EPA’s New Homes Programs & LEED

Rocky Mountain Green April 12, 2012

Kate Gregory & Sylvia Bienzle U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 8

EPA’s New Homes Programs & LEED

Learning Objectives:• Identify the U.S. EPA’s ENERGY STAR®(v.3),

WaterSense®, Indoor airPLUS® and ENERGY STAR for Multifamily High Rise Residential programs and their nexus with LEED for Homes;

• Identify regional applications of this trio of programs;

• Identify the latest developments on the future evolution of the U.S. EPA’s New Homes Programs.

Agenda:Introduction: EPA’s Home Labeling

ProgramsENERGY STAR version 3.0 Indoor airPLUSWaterSenseENERGY STAR for Multifamily High Rise

ResidentialRegional Use of ES/IAP/WS

EPA’s New Homes Programs & LEED

ENERGY STAR for New Homes: Version 3

Guidelines

EPA’s New Homes Programs & LEED

The ENERGY STAR brand promise

• Cost-effective• Meaningful improvement in efficiency• Equal or better performance

EPA’s New Homes Programs & LEED

Getting ready for Version 3Number of ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes

Getting ready for Version 3Market Share of ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes

Implementation timeline

Permit Date 2

Before 4/1/2011 3, 4

Between 4/1/2011 and 12/31/2011 4

On or after 1/1/2012 5

4/1/2011 1/1/2012

Date of Final Inspection 1

Version 2: 2006 Guidelines

Version 2.5: Core Version 3 energy efficiency measures with Air Barriers and Air Sealing sections of Thermal Enclosure System Rater Checklist; Other checklists completed but not enforced

Version 3: Core Version 3 energy efficiency measures with all checklists completed and enforced

Version 2

Version 2.5

Version 3

v3

v2

v2.5

v3

7/1/2012

v3

v2.5

EPA’s New Homes Programs & LEED

Version 3: Added Value

If you want your homes to be:

Affordable Comfortable Durable

Building science says to have a:

Complete Thermal

Enclosure System

Complete HVAC System

Complete Water

Management System

1 2 3

Version 3 in 2012

Core Efficiency Measures

Guarantees that efficiency measures are

included in every qualified home.

System Inspection Checklists

Sets standards for details that have a critical impact on

efficiency, comfort, quality, and durability.

Value in every qualified home

CoreEfficiencyMeasures

• Guarantees that efficiency measures are included in every qualified home.– Prescriptive Path

• ENERGY STAR Reference Design– Performance Path

• ENERGY STAR HERS Index Target

Value in every qualified home

• Sets standards for often-overlooked details that have a critical impact on efficiency, comfort, quality, & durability.

• Reflects 15 years of experience from EPA, researchers, industry, and thousands of partners like you.

• Would you make the biggest purchase of your life, a home that will last decades, without someone inspecting these details?

SystemInspectionChecklists

Complete thermal envelope system!

ThermalEnclosure

SystemChecklist

1 • Less than two pages, verified by the Rater.• Features

– High-quality insulation installation.– High-performance windows & doors.– Tightly sealed home.– Reduced thermal bridging in walls.

• Why is this important?– A well-insulated and air-sealed home, with

good windows and doors, reduces the amount of energy needed to keep the home comfortable.

Complete HVAC system!

HVACSystem

QIChecklists

2 • Two checklists, each just two pages.• One verified by Rater, one verified by the

HVAC designer and contractor during their work.

• HVAC designer and contractor must be credentialed.

Complete HVAC system!

HVACSystem

QIChecklists

2 • Features– A right-sized and properly installed heating,

cooling, and duct system.– A ventilation system that meets the industry

standard.– Reduced safety and air quality risks from

combustion appliances.

Complete HVAC system!

HVACSystem

QIChecklists

2 • Why is this important?– Improved airflow & efficiency maintain

comfort with less energy. – Proper sizing costs less and better manages

humidity levels. – Ventilation systems remove low-quality air,

provide outdoor air, and filter dust and particles.

Complete water management system!

WaterManagement

SystemChecklist

3 • One page verified by the builder during construction.

• Features– Water-managed roof, walls, foundation, site,

and building materials.• Why is this important?

– Prolonged moisture in walls, floors, and ceilings can cause rot and mold, hurting durability.

– Wet walls, floors, and ceilings in air-sealed homes don’t dry as quickly; therefore, it’s more important to not let them get wet.

Version 3: Added Value

• Value for builders– Better quality and process control– Reduced costs from warranty issues & customer

complaints– Maximum value for money invested– Reduced callbacks for comfort issues

• Value for homeowners– Lower utility bills– Better comfort, durability, and quality– A more livable home

ENERGY STAR for New Homes: Version 3…

and LEED

EPA’s New Homes Programs & LEED

EPA Program LEED for Homes (2008)

LEED for Homes (2012)

ENERGY STAR® for New Homes

Performance PathwayEA 1.1: ENERGY STAR for New Homes v.2/2.5 as Prerequisite “Meet or Exceed”

Performance PathwayIncorporation of ENERGY STAR v.3 as Prerequisite

“Meet or Exceed”

EPA’s New Homes Programs & LEED

Indoor airPLUS for New Homes

EPA’s New Homes Programs & LEED

What’s In It For You?

For a minimal increase in your costs and home building efforts, add a nationally

recognized and reputable label, so you can offer homes with features that help improve

indoor air quality.

“We started looking at Indoor airPLUS and realized we were already doing most of the checklist."

- Dave Griffin, Senior Vice President of Kettler Forlines Homes

8

Did You Know That…

– We spend about 90% or more of our time indoors.

– Indoor pollutant levels may be 2 to 5 times higher than outdoors.

– An average of 1 out of every 10 school-aged children has asthma.

– EPA estimates that about 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the U.S. are radon-related.

9

Indoor airPLUS

– ‘Gold Standard’ for indoor air quality.– Nationally recognized label.– Best construction practices paired with up-to-

date technologies.– Quality assurance to a healthier indoor

environment for consumers.– Quality assurance using a third party verifier

for builders.

Indoor airPLUS is a rapidly expanding program with over 700 partners who have built homes with features that reduce or

prevent pollutants that can affect health.

10

Materials

Moisture Control

Pest Barriers

Combustion Systems

Ventilation & Filtration

Radon Control

Indoor airPLUS – Areas of Focus

11

Indoor airPLUS Verification Checklist

12

How to Build an Indoor airPLUS Home

Step 2Sign the Partnership Agreement

Step 1 Review Tools and Materials

Step 3Build, Verify and Label Homes

17

Indoor airPLUS for New Homes…and LEED

EPA’s New Homes Programs & LEED

EPA Program LEED for Homes (2008)

LEED for Homes (2012)

ENERGY STAR® for New Homes Performance PathwayEA 1.1: ENERGY STAR for New Homes v.2/2.5 as Prerequisite “Meet or Exceed”

Performance PathwayIncorporation of ENERGY STAR v.3 as Prerequisite “Meet or Exceed”

Indoor airPLUS® for New Homes

Indoor airPLUS as Alternative Pathway (full program)(F/K/A “Indoor Air Package”)

Indoor airPLUS as alternative to all IEQ prerequisites and some specific credits

EPA’s New Homes Programs & LEED

WaterSense for New Homes

EPA’s New Homes Programs & LEED

What Is WaterSense?

• Voluntary partnership and labeling program launched by U.S. EPA in 2006

• Simple way for consumers to identify products, new homes, and services that use less water and perform well

• Promotes simple behavior changes– Instill an ethic of water efficiency– Help address current and future water

challenges

Where Is the WaterSense Label?• Tank-Type Toilets

– Over 1,000 labeled models

• Faucets/Faucet Accessories– More than 3,100 labeled models

• Urinals– 102 labeled products

• Showerheads– Final specification released March 2010– Over 525 labeled models

• Professional Certification Programs– Irrigation designers, auditors, and installation/maintenance professionals who pass the certification

can become partners

• Single-Family New Homes– WaterSense labeled new homes are designed to use 20% less water than traditional homes, both

indoors and out

Labeled products are listed at www.epa.gov/watersense

Strength In Partnerships

• Manufacturers design and create products to meet specs• Certification bodies test and label products• Retailers/Distributors get products on shelves• Builders construct water-efficient homes using products• Certification providers inspect and label homes• Irrigation partners help homeowners water more efficiently• Promotional partners spread the word

– Water utilities, state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, and home builder associations

New Homes Specification: Indoors

– Required items:• Water service pressure maximum 60 psi• Leak prevention measures• WaterSense labeled plumbing fixtures• Other water-efficient plumbing fixtures• Efficient hot water distribution system

– Optional items must meet efficiency criteria, if installed:

• ENERGY STAR qualified dishwasher or clothes washer (if appliances installed)

• Evaporative air conditioners• Water softeners• Drinking water treatment systems

New Homes Specification: Outdoors

Front yard and improved-upon areas • Landscape

– Performance-based OR prescriptive turfgrass allocation – Vegetated slopes– Mulching requirements

• Other features (if installed)– Pools/spas are covered– Ornamental water features have beneficial use

• Irrigation system (if installed)– Designed or installed by WaterSense irrigation partner– Audited by WaterSense irrigation partner– Schedules required for homeowner GJ Gardner home in Colorado

Springs. First WaterSense labeled home in Region 8, including

Colorado!

Benefits of Participation

• National specifications for water-efficient products and services

• Membership in a network of water efficiency experts– Learn new strategies– Collaborate with other types of partners

• Participate in national campaigns• Recognition from EPA as a water efficiency

leader

WaterSense for New Homes…and LEED

EPA’s New Homes Programs & LEED

EPA Program LEED for Homes (2008)

LEED for Homes (2012)

ENERGY STAR® for New Homes Performance PathwayEA 1.1: ENERGY STAR for New Homes v.2/2.5 as Prerequisite “Meet or Exceed”

Performance PathwayIncorporation of ENERGY STAR v.3 as Prerequisite “Meet or Exceed”

Indoor airPLUS® for New Homes Indoor airPLUS as Alternative Pathway (full program)(F/K/A “Indoor Air Package”)

Indoor airPLUS as alternative to all IEQ prerequisites and some specific credits

WaterSense® for New Homes

WE 2: 4/4 Points WE 3: 6/6 Points 10/15 Points Total

Incorporation of some WaterSense Guidelines as Prerequisite; Outdoor Water Calculator use is recommended; Pilot Credit awarded for compliance with WaterSense

EPA’s New Homes Programs & LEED

Learn More

To learn more about WaterSense and possible opportunities on water efficiency:

www.epa.gov/watersense

For questions or more information: E-mail: watersense@epa.gov

Toll-free Helpline: (866) WTR-SENS (987-7367)

ENERGY STAR for Multifamily High Rise

Buildings

EPA’s New Homes Programs & LEED

EPA’s New Homes Programs & LEED

• New Homes Program

– Single family– Low rise MF units– 4 or 5 stories (in-unit systems)– Manufactured Homes

• MFHR Program

– 4 or 5 stories (central systems)– 6 or more stories

Completing the ES Residential Picture

EPA’s New Homes Programs & LEED

How ENERGY STAR Delivers Efficient, Durable Affordable, Comfortable Buildings

Control Air Flow

Control Thermal Flow

Control Moisture Flow

Efficient Equipment

Verification

Air Sealing

Air Sealing

Tight Ducts

Air Barriers

Pressure Balancing

Air Sealing Air Sealing

Tight Ducts Tight Ducts

Air Barriers Air Barriers

Low –E Windows

Right-Sizing

Insulation Installation

Ventilation

Min. Thermal Bridging

Air Barriers

Efficient HVAC

Efficient Lighting

Efficient Appliances

Modeling Protocols

Licensed Professional

or Rater

T & V Protocols/ Checklists

EPA’s New Homes Programs & LEED

ENERGY STAR Multifamily Programs

Design •Define energy efficient building•Set requirements to demonstrate design intent

Build •Integrate market ready building science principles•Set energy conservation measure performance testing requirements

Perform •Encourage strategic management though benchmarking*

EPA’s New Homes Programs & LEED

Design

Low Rise Multifamily

• ENERGY STAR Reference Design – 15% savings above 2009

IECC• Prescriptive Path• Performance Path

– HERS Index Target

High Rise Multifamily

• 15% cost savings above ASHRAE 90.1-2007

• Prescriptive Path• Performance Path

– ASHRAE 90.1 Appendix G – ENERGY STAR Simulation

Protocols

EPA’s New Homes Programs & LEED

Build

Low Rise Multifamily

• ENERGY STAR v.3 Inspection Checklists– Thermal Enclosure– HVAC Installation– Water Management

• Verification performed by certified Home Energy Rater

High Rise Multifamily

• ENERGY STAR Testing and Verification Protocols– Thermal Enclosure– Distributed and central

HVAC and DHW– Other ECMs

• Verification performed by an energy consultant(s) and validated by a licensed professional

EPA’s New Homes Programs & LEED

Perform

Low Rise Multifamily

• Benchmarking is currently not a requirement for low rise multifamily units

High Rise Multifamily

• Developer/owner must commit to benchmarking ENERGY STAR certified buildings using Portfolio Manager for a period of at least 2 years

EPA’s New Homes Programs & LEED

Multifamily Completions and Pipeline

Low Rise Multifamily

• Low rise multifamily ENERGY STAR homes reported– Over 77,000 Units

High Rise Multifamily

• ENERGY STAR High rise multifamily homes– Pilot

• Complete – 2605 Units (27 buildings)

• Pipeline – 813 Units (8 buildings)

– Full Implementation Pipeline• 11,773 units (158

buildings)

ENERGY STAR for Multifamily High Rise

Buildings….& LEED

EPA’s New Homes Programs & LEED

EPA Program LEED for Homes (2008) LEED for Homes (2012)

ENERGY STAR® for New Homes Performance PathwayEA 1.1: ENERGY STAR for New Homes v.2/2.5 as Prerequisite “Meet or Exceed”

Performance PathwayIncorporation of ENERGY STAR v.3 as Prerequisite “Meet or Exceed”

Indoor airPLUS® for New Homes Indoor airPLUS as Alternative Pathway (full program)(F/K/A “Indoor Air Package”)

Indoor airPLUS as alternative to all IEQ prerequisites and some specific credits

WaterSense® for New Homes WE 2: 4/4 PointsWE 3: 6/6 Points10/15 Points Total

Incorporation of some WaterSense Guidelines as Prerequisite; Outdoor Water Calculator use is recommended; Pilot Credit awarded for compliance with WaterSense

ENERGY STAR® for Multifamily Residential High Rise

Not Included(Program Creation 2011)

Uses ESMFHR simulation guidelines; compliance with ESMFHR one of two pathways for testing and verification

EPA’s New Homes Programs & LEED

EPA’s New Homes Programs & LEED

Why Label?

Increased Brand Recognition

Different Messages, Different Audiences

Technical & Marketing Support

Leverage Success!

Thank You!

Kate Gregory, LEED® AP, BD+CENERGY STAR303.312.6175 /gregory.kate@epa.gov

Sylvia BienzleWaterSense303.312.6923/bienzle.sylvia@epa.gov

ENERGY STAR: energystar.gov/homes

ES for MFHR: energystar.gov/mfhr

WaterSense: epa.gov/watersense

Indoor airPLUS: epa.gov/indoorairplus