or LED
From Here to Zero Energy Buildings
modern needs (and many of our desires) can be accommodated in 400 to 500 square feet of living space per person.
• Renewable energy generation, such
as photovoltaic (solar electric) panels or wind generators, will be essential. These systems must be connected to the utility grid. They will generate more energy than they need in summer days, but will require energy from external sources at night and during winter.
Two net zero energy homes appear on the 2011 Green + Solar Tour. This is your opportunity to see how two builders have put all the pieces together. Both homes are pilot-testing the Earth Advantage ZERO program, which aims to promote net-zero homes and assist builders to reach this goal. The final program is scheduled to be available to the public in 2012, so watch for it to appear on the leading edge of energy efficiency.
Energy Monitoring System ENERGY STAR® Appliances
MWP
Indoor Air Quality and Health Ventilation System
ERV
ERV
ERV
75%
60%
100% 100%
HRV
Low or No-VOC finishes and adhesives Hard Surface Flooring
80% 100% 100%
Reduced Formaldehyde Cabinets, Insulation
Water Conservation Low Flush/Dual Flush Toilets High Efficiency Irrigation System Permeable Hardscapes, Reduced Hardscapes Xeriscaping/No Lawn Greywater System/Rainwater Harvesting System Tree and Soil preservation
Resource Conservation Fly Ash Concrete FSC Certified Wood Products
Home on G&S Tour
Salvaged Materials Sustainable Materials Construction Waste Reduction Plan
Community Pedestrian Access to Neighborhood Services (walking/biking) Infill Development (reduce utility expansion, conserve land & resources
4 | GREEN & SOLAR HOME TOUR | 2011
115 NW Oregon Ave, Ste #18 • Bend, Oregon
541-306- 4270 www.theshelterstudio.com
ENERGY PERFOMANCE SCORE: HELPING SMART HOMEBUYERS ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS SEE HOW ENERGY-EFFICIENT HOMES EARN THEIR RANK DURING THIS YEAR’S GREEN AND SOLAR HOME TOUR Knowing the right questions to ask when buying or building a new home can help ensure you get the most value for your money. A house that’s built to save energy also saves money in the form of lower utility bills—but how do you rate the efficiency of a home? That’s where Energy Performance Score comes into play.
What is EPS? Energy Performance Score, developed by Energy Trust of Oregon, provides a clear and quantitative way to compare a home’s energy use to similar-sized homes in Oregon. Like a miles per gallon rating for a car, EPS is able to rate homes based on their level of energy efficiency. When these numbers are presented in a clear, concise form, judging and comparing each home based on energy savings, annual utility costs and environmental impact becomes much easier. EPS consists of a handful of measurements including an energy score, a carbon score and an estimate of monthly and annual utility costs based on the home’s total usage. A low EPS signifies a more efficient home—one that offers lower utility costs and puts out fewer carbon emissions. Having these numbers is extremely beneficial to homebuyers because it gives them the ability to quickly compare performance and comfortably predict what the monthly utility bills could look like for each home.
Why is understanding home energy use important? Purchasing a new home is an investment, and with any investment it’s important to make sure you’re getting the most value for your dollar. If you think of your new home as a business, it’s safe to consider energy use as one of your largest operating costs. If you build or purchase a home with a low EPS, that means you’re able to use less energy to support everyday functions like heating and cooling rooms and running appliances. Now you’re looking at lower
monthly utility bills and a significant reduction in operating costs. Let’s not forget the environmental impact. According to ENERGY STAR¨, a home can be a greater source of pollution than the family car. In fact, approximately 16 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. are the direct result of home energy use.
What determines a home’s EPS? To determine a home’s EPS, third-party verifiers look at a number of factors including home size, level of insulation, air leakage, heating and cooling systems, major appliances and lighting. The score is then prominently displayed in the house for homebuyers. An EPS does not replace, but rather, supports energy-efficiency and green building certification programs. It was created to clarify energy-efficiency and green building claims and provide homebuyers a way to compare homes across different types of certifications based on the same criteria.
Will EPS help me buy a more efficient home? EPS is an easy to understand and easy to use tool to help homebuyers purchase an efficient home with confidence. It enables homebuyers to make informed, “apples-to-apples” buying decisions on the features of homes.
Let EPS help guide your Green and Solar Home Tour experience! Visit energy-efficient homes during this year’s Green and Solar Home Tour and learn how EPS helps you become a smarter homebuyer.
+ To learn more about EPS and Energy Trust, visit www.energytrust.org/eps or call 1.866.368.7878.
2011 | GREEN & SOLAR HOME TOUR | 5
#1 PRAIRIE NET ZERO
GREEN AT A GLANCE
This home produces as much energy as it consumes; net result- an annual power bill that is “net zero”.
EPS Score 5 Earth Advantage® Platinum ENERGY STAR® HOME Oregon High Performance Home Energy Trust Advanced Performance Home
Architect: Lawrence Schechter, SolAire Homebuilders Building Contractor: SolAire Homebuilders Year Built: 2011 Address: 2328 NW Dorion Way, NW Crossing, Bend Directions: At Shevlin Parkway & NW Crossings DR head south on NW Crossings DR, left on Dorion Way There is a secret hidden within this intentionally designed, 1513 sq. ft. home. It won’t necessarily be obvious because the products, systems and less-obvious construction details that work synergistically, have been so seamlessly incorporated. The secret is that this home carries a Net-Zero certification, meaning that it produces as much energy as it consumes, unlike homes of normal construction and design. Some of the details that make this possible include a super-insulated and near air-tight home shell, ductless energy-efficient heating and cooling, and a 5.18 kW solar electric system. There is also a “Watchdog” home energy monitoring device that allows homeowners to keep an eye on just how much energy the home is consuming or producing at any given moment. Other “green” components include the use of low VOC products, from the paints, sealants and carpeting to the blown-in fiberglass insulation and sub-countertops that contain no added urea formaldehyde. By incorporating Universal design elements, such as doorways and bathrooms that are wide enough for a wheelchair, and an open, single-floor layout, this home makes it possible for a greater population to live in comfort in the same home, for a longer period of time. Add a power bill that reads, “zero”- now THAT’S sustainability!
3rd PARTY GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATIONS
BUILDING ENVELOPE Wall: 12” double staggered 2x4, R-50 Ceiling: trusses with 18” raised heel, R-60 Floor: 12” engineered joist, R-48 Windows: triple pane, average u-value .19 14.6 % glazing to floor space ratio, 65% south facing 1.5 ACH@50 pascals 1513 square feet ENERGY EFFICIENCY & RENEWABLE ENERGY Heat Source: ductless mini split heat pump, HSPF 10.5 Energy Recovery Ventilator, MERV 12 Solar Electric Panels: 5.18 kW connected to grid Solar thermal domestic hot water system 100% CFL & LED lighting ENERGY STAR® appliances INDOOR AIR QUALITY Low-VOC paints, adhesives and sealants Nature Series low VOC cabinets, no added urea formaldehyde 75% hard surface flooring CRI certified low VOC carpet and pad Continuous filtered-fresh air ventilation (ERV) WATER CONSERVATION Xeriscaping, except street trees, No lawn turf Rain sensors irrigation system, Downspouts routed to rain gardens Dual flush toilets, Water Sense faucets and shower heads RESOURCE CONSERVATION Recycled content insulation, siding, cabinet boxes & shelves and countertop bases Rapid growth, sustainable flooring: Solid vertical grain Bamboo Engineered I- joists, OSB sub-floor Locally sourced framing materials Locally sourced cement, aggregate and flyash
Photo submitted by SolAir Homes, © Ross Chandler, All Rights Reserved.
6 | GREEN & SOLAR HOME TOUR | 2011
GREEN AT A GLANCE
#2 CRAFTSMAN NET ZERO Net Zero is about more than utilizing technology; it’s about making a commitment to a way of life.
3RD PARTY GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATIONS EPS Score: 2 Earth Advantage® Platinum ENERGY STAR® HOME
Building Designer: Shelter Studio, Inc. Builder: W. H. Hull Company Year Built: 2011 Address: 839 NW John Fremont, NW Crossing, Bend
BUILDING ENVELOPE
Directions: Mt. Washington east on Clearwater to corner of Clearwater and John Fremont At first glance, this house looks like a well-designed craftsman- style home. Upon entering, it feels comfortable and has a pleasing aesthetic, showing that great care has gone into its creation. On the tour, you will learn about the details of the building envelope and the high-efficiency products and systems that work together to make this a Net Zero home. You will also hear about the real reason this home was built- about the commitment behind all of these details and design- a commitment to a belief in the need for homes that are as sustainably designed as possible. With a passion that borders on a mission, the owners are tracking the costs of building a Net Zero home versus normal stick-frame construction. They want people to see that this level of sustainable construction is not only comfortable and attractive, but more financially accessible than is believed. They also want people to understand that there are lifestyle choices that go along with being sustainable, such as choosing to install drying racks and a fan in the laundry room instead of a dryer. Sustainable technology is an important piece of the puzzle, but design will only take us so far. We must also learn to live sustainably in our choices and actions. This home is a demonstration of form, function and commitment.
Wall: 12” double 2x4, R-50 Ceiling: trusses with 16” raised heel, R-60 Floor: 12” engineered joist, R-48 Windows: triple pane, average u-value .21 11% glazing to floor space ratio, 50% south facing 0.97ACH@50pascals (air changes per hour) 1,534 square feet
ENERGY EFFICIENCY & RENEWABLE ENERGY Heat Source: ductless inverter mini split PV: 5.64 kW connected to grid Solar thermal domestic hot water 100% CFL lighting ENERGY STAR® appliances Home Energy Monitoring, FIDO
INDOOR AIR QUALITY
No-VOC paints, glues, and caulk Nature Series low VOC cabinets 60% hard surface flooring Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV)
WATER CONSERVATION Xeriscaping Dual flush toilets
RESOURCE CONSERVATION
FSC lumber, Recycle content insulation & siding
2011 | GREEN & SOLAR HOME TOUR | 7
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 reconfigured to meet an occupant’s or community’s evolving needs.
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.
Air Changes Per Hour (ACH)
Air Changes per Hour, is the total volume of air in a space that is exchanged over in hour.
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.
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 prefinished or unfinished, with a vertical or horizontal grain. An alternative to hardwood.
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.
Cistern
A tank, often underground, used to collect and store rain water for later use.
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.
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
A waste product from coal-fired electric power plants that can be used as a substitute for portland cement in some concrete mixtures.
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.
Glazing
Transparent or translucent material, such as glass or plastic, that lets light into a building.
Glulam
Abbreviation of “glued laminated” timber. An engineered wood product consisting of thin layers of wood, usually less than two inches thick, bound with an adhesive and formed into structural beams that can be used instead of solid sawn lumber. Used to reduce pressure on old growth forest.
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.
Green roof
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.”
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.
Heat gain
Heat from the sun, people, electric lights or appliances that cause the temperature in a space to rise.
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.
Conditioned space
An enclosed space supplied with conditioned air from a heating and/or cooling system.
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.
Horizontal-axis 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 singleglazed 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 (ERR)
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.
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.
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.
Infill development
Building on empty or underutilized lots in cities or older suburban areas instead of building in a previously undeveloped area.
Infiltration
EnergyGuide 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.
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
Energy Performance Score (ESP)
Similar to a miles-per-gallon rating for cars, newly constructed homes earn a score based on their estimated energy use, utility costs and environmental impact. Calculating the EPS is based on several factors: the building’s size, insulation, air leakage and ventilation, heating and cooling systems, major appliances, lighting and water heating. Using the EPS, home buyers now have a way of learning the energy costs of a home before they buy.
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.
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.
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.
Engineered wood
Building products, including beams, framing studs, and floor and roof joists, made from wood fibers bound with adhesives. The wood typically comes from plantationgrown trees, thus reducing demand for old-growth trees. In general, engineered wood products result in less wood waste than solid sawn lumber products.
Kilowatt (kW)
A unit of electric power equal to 1000 joules per second or 3412 BTUs in output.
Kilowatt-hour (kWh)
A unit of electric energy equal to 3600 kilojoules or 3412 BTUs.(relates to usage)
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.
8 | GREEN & SOLAR HOME TOUR | 2011
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.
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.
Low-e (low-emissivity) 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.
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.
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.
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
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 shell. 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.
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.
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.
Orientation
The relationship of a building, or a window or other building component, to compass direction and consequently to the sun’s position.
Oriented strand board (OSB)
An engineered wood panel made from strands of wood arranged in crisscrossing layers and bound with an adhesive.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Solar water heating systems
A system that captures sun energy to heat or preheat water for domestic use and /or space heating. Hot water is then stored in a tank in the building Two types include Flat-plate or Evacuated-tube solar collector systems. Also called Solar Thermal systems.
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.
Stormwater runoff
Water that flows off of buildings and paved surfaces and over land during a rainstorm.
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).
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.
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.
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.
Truss
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.
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, roofmounted 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.
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.
Ventilation
The movement of air through an area for the purpose of removing moisture, air pollutants, or unwanted heat.
Volatile organic compound (VOC)
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.
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.
Photovoltaic (PV) cell
A material that converts sunlight directly into electricity.
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.
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.
Whole-house fan
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.
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 whole-house 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Renewable resource
A material that can be replenished in a relatively short period of time after it is harvested or used.
R-value
A measure of a material’s resistance to the passage of heat through it. The higher the Rvalue, the more effective the material is as insulation.
Sealed-combustion 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.
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2011 | GREEN & SOLAR HOME TOUR | 9
#3 NOT SO BIG, 674 SQ. FT.
GREEN AT A GLANCE
Sometimes, in the world of sustainability, smaller is better.
3RD PARTY GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATIONS
Building Designer: Rob Tomcho/ Jeff Perry Builder: Jim St. John Construction, LLC Year Built: 2011 Address: 670 NW Mt. Washington Drive, NW Crossing, Bend
EPS Score: 42 Earth Advantage® Gold ENERGY STAR® HOME
BUILDING ENVELOPE
Directions: Mt. Washington Drive & Toussaint As we know, sustainable design can be expressed through its technology, but it can also be achieved as a function of the size of the structure. At the most basic level, the smaller the structure, the fewer the materials and resources required to build, live in and maintain the home. This kind of efficiency in design and construction needn’t mean that the home is less in any way, other than square footage. In the case of this particular home, tile and lumber were repurposed from other jobs and all wood scraps, cardboard and metal from the jobsite were recycled. Although, at 674 square foot, this home has a small footprint, everything you need is here, adding nothing that will get in the way of spending time doing the things you really love to do. A two-burner cook top, stacked washer and dryer, and mini dishwashing drawer allow you to take care of the basics, but the size means that you won’t be taking time away from the trails, to clean the house. A vaulted ceiling and well-placed windows give the interior both an open feel and privacy where needed. The front porch puts you front and center to the beauty of the outdoors, which, in Bend, is right where you want to be.
Wall: 2” x 6”, R-21 Ceiling: R-49 Floor: engineered joist, R-38 Windows: double pane, average u-value .32 14% glazing to floor space ratio. 3.58ACH@50pa 674 square feet
ENERGY EFFICIENCY & RENEWABLE ENERGY Heat Source: Free standing natural gas stove 100% CFL lighting ENERGY STAR® appliances
INDOOR AIR QUALITY
Low-VOC paints and glues Nature Series low VOC cabinets 100% hard surface flooring Programmed exhaust fan
WATER CONSERVATION No sod All drip irrigation
RESOURCE CONSERVATION
FSC lumber, Recycled content siding, Bamboo hardwood
Energy Efficiency and Environmental Sustainability • full-service residential, commercial, and industrial design solutions • innovative design and modeling software • active research in building technologies and energy efficiency
10 Barrel Brewing Co. Pub
Call to discuss the possibilities for your project. contact: tel 541.647.5675 ambientarch.com 919 NW Bond, #216 • Bend, Oregon 97701
10 | GREEN & SOLAR HOME TOUR | 2011
#4 CITY VIEW & EFFICIENT
GREEN AT A GLANCE
Livability equals sustainability plus those special, personal touches.
3RD PARTY GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATIONS
Building Designer: Jason Todd Builder: W. H. Hull Company Year Built: 2010 Address: 1754 SW Troon, Bend
EPS Score: 48 Earth Advantage® Platinum ENERGY STAR® HOME
BUILDING ENVELOPE
Directions: Mt. Washington east on Troon What makes a house “habitable, endurable,”- livable? For this owner, the wish list was varied, including several “little things that make a big difference.”The floor plan needed to be flexible, thus there is a ground- floor apartment that can serve as short-term guest quarters or as a long-term living situation for an aging parent. A secret room for the multiple kitty litter boxes and a cool spot for the wine were a must, as was the steam shower that warms the core after a day of play, at a highly efficient level of water and energy use. Attention to sustainability was important, so the house has both a 12 panel solar array that is tied into the grid and a passive solar design that takes full advantage of the spectacular views. The inverter ductless heat pump cuts the heating energy consumption by 60% and the high insulation levels contribute to the excellent energy efficiency. Add to this the personal touches, such as counters that are a little higher than average, and doors and drawers that ease smoothly along their tracks as they open and close and you have home that is, in the owner’s words, “just so livable!” The open layout upstairs is flooded with light from windows, Solatubes, glass-paneled doors and over-door transoms, adding to the overall sense that this home will be both lovely and livable for years to come.
Considering Solar for your Existing Home? Incorporate Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® by Jamie Fereday, Energy Analyst Sol Coast Consulting and Design applied their skills. Chris and Carla soon noticed a difference. The house seemed less drafty, warmer in winter, and their oil bill decreased by almost 40%. “The furnace works less often,” Chris pointed out. The next step was the solar array. Sol Coast illustrated how energy could be created on site and installed a 3kW solar electric system on Chris and Carla’s garage roof. The savings through conserving and creating energy are now a part of Chris and Carla’s retirement portfolio. For more information about Home Performance with Energy Star® and to find a certified contractor in Central Oregon please visit the Energy Trust of Oregon website: www.energytrust.org QUIZ answers: 1-d, 2-a, 3-b, 4-d, 5-a
Chris and Carla live in Coos Bay, Oregon in a well-built 1948 home. They are looking forward to retirement and heard of a new program in town promoted by Sol Coast Consulting and Design that would help them tune-up their home energy-wise. Home Performance with Energy Star® is a nation-wide program to help home-owners reduce their energy bills while making their homes more comfortable, safe, and durable. This made sense to Chris and Carla who have a working understanding of savings to investment ratios. They elected to get a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® Assessment which generated a report showing where best to apply weatherization efforts, mainly in sealing air leaks. A local insulating company and trade ally of Energy Trust of Oregon
Wall: 2x8 plate 2x4 staggered, R-30 Ceiling: trusses with 12” raised heel, R-49 Floor: slab on grade, R-15, engr. joist, R-38 Windows: double pane, average u-value .29 21% glazing to floor space ratio, 50% south facing 1.79 ACH@50pa 2,217 square feet
ENERGY EFFICIENCY & RENEWABLE ENERGY Heat Source: ductless inverter mini split PV: 2.2 kW connected to grid Tankless natural gas hot water heater 77% CFL lighting ENERGY STAR® appliances
INDOOR AIR QUALITY
Low-VOC paints, stains, glue and caulk Nature Series low VOC cabinets 100% hard surface flooring Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV)
WATER CONSERVATION No sod Dual flush toilets
RESOURCE CONSERVATION
FSC lumber, Recycled content insulation and siding Infill Development (reduce utility expansion, conserve land & resourses)
Homeowner strategies that control stormwater runoff and lower water demand by Beth Yoe
Municipalities are increasingly requiring rainwater that runs off our roofs to be controlled on-site. Water swept into storm drains can overburden our wastewater treatment plants or ultimately degrade the quality of our rivers with pollutants from cars and pesticides. These are some costeffective strategies that will lower water demand and/or control run-off. Rain gardens (or bio-retention systems) direct roof run-off and retain it on-site. These shallow landscaped basins capture and infiltrate water and remove pollutants. They are inexpensive to install and are an attractive landscape addition. Rainwater harvesting. Rainwater collected from roofs can be used for irrigation. Our dilemma in Central Oregon is that most of our rain falls in winter but we need it in summer, requiring large storage tanks. Porous Pavement allows water to infiltrate the soil and can include driveways and walkways. The simplest strategy for the homeowner is pavers with gaps between them that allow water to flow into the ground instead of the storm system. Graywater is wastewater generated from laundry, hand dishwashing, and bathing, but not from garbage disposals and dishwashers. It can be treated and used for irrigation or toilet flushing. In Oregon, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), will begin
accepting applications in 2012 for graywater reuse systems for irrigation. Use for toilet flushing will not require a DEQ permit, since the water is ultimately discharged to the sanitary sewer and not applied directly on the soil. Change usage habits. The average American uses 80-100 gallons of water per day with the largest household use from flushing toilets and bathing. Irrigation can bump this amount even higher. Use water-efficient faucets and appliances. Toilets and faucets that use less water are readily available. A faucet head might have a rating of “1.5 gpm” which means that the faucet flows at 1.5 gallons per minute. A conventional toilet might use 3.5 gallons per flush (gpf); a low consumption toilet, 1.6 gpf. Plant low-water use xeriscapes and droughttolerant grass, or, even better, no turf at all. Amend soil with organic materials to conserve water losses through evaporation. Our volcanic Central Oregon soils do not retain water well and even xeriscapes may require more water than anticipated without added compost. Install drip (or micro) irrigation systems rather than traditional sprinklers, which deliver water directly to each plant. Less water is lost through run-off and evaporation.
2011 | GREEN & SOLAR HOME TOUR | 11
GREEN AT A GLANCE
#5 RAINWATER RECOVERY & REUSE The challenge and the joy are found not only in the product, but in the creative process.
3RD PARTY GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATIONS
Architect: HD Architecture Builder: Duey Brothers Custom Homes Year Built: 2011 Address: 1060 NW Baltimore Ave, Bend
BUILDING ENVELOPE
Directions; Every home design and construction project comes with its unique set of parameters such as site restrictions, homeowner needs, and finances and sometimes it is a challenge to find a team of people who can work together from a place of appreciation for the entire organic, creative process that moves a project from an abstract idea to a concrete structure. Functioning as a team; architect, builder and homeowner have worked together to create this home that utilizes many elements of green design, such as a flat-plate solar/thermal/domestic hot water rooftop system; a variety of radiant systems for floors and the first permitted residential rainwater harvest system in the area. Basically, for the first few minutes, water travels from the gutters to a “first flushing diverter,” which keeps dirt out of the tank, sending it to the drainage swale. The clean water is then sent to the pressurized storage system that pumps it to the toilets, laundry and irrigation system. Interestingly, several energy grant and highvolume purchasing programs were tapped for this project, making the installation of triple-paned windows possible. Sustainability is a process, not a final product and as such, it is in a constant state of growth and change. Understanding how to work with these ongoing changes is what has made this home a success.
EPS Score: 46 Earth Advantage Platinum ENERGY STAR® HOME
Wall: SIP with 2x4 inframe, R-36 Ceiling: SIP, R-46 Floor: slab on grade, R-20 Windows: Triple pane, average u-value .20 20% glazing to floor space ratio ACH NA 2,535 square feet
ENERGY EFFICIENCY & RENEWABLE ENERGY Heat Source: Gas boiler with solar assist PV: 2.0 kWh connected to grid Solar hot water heater 75% CFL lighting ENERGY STAR® appliances
INDOOR AIR QUALITY
Low-VOC paints, stains, glue and caulk Low VOC cabinets 80% hard surface flooring Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV)
WATER CONSERVATION
Limited sod Rainwater recovery and reuse system
RESOURCE CONSERVATION
Salvaged lumber and interior doors Infill Development (reduce utility expansion, conserve land & resourses)
HOME ENERGY QUIZ
LEED Meets Habitat ML Vidas, architect and Living Building consultant
How do you merge excellent green building with an affordable endeavor? The Bend Area Habitat for Humanity is figuring that out this summer. Construction began last spring on their first LEED registered project, striving for Platinum certification. The key watchword for attaining Platinum with a tight construction budget is small. By holding the home size to under 1200sf, efficiencies improve and construction costs go down. In fact, under the LEED for Homes Rating System, a smaller home receives bonus points. The LEED system is a points-based green building standard
that assesses prescribed design and construction decisions. Originally started by the US Green Building Council, LEED is currently being used around the world to encourage exemplary green buildings. A small home becomes livable with thoughtful design. In this Habitat home, comfortable spaces are arranged with an open family area and acoustic separation between bedrooms. Windows on the south side provide views out. Energy efficiency starts with placing the home on the site to capture warmth from the winter sun with protection
from summer’s heat. Window placement and overhangs support the correct site orientation. Auxiliary heat comes though the insulated slab with a hydronic heating system. Additional air sealing at all exterior walls and generous insulation levels throughout assure a comfortable indoor temperature for this family. Other features bring water efficiency, good indoor air quality and thoughtful material selections. Visit this Bend Area Habitat for Humanity home and see how to live green and live well!
1. Homes constructed today have a cost-effective opportunity for energy-efficiency improvement of about: a) 0% - 20% b) 20% - 40% c) 40% - 60% d) 60% - 80% 2. Over the last 10 years the overall thermal performance of new residential envelopes has increased how much? a) 0% b) 15% c) 30% d) 60% 3. Wood conducts heat how many times faster than fiberglass batt insulation: a) 2 times faster b) 4 times faster
c) 20 times faster d) About the same 4. Steel conducts heat how many times faster than fiberglass batt insulation: a) 20 times faster b) 40 times faster c) 200 times faster d) 1,200 times faster 5. Installing solar electric systems estimated cost of $9.00 per watt of capacity. Each installed watt will generate about one kilowatt-hour of electricity a year. Investing $9.00 in compact fluorescent light bulbs will save one kilowatt-hour in about what length of time? a) four hours Answers b) four weeks to quiz on c) four months page 11 d) four years
Building and Remodeling Comfortable, Sustainable, Energy Efficient, and Healthy Homes Throughout Central Oregon Affordable green design for new construction and remodels “Creating comfort, health and low energy bills one beautiful home at a time” Contact us to discuss your next project 541-610-7351 Proudly serving Central Oregon solarcraftdesign@gmail.com
12 | GREEN & SOLAR HOME TOUR | 2011
www.TimberlineBend.com • info@TimberlineBend.com 541.388.3979 CCB#180380
GREEN AT A GLANCE
#6 HABITAT LEED PLATINUM Not only simple, decent, and affordable but efficient as well; it’s Habitat for Humanity at its best. Building Designer: Audrey Allen, Allen Design Group Builder: Bend Area Habitat for Humanity Year Built: 2011 Address: 2879 Spring Water Place, Bend
3RD PARTY GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATIONS
Earth Advantage® Gold LEED Platinum OR Dept. of Energy High Performance Home ENERGY STAR® HOME
BUILDING ENVELOPE
Directions: NE 27th St, East on Aldrich Ave, right on Spring Creek. Energy efficient home design and construction is not new to Bend Area Habitat for Humanity. Since 2007 the non-profit organization has been building homes in the greater Bend and Prineville communities that carry the stringent Earth Advantage certification and U.S. Green Building Council LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design an internationally-recognized green building certification system. This home ups the ante by anticipating achieving the LEED Platinum level, demonstrating the highest achievements in seven categories of design and construction performance, including innovation and design, site selection, location and linkages, water efficiency, materials and resources, energy and atmosphere, indoor environmental quality and awareness and education. You will find solar panels, a radiant floor heat system, tankless water heater, vented frame windows and a pervious driveway to name a few of the details, but there is energy of a different sort that has gone into the construction of this home. Qualifying for LEED status requires rigorous documentation. For this, Habitat turned once again to its most valuable resource- the community- for volunteers who understand how to work with the exacting record-keeping system. Some two dozen people stepped up to take on this portion of the project as well as occasionally swing a hammer and caulk a seam. This home is definitely a labor of community love.
Wall: 2x6 24” OC, foam board wrap, R-24 Ceiling: trusses 12” energy heel, R-49 Floor: slab on grade, R-15 Windows: Double pane, average u-value .30 14% glazing to floor space ratio ACH estimated < 5.0 1,240 square feet
ENERGY EFFICIENCY & RENEWABLE ENERGY Heat Source: Natural Gas Tankless water heater & in-slab radiant Solar hot water preheat system 100% Compact Fluorescent Lighting PV: 2.2 kW Solar Electric System
INDOOR AIR QUALITY
Low VOC paints and adhesives Low VOC cabinets 100% hard surface flooring Programmable Fresh Air Ventilation Fan
WATER CONSERVATION No sod, Xeriscaping Dual flush toilets Low-Flow Fixtures
RESOURCE CONSERVATION
C ENTR A L O R
EG
Habitat uses numerous donated materials from the ReStore
’S ON
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JULIANNA KREBS 541.977.4242 2011 | GREEN & SOLAR HOME TOUR | 13
#7 ENERGY BLOCK WALL
GREEN AT A GLANCE
Energy conservation can be achieved by marrying a deep understanding of how the systems of nature function with functional engineering.
EPS Score: NA Earth Advantage® Platinum ENERGY STAR® HOME
Building Designer: SunTerra Homes Inc.- Jim Chauncey Builder: SunTerra Homes Inc. Year Built: 2011 Address: 571 Hope, Sisters Directions: Hwy 20 to west end of Sisters, South on Pine, right on Hope As you step into the entryway, you will see that a beautiful mosaic dragonfly has been incorporated into the floor tiles. It is an appropriate image for this home, as the dragonfly is an example of exacting engineering that takes the greatest advantage of the way nature functions. Exacting engineering is what has gone into the design and construction of this home. Not only does the final product represent attention to building shape, orientation, passive solar requirements, window placement, the building envelope, ventilation, and the most efficient use of interior space, but it pays special attention to the concept and value of creating thermal mass. In particular this home is constructed using the patented SunTerra EnergyBlock wall system that, as the product brochure says, “…provides a natural thermal battery that reacts to the interior of your home. It absorbs heat, stores heat, and gives it back as you need it for warmth in the winter. And, it absorbs unwanted heat when you want to stay cool in the summer.” The exterior walls, concrete floors, both upstairs and down and most of the interior walls all contribute to this thermal mass, the inclusion of which reduces heat costs as well as eliminating the need for air conditioning. Energy conservation is achieved by combining the mind of man with the workings of nature.
14 | GREEN & SOLAR HOME TOUR | 2011
3RD PARTY GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATIONS
BUILDING ENVELOPE
Wall: Energy Block, 3” polyisocyanurate, R-27 Ceiling: 12” engineering I-joist, 11” foam, R-44 Floor: slab on grade, R-10 under, R-12-15 perimeter Windows: Triple pane, average u-value .22 15% glazing to floor space ratio ACH@50pa NA 2,160 square feet
ENERGY EFFICIENCY & RENEWABLE ENERGY
Heat Source: Ductless heat pump Passive solar design, 52% of glazing on south side, high solar heat gain glass, insulated shutter on automatic timer, thermal mass 234K lbs PV: 5 kW photovoltaic, Solar hot water heater 100% CFL lighting ENERGY STAR® appliances
INDOOR AIR QUALITY
Low-VOC paints and adhesives Low VOC cabinets 100% hard surface flooring Programmable exhaust vent
WATER CONSERVATION No sod, Xeriscaping Dual flush toilets
RESOURCE CONSERVATION
Habitat use numerous donated materials
SunTerra Homes is a design/construction company in Bend, Oregon 541-389-4733 â&#x20AC;˘www.sunterrahomes.com CCB# 62262
2011 | GREEN & SOLAR HOME TOUR | 15
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