Pike County Green Building Guide 4.23.09

Setting Green
Expectations
KNOWLEDGE The best way to set your expectations is to increase your knowledge. Consumers should be sure green promises are not just marketing spins or faux green solutions. Investigate the options you choose to determine the green benefits you will receive.
EXPERIENCE Choose builders familiar with the local ecology, building sites and weather patterns. Rely on certified builders and those belonging to the Pike County Builders Association to guide your building decisions. Many green improvements work hand in hand with solar and wind patterns and should consider likely seasonal conditions to ensure they work effectively.
COSTS Educate yourself on the cost versus the payoff of green decisions for your home or building project. Although going green can cost 5% to 30% more than conventional construction, it can provide a return over time in lower expenses. There may also be tax credits for a 50% or better ENERGY STAR home rating.
DURABILITY Some green products may differ from conventional building options. There may be tradeoffs in the types and quality of the products used. For example, composite materials are far more durable than traditional lumber, whereas some green products may vary in color, variety or durability.
CHANGE Going green is not a new concept. Many of today’s building innovations will become tomorrow’s building standards. As times change, building materials become more efficient and building codes change to adapt to the ever‐
improving materials and heightened social consciousness. Beehive Builders Maria Torffield, www.beehivebuilders.com Clemleddy Construction Craig Smyth, www.clemleddy.com Delaware Highlands Conservancy Sue Currier, www.delawarehighlands.org Forrest Homes of Lake Wallenpaupack, Inc. Kevin Coutts, CGP, CGB, www.forest‐homes.com Heron's Eye Communications Krista Gromalski, www.heronseye.com James Leighty Construction, Inc. Jim Leighty, www.leightyconstruction.com Joy‐Beck Builders, Inc. Ethel Schmitt, www.joybeckbuilders.com Keep Pike Green www.keeppikegreen.org Lattimore Construction Corp. Michael Adsit & Norman Dexter, [email protected] McGoey, Hauser & Edsall Consulting Engineers www.mhepc.com Ed Nikles Custom Home Builders, Inc. Ed Nikles, Sr. & Ed Nikles, Jr., www.ednikles.com Penn State Cooperative Extension Peter Wulfhorst, http://pike.extension.psu.edu Penn State Worthington Campus John Drake, www.sn.psu.edu Pike County Builders Association Bette Eagan, www.pikecountybuilders.com Pike County Economic Development Authority Rachel Hendricks, www.pidco.com SolutionPro Energy Smart Buildings Dave Farrington, www.solutionprollc.com/energy_smart.htm The Dime Bank Ekaterina Pereyra, www.thedimebank.com This guide was developed by Leadership Pike 2009: the premier community building organization in Pike County, identifying, developing & supporting leaders for superior community service. • Cena Block ‐ Sane Spaces Owner, Professional Organizer & Productivity Consultant, www.sanespaces.com • Amy Burke ‐ The Dime Bank, www.thedimebank.com • Deborah Crockett ‐ Researcher, Penn State University, •
•
•
•
•
•
•
What Does Going Green
Actually Mean?
We gratefully acknowledge and thank our generous contributors: www.psu.edu & Coordinator, Greene Township EMA Thomas Deluca ‐ Retired NYC Firefighter Lisa Marie Hall ‐ University of Scranton SBDC, www.scrantonsbdc.com Janice Kessler ‐ Milford Health & Wellness Center, Newton Memorial Hospital, www.nmhnj.org Ethan Mindrebo ‐ McGoey, Hauser & Edsall Consulting Engineers, www.mhepc.com Kathryn Murphy ‐ Honesdale National Bank, www.hnbbank.com Eugene Ruzanski, LEED AP ‐ McGoey, Hauser & Edsall Consulting Engineers, www.mhepc.com Deborah Unflat ‐ The Dime Bank, www.thedimebank.com Information about Leadership Pike
is available at the Penn State
Cooperative Extension Office in
Pike County 570-296-3400 or
[email protected].
GOING GREEN is about resource management. A Guide to
Help You
Build & Renovate
Green in
Pike County
Pennsylvania
A green home pays attention to energy efficiency, water conservation, recycled products, and indoor air quality. Green homes incorporate environmental considerations and resource efficiency in every step of the building process to minimize environmental impact. Green homes use local products, minimize material transport, and use renewable or recycled resources whenever possible. Green means choosing options with minimal maintenance and operating costs. Building and renovating green will save money over time on heating and cooling costs, save water, and protect the natural beauty and resources of Pike County, Pennsylvania.
Why Build Green?
Today, new homes are twice as energy efficient as they were 30 years ago, thanks to cutting‐edge green building techniques and technologies available for new and remodeled homes. LOWERED OPERATING COSTS
Green homes are equipped with more efficient heating and cooling systems and use less water, resulting in lower monthly utility bills. Improved construction methods better protect homes from rain and ground water and reduce upkeep and replacement costs, while the use of recycled materials helps conserve natural resources. REDUCED MAINTENANCE ISSUES
Green landscaping uses native or drought‐resistant plants and grasses. Decks made of synthetic materials need no sealing or staining. INCREASED HOME VALUES
Homeowners with documented lower monthly utility bills report higher resale values. Printed on
recycled paper.
Practical Green
Building Tips
6 Key Green Factors
EFFECTIVE INSULATION
Properly installed insulation in floors, walls, and attics ensures even temperatures throughout the house, reduces energy use, and increases comfort. Orient the home to take advantage of wind direction and passive solar exposure. Conserve the natural resources and native vegetation on the property. HIGH PERFORMANCE WINDOWS
Use permeable walks and driveways. Energy‐efficient windows employ advanced technologies, such as protective coatings and improved frames to help keep heat in during winter and out during summer. These windows also block damaging ultraviolet sunlight that can discolor carpets and furnishings. Try to choose property within a reasonable driving and walking distance of stores and services. TIGHT CONSTRUCTION AND DUCTS
Install ENERGY STAR efficient windows with high argon gas and double or triple pane glass. Use a superior insulation package for new construction: •
Wrap heating and cooling ducts in R‐8 insulation and seal joints tightly. •
Use R‐10.8 insulation with foil facing and taped joints in the basement. •
Caulk the floor plates of all walls. •
Use pre‐fabricated, insulated wall panels for both foundations and walls. •
Install an insulated attic hatch. Sealing holes and cracks in the home's envelope and in heating and cooling duct systems helps reduce drafts, moisture, dust, pollen, and noise. A tightly sealed home improves comfort and indoor air quality while reducing utility and maintenance costs.
Use a frost protected slab‐on‐grade foundation as an alternative to a full basement foundation. EFFICIENT HEATING AND COOLING
Recycle and redistribute construction debris and salvageable surplus building materials. In addition to using less energy to operate, energy‐
efficient heating and cooling systems can be quieter, reduce indoor humidity, and improve the overall comfort of the home. When properly installed into a tightly sealed home, this equipment works more efficiently to heat and cool the home. Install tankless instant hot water heaters, and PEX piping systems, which provide higher energy efficiency compared to traditional water systems. EFFICIENT PRODUCTS
ENERGY STAR qualified homes can include a variety of tried‐and‐true energy efficient features that contribute to improved home quality and homeowner comfort, lowered energy demand and reduced air pollution. ENERGY STAR qualified homes may also be equipped with ENERGY STAR qualified products such as lighting fixtures, compact fluorescent bulbs, ventilation fans, and appliances. THIRD-PARTY VERIFICATION
With the help of independent Home Energy Raters, ENERGY STAR builder partners choose the most appropriate energy‐saving features for their homes. Additionally, raters conduct onsite testing and at least three site inspections to verify the energy efficiency measures taken throughout the building process. Consumer Questions For
Your Building Professional
What green building options do you offer? (e.g. heating/cooling, insulation, windows, roofing, foundation and materials.) Are you NAHB/LEED certified? If not, what certification/s do you hold? Are you a member of the Pike County Builders Association? Are you a state‐registered builder and what is your registration number? Definitions
CARBON FOOTPRINT ‐ A carbon footprint is an estimate of how much carbon dioxide is produced to support your lifestyle. It measures your impact on the climate based on how much greenhouse gas emissions you produce. ENERGY STAR ‐ A certification set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A third party tests ENERGY STAR qualified homes for energy efficiency (www.energystar.gov). GREEN WASHING ‐ This is a concept referring to a company that claims to be green through advertising and marketing rather than implementing practices to minimize environmental impact. HRU ‐ A Heat Recovery Unit exhausts interior air and circulates fresh outdoor air into the home. While doing so, the unit exchanges the heat from the exhausted air to warm the new outdoor air during the intake process. HVAC ‐ Refers to Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning systems. ICF ‐ Insulating Concrete Form is one of the best insulating materials Are your homes ENERGY STAR certified? Can you give me a present value cost/benefit breakdown of the green options you can deliver? on the market. ICFs deliver an R‐value of up to 50 that will considerably downsize heating and cooling units ‐ potentially saving the homeowner 50% or more on their heating/cooling costs over time. ICFs are minimally more expensive compared to conventional building materials but result in a cash flow savings for the homebuyer. LEED ‐ Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is a green building rating system that provides a suite of standards for environmentally sustainable construction. Use building materials made from recycled and resource‐
efficient contents: OSB and engineered wood products, linoleum, vinyl siding, carpet padding made from recycled rubber. Use ENERGY STAR certified appliances, lighting, exhaust fans and ceiling fans. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs and LED light fixtures and bulbs. Install a high efficiency HVAC system with a programmable thermostat. Do you recycle construction waste materials? When will I realize a return on the initial expenses of going green? Improve your indoor environment: •
Use products that emit low or no VOC. •
Use formaldehyde free products. •
Install a HRU air exchange system. •
Use duct covers during construction to prevent dust from entering into the ventilation system. Insulate water heaters located in unheated areas. Install low‐flow showerheads, faucets, and toilets. Use renewable materials like bamboo and cork. Use locally sourced materials and combine material shipments to reduce transportation costs and environmental impact. wood strands. These strands are mixed with wax and adhesive and then hot pressed. Approximately 50 layers of strands make one sheet of OSB. PEX ‐ Cross Linked Polyethylene piping, a plastic pipe commonly used in plumbing systems, which can improve the water conservation and energy efficiency of the water systems. Install geothermal heating/cooling systems. Install radiant floor heating. NAHB ‐ The National Association of Home Builders. OSB ‐ Oriented Strand Board is made from wood ground into thin Are you willing to try new green materials and methods? “The vast possibilities
of our great future will
become realities only if
we make ourselves
responsible for that future.”
R‐VALUE ‐ The measure of an insulation material’s resistance to heat flow. The higher the R‐Value, the greater the insulating capability. SIPs ‐ Structural Insulated Panels are pre‐fabricated, insulated panels made of polystyrene insulation sandwiched between OSB structural sheathing panels. This system can serve as exterior walls or roofs. SLAB‐ON‐GRADE FOUNDATION ‐ This type of foundation is used extensively in Europe and consists of a concrete slab poured on grade with no foundation walls, thus no basement. This reinforced slab obtains its strength from reinforcing steel, with buried insulation protecting it from frost heave. -Gifford Pinchot
VOC ‐ Volatile Organic Compounds are chemicals found in building materials such as adhesives, paints, finishes, and carpets. Use products that emit low or no VOC. Practical Green
Building Tips
6 Key Green Factors
EFFECTIVE INSULATION
Properly installed insulation in floors, walls, and attics ensures even temperatures throughout the house, reduces energy use, and increases comfort. Orient the home to take advantage of wind direction and passive solar exposure. Conserve the natural resources and native vegetation on the property. HIGH PERFORMANCE WINDOWS
Use permeable walks and driveways. Energy‐efficient windows employ advanced technologies, such as protective coatings and improved frames to help keep heat in during winter and out during summer. These windows also block damaging ultraviolet sunlight that can discolor carpets and furnishings. Try to choose property within a reasonable driving and walking distance of stores and services. TIGHT CONSTRUCTION AND DUCTS
Install ENERGY STAR efficient windows with high argon gas and double or triple pane glass. Use a superior insulation package for new construction: •
Wrap heating and cooling ducts in R‐8 insulation and seal joints tightly. •
Use R‐10.8 insulation with foil facing and taped joints in the basement. •
Caulk the floor plates of all walls. •
Use pre‐fabricated, insulated wall panels for both foundations and walls. •
Install an insulated attic hatch. Sealing holes and cracks in the home's envelope and in heating and cooling duct systems helps reduce drafts, moisture, dust, pollen, and noise. A tightly sealed home improves comfort and indoor air quality while reducing utility and maintenance costs.
Use a frost protected slab‐on‐grade foundation as an alternative to a full basement foundation. EFFICIENT HEATING AND COOLING
Recycle and redistribute construction debris and salvageable surplus building materials. In addition to using less energy to operate, energy‐
efficient heating and cooling systems can be quieter, reduce indoor humidity, and improve the overall comfort of the home. When properly installed into a tightly sealed home, this equipment works more efficiently to heat and cool the home. Install tankless instant hot water heaters, and PEX piping systems, which provide higher energy efficiency compared to traditional water systems. EFFICIENT PRODUCTS
ENERGY STAR qualified homes can include a variety of tried‐and‐true energy efficient features that contribute to improved home quality and homeowner comfort, lowered energy demand and reduced air pollution. ENERGY STAR qualified homes may also be equipped with ENERGY STAR qualified products such as lighting fixtures, compact fluorescent bulbs, ventilation fans, and appliances. THIRD-PARTY VERIFICATION
With the help of independent Home Energy Raters, ENERGY STAR builder partners choose the most appropriate energy‐saving features for their homes. Additionally, raters conduct onsite testing and at least three site inspections to verify the energy efficiency measures taken throughout the building process. Consumer Questions For
Your Building Professional
What green building options do you offer? (e.g. heating/cooling, insulation, windows, roofing, foundation and materials.) Are you NAHB/LEED certified? If not, what certification/s do you hold? Are you a member of the Pike County Builders Association? Are you a state‐registered builder and what is your registration number? Definitions
CARBON FOOTPRINT ‐ A carbon footprint is an estimate of how much carbon dioxide is produced to support your lifestyle. It measures your impact on the climate based on how much greenhouse gas emissions you produce. ENERGY STAR ‐ A certification set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A third party tests ENERGY STAR qualified homes for energy efficiency (www.energystar.gov). GREEN WASHING ‐ This is a concept referring to a company that claims to be green through advertising and marketing rather than implementing practices to minimize environmental impact. HRU ‐ A Heat Recovery Unit exhausts interior air and circulates fresh outdoor air into the home. While doing so, the unit exchanges the heat from the exhausted air to warm the new outdoor air during the intake process. HVAC ‐ Refers to Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning systems. ICF ‐ Insulating Concrete Form is one of the best insulating materials Are your homes ENERGY STAR certified? Can you give me a present value cost/benefit breakdown of the green options you can deliver? on the market. ICFs deliver an R‐value of up to 50 that will considerably downsize heating and cooling units ‐ potentially saving the homeowner 50% or more on their heating/cooling costs over time. ICFs are minimally more expensive compared to conventional building materials but result in a cash flow savings for the homebuyer. LEED ‐ Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is a green building rating system that provides a suite of standards for environmentally sustainable construction. Use building materials made from recycled and resource‐
efficient contents: OSB and engineered wood products, linoleum, vinyl siding, carpet padding made from recycled rubber. Use ENERGY STAR certified appliances, lighting, exhaust fans and ceiling fans. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs and LED light fixtures and bulbs. Install a high efficiency HVAC system with a programmable thermostat. Do you recycle construction waste materials? When will I realize a return on the initial expenses of going green? Improve your indoor environment: •
Use products that emit low or no VOC. •
Use formaldehyde free products. •
Install a HRU air exchange system. •
Use duct covers during construction to prevent dust from entering into the ventilation system. Insulate water heaters located in unheated areas. Install low‐flow showerheads, faucets, and toilets. Use renewable materials like bamboo and cork. Use locally sourced materials and combine material shipments to reduce transportation costs and environmental impact. wood strands. These strands are mixed with wax and adhesive and then hot pressed. Approximately 50 layers of strands make one sheet of OSB. PEX ‐ Cross Linked Polyethylene piping, a plastic pipe commonly used in plumbing systems, which can improve the water conservation and energy efficiency of the water systems. Install geothermal heating/cooling systems. Install radiant floor heating. NAHB ‐ The National Association of Home Builders. OSB ‐ Oriented Strand Board is made from wood ground into thin Are you willing to try new green materials and methods? “The vast possibilities
of our great future will
become realities only if
we make ourselves
responsible for that future.”
R‐VALUE ‐ The measure of an insulation material’s resistance to heat flow. The higher the R‐Value, the greater the insulating capability. SIPs ‐ Structural Insulated Panels are pre‐fabricated, insulated panels made of polystyrene insulation sandwiched between OSB structural sheathing panels. This system can serve as exterior walls or roofs. SLAB‐ON‐GRADE FOUNDATION ‐ This type of foundation is used extensively in Europe and consists of a concrete slab poured on grade with no foundation walls, thus no basement. This reinforced slab obtains its strength from reinforcing steel, with buried insulation protecting it from frost heave. -Gifford Pinchot
VOC ‐ Volatile Organic Compounds are chemicals found in building materials such as adhesives, paints, finishes, and carpets. Use products that emit low or no VOC. Setting Green
Expectations
KNOWLEDGE The best way to set your expectations is to increase your knowledge. Consumers should be sure green promises are not just marketing spins or faux green solutions. Investigate the options you choose to determine the green benefits you will receive.
EXPERIENCE Choose builders familiar with the local ecology, building sites and weather patterns. Rely on certified builders and those belonging to the Pike County Builders Association to guide your building decisions. Many green improvements work hand in hand with solar and wind patterns and should consider likely seasonal conditions to ensure they work effectively.
COSTS Educate yourself on the cost versus the payoff of green decisions for your home or building project. Although going green can cost 5% to 30% more than conventional construction, it can provide a return over time in lower expenses. There may also be tax credits for a 50% or better ENERGY STAR home rating.
DURABILITY Some green products may differ from conventional building options. There may be tradeoffs in the types and quality of the products used. For example, composite materials are far more durable than traditional lumber, whereas some green products may vary in color, variety or durability.
CHANGE Going green is not a new concept. Many of today’s building innovations will become tomorrow’s building standards. As times change, building materials become more efficient and building codes change to adapt to the ever‐
improving materials and heightened social consciousness. Beehive Builders Maria Torffield, www.beehivebuilders.com Clemleddy Construction Craig Smyth, www.clemleddy.com Delaware Highlands Conservancy Sue Currier, www.delawarehighlands.org Forrest Homes of Lake Wallenpaupack, Inc. Kevin Coutts, CGP, CGB, www.forest‐homes.com Heron's Eye Communications Krista Gromalski, www.heronseye.com James Leighty Construction, Inc. Jim Leighty, www.leightyconstruction.com Joy‐Beck Builders, Inc. Ethel Schmitt, www.joybeckbuilders.com Keep Pike Green www.keeppikegreen.org Lattimore Construction Corp. Michael Adsit & Norman Dexter, [email protected] McGoey, Hauser & Edsall Consulting Engineers www.mhepc.com Ed Nikles Custom Home Builders, Inc. Ed Nikles, Sr. & Ed Nikles, Jr., www.ednikles.com Penn State Cooperative Extension Peter Wulfhorst, http://pike.extension.psu.edu Penn State Worthington Campus John Drake, www.sn.psu.edu Pike County Builders Association Bette Eagan, www.pikecountybuilders.com Pike County Economic Development Authority Rachel Hendricks, www.pidco.com SolutionPro Energy Smart Buildings Dave Farrington, www.solutionprollc.com/energy_smart.htm The Dime Bank Ekaterina Pereyra, www.thedimebank.com This guide was developed by Leadership Pike 2009: the premier community building organization in Pike County, identifying, developing & supporting leaders for superior community service. • Cena Block ‐ Sane Spaces Owner, Professional Organizer & Productivity Consultant, www.sanespaces.com • Amy Burke ‐ The Dime Bank, www.thedimebank.com • Deborah Crockett ‐ Researcher, Penn State University, •
•
•
•
•
•
•
What Does Going Green
Actually Mean?
We gratefully acknowledge and thank our generous contributors: www.psu.edu & Coordinator, Greene Township EMA Thomas Deluca ‐ Retired NYC Firefighter Lisa Marie Hall ‐ University of Scranton SBDC, www.scrantonsbdc.com Janice Kessler ‐ Milford Health & Wellness Center, Newton Memorial Hospital, www.nmhnj.org Ethan Mindrebo ‐ McGoey, Hauser & Edsall Consulting Engineers, www.mhepc.com Kathryn Murphy ‐ Honesdale National Bank, www.hnbbank.com Eugene Ruzanski, LEED AP ‐ McGoey, Hauser & Edsall Consulting Engineers, www.mhepc.com Deborah Unflat ‐ The Dime Bank, www.thedimebank.com Information about Leadership Pike
is available at the Penn State
Cooperative Extension Office in
Pike County 570-296-3400 or
[email protected].
GOING GREEN is about resource management. A Guide to
Help You
Build & Renovate
Green in
Pike County
Pennsylvania
A green home pays attention to energy efficiency, water conservation, recycled products, and indoor air quality. Green homes incorporate environmental considerations and resource efficiency in every step of the building process to minimize environmental impact. Green homes use local products, minimize material transport, and use renewable or recycled resources whenever possible. Green means choosing options with minimal maintenance and operating costs. Building and renovating green will save money over time on heating and cooling costs, save water, and protect the natural beauty and resources of Pike County, Pennsylvania.
Why Build Green?
Today, new homes are twice as energy efficient as they were 30 years ago, thanks to cutting‐edge green building techniques and technologies available for new and remodeled homes. LOWERED OPERATING COSTS
Green homes are equipped with more efficient heating and cooling systems and use less water, resulting in lower monthly utility bills. Improved construction methods better protect homes from rain and ground water and reduce upkeep and replacement costs, while the use of recycled materials helps conserve natural resources. REDUCED MAINTENANCE ISSUES
Green landscaping uses native or drought‐resistant plants and grasses. Decks made of synthetic materials need no sealing or staining. INCREASED HOME VALUES
Homeowners with documented lower monthly utility bills report higher resale values. Printed on
recycled paper.