Affordable Green Basics and Selected Lessons Learned Christine Bruncati, R.A. New Jersey Institute of Technology Center for Architecture and Building Science Research

Affordable Green Use an integrated design process Use an integrated design process Make it energy efficient Make it energy efficient Make it durable Make it durable Plan for improved indoor air quality Plan for improved indoor air quality Make it resource efficient Make it resource efficient Use environmentally responsible materials Use environmentally responsible materials Follow through in the field Follow through in the field Educate residents Educate residents

Energy Basics Reduce loads FIRST Reduce loads FIRST –Orient for passive solar heating/cooling –Provide a well insulated envelope –Build tight ventilate right Next, meet loads efficiently Next, meet loads efficiently –Use efficient properly sized systems THEN meet loads renewably THEN meet loads renewably

Long axis east-west – –Shade from high summer sun – –Admit low winter sun Building Orientation

Building Envelope Insulation – money well spent Insulation – money well spent Minimize thermal bridging Minimize thermal bridging –steel framing – ORNL study steel stud wall with R-11 batts, whole wall R-6.1 –slab edges –masonry –metal window and door frames Air sealing – if its not tight, its not energy efficient Air sealing – if its not tight, its not energy efficient Energy Star windows Energy Star windows –(energystar.gov, nfrc.org)

Lighting, Appliances & Equipment Energy Star lighting and appliances Energy Star lighting and appliances Energy Star or high efficiency HVAC, properly sized Energy Star or high efficiency HVAC, properly sized –Manual J for residential loads –ASHRAE or manufacturers software for commercial loads

Durable Use durable materials Use durable materials Air sealing Air sealing Control water Control water –Rainwater control –Groundwater control –Pluming From Read This Before You Design Build or Renovate

IAQ Source control Source control –Low offgassing materials –Air sealing –Moisture control and material selection in wet areas i.e. use cement board, not green board Ventilation Ventilation –Designed and controlled

Resource Efficiency Reduce materials used Reduce materials used –OVE framing, panelized construction –Designing on 2 grid Recycle or salvage C&D debris Recycle or salvage C&D debris Use durable materials Use durable materials

Builders Guides

Lessons Learned Missed insulation Missed insulation –Tub/shower installed before insulation - and often on outside wall.

Lessons Learned Air sealing Air sealing –Visual inspections often –Blower door test while you can still correct problems

Lessons Learned Ventilation Systems Ventilation Systems Specify rigid duct –Verify fans are working

Lessons Learned Vegetated swales for stormwater management Vegetated swales for stormwater management –No heavy equipment or materials on vegetated swales –If soils are compacted infiltration wont occur –Diligence in the field is key High Point Seattle, WA

Lessons Learned Linoleum flooring Linoleum flooring –Tile linoleum has a grain, rotate each tile 90° or you can get buckling. PET carpet PET carpet –Investigate warrantee and wear issues. Some are less durable than others.

Lessons Learned Passive Solar Design Passive Solar Design –Residents can undermine design intent if not engaged in process

Lessons Learned Hold a preconstruction meeting Hold a preconstruction meeting –Everyone that will actually be building the project should attend –Review the goals objective and accountability measures.

Affordable Green Case Studies