INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE...
New homes in Colorado today are more energy efficient, use more recycled
materials and are built much better than the product of the past. Today,
consumers are also more educated, more environmentally conscious and are
more demanding. We are seeing changes in the industry, yet there is still
a lack of information and a lack of tools to highlight sustainable buildings.
The Boulder County Chapter HBA Energy and Environmental Affairs Committee
in conjunction with the Building Technologies Committee of the HBA of Metro
Denver has developed a program to highlight "green" builders. This program
is developed as a guide and a marketing tool. It is to be used to market
each home meeting certain criteria.
The program is voluntary. Any builder may choose to participate and
is then provided the tools outlined in this brochure. As you browse through
this brochure, check your homes to see how you rate today as a green builder.
You may be surprised how close you are and what few changes you may need
to make to participate in this program.
This program is designed to assist you in marketing homes into the year
2000.
COMPONENTS OF THE PROGRAM...
As an enrolled green builder, you may enter as many homes as you wish
in the program. To remain consistent in your market, we recommend that
once you become a green builder, you build only green homes and enter them
all in the program. The basic components of the program will support you
in building and marketing green:
Technical and Educational Assistance on Building Green:
* Quarterly orientation classes to help you administer the program
* Technical assistance on implementing the program
* Discounts on green educational programs sponsored by the HBA
* Technical and design seminars sponsored by the Governor's Office of
Energy Conservation (OEC)
Literature From Leading Environmental Experts:
* Information from sponsors on products meeting program criteria
* The Sustainable Design Resource Guide compiled by Architects, Designers
& Planners for Social Responsibility - a $30 value
* Resource list of experts and educational materials
A Marketing Plan to Help You Reach the Home Buying Public:
* Paid-advertising campaign, both self-funded by the program and in
conjunction with the OEC
* Promotional/educational brochures targeting home buyers
* Media coverage in the form of press releases, press conferences, columns
and articles in local and national print media
* Education programs targeted specifically to Realtors
Essential Marketing Materials:
* Green builder yard sign
* Designation cards to highlight the green components in the home
* Green certificate for the home
* Logo slicks in a number of sizes for use in all your advertising
* Suggested press releases for use by your company
INCENTIVES TO JOIN THE PROGRAM...
Enhance Your Market Niche
Home buyers today are more savvy and demanding when it comes to selecting
products that are environmentally sound. By complying with the guidelines
of the HBA's Green Builder Program, your product will stand above the rest
and enable you to target an additional segment of the buying community.
Reap Promotional Benefits
Several other independent organizations are backing this program, which
will provide additional avenues for promoting the HBA's Green Builder Program.
By using the advertising outlets of these supporting agencies, more consumers
will be made aware of this program and the benefits of buying a green home.
Provide Energy Efficient Mortgages
Complying with the requirements of the HBA's Green Builder Program will
also put your company in the position to qualify buyers for an energy efficient
mortgage through the Energy Rated Homes of Colorado program and/or qualify
for the Ideal Energy Home program through the Public Service Company. Both
of these programs are benefits that can be marketed to prospective buyers.
Strengthen Company's Environmental Image
With today's sensitivity to energy and the environment, it is likely
that many of the requirements of this voluntary program will soon become
mandatory. Through your participation in this program you can be at the
forefront of today's environmental movement and help set the standards
rather than have them set for you.
Increase Your Advertising Dollars
With the financial backing of the Office of Energy Conservation and
other organizations, builders who enroll in the program will reap the benefits
of a comprehensive advertising and marketing program that will reach out
to potential home buyers.
BENEFITS OF RELATED PROGRAMS...
The Green Builder Program is a voluntary program for all builders/remodelers
in the Metro Denver area. An independent inspection for certification is
not required and compliance is self-monitored. There are other energy-related
incentive programs offered in the metro area which add to the benefit of
being a green builder. Since the baseline energy component of the Green
Builder Program is CABO Model Energy Code (MEC) 93, an enrolled home will
already meet or exceed the minimum energy requirements of these other programs.
Outlined below are some options available which will offer substantial
additional marketing advantages to the green builder who chooses to participate:
Energy Rated Homes of Colorado (ERHC):
ERHC is an energy rating program operated by the Colorado Housing and
Finance Authority. Under this program, a home is tested by an ERHC-certified
rater, and its energy performance translated into a star-and-point rating.
A home built under the Green Builder Program could receive a four-star,
80-point rating due to the MEC 93 component. With this rating the home
meets the energy requirement of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to qualify for
an energy efficient mortgage, which gives your customer more
buying power. The four-star, 80-point rating will also qualify the home
to receive appraisal credit for its energy efficient features. Additionally,
MLS listings now show the star rating, giving the builder's home additional
recognition. Having your homes rated will give you information on their
energy performance, and help you determine the most cost effective measures
to correct or enhance that performance. There is a charge for rating a
home, but as an enrolled Green Builder, you will receive a free builder
advisory session as well as seven fully-subsidized ratings.
This means up to $150.00 for rating from plans and up to $100.00 for follow-up
field test/blower door analysis. For additional information, contact Jay
Luboff at 297-7380 or 800-877-8450.
Public Service Company's Ideal Energy Home (IEH):
IEH is designed to help builders market homes that are more energy efficient
than the "typical" home and offers two levels of participation. The first
level is at no cost to the builder, uses prescriptive standards, and includes
some advertising benefits. The second level of participation, "E-Star",
utilizes a performance-based rating system and includes a marketing component.
The home is tested and its energy performance translated into a star- and-point
rating. For instance, a home that scores an 80 also receives a four-star
designation. Green builder homes will perform at this level due to the
MEC 93 component. In order for a builder to qualify as an E-Star builder,
all of the builder's homes must be built to at least a four-star
level. The advantage to the green builder of enrolling as an E-Star Builder
is the additional marketing benefit. PSCo will include you in its
print ad campaign and will provide the IEH/E-Star logo for use in
your advertising. For information call Bill Smart at 294-2195.
HERE'S HOW IT WORKS...
A builder joins the Green Builder Program, entering as many or as few
homes as the builder chooses. Each house entered must meet certain criteria.
1. All entered homes must be built to CABO MEC 93 standards. The
Office of Energy Conservation is prepared to provide you with information
on these standards should you need it.
2. Each entered house must meet the criteria set forth in the Checklist
which follows. You can accomplish this in one of two ways:
* Choose the suggested number of items from each of the 20 categories
of options. By selecting the suggested number of items in each category
you will accumulate 35 points and fully comply with the program.
* If you can't make any of the suggested choices in a particular category
you can still qualify for the program by simply accumulating a total of
38 points from the Checklist as a whole.
As you read through the following Checklist, note what items you are
already doing and tally up your points. Most of you are going to find that
building green is not that great of a departure from what you're already
doing. Don't be put off by anything that might sound a little foreign.
We have a great network of experts and agencies who are available to help
you successfully implement the Green Builder Program.
THE CHECKLIST...
REQUIRED...The Following Item Must Be Included in each Home
* Home meets CABO MEC 1993
Land Use: Lot (Choose Two Items in this Category)
* Trees and natural features on site protected during construction.
* Minimize job site waste by using materials wisely and prohibit burying
construction debris.
* Recycle job site waste (there are a number of haulers in Boulder County
who recycle off the site).
* Save and reuse all site topsoil.
* Home placement saves east and south lot areas for outdoor use.
* Outdoor structures, decking and landscaping materials made from recycled
materials or pressure- treated engineered lumber.
Solid Waste: Inside (Choose One)
* Garage sorting bins for recycled material.
* Built-in kitchen recycling center to include two or more bins.
* Short-term compost storage bin.
Energy Use: Envelope (Choose Two)
* South glass area is between 5-7% of total finished floor area.
* Advanced sealing package in addition to basic sealing practices. (Advanced
adds sealing at top and bottom plates, corners and between cavities at
penetrations).
* Provide south roof area designed for future solar collector use (20
degrees of south).
* Home designed for passive solar heating (>20%).
* Energy heels of 8" on trusses.
* South glass shaded in May, June and July at 12noon.
* Blower door test with 0.35 ACH or less.
* East, west and north glass R-3 or better (Low E or Heat Mirror).
* House is wrapped with an exterior air infiltration barrier to manufacturers
specifications.
Energy Use: Mechanical Systems (Choose Four)
* Furnace centrally located, all duct runs reduced as much as possible.
* No ducts in outside walls or attics unless ducts have minimum R-13
value.
* Thermostat with on switch for furnace fan to circulate air.
* Two ceiling fans.
* Sealed-combustion gas fireplace or sealed wood-burning fireplace or
stove with outside combustion air.
* Set-back thermostat.
* Furnace ductwork joints sealed with low toxic mastic.
* Whole house fan installed.
* Return air ducts in every bedroom.
Energy Use: Indoor Air Quality (Choose Two)
* Sealed-combustion furnace or boiler.
* Sealed-combustion domestic water heater.
* Exhaust fan in garage on timer or wired to door opener.
* Heat recovery ventilator or air-to-air heat exchanger.
* Radon mitigation installed or vent pipe laid under slab for retrofit.
* Mechanical room enclosed and insulated to R-11.
* Provide rangehood vented to outside.
Energy Use: Water Heating (Choose Two)
* Gas water heater with energy factor of more than .60.
* Insulate hot water pipes to R-6 in unconditioned spaces.
* Water heater within 20 pipe feet of dishwasher and clothes washer.
* Insulate all hot water lines to all locations to R-6.
* Rough-in for future solar hot water heating.
Energy Use: Appliances (Choose Two)
* Dishwasher with energy-saving cycle.
* Gas clothes dryer with electronic ignition.
* Gas range, cook top and/or oven with electronic ignition.
* Refrigerator less than $66 estimated annual electric cost/year.
* If appliances are not included, a list of energy efficient appliances
is provided.
* Rough-in gas for appliances not provided.
Energy Use: Lighting (Choose Two)
* Light colored interior walls, ceiling and soffit.
* Light colored carpet.
* Furnish four compact fluorescent light bulbs to owners.
* Halogen lighting substituted for incandescent down-lights.
* Extended-life incandescent bulbs greater than 2000 hrs. (traffic signal
bulbs).
* No cans in insulated ceiling or insulated can lights are used.
Materials: Structural Frame (Choose Three)
* Large dimension solid lumber (2 x 10 or greater) avoided in floors
and roofs wherever possible.
* Engineered wood "I" joists used for floors.
* Trusses or "I" joists used for roofs.
* Structural insulated panels used for walls or roofs.
* Reinforced cementitious foam-formed walls using flyash concrete.
* Engineered lumber products for beams, joists or headers.
* Optimum value engineering framing (24" O.C. studs, 3 stud corners,
etc.).
* Finger-jointed plate material.
* Finger-joint studs or engineered stud material.
Materials: Foundation (Choose One)
* Non-asphalt based damp proofing.
* Regionally produced block or brick.
* Western coal flyash concrete.
* Shallow foundation.
* Aluminum foundation forms.
* Rigid insulation forms that provide permanent insulation to the foundation.
* Insulated foundation with rigid R-8 foam insulation 4 feet below grade.
Materials: Sub-Floor (Choose One)
* Urea formaldehyde-free subfloor and underlayment material.
* Oriented strand board (OSB) made from fast growth material.
* Recycled content underlayment.
Materials: Doors (Choose Two)
* No Luan doors (tropical hardwood).
* Insulated R-5 or greater on exterior doors.
* Reconstituted or recycled content doors (hardwood) with least toxic
binders.
* Solid domestically grown interior wood panel doors.
Materials: Finish Floor (Choose Two)
* Recycled content carpet pad.
* Recycled content carpet (tacked not glued).
* Natural linoleum with low toxic adhesives or backing.
* Ceramic tile installed with low toxic mastic and grout.
* Recycled content ceramic tile.
* Natural material carpet (cotton, wool) tacked not glued.
Materials: Exterior Walls (Choose Two)
* Recycled content sheathing (min. 50% pre- or post-consumer) or OSB.
* Reconstituted or recycled-content siding (min. 50% pre- or post-consumer).
* Locally produced brick.
* Indigenous stone.
* Synthetic stucco.
* Cementitious siding.
* Reconstituted or recycled content facia, soffit or trim (min. 50%
pre- or post- consumer).
Materials: Windows (Choose Two)
* Windows double glazed with 1/2" airspace.
* Wood or vinyl frames.
* Finger-jointed wood windows.
* Windows with Low E or Heat Mirror glazing.
Materials: Cabinetry And Trim (Choose One)
* Any exposed particle board is painted with water-based sealer inside
cabinets, underside of countertops.
* No tropical hardwood unless from certified, sustainably managed forests.
* Finger-jointed trim.
* Cabinets finished with least toxic finishes.
* Domestic hardwood trim.
* Cabinets made with formaldehyde-free particle board or MDF.
Materials: Roof (Choose One)
* Fiberglass roofing, class A.
* Recycled content roof material.
* Minimum thirty year roofing material including concrete, slate, clay,
composition or metal.
* Combination cement-fiber roofing, hail rated for Colorado.
MATERIALS: FINISHES AND ADHESIVES (CHOOSE ONE)
* Paints and finishes that contain minimal VOC content - standard is
less than 250 grams per liter of
VOCs.
* Paints or finishes with recycled contents.
* Low toxicity, solvent free adhesives used throughout.
* Water based urethane finishes on wood floors.
* Water based lacquer finishes on woodwork.
Materials: Insulation (Choose One)
* Recycled content (min. 25%) insulation.
* Home has wet blown wall insulation such as cellulose or fiberglass.
* Cellulose insulation (with borates).
* CFC free rigid foam insulation.
* Formaldehyde-free insulation.
Water (Choose One)
* Permeable materials (40% of areas for all walkways, patios and driveways).
* Grass that uses less water such as blue gramma or fescue in turf areas.
* Xeriscape that is more than 60% of non-paved area.
* Rainwater recovery from roof for watering.
* Xeriscape with native drought resistant plants.
* Provide a list of native drought resistant plants to home buyers.
NOW WHAT TO DO...
Now you have read this brochure, you'll want to know the next step.
First, see if you comply with the program already or what it would take
to comply with the program. As you go through the checklist you may have
questions about the program. These questions can be answered by Kim Calomino,
the Green Builder Program administrator. Call her at 778-1400 with your
questions and she can help walk through the program.
Entrance Requirements For The Program...
* You must be a builder/remodeler building in the six county Metro Denver
region to participate in the program.
* All homes entered into the program must comply with CABO MEC 1993
and the Checklist, (or 38 points if a category is excluded).
* A builder enrolls in the program once a year and then can enter any
or all homes to be built during that year.
* Membership in the program is not transferable and nonrefundable.
* Those enrolled will receive information packets prepared for the builder
and the home with all of the marketing materials included.
* This is a self-certifying and voluntary program.
Annual Enrollment Fees:
HBA of Metro Denver member in good standing:
$150 (the first house is free)
Non-Member of the HBA of Metro Denver:
$500 (the first house is free)
HOUSE ENTRY FEES: HBA Members: $50.00
Non-Members: $75.00
There are some trade-offs with single builder communities (Call Kim
Calomino for details).
