Practical Eco

Report claims Southeast could produce 25% of its energy from renewables

More than 25 percent of the U.S. Southeast region’s electric power could come from locally-available renewable energy by 2025, according to a report released today by the World Resources Institute (WRI), Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE), and Southface.

This new report, Local Clean Power, can be found by clicking here.

Prompt policy action to develop these resources can also create tens of thousands of new jobs, attract more regional energy investment, and help protect regional air and water resources.

“The Southeast has a strong portfolio of renewable energy resources that offers several economic and environmental advantages over traditional electric power generation,” said Eliot Metzger, a project manager at WRI and an author of Local Clean Power, the first in a three-part series of reports about energy opportunities in the Southeast United States.

The report estimates that investments in local renewable energy resources - like biomass, solar, wind, and hydropower - can meet more than a quarter of future electricity needs in the region by 2025. That amount would be sufficient to meet national renewable energy targets currently being discussed as part of upcoming federal energy legislation.

The expansion of current renewable power production from its current level of about five percent will be a critical step towards meeting future electricity needs with cleaner supplies and increasing energy independence.

Stephen Smith, executive director at SACE, another research partner, added, “Right now we are depending on other regions of the country, and foreign countries like Columbia and Venezuela, to supply us with coal. Doesn’t it make more sense to be producing cleaner power, closer to home? Our research suggests we certainly have sufficient resources. It’s just a matter of recognizing and capitalizing on these home-grown energy supplies.”

Renewable power potential is well distributed throughout the region, though differences in total electricity sales mean that states like Mississippi and Alabama can meet much more than 25 percent of electricity needs with renewable resources (see table). Some electric power utilities are starting to develop renewable resources in the region, but additional policy action is needed to drive investment and carefully manage the transition to new energy resources.

“A focus on developing our own renewable energy resources will create good-paying jobs that cannot be exported from our region,” said Dennis Creech, executive director at Southface, which was a partner on this research. “However, we need public policy to remove market barriers and encourage these investments in the Southeast.”

“Additional policy action and investment in a clean energy future translates to new growth opportunities - which for us means the creation of more jobs,” noted Tim Blackwell, president of OneWorld Sustainable, a company specializing in efficiency and renewable energy in the Southeast.

The report's recommendations to advance renewable energy in the region include: firm targets for renewable power production; flexible incentives to advance local investments in renewable resources; and comprehensive state-level resource assessments, economic analyses, and regulatory guidance to integrate renewable power into the electricity grid.

Top 5 green building mistakes

In EcoHome magazine writer Mark LaLiberte counts down the top five green building mistakes. These are practices that no green builder should be condoning or perpetuating.
His top five are:
5. HVAC Ducts in unconditioned space
4. Building tight without intentional ventilation
3. Improper flashing and drainage planes
2. Poorly selected or installed insulation
1. Wasted resources (e.g. framing wood)

I have to agree with these, though for the Southeast I'd be tempted to add another five:
1. Building bigger than you need (any family of 4 should be able to manage with 2500 sf)
2. Ventilated and unsealed crawl spaces
3. Power ventilated attics
4. Poor site planning for storm water drainage
5. Water hungry landscapes (e.g. lawns)

These are my own peeves and are mostly particular to the hot/warm humid climate of the US Southeast region - though number 1 applies everywhere.

For the original full articles see here.

Cascadia USGBC Chapter Study Proves Viability of Ultra-Green Buildings

A new study has found that the a building that generates its own power and cleans and reuses its water is the most financially responsible approach to new construction over the mid to long term. It goes on to suggest that a building that is only slightly green may end up costing more in ten years than a building which is designed and built as high performance possible with current technology. What the Cascadia Region Green Building Council calls "Living Buildings" it suggests, offer significantly larger savings in water and energy, plus they cost less to construct than than current prejudice would dictate.

The study team led by SERA Architects with Skanska USA Building, Gerding Edlen Development, New Buildings Institute, and Interface Engineering, determined that the only exceptions to this finding are “spec” buildings which are intended to be sold for capital gains within in a few years.  This study was an effort to put a price tag on the Living Building Challenge rating system – a relatively new program that has already sparked huge interest in North America with at least 60 proposed Living Buildings in some stage of design or actual construction.

Jason F. McLennan, CEO of Cascadia and the author of the Living Building Challenge, says, “Some people have thought this idea was 'pie in the sky' and unachievable. But the study clearly demonstrates that we can increase green jobs, greatly enhance our energy security, and most effectively utilize federal stimulus money by constructing Living Buildings, especially for those in the public sector where taxpayers are going to own and operate a building for the long term.”

The study was carried out by examining construction documentation on nine buildings, ranging from schools to homes and high-rises, in four different US cities representing various climate zones. Each of these reference buildings were certified LEED Gold, already incorporating many green features and representing current best practices. The construction documents were modified to meet the goals of a Living Building and then re-priced based on the modifications, with the purpose of comparing the cost difference of making the leap to net-zero energy and net-zero water. The science behind the study is the same methodology that is typically used by the construction industry for cost-estimating projects prior to construction.

While initial costs are higher, the bottom-line finding is that investing in Living Buildings will have significant economic impact – with less than a ten-year payback in several instances. The study finds that Living Buildings can cost as little as five percent to no more than 49 percent more depending on the building type and location, representing paybacks for many buildings that are well within the range (less than 7-15 yrs) for any institution, corporation or homeowner looking at holding onto their asset for a few years.

One of the most exciting surprises from the study was finding basically no extra cost to build a University classroom building in Portland, Oregon to the ultra high-performance standard of a Living Building. Lisa Petterson, SERA Architects’ Manager of Sustainability Resources and overall manager for the study, explains, “The combined impact of Portland’s mild climate, plus existing and upcoming incentives for green building and net-zero energy projects, make the incremental costs almost zero.”

The degree of cost effectiveness depends on the following five key factors:

• Use of the building: Public schools and classrooms had the lowest cost. Private sector developers building spec buildings had the largest cost differential.
• Size of the building and the roof: The larger the building and roof size (for solar and water catchment systems), the lower the cost premium.
• Climate matters: A mild climate with regular rainfall provides the most cost-effective opportunity for a Living Building, although net-zero energy and water is technically possible for all regions in the study.
• Incentives and rebates matter: When communities offer incentives and rebates for saving energy and using renewable energy, it reduces the cost premium significantly.
• Cost of resources matter: The higher the cost of energy and water, the shorter the payback period, making a Living Building more feasible in areas with high energy rates.

The full study and executive summary are available here: www.cascadiagbc.org/lbc/resources/financial-study/.

The Living Building Challenge will be the key topic of discussion at Living Future, Cascadia’s annual event. Scheduled for May 6-9 in Portland, Oregon, the conference will bring together 600 of the most cutting-edge green builders, developers, contractors, design professionals and thought leaders from all across North America.

For more information, please visit www.cascadiagbc.org.

RainReserve is a clever downspout diverter for your rain barrels

I've actually been wondering where to find these for a few months now. I saw one on the rain barrel at the Carrboro Town Commons structure and was impressed at the idea.

The device attaches to a downspout and will divert water to the rain barrel until it fills up. Thereafter water flows normally down the spout as before. This gets around one of the problems I have with rain barrels which is that too often the overflows don't get far enough away from foundations. I have a 6 foot hose on mine but for some reason it gets stopped up now and then. So I have to check it regularly.

With a RainReserve^TM I could just forget about the overflow worries. Oddly, their website doesn't sell this benefit. Rather they focus on the fact that it allows leaves and other large debris to pass through the diverter and out the downspout.  It seems easy to install and maintain, and is adaptable to any 2"x3" or 3"x4" downspout.

New Green Realtor Blog for NC

I've just come across a new blog started by green realtor Ford Craven. He's hit my radar with a post about an event in Charlotte from the regional Realtor Association:

"Welcome to the Green Revolution!”
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
9 a.m. – 11 a.m.

The Mint Museum of Art
2730 Randolph Road
Charlotte, NC 28207

A worldwide trend is evolving to a new level.  Locally, Charlotte’s communities and neighborhoods are becoming greener.  What does it all mean?

Welcome to the Green Revolution! is brought to you by the Charlotte Regional Realtor® Association (CRRA) Diversity Council  –   At this free event, network with fellow Realtors®, and expand your knowledge and real estate vocabulary about green building and sustainable resources and materials.

Kathy Spence, chair of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Residential Committee (Charlotte Chapter), will provide insightful knowledge about the future of eco-friendly living and housing.

Topics include
• What makes a home green
• The true definition of eco-friendly and sustainable design
• Sustainable residential materials and resources
• Retrofitting an existing home
• Stimulus plan’s green initiative for buyers and sellers

Efficient Features Beat Luxury in Today’s Kitchens and Baths

Demand for luxury kitchen and bath items has fallen significantly, says the recently released quarterly home design trends survey by the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

“Because of concerns over affordability and re-sale value, it’s not surprising that there has been a sharp decline in demand for high-end kitchen and bath products,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker in a press release.

The survey also found that buyers are increasingly interested in building products that are renewable and energy-efficient.

”People are both budget-conscious and environmentally-conscious. They ask a lot more questions,” said custom builder Phil Kean of Phil Kean Designs, in Winter Park, Fla. “People look at [green products] as a long-term investment.”

Kean said that some of his buyers are choosing energy-efficient designs expressly for cost management. “This year I’ve actually had people say, ‘I don’t want as high ceilings because I don’t want to have to heat that space,’” said Kean. However, he added, “people that are more environmentally conscious from the start are most likely to ask about green options, but I think people are moving that direction.”

Status may provide part of the motivation. “Consumer awareness of ‘green’ products” has made eco-friendly features this season’s must-haves in kitchen and bath design. “There is a real cache in being able to show your neighbors your very cool recycling center or countertops made from recycled products,” Edwards said.

Source: Buider Online

5 Steps to Building Affordable Green Homes

FirstCoast Homes, in Charleston, SC, is one company offering green homes at about the same price as conventional homes. Their Energy Star-rated homes cost only $1000 more per house to build than their previous methods and deliver 20% to 30% more energy efficiency. 

FirstCoast builds primarily starter homes ranging from $129,000 to $209,000 in price. And since 2008 they have built only Energy Star-qualified homes. They now build every home with effective insulation, low-E windows, sealed ducts, 14-SEER heat pumps, and Energy Star-rated Whirlpool appliances.

There are five strategies that FirstCoast follows to deliver Energy Star rated homes at reasonable prices:

1. Back to Basics
Rather than rely on new technologies or products FirstCoast uses typical building methods and improves upon them. They focus on proper installation and third-party evaluation of many of the systems in the house.

2. The Great Seal
One of the most important parts of an efficient home is the tightness of the building envelope. FirstCoast relies on Home Energy Solutions of Charleston to perform methodical sealing of the shell with a combination of foam sealing and caulking throughout the building envelope.  Foam is used to seal the wire and plumbing penetrations through the OSB sheathing, caulk at the base plate and corners, and low-expansion foam around the doors and the windows. This sealing package reduces the potential air infiltration to the home by about 30%.

3. Proper Insulation Installation
By doing a good job of sealing, they avoid the added cost of spray foam insulation and can use cheaper fiberglass, but they stress proper installation.

4. Strategic Cost Savings
FirstCoast realizes savings from strategic moves. The company upgraded its windows to low-E high-performance units, but it reduced the number of windows it uses, which reduces costs. The improved sealing, insulation and windows allow the company to reduce the air conditioning needs by one ton. This saves between $400 and $800 per house.

5. Look for Back-End Deals
Regional programs may also help defray the added costs of shifting to Energy Star building practices and FirstCoast recommends builders connect with local power companies for rebate programs and other benefits. Quite a few of their homes are in electric co-ops which often help off-set the costs if a builder follows their prescriptive requirements.

Source: Builder Online

New NC Museum of Art Building aims for LEED Gold

The North Carolina Museum of Art’s new building is aiming for LEED gold standards when it opens in 2010. 

The new expansion is designed to allow more natural light to control energy costs but will still protect artwork from sunlight's damaging rays. It will do this with ultraviolet filers, louvers and curtains. And if direct sunlight threatens artworks, blackout shades will be deployed by sensors. Dan Gottlieb, the museum’s director of planning and design, said, “We have spent about as much money keeping light out as we have letting light in.”

The design will save water by using a 90,000-gallon cistern to hold roof water runoff and air conditioning condensation. The water will be used to irrigate the gardens that make up much of the museum’s new look. The building will also feature five courtyards and three reflecting pools.

The museum will close this September 6th to move its 800 artworks to the new, 127,000-square foot building, which is scheduled to open the following April.

Mecklenburg County Plans LEED certified Project

Mecklenburg County purchased the mainly vacant Freedom Mall and surrounding areas in 2003 planning to convert it into its county offices. It's on the west side of the county at the corner of Freedom Drive and Ashley Road. The mall was built in the early 60s but most of the retailers left in the late 90s. Now it seems to be a pretty run down mall with no real anchor stores.

The county began a renovation last year for its offices spaces and it looks promising, with a more modern and industrial look in deep greens, tans, red glass and metal. Mecklenburg County plans to get certification through the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Program (LEED.)

The plans for the building: photovoltaic roof panels, ice created made by chillers to help cool the building on peak electrical consumption days, rain gardens that filter and clean surface water in the parking lot before it drains into the storm sewer and a parking lot made of light colored fiber glass reinforced concrete to reflect rather than absorb sunlight.

The department of Social Services and about half of the county’s Information Services and Technology moved to the site in February of 2007. The rest of the IST Department along with Hahns real estate serves group is slated to move in this year.

Source: Charlotte Real Estate Voice

The Empire State Building goes green!

The Empire State Building is getting a green makeover. The project aims to cut energy use by 38 percent and thereby save $4.4 million per year in energy costs.

The updates include replacing 6,500 windows to reduce summer heat load and winter heat loss. There will also be significant upgrades to the chiller plus radiative barriers to cut losses from the radiators. Eight major projects in three stages are planned and these are detailed on the project website www.esbsustainability.com.

Also see the video and news on the Clinton Foundation website. The Clinton Climate Initiative is a key partner in moving this project forward and Bill himself speaks eloquently about the benefits and upside of doing many more projects like this to retrofit existing buildings for better efficiency.

Local MLS now includes fields for green homes

The local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) has finally included a number of fields in its database to show green features of homes.

Four major green home certifications programs that are now included in MLS:

• ENERGY STAR homes that are 15% more efficient than a typical home
• Green Certified homes by the Home Builders of the Triangle
• Healthy Built Homes certification administered by the NSCU Solar Center
• LEED for Homes high-performance green homes program administered by the US Green Building Council

You can now search on features like:

• Tankless Water Heater
• Geo Thermal Heat System (closed loop)
• Sealed Crawl Space
• No-Low VOC in Paints, Sealants, Varnishes
• Spray Foam Insulation
• Engineered Wood Products
• ENERGY STAR® Appliances
• ENERGY STAR ® Lighting Fixtures
• EPA WaterSense Plumbing Fixtures
• Sealed Combustion Fireplaces/Woodstoves
• Photovoltaics -Solar Power
• Advanced Framing/Concrete Construction
• Infill Lot
• Rainwater Collection
• Xeriscaping-Drought-Resistant Plants
• Fresh Air Ventilation
• Recycled Construction/Household Waste
• Radiant Heated Floors

Many people in the industry have worked for about 2 years to get this change pushed through. Congratulations to all of them!

And thanks to Jeanne Moyer for flagging this to me. See her post on the topic here.