This document provides guidance on achieving LEED for Homes certification. It emphasizes understanding the LEED program and process, using integrative design, modeling energy performance early and often, prioritizing elements like siting and the building envelope, and setting clear expectations with all parties involved. Integrative design is highlighted as crucial for reducing costs while improving sustainability. Key roles like those of the green rater and energy consultant are also outlined.

1. LEED for HomesTips for Successful Projects Ann Edminster M.Arch., LEED AP Design AVEnues avedminster@designavenues.net | 115 Angelita Avenue | Pacifica, CA 94044 | 650-355-9150 © Design AVEnues 2009. Reproduction, distribution, display and use of the presentation without written permission of the speaker is prohibited.

2. The Main Points Understand the program Understand the process Use integrative design Model early & often Get the order right Set expectations Manage the process

3. ± 90 PLATINUM ± 75 GOLD ± 60 SILVER ± 45 CERTIFIED UNDERSTAND THE PROGRAM Comply with all MANDATORY MEASURES, a.k.a. prerequisites Meet or exceed category POINT “FLOORS” Achieve minimum overall SCORE

4. The Threshold Adjuster … compensates for the overarching effect of home size on resource use by adjusting the award level point thresholds based on floor area.

5. Home Size In 1950 In 1970 1.6x 1950 297 SF/personaverage floor area 1,000 SF 3.37 people per household 478 SF/person average floor area 1,500 SF 3.14 people per household In 2000 2.8 x 1950 840 SF/person average floor area 2,200 SF 2.62 people per household

6. The Rating CategoriesID LL SS WE EA MR EQ AE INNOVATION & DESIGN PROCESS INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ENERGY & ATMOSPHERE SUSTAINABLE SITES LOCATION & LINKAGES WATER EFFICIENCY MATERIALS & RESOURCES AWARENESS & EDUCATION

7. Points, Floors, Prerequisites POINTS: 22FLOOR: 5 PREREQS: 2 POINTS: 11 FLOOR: 0PREREQS: 3 POINTS: 38FLOOR: 0PREREQS: 8 POINTS: 21FLOOR: 6 PREREQS: 7 ID LL SS WE EA MR EQ AE POINTS: 15FLOOR: 3 PREREQS: 0 POINTS: 16FLOOR: 2 PREREQS: 3 POINTS: 3FLOOR: 0PREREQS: 1 POINTS: 10FLOOR: 0 PREREQS: 0

8. USGBC PROVIDER PROJECT TEAM The Delivery System GREEN RATER

10. LEED on-site verification

11. Navigational support

12. Certification administration

14. LEED on-site verification

15. Navigational support

16. Certification administration

18. Performance testing

20. Plan and follow through

21. Document your decisions

23. Durability forms

24. CIR/ID proposals

25. Accountability Forms

26. EPP information

27. O&M manual

29. During Construction

32. Identify additional work needed

33. Estimate score and rating level

35. Durability Checklist

36. HERS Report (energy modeling)

38. Durability / envelope measures (optional)

40. O&M manual

41. Materials list

43. Performance testing

44. Paperwork verification

45. Scoring & rating

47. USE INTEGRATIVE DESIGN “Integrated design can reduce construction cost while providing significant sustainable design benefits. On the CSU Monterey Bay Library, by comparing a number of integrated structural, mechanical, and architectural schemes, we found that tradeoffs from one discipline more than offset added costs in another, while achieving energy savings of almost 40%.” ~ Scott Shell, EHDD Architects Courtesy of Duncan Prahl, IBACOS

49. Keys to integrative design Commit to the integrative design process Hold a charrette Have regular meetings Establish communication protocols Identify scope of responsibilities and interactions for all parties

50. Build your team Assess your team’s capabilities Identify any voids  Fill the voids Energy savvy? © Dandanos | Dreamstime.com

51. Who should be involved?

52. Who should be involved? Owner/developer Architect General contractor MEP consultant(s) Energy analyst Landscape designer Interior designer Others … © Pressmaster | Dreamstime.com

53. Who should be involved? Owner/developer Architect General contractor MEP consultant(s) Energy analyst Landscape designer Interior designer Others … One and the same? © Pressmaster | Dreamstime.com

54. The integrative design process Develop a design concept Test alternatives using parametric analysis – evaluate effect of one variable at a time on: energy performance constructability & cost other aspects of design Test different combinations © Antonprado | Dreamstime.com

55. MODEL EARLY & OFTEN Energy modeling: it’s not just about compliance – it’s a design tool!

56. MODEL EARLY & OFTEN © Kellyoptra | Dreamstime.com Energy modeling: it’s not just about compliance – it’s a design tool!

57. MODEL EARLY & OFTEN NOT © Kellyoptra | Dreamstime.com © Brandonparry | Dreamstime.com Energy modeling: it’s not just about compliance – it’s a design tool!

58. Your energy consultant Choosing a good one Experience matters (relevantexperience) Mindset matters (maybe even more!) Collaborating A member of the design team Your mechanical engineer, possibly? Needs to understand all the design opportunities

59. When and why should you do energy modeling? Before the charrette During the charrette To test design options To qualify for tax credits & other incentives To comply with green building programs To capture the performance as accurately as possible! EARLY & OFTEN!

76. SET EXPECTATIONS LEED for Homes is an above-codeprogram It will require change from all parties Anticipate needs for education Document all agreements

79. Durability planning

81. Durability planning

82. Waste planning

85. More durable

86. Better-designed

87. More comfortable

88. Superficially similar, but … Cost difference? Substantial.

90. Same durability

91. Same design quality

92. Slight increase in comfort

93. Pretty much the same – Cost difference? Minor.

94. Understand cost impacts New practices New baseline, new product, new price? Learning curve One-time investment benefits all future projects

95. Understand cost impacts New practices New baseline, new product, new price? Learning curve One-time investment benefits all future projects Program administration Verification + Quality Management = VALUEADDED

96. MANAGE THE PROCESS Assign responsibility for every credit

97. Manage the process Assign someone to shepherdthe responsible parties Check in with key parties monthly Prompt for questions, documentation © Koljambus | Dreamstime.com

98. Manage the process Provide research and tracking tools (MR2)

99. Manage the process Provide research and tracking tools (MR3)

100. Manage the process Provide research and tracking tools (WE3)

101. Manage the process Ensure every LEED measure being pursued is in the construction documents!

103. Capacity-building

104. Planning & organization

105. Selling the benefits