Green building certification is a great way to add value to a community for both owners and residents; however, it is often not pursued due to misconceptions that the process is too expensive and complicated. Plus, with so many certification programs out there, how do you decide which one to use? Join a panel of industry experts as they dispel some of the common myths about the complexity of certification as well as compare and contrast the costs and benefits of the most popular programs being used- including the National Green Building Standard (NGBS), Energy Star and LEED.

1. Dispelling Myths and
Making Cents of
Multifamily Green
Building Certification

2. Meet Your Speakers
Kate Hamblet
KEPHART Architects
Elizabeth Gillmor
Energetic Consulting Engineers
Jeff Slaugh
US-EcoLogic

3. Session Description
Green building certification is a great way to add value to a community for
both owners and residents; however, it is often not pursued due to
misconceptions that the process is too expensive and complicated. Plus,
with so many certification programs out there, how do you decide which one
to use? Join a panel of industry experts as they dispel some of the common
myths about the complexity of certification as well as compare and contrast
the costs and benefits of the most popular programs being used—including
the National Green Building Standard (NGBS), Energy Star and LEED.

4. Session Learning Outcomes
• Understand the value and benefits green certification can add to a
multifamily property, the costs involved in obtaining and the design and
construction best practices to maximize return on investment.
• Learn how to shape the design process and documentation to reduce
costs and ensure a smooth transition to construction.
• Explore the requirements of each program, and the incentives available
to help offset costs including tax credits, expedited permitting and
reduced permit fees.
• Learn how each certification program addresses building types, and how
these differences will help you determine the best program to fit your
needs.

5. Credit(s) earned on completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES
for AIA members upon completion of the AIA/CES Session Participation
Forms found in the back of this session room and online at
www.BuildersShow.com. Certificates of Completion for both AIA
members and non-AIA members are available upon request.
This course is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional
education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or
construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of
construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or
dealing in any material or product.
American Institute of Architects (AIA)
Continuing Professional Education

6. Myth Busters
“We don’t
have time
for that.”
“Sustainability
people just don’t
understand
construction
issues.”
“The process
is WAY too
restrictive.”
“Certification
is just too
expensive.”
“The builder
will totally
lose control
of the
project.”
“Just meeting
the energy
code is hard
enough.” “All certifications
require solar
panels.”
“All materials
would be
more
expensive.”
“$$$$$.”
“We would
have to deal
with the Green
Police.” “$$$$$.”
“$$$$$!!!”“Too many
surprises!”
“Too
much
risk.”

7. WHY CERTIFY?

8. Internal Drivers
• QA for long-term owners / durability
• Builder/owner recognition
• Accountability and 3rd party review
• Save energy and energy costs
• Attract tenants
• Add value to building

10. External Drivers • Municipality required
• Special design agreements
• Expedited review and variance
potential
• Impact fee reduction
• Investors, purchasers and/or lenders
• Tax credits and deductions
• NEW: Mortgage insurance premium
reduction

11. Preferential Lending for Green Multifamily Projects

12. Translation:
$1,000,000 Loan
50  25 MIP Basis Points:
Saves $208 per month = $2,500 per year
$10,000,000 Loan
75  25 MIP Basis Points:
Saves $4,167 per month = $50,000 per year

13. 179D
• Up to $1.80/sf
• Difficult for multifamily
45L
• $2000 per unit
LIHTC
• Low-Income Housing Tax Credits
• Additional state benefits
25D (Renewable Energy)
• Solar, Wind, Geothermal
2016 Tax Credits
For New Construction
What will we see in 2017??

14. PACE
• Property Assessed Clean Energy
• Finance improvements
MACRS
• Modified Accelerated Cost
Recovery System (depreciation)
Residential Efficiency
• Tax credit of 10% of cost for
upgrades
25D (Renewable Energy)
• Solar, Wind, Geothermal
Other $$ Benefits
For Renovations
What will we see in 2017??

15. • Low/no cost = willingness to partner
• Existing programs
• Blaze the trail
• Expedited permitting review
• Variances in density or height
• Impact fee reduction
Talk to your municipality!

16. SO MANY OPTIONS

17. National Green
Building
Standard
LEED
Energy Star
Enterprise
Green
Communities

18. National Green
Building
Standard
• LEED For Homes
• LEED Midrise
• LEED Building Design
& Construction
• Energy Star for
Homes
• Energy Star Multi-
Family High Rise
Enterprise
Green
Communities

19. HOW TO CHOOSE
(What is the best fit for you?)

20. • Project identity and target market?
• Demands of lender or preferential lending program, municipality, etc.?
• Experience: Programs done in past?
• TOD? Urban infill? Suburban? Greenfield? Competing Properties?
• Affordable vs. Market Rate vs. Mixed Use?
• Free points – what do you already have? (or be recognized for?)
• Townhomes, Garden, Wrap, Podium, High-rise?
Many Considerations

21. First Things First
NGBS
Energy Star for Homes
Energy Star MFHR
LEED for Homes
LEED Midrise
LEED BD&C
EGC
Low rise
1-3 Stories
Mid rise
4-8 Stories
High rise
8+ Stories

22. Project Size is the first factor
NGBS
Energy Star for Homes
Energy Star MFHR
LEED for Homes
LEED Midrise
LEED BD&C
EGC
Low rise
1-3 Stories
Mid rise
4-8 Stories
High rise
8+ Stories

23. Project Size is the first factor
NGBS
Energy Star for Homes
Energy Star MFHR
LEED for Homes
LEED Midrise
LEED BD&C
EGC
Low rise
1-3 Stories
Mid rise
4-8 Stories
High rise
8+ Stories

24. Project Size is the first factor
NGBS
Energy Star for Homes
Energy Star MFHR
LEED for Homes
LEED Midrise
LEED BD&C
EGC
Low rise
1-3 Stories
Mid rise
4-8 Stories
High rise
8+ Stories

25. NGBS
Energy Star MFHR
LEED Midrise (4-8 stories)
LEED BD&C (9+ stories)
EGC
NGBS
Energy Star for Homes
LEED for Homes
EGC
HANDY ENERGY STAR FLOW CHART
LEED BD&C
https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=bldrs
_lenders_raters.nh_mfhr_bldg_eligibility

26. All programs generally have these categories:
• Design Process
• Location Resources
• Site
• Energy
• Indoor Air Quality
• Water
• Health & Wellness
• Materials / Waste Management
• Operations & Maintenance
• Awareness & Education

27. All programs generally have these categories:
• Design Process
• Location Resources
• Site
• Energy
• Indoor Air Quality
• Water
• Health & Wellness
• Materials / Waste Management
• Operations & Maintenance
• Awareness & Education

28. All projects also have these considerations:
• Energy & Building Codes
• Driving Factors (the “why”)
• Timeline & Progress
• Documentation Requirements
• Stand-out features to build
points around
• Building Design
• Construction
• Verification
• Benefits & Incentives
• Costs

29. All projects also have these considerations:
• Energy & Building Codes
• Driving Factors (the “why”)
• Timeline & Progress
• Documentation Requirements
• Stand-out features to build
points around
• Building Design
• Construction
• Verification
• Benefits & Incentives
• Costs

30. Building Codes

31. Things to think about
• Residential ventilation requirements
• Building tightness requirements
• Blower door testing and duct testing (2012 and
2015 IECC requires BD for low-rise)
• Will local code drive your energy baseline? Can
you beat it?

32. Air Quality

33. Residential Ventilation Differences
• Natural Ventilation Only is permitted:
• NGBS
• Only if tested air-tightness is ≥ 5ACH @ 50pa
• Mechanical Ventilation is required:
• LEED for Homes
• LEED BD&C (New for LEED v.4 for R2 occupancy)
• Energy Star for Homes
• LEED Midrise
• Energy Star MFHR (footnote #20 is gone)
• EGC
• Exhaust-only OK in some climates
Your local code
requirements will be
a big driving factor!

34. Indoor
Air
Quality
Volatile
Materials
Exhaust
Measured
airflows
Room by
Room
pressure
differentials
Radon
Allergens
and clean
air
(Construction)
Filtration

35. Energy

36. ENERGY – Compliance documentation?
• Plan For Energy Modeling
• LEED Midrise
• LEED BD&C
• LEED for Homes (preferred path for Multifamily)
• Energy Star for Homes
• Plan For Blower Door Testing
• LEED for Homes
• LEED Midrise
• Energy Star for Homes
• NGBS (not required, but preferred for Multifamily)
• Multiple Compliance Options
• NGBS
• LEED for Homes
• Energy Star MFHR
• EGC

37. ENERGY GOALS for Minimum Compliance
NGBS 15% better than IECC 2009 (prescriptive or performance)
LEED For Homes LEED Energy Budget or LEED “MMBTU Method” or HERS
70 (every unit)
LEED Midrise 5% better than ASHRAE 90.1-2010 (v4)
LEED BD&C 5% better than ASHRAE 90.1-2010 (v4)
EGC Meet Energy Star for Homes or MFHR
Energy Star for Homes Meet HERS Index Rating (varies – HERS Index Target
Procedure)
Energy Star MFHR 15% better than YOUR code (prescriptive or performance)

38. MAKING IT WORK

39. Build Your Team
(Getting started)

40. Your Team Needs:
NGBS:
• A Verifier or Verifier Organization, and Energy Modeler (usually)
http://www.homeinnovation.com/findngbsverifier
Energy Star:
• Energy Star Trained Raters and Field Inspectors, Builders Who Complete Energy Star
Orientation, Accredited HVAC Installer and Accredited Commissioning Contractor
https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=new_homes_partners.locator&s=footer
Enterprise Green Communities:
• EGC Consultant/Champion, Energy Star team, Energy Modeler (maybe)
http://www.enterprisecommunity.org/solutions-and-innovation/green-communities/tools-and-
services/technical-assistance-providers-database

41. Your Team Needs:
LEED BD&C:
• LEED Consultant/Champion, Energy Modeler, Commissioning
Agent, and Dedicated Builder Staff
LEED Provider Directory: http://www.usgbc.org/profile
Building Commissioning Association: http://www.bcxa.org/
LEED Mid-rise and LEED for Homes:
• LEED for Homes Provider Organization, Green Rater, HERS Rater and Energy
Modeler
http://www.usgbc.org/people/green-raters

42. Your Team Needs:
Energy Modelers:
• ASHRAE – BEMP – Building Energy Modeling Professional
http://report.ashrae.org/Certification/list?type=BEMP
• AEE (Association of Energy Engineers) – BESA – Building Energy Simulation Analyst
http://www.aeecenter.org/directory/
• RESNET Qualified professionals
https://www.resnet.us/directory/search

43. Timeline and Progress
When is it too late?

44. A Smooth Path to Certification
Design
• Meet as whole
design team
• Involve
Consultants
• Iterative Process
• Echo decisions in
writing for
owner/architect
for their approval
Documentation
• Supply
inclusions
• Plan review DDs
CDs and provide
mark-ups and/or
comments
• Specifications
Transition to
Construction
• OAC meetings
with site staff
• Buy-outs
• Informal
guidance
narratives
• Overview of
verification
process
Construction
• Meet with Sub-
contractors and
site staff
• Provide overview
of verification
visits
• Provide reports
to all stake
holders after
each visit

45. Cost Management
(Nobody likes surprises)

46. Managing and Predicting Costs
• How to answer “How much does it cost?”
• Decision making process
• How to avoid team members arbitrarily
inflating costs
• How to plan properly (to avoid abuse)
• Trade-ability and iterative process

47. Efficiency doesn’t have to be expensive!
• Passive house design
• Exhaust cfm/watt
• Automation can be simple
• Variable or multi-speed systems
• Central fan – Energy recovery
Air Quality and Efficiency Opportunities:
Vancouver passive townhouse concept – Marken Design + Consulting

48. Myths Busted!!!
“We don’t
have time
for that.”
“Sustainability
people just don’t
understand
construction
issues.”
“The process
is WAY too
restrictive.”
“Certification
is just too
expensive.”
“The builder
will totally
lose control
of the
project.”
“Just meeting
the energy
code is hard
enough.” “All certifications
require solar
panels.”
“All materials
would be
more
expensive.”
“$$$$$.”
“We would
have to deal
with the Green
Police.” “$$$$$.”
“$$$$$!!!”“Too many
surprises!”
“Too
much
risk.”

49. Certification Hoops
(The home stretch!)

50. Last few hoops to jump through!
• Ensuring certification success
• Paper verification vs site verification
• Time required
• Registration and certification costs

51. Thank you!
Questions?

52. Speaker Contact Information
Kate Hamblet
KEPHART Architects
Denver, CO
www.kephart.com
kateh@kephart.com
Elizabeth Gillmor
Energetics Consulting Engineers
Denver, CO
www.energetics-eng.com
elizabeth@energetics-eng.com
Jeff Slaugh
US-EcoLogic
Denver, CO
www.us-ecologic.com
jeffrey.slaugh@us-ecologic.com