Greensource Cincinnati achieved LEED Platinum certification through various sustainable features, including community connectivity, waste reduction, and energy efficiency. The building incorporates renewable energy sources, water conservation methods, and eco-friendly materials, promoting a healthy and environmentally responsible office environment. Tours highlight the design's innovative elements, such as low VOC paints, graywater systems, and energy-efficient appliances, with a focus on enhancing occupant well-being.

1. Greensource Cincinnati
LEED Platinum
19 East 8th St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Achieved the U.S. Green Building Council’s Platinum Level
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Certification May
14, 2013.

2. Green Education Credit - Tour Stop 1:
Outside The Building
On the north sidewalk facing the building.

3. Community Connectivity Encourages A
Walkable Neighborhood
Dozens of community services, office buildings, restaurants and
residences are within ½ mile.

4. Bus Stops Are Nearby To Encourage Public
Transportation
A least 2 bus stops are within ¼ mile.

5. Encouraging Fuel-Efficient and Low-
Emitting Vehicles Reduces Fossil Fuel
Emissions
2 car garage in back of building has one spot marked preferred for
Fuel-Efficient and Low-Emitting Vehicles.

6. No More Parking Than The Building Code
Requires
Cincinnati building code suggests one space per 400 square foot of
space. Our building includes two spaces. This encourages not using
a car, public transportation or carpooling.

7. Bicycle Storage and Showers Encourage
Reduced Car Usage
Safe storage protects bicycles.

8. An Existing Building Was Used, Reducing
New Resources Required For Construction
The building was renovated in 2009 from commercial and
apartments to a store front area on the 1st floor, residences on the
2nd and 3rd floor.

9. No Smoking Within 25 Feet OF Entrances
And within 25 feet of air intakes, keeps smoke and fossil fuel
exhaust out of the office environment.

10. Tour Stop 2:
Inside The Demonstration North Room
Renovation uncovered the original celing moulding. The 1875
building may have been the Mayor’s residence.

11. Walkoff Mats Keep The Building Clean
Mats are cleaned once a week.

12. Wood Floors
Throughout the 1st floor there is antique Pine and Beech flooring
reclaimed from a barn in Kentucky.

13. CFLLighting Reduce Electrical Needs by
35%
Compact florescent bulbs are used throughout the house and use a
1/5th the wattage of standard bulbs.

14. Occupancy Switches
Occupancy switches are set for minimum time periods.

15. Low VOCPaint Was Used Throughout The
Building
Low VOC paint helped keep the indoor air quality at a level which
was safe and environmentally responsible.

16. LG Wall Mounted Unit
The LG unit has a 16.2 SEER value, provides most of the heating and
cooling needs for the 1st floor.

17. Tour Stop 3:
Inside The Demonstration South Room
Computer monitors and graphics illustrate the features of the
building.

18. Chilled Beam
Above your heads is a chilled beam that cools the space by using
gravity instead of a fan.

19. Turn Off The Heat When Not Occupied
Greensource sets the thermostat back to 55 degrees during the
evenings and weekends.

20. Tour Stop 4: Garage
In the garage you will see our Renewaire air to air heat exchanger
and the stormwater filter.

21. Renewaire Air to Air Heat Exchanger
It brings in fresh air from outside the building; during the the
winter it preheats the incoming air by transferring the heat from
the stale air being passed to the outside. During the summer it pre-
cools fresh, incoming air stream.

22. Stormwater Filter
The filter is used to take out over 80% of the total suspended solids
(TSS’s) in the stormwater collected.

23. Tour Stop 5: Basement
Water storage and tankless water heater

24. 2.4% Of The Building’s Energy Comes From
Sawdust Pellet Stove
A sawdust pellet stove on the second floor is considered renewable
energy because the sawdust would release its carbon either by
decay or burning.

25. Stormwater Storage
Three 250 gallon rainwater storage tanks are used to harvest
rainwater.

26. Graywater System
We use a Brac system to collect our graywater and deliver it back to
our toilets.

27. Tankless Water Heater
RHEEM 199K BTU Tankless Heater is fed by a solar thermal hot
water generator on the roof.

28. Tour Stop 6: 2nd Floor Demonstration
Room
Pellet stoves, insulation, electric refueling station, Renewaire and
Merv 13 filter.

29. Merv 13 Filter Improves Indoor Air Quality
And The Health Of The Occupants
Better air quality reduces breathing aliments in occupants.

30. First Co. Air Handling Units
These are the air handling system for the 2nd floor.

31. Wood Sawdust Pellet Stove Is A
Renewable Energy Source
Wood usage is an acceptable use of natural resources. Sawdust is
the result and its carbon will be released into the atmosphere either
by decay or burning.

32. Epiphany Insulation Helps Insulate and
Conserve Materials
The majority of insulation in the building is spray foam between 3-
6” thick. It’s also 7% by weight rapidly renewable castor oil material.

33. Electric Refueling Station Planned For
Sidewalk
The 240 volt, ground fault protected and UL approved unit will be
one of the first in the city.

34. Renewaire Air-To-Air Heat Exchanger
Saves Energy
Exhaust air heats or cools the incoming air. This is the same model
that is used for the 3rd floor. A larger unit in the gargage serves the
first and second floors.

35. Tour Stop 7: 2nd Floor Office
This is the kitchen area for the second floor residence.

36. Ample Task Lighting Allows Lower Overall
Room Lighting Levels
Providing adequate lighting for the task is important for
comprehension and lower fatigue, but it doesn’t mean the whole
office needs to be at that brightness.

37. Recycling Bins Throughout the Building
Make It Easy To Recycle
Large co-mingled paper, glass, metal and plastic recycling bins
provided by the city of Cincinnati encourage use.

38. Views To The Outside Of Landscape,
Weather And Pedestrian Activity Promote
Occupant Wellbeing
Low level buildings offer more and varied views of the outside than
high rise buildings.

39. Tour Stop 8:
Conference Room
The tables are made of 100% recycled aluminum cans.

40. Hardwood Floors
Barnsiding floors continue in this space.

41. Quiet Vacuums Don’t Disrupt The Quiet
Office Environment
Low sound level vacuums allow cleaning to be performed during
the day, not requiring lighting and HVAC at night.

42. Tour Stop 9: Third Floor Living/Dining
Rooms
Heated Concrete Floor

43. Tour Stop 10:
Third Floor Residence
Sensored lighting features, in floor heating and low VOC paint
featured.

44. Tour Stop 11:
Residence Bathroom
Low flow faucets help reduce potable water use.

45. Low Flow Aerators On The Shower and
Faucet Heads Reduce Water Usage
1.75 gallons per minute (gpm) flow on the shower head and 1.5 gpm
on the faucet reduces water usage. There is also a dual flush toilet
which dramatically reduces water use.

46. Dual Flush Toilet Uses Less Water
Solid material is flushed at 1.6 gallons per flush and liquid material
flushes at 1.1 gpm, a 21% savings.

47. Shower Is Provided To Encourage Bicycle
Use
Bicycling reduces dependence on fossil fuel vehicles and promotes
healthy exercise.

48. Graywater System
We use the graywater captured from sinks, showers, and clothes
washers to flush our toilets.

49. Bath Tissue And Paper Towels Are Made
Of 100% Recycled Paper
It also doesn’t have added chemicals that are hard to remove from
the waste stream and if not - get concentrated in fish, mammals,
and plant life.

50. Tour Stop 12:
Residential Kitchen
Bamboo cabinets, recycled glass backsplash, low flow faucet, and
energy star appliances.

51. Bamboo Cabinet Fronts
Bamboo grows and is harvested in less than 10 years.

52. Backsplash
The backsplash is made of recycled glass.

53. Low Flow Faucet
Kohler K-6334 with a flow rate of 2.2gpm

54. Tour Stop 13: Roof Top Terrace
Green Roof, Pavers, Light colored roof, Solar Thermal water heater

55. Green Roof
Living roof with soil 4-6” deep for perennials to live.

56. Pavers
Light colored pavers are used to help reduce heat island effect

57. Light Colored Membrane
We have a light colored membrane on the roof to help reduce heat
island effect.

58. Solar Thermal
Solar thermal water heater is on the roof to help with our water
heating capabilities.

59. A Commissioning Manual Was Created To
Ensure Efficient
Employees were trained to operate and maintenance the office’s
energy efficient systems and Green cleaning policies. A survey of
employees provided feedback on office comfort and indicated any
adjustments needed.

60. A USGBC Leader in Energy And
Environmental Design Was Responsible
For The Project
William “Ez” Housh, LEED AP

61. Innovation In Design And Exemplary
Performance Was Demonstrated
We exceeded the requirements for water reduction and sewage
conveyance. A Green Cleaning policy is in place and this tour is part
of the Green Education plan.

62. LEED Documentation Services
Provided by Green Cincinnati Education Advocacy: Chuck Lohre,
Steve Bollinger, Sara Ernst, Henry Hartigan, Michael Kady, Megan
Chambers, Brian Dougherty and Kristie Smith.