Energy Conserving Design Details

The Green Roundtable

Energy Conserving

Design Details

and

The Green Roundtable(copyright © Green Roundtable 2007)

Green Roundtable

Consulting, education, training and strategic planning

to create healthy environments by integrating principles of

sustainability into mainstream planning, design and construction.


Objectives

- Introduce you to basic concepts of energy

conserving design

- Help you develop the right mind-set & approach to

guide and inform future projects

- Provide some specific strategies/ elements to get

you started

- Demonstrate ways that these measures provide

benefits beyond energy conservation


Food for thought….



A sobering fact…

It has been estimated that in order for the

current population of the Earth to live at the

same quality of life as the industrialized

nations, it would require the resources of four

‗Earth equivalents‘.


More sobering facts…

Half of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions come

from buildings (construction/ operation)

Buildings account for nearly half of the total

energy use in the United States

Buildings represent the single largest energy

consumer in the U.S., followed by the

transportation sector



Additional housing sector facts…

There are more than 76 million residential

buildings in the USA today

Estimates of residential energy consumption

as a proportion of the nation‘s total energy

load range from around 20 – 40%

The average size of a U.S. single-family

house has increased by 33% since 1975

From 2000 to 2005, winter heating costs for

natural gas increased by 115%, oil by 135%,

and electricity by 18%


Additional housing sector facts…

According to HUD, if Americans can reduce

home energy use by 10% over the next ten

years (a doable number!), it will be the

energy equivalent of 40 new power plants

(600 Mw) and the greenhouse gas equivalent

of 25 million vehicles

The vast majority of the total life-cycle

energy consumed by a home is operating

energy (vs. the energy that goes into

building it)


A key focal point in green design:

Since buildings are so energy-intensive

in their construction, operation and

maintenance, much of green design

focuses on ways to moderate this

energy consumption


General approaches

- Work with nature; take advantage of site

- Pay attention to building envelope details

- Use natural/ passive ventilation & cooling strategies

- Use efficient lighting & equipment

- Choose design approaches that improve efficiency

- Improve efficiency through effective space layout

- Consider scale!


Low-hanging Fruit


Low cost, big return

• Insulate hot water pipes (pipes closest to water

heater first)

• Install faucet aerators & automatic faucets

• Install low-flow shower heads

• Install a programmable thermostat

• Carefully weatherstrip & air seal

• Use expanding foam insulation to plug obvious holes

in building envelope

• Use gasketed/ enclosed electrical receptacles


Low cost, big return- continued

• Install dimmer switches & occupancy sensors

• Buy Energy Star anything! (if it affects energy use)

• Use CFLs!

• Use zone lighting

• Use motion sensor outdoor lights

• Put timer switches on bathroom fans


Site/ Building Orientation

• Know the site! Visit during different times of year.

Set up on-site monitoring; Collect data from various

resources.

• Understand:

- Prevailing winds

- On-shore & off-shore breezes

- Sunshine patterns (insolation)

- Shading/ obstructions

- Topography


Climate data/ maps

• http://www.nrel.gov/gis/maps.html- Solar, Wind

resources

•Topographical maps:

http://store.usgs.gov/scripts/wgate/ZWW20/!?~langua

ge=en&~theme=GP&OSTORE=USGSGP&~OKCOD

E=START

•Sunpath diagrams:

http://www.luxal.eu/resources/daylighting/sunpath.shtml

• OLIVER- MassGIS Online Data Viewer:

http://maps.massgis.state.ma.us/massgis_viewer/index.htm

http://www.nrel.gov/gis/maps.html-

http://www.nrel.gov/gis/maps.html-




The Solar Pathfinder


Using the site

• Take advantage of existing vegetation if possible-

deciduous trees for shading; coniferous trees as

wind breaks

• Site structure on south-facing slope for maximum

solar gain; take advantage of wind & solar resources

• Use natural terrain features to protect structure from

cold winter winds

• Site structure downwind from lakes, ponds, wetlands

for natural cooling

• Take advantage of hills that funnel breezes

• Use earth-berming if topography permits



Building orientation/ layout

• Orient structure along East-West axis; i.e. long side

facing south

• Minimize glazing area on north, northeast & west-

facing walls

• Maximize glazing on south-facing walls to

maximize winter solar gains

• Incorporate buffer spaces in structure- closets along

outside walls, vestibules, enclosed porches, etc.

• Minimize surface area-to-volume ratio



Green Practice:

Improving the Building Envelope


Building envelope, definition

All of the elements of a building that separate and

isolate the outdoor environment from the indoor

environment. This may include walls and wall finishes,

roofs and roof finishes, doors, windows, skylights and

basement floors and walls.


Key Principle- Saving home energy

As a general rule, for the average home/

homeowner, the greatest energy savings will be

achieved through managing the demand side of

the equation, rather than the supply side.

In other words, you’ll get better bang for your buck

through energy conservation measures, like insulating

& minimizing air infiltration, than incorporating

expensive renewable energy systems such as wind

and solar.


An exception:

Exceptions to this may include passive solar, and

situations where you qualify for a substantial rebate

and/or credit for other renewable energy systems

(keep in mind the embodied energy of systems

though!)

There are other compelling reasons to perform

upgrades like this, such as reduced reliance on

foreign energy resources, promotion of renewable

energy & local industry, passive survivability, etc.


Preventing heat loss

• Air seal (prevent infiltration)

• Best bang for buck through air sealing! Begin here!

• Insulate

• Use landscape features- vegetative shields, etc.

• Address lifestyle issues


Building envelope, functions

• Protect structural elements and interior of structure

from weather, esp. moisture

• Help to maintain proper thermal regime within

structure

• Help to maintain proper humidity regime within

structure

• Prevent infiltration of outside air and contaminants

• Acoustically isolate interior of structure from outside

noise

• In essence, act as ‗membrane‘ for the structure


Building envelope failure

• External water leaks leading to:

-Damaged structural elements

-Damaged interior finishes

-Insulation failure

-Damaged interior furnishings and appliances

-Mold problems

• Air leaks leading to:

-Infiltration of unconditioned air/ Drafts

-Direct escape of conditioned air to outside

-Infiltration of outdoor contaminants

• Excessive accumulation of interior moisture in wall

cavities causing structural/ insulation failure & mold

• Excessive heat transfer from inside to outside


Building envelope components

• Exterior finish- wood siding, fiber-cement, brick, etc.

• Weather membrane/ air barrier/ drainage plane-

building paper, Tyvek, Typar, etc.

• Exterior sheathing- usually plywood or OSB

• Wall/ ceiling cavities (inc. structural members &

insulation)

• Vapor retarders/ barriers

• Interior wall finish

• Doors & windows


High-performance wall section

A high-

performance

wall section

(proposed for

consideration)


Envelope Layer Option 3 R-Value Permeance

1

Cedar (Eastern white) or fiber-cement

clapboards 0.87 (Cedar)

2

Pactiv GreenGuard Raindrop

Housewrap/ Rainscreen1 N/A

3 3/4" XPS Foam insulation 3.75 1.2

4

1/2" Homasote sheathing (Structural

bracing; high recycled content;

formaldehyde-free) 1.2 17

5

5 1/2" Stud cavity (2 x 6 walls; 24" o.c.)

w/ Fiberglass batts or polyurethane

spray foam 19/ 37*

6

Thermo-ply sheathing (Vapor retarder;

R-value from radiant barrier effect) 3.5 .53 -.63

7 5/8" GWB (Dbl. layer for thermal mass)

0.45 (0.90 w

dbl. layer)

8

1 1/2" thick wood furring strips (for

radiant barrier effect; also, can move

electricals within thermal envelope) N/A

9 Air space 1 120

Total R-Value 29.77/ 47.77*

*w/ poly foam

High-performance wall section, key


Codes and standards

• Sixth edition of MA building code was officially

superseded by 7th edition as of January 1st, 2008

• New MA energy code based on 2006 International

Energy Conservation Code; more stringent

• Better to follow Energy Star Homes or HERS

guidelines for maximum energy efficiency and code

compliance (see resources slide)


Minimizing air infiltration (sealing building envelope)

• Min .35 Air changes per hour (ACH) for good

ventilation; max .50 for energy efficiency (Energy

Star)

• Openings to attic spaces are some of worst offenders

• Seal obvious openings- pipe penetrations, attic

scuttles, electrical receptacles, recessed lights, etc.

• Any place where two building planes meet is good

candidate for air sealing

• For additions/ new construction, use exterior air

barrier to minimize infiltration


Housewrap to

minimize air

infiltration &

protect from

moisture


Blower door

test to

measure air

leakage


Air leakage pathways


Air leakage proportion through various pathways


Attic hatches/ scuttles are a major leakage pathway


A commercial solution for attic openings

See also www.efi.org


Insulate header/ rim joists w/ rigid foam & expanding foam


Seal joints between intersecting planes w/ expanding foam




Fireplaces are usually NOT an effective heating appliance!

They lead to excessive heat loss via drafts up chimney.


Air sealing, online product

sources

• efi.org

• conservationtechnology.com


Insulating

• Resistance to heat flow (insulating ability) measured

in R-value; not important to know how this is derived;

mainly need to know that it‘s a relative scale of

effectiveness, and the higher the R value, the better

the insulating value

• Code represents absolute minimum; newer code

has more stringent requirements; tied to window area;

R-49 ceiling, R-21 walls, R-30 floors, R-13 basement

typical


Insulating guidelines

• Remember that if you use A/C you are minimizing

cooling expense by buttoning up your house as well

as heating expense

• Go for low-hanging fruit- e.g. add more attic

insulation first if it is accessible and is not well

insulated; Don‘t forget the basement!

• Look for additional opportunities to insulate (other

than typical wall/ ceiling cavity insulation)

• Try to eliminate bridging (perimeter) heat loss

through structural elements, as it greatly reduces

overall insulation effectiveness



Bridging heat loss

• Eliminate with:

-Double wall construction (very expensive!)

-Foam skin

-Cross-banding attic batt insulation

• Conductive heat loss through structural members


Bridging heat loss- snow melts over roof rafters


Bridging heat loss caused wall-staining over structural members


Bridging

heat

loss through

sill plates


Layer of foam

minimizes bridging

loss through sill;

top of concrete

foundation wall

will also receive

layer of foam


Install continuous soffit vents

here

Provide continuous vent (ridge) here

Attic living space

Insulation baffle

(green)

Continuous airflow (blue) from soffit

to ridge; minimizes risk of ice dams,

minimizes moisture accumulation in

rafter cavities, keeps living space

cooler in summer and may extend life

of roof

2” XPS foam board

insulation

Rafter cavity insulation

(fiberglass typical.)


Insulation Baffle


Fiberglass batt insulation

• R 3.3 – 3.5 per inch

• No inherent air-sealing characteristics

• Relatively inexpensive

• Look for formaldehyde-free binders and recycled

content

• Need to avoid inhaling dust during installation

• Moderate to high embodied energy

• Can be rendered permanently useless if it gets wet


Cellulose insulation

• R 3.5 per inch; 3.7 if wet blown

• Provides air-sealing characteristics if wet blown

(―damp spray‖; ―dense pack‖); professionally installed

• Relatively inexpensive

• Need to avoid inhaling dust during installation

• Low embodied energy

• Usually contains high recycled content (made from

newsprint)

• Moisture tolerant; can dry out and remain effective


Extruded polystyrene (XPS)

• R 5.0 per inch

• Good air-sealing characteristics if edges foamed and

seams taped; closed-cell, moisture-resistant

• Relatively expensive

• Acts as vapor barrier at thicknesses > ¾ inch

• Can be difficult to install

• High embodied energy; many use HCFC blowing agents

• Must be protected from flame with min. ½ in drywall

or equivalent


Polyisocyanurate rigid foam

• R 7.0 per inch

• Good air-sealing characteristics if edges foamed and

seams taped; somewhat moisture resistant (esp. foil-faced)

• Relatively expensive

• Can be difficult to install

• High embodied energy

• Acts as radiant barrier if foil faced (and facing ¾‖

min. air space)


Icynene™ spray foam

• R 3.6 per inch

• Very good air-sealing characteristics; moisture-resistant

• Expensive

• Does not produce harmful smoke; does not burn

• Professionally installed

• Relatively high embodied energy


Polyurethane spray foam

• R 6.7 per inch

• Excellent air-sealing characteristics

• Expensive

• Closed-cell; moisture resistant; may add structural

integrity

• Professionally installed

• Relatively high embodied energy

• Soy-based equivalents now available (see

biobased.net for one example)


Icynene

application


Additional Insulating Opportunities

• Be creative!

• Examples:

- Behind built-in bookcases

- Behind cabinets

- Closet walls & ceilings

• Capitalize on opportunities to insulate, such as

when you have exposed exterior wall cavities during

remodeling projects


Thermograph to check heat loss through walls (insulation effectiveness)


Ventilation & Vapor Barriers

• Moisture control as it relates to:

-Mold potential

-Structural failure

-Insulation failure

-Aesthetic issues

Issues:

• Indoor air quality (IAQ)


Ventilation

• It‘s almost impossible to make an old house too

tight

• Even in a tight house a bathroom fan is generally

enough to provide adequate ventilation; control w/

timer (and/or humidistat)

• Provide dedicated combustion air sources for large

combustion appliances like furnaces & fireplaces

• Control internal sources of excessive moisture

• Proper attic ventilation may extend life of roof and

help to eliminate ice dams

• Extremely tight houses may need heat-recovery or

multi-port supply ventilation systems


Vent bathroom vans to outside!



Other ventilation strategies

• Heat recovery ventilators

• Multi-port exhaust ventilation


Vapor barriers/ Retarders

• Prevent transfer (and accumulation) of internal

moisture into wall/ ceiling cavities

• Always on warm side of insulation (winter) for this

part of country (northeast U.S.)

• Asphalt-impregnated kraft paper is excellent vapor

retarder

• In this part of country, vapor retarders are generally

better than vapor barriers; vapor retarders allow wall

to dry from the inside as well as outside


Vapor barriers, continued

• Eliminating air leaks in inside wall finishes minimizes

vapor transfer into wall cavities

• For retrofit of vapor barrier (w/ blown-in insulation for

instance), consider a vapor barrier paint

• New ‗smart‘ materials like Certainteed‘s Membrain

create variable vapor barrier


Windows

• ‘Low-e’ coating reflects heat back into structure

• Performance measured in ―U-value‖; inverse of R-

value; measure of material‘s ability to conduct heat;

the lower the U-value, the better

• Double-glazed, argon filled preferred; Diminishing

returns with triple glazing

• Typical heat loss through windows about 20%

• Look for U-value of .35 or less

• Always look for Energy Star & NFRC labels

(energystar.gov; nfrc.org)


NFRC Label


Windows

• Provide nighttime insulation

• Used ‗tuned‖ glazing strategies

• Incorporate/ install overhangs & other shading

devices where appropriate

• E.g., Use windows w/ low SHGC on west-facing

windows; high SHGC on south-facing



Dbl-wall, cellular

shades provide

insulating value

Window insulation


Guide rails/ tracks minimize

air leakage at edges

Window insulation


Energy Conserving

Design Strategies (a sampling)


The jumping off point…

ScaleScaleScale


Design Strategies: Thermal mass

Thermal mass:

• Can be used to store heat in winter

• Can help to moderate temperatures year-round

• Key element in passive solar design


Thermal mass: How to incorporate

• Masonry veneers on exterior walls

• Masonry finishes on interior walls & floors

• Fireplaces, chimneys & interior masonry features

• Thickened walls- e.g.double drywall layer

• Green roofs

• Cob & masonry construction

• Water features/ elements


Thermal mass: additional benefits

• Acoustic comfort

• Increased structural integrity in some situations


Design Strategies: Green roofs

• Properly designed, can pay for themselves in 10 –

15 years via reduced energy cost

• Especially effective in reducing cooling costs

• By some estimates, can reduce cooling costs by up

to 30% in single-story structures

• See www.greenroofs.com (industry ass‘n) &

www.conservationtechnology.com (supplier example)

http://www.greenroofs.com/

http://www.conservationtechnology.com/



Modular green roof system

See:

http://www.liveroof.net/ &

http://www.westonsolutions.com/pdf_docs/B-D066-

GreenGrid.pdf

http://www.liveroof.net/

http://www.westonsolutions.com/pdf_docs/B-D066-GreenGrid.pdf






• Can provide stormwater management

• Reduce urban heat islands

• Help to minimize global warming by conserving energy

• May extend the life of your roof

• Provide green space & wildlife habitat

• Improve acoustic comfort

Green roofs: additional benefits


Design Strategies: Passive solar


Passive solar

Basic requirements:

• Collect it…

• Retain it…

• Store it…

• Distribute it…

Free heat from the sun; ‗greenhouse effect‘ (good

kind!); good southern exposure/ solar aperture needed


5 Major elements of

Passive Solar

• Aperture/ Collector (glazing)

• Absorber

• Distribution

• Thermal storage (mass)

• Control



Requirements

• Glazing area to collect sunlight- 7% rule- So.-facing

• Window insulating system (and good building

envelope insulation) to keep heat in at night

• Thermal mass- needed to store heat if net window

area is more than 7% of total floor area

• Shading—vegetation (deciduous), or shading

structures like awnings, roof overhangs and

pergolas, to prevent overheating during warmer mos.


Requirements,cont.

• Distribution system—to remove excess heat to

other parts of house where it may be needed in

winter

• Ventilation system—to remove excess heat to

outside during warm weather


Passive Solar Rules-of-Thumb

• Orientation of aperture area should be within 30

degrees of true south

• Aperture should ideally be shade-free from 9am –

3pm

• Direct gain systems are most common and easiest

to integrate into most designs; glazing should not

exceed 12% of building floor area

• South-facing glass should be vertical and should

have some kind of overhanging to shade from

summer sun

• Thermal mass can help to moderate temperature in

summer as well as store heat in winter


Passive Solar Rules-of-Thumb

• Skylights should be avoided on all but north and

northeast-facing roof surfaces, as they can otherwise

contribute to overheating in the summer, and won‘t

provide appreciable gains in the winter due to low

angle of sun

• Deciduous trees can provide good summer

shading, but should not be located too close to

house/ sunspace, as trunk/ branches may provide

too much shade in winter

• In sunspaces, may need powered ventilation to

minimize summer overheating

• Well designed passive solar can provide 5 –25% of

space heating needs with no added cost



Angled glass may not be the best configuration,

especially without an overhang!



Skylights may contribute to summer overheating

and winter heat loss.


Design strategies: Advanced Framing

• Saves on labor cost since fewer ―sticks‖ installed

• Saves on framing lumber expense

• Reduces lumber disposal cost/ impact

• Savings estimates range to 20% of overall framing

expense

• Improves thermal envelope of building– more

places to insulate!


Advanced framing & efficiency

• Provides more room for insulation!

• Reduces bridging heat loss


Advanced Framing

• ―Right-sized‖ headers; insulated, engineered headers

• Features 2 x 6 studs on 24‖ centers

• Jack studs eliminated at window openings

• No headers in non-load bearing partitions

• Single top plate if trusses/ roof rafters placed

directly over wall studs

• Open corner framing (2-stud corners)

• Ladders at T-intersections





Frost-protected Shallow Foundations

• Improves thermal performance

• Reduce excavating expense

• Reduce site impact

• Reduce material expense



Design Strategies: Natural daylighting

• Can reduce lighting loads and cooling loads

• Residential systems typically consist of skylights,

clerestory windows or tubular daylighting devices

(TDD‘s; ―sun tubes‖ or ―light tubes‖)

• Improves indoor environmental quality


Design Strategies: Natural daylighting

• Skylights in south, southwest and west-facing roofs

can contribute to summer overheating

• Skylights in more north-facing roof surfaces can

contribute more light on cloudy days

• TDDs may contribute less to overheating



Sky tube (TDD)



Natural daylighting

• Light-colored walls reflect light deeper into structure

• Light shelves can serve the same purpose, and

accomplish this w/o excessive glare; they provide

shading as well

• Combine daylighting strategies with photo-resistor

controlled lights to avoid excessive lighting during

daytime

• Wide windowsills/ shelves can reflect light as well,

but may contribute to glare

• Landscape features can be utilized for reflecting

light into interior as well (paved surfaces, water

features, etc)


Light shelves shade window

while providing natural daylight

via light reflected from top

surface

Can help light to penetrate

deeper into structure



Suggested Room Surface Reflectances:Ceilings: > 80%Walls: 50%-70%Floors: 20%-40%Furnishings: 25%-45%


RADIANCE is a lighting and

daylighting visualization tool

developed by LBNL and is available

over the web:

http://radsite.lbl.gov/radiance/

Lighting & Daylighting Analysis

http://radsite.lbl.gov/radiance/


Alternative building technologies

• Structural Insulating Panels (SIPs)

• Modular construction

• Insulating concrete forms (ICFs)

• Hydronic radiant floor heating systems

• PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) domestic water

supply piping

• Google these!


Green Practice:

HVAC/ Plumbing


HVAC & Plumbing Systems

• ―Right-size‖ systems using analysis tools (Manual J)

rather than rule-of-thumb methods; a right-sized

system can be up to 40% smaller than a

conventionally-sized system

• Use structured plumbing & PEX piping

• Use demand pumps in DHW supply system

(gothotwater.com)

• Use heat recovery devices on DWV pipes

(gfxtechnology.com)

• Use instantaneous hot water heaters (tankless)

• Use zoned heating



Tankless water heaters

• Examples of brands: Rinnai, Noritz, Takagi

• Gas-fired typically more responsive and can provide

needed capacity more effectively

• Cost more than standard water heaters but last longer

• More choices as to location/ placement

• Direct-venting; e.g. can exhaust through wall

• Save energy by eliminating standing heat loss (vs.

conventional tank-style water heater); estimated savings

24 – 34%

• Look for min. flow rates of 0.3 – 0.5 gal./min.


High-efficiency heating

• Boilers tend to have higher AFUE than furnaces

• Make sure heating systems have Annual Fuel

Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) of at least 83% for oil-

fired and 90% for gas-fired, and Seasonal Energy

Efficiency Rating (SEER) of at least 13 for cooling

systems

• Choose Energy Star! Right-size systems! (did I

mention that before?!)

• Closed-cycle, condensing-type boilers and furnaces

are more efficient; they extract additional heat from

warm flue gases

• These systems often don‘t need conventional flue pipe,

they can side vent, but they require a dedicated

combustion air source (coaxial flue pipe)



Ductwork

• Move duct runs into conditioned spaces (thermal

envelope) if possible

• Seal ducts; use duct mastic for this if possible,

otherwise make sure duct tape is UL listed

• Insulate ducts in unconditioned spaces; for cooling

(A/C) ductwork, make sure insulation has external

vapor barrier to minimize condensation

• When insulating ducts in unconditioned basement,

you may make basement too cold; insulate

basement walls instead


Lighting

• Use natural daylighting strategies

• Use zone lighting

• Use solar landscape lights

• Use motion sensor outdoor lights

• Put timer switches on bathroom fans


Appliances

• Buy Energy Star!

• Specify horizontal axis washing machines

They save water and energy

• Specify dishwashers w/ booster heater

(and lower water heater to 120 deg)

• Don‘t specify oversized AC equipment!



Cooling

Use ceiling fans w/ cathedral or high ceilings to

eliminate temperature stratification (both heating and

cooling season)

Shade air conditioner and heat pump condensers w/

vegetation or artificial shading (be careful w/ deciduous

vegetation) if you have to locate on sunny side

Locate AC/ heat pump condensers on N or NE or

NW side out of direct sun!


Install awnings, overhangs and other shading

structures, such as pergolas

Use retrofit heat-reflecting window films on west-

facing windows (look for NFRC label); for new

windows, choose units w/ low solar heat gain

coefficient (SHGC)

Make sure attic space is well vented

Use whole-house fans to exhaust warm air from

house in summer; run mainly at night to flush w/ cool

air; close windows during very hot days

Cooling


Cooling

Install radiant barriers on underside of roof rafters; can

help to warm in winter and cool in summer; don‘t

interrupt ventilation pathways

Use deciduous vegetation on south, SW and west

sides of structure for summer shading; use vines on

trellises too

Use coniferous (evergreen) trees/ shrubs to redirect

breezes/ wind


Take advantage of prevailing winds for natural cooling

Maximize cross-ventilation

Use building elements to funnel winds (e.g. casement

windows)

Use light-colored shingles or roof membrane on very low

pitched or flat roofs

Use high-performance double roof or ―cool‖ roof, esp. w/

cathedral ceilings

Cooling


General analysis tools

A general list of tools offered by the U.S. Department

of Energy are available over the web at:http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/tools_directory/subjects.cfm/pagename=subjects/pagename_menu=whole_building_analysis/pagename_submenu=load_calculation

http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/tools_directory/subjects.cfm/pagename=subjects/pagename_menu=whole_building_analysis/pagename_submenu=load_calculation




Standards/ Ratings/ Resources

• LEED for Homes (LEED-H)- www.usgbc.org

• Energy Star Homes- www.energystar.gov

• International Energy Conservation Code (IEEC)-

http://www.iccsafe.org/

• HERS (http://www.energy.ca.gov/HERS)

• Building America-

http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/building_america/a

bout.html

• Environmental Building News/ Greenspec-

http://www.buildinggreen.com)

•http://www.austinenergy.com/Energy%20Efficiency/Progr

ams/Green%20Building/Sourcebook/index.htm


• Upcoming workshops

• Reference library

• Samples library

• Cyber Lounge

• Online resources at nexusboston.com (in the

pipeline)

• Local green building community

Use NEXUS as your green resource!


Local Resources


The Green Roundtable, Inc. (GRT) is an independent non-profit

organization whose mission is to mainstream green building and

sustainable design and become obsolete. We work toward this goal

by promoting and supporting healthy and environmentally

integrated building projects through strategic outreach, education,

policy advocacy and technical assistance.

www.greenroundtable.org

[email protected]

617-374-3740

www.nexusboston.com38 Chauncy Street, Boston

Located in downtown Boston, NEXUS

welcomes all to come ask questions,

research topics, and attend tours and

events on green building and

sustainable design innovation.

THANK YOU

http://www.greenroundtable.org/

http://www.nexusboston.com/

Energy Conserving Design Details

Documents

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green designfocuses

total energy use

home energy use

energy equivalent

energy conservation

energy star

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