Green Building as a Process, not a Product September 5 th, 2013 Virginia Housing Coalition Philip Agee Green Building Technical Manager

2 EarthCraft Virginia Certified Projects 1850 New Construction Homes/~250 builder 147 certified MF projects totaling 10,402 units 3 Light Commercial Projects New Construction ~ HERS Index 72 Renovation ~40% improvement

3 What is Green Building and why do we care? An effort to create high-performance, EE structures that improve occupant comfort and well being while minimizing environmental impact. Graph: Lawrence Berkley Laboratory

4 Building Envelope Continuous Air Barrier Complete Insulation Coverage Proper Heating and Cooling Systems Controlled Ventilation Outside The House (or Unit) as a System

Green Building as a Process, not a Product Goal Setting and Design Construction, verification and testing Project feedback loop Pre-ConstructionPre-DrywallProject Closeout 1 Project Registration 7 Kick-Off Meeting 1 Final Inspection(s) 2 Project Information Submittal 8 Kick-Off Meeting Report Submittal 1 Confirmed Energy Model(s) 3 Preliminary Energy Model(s) 9 Air Sealing Inspection(s) 1 Final Inspection & Confirmed Energy Model Report Submittal(s) 4 Preliminary Energy Model(s) Report Submittal(s) 1 Air Sealing Inspection Report Submittal(s) 1 Certification 5 EarthCraft Design Review 1 HVAC Initial Diagnostics/Inspection(s) 6 EarthCraft Design Review Report Submittal 1 HVAC Initial Diagnostics/Inspection Report Submittal(s) 1 Insulation Inspection(s) 1 Insulation Inspection Report Submittal(s)

Goal Setting and Design Pick the right team –Make sure everyone speaks the same language Identify project goals/facilitate a design charrette Identify a standard –Ensure that goals/requirements make it in the drawings/specs Look for opportunities to add value without adding cost

Construction, Verification, and Testing Pre-construction meeting Mockup unit “Don’t expect, what you don’t inspect.” Diagnostic testing -blower door testing, duct leakage, flow testing

Project Feedback Loop Don’t be afraid of lessons learned meetings –“an expert is someone who remembers their mistakes.” Maintenance staff should be involved in all aspects of the process/project. Measure what you project

Measure What You Project “There is nothing so horrible in nature as to see a beautiful theory murdered by an ugly gang of facts.” -Benjamin Franklin

LIHTC Case Study

Thank You Philip Agee Green Building Technical Manager