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What if we added insulation on every re-siding job?

What if we added insulation on every re-siding job?

 The “doing this while doing that” concept is one of the best incremental ways to advance sustainability in existing homes. For example, when replacing water fixtures, get low-flow WaterSense certified; when upgrading appliances, go quiet, select ENERGY STAR certified appliances and switch to all-electric; and when needing a new A/C, opt for a Heat Pump instead, which can be standalone or paired with an existing gas furnace.

 Now, a new movement is well underway, led by the US Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). Its acronym is AIRS, which stands for Adding Insulation While Residing. The idea is simple: every time a home or building needs to be resided, we should ensure that it is also getting continuous exterior insulation added. The insulation can be foam, mineral wool, or even wood fiber. Most re-siding companies need to start doing this, and most weatherization programs prefer to drill and fill the walls instead of adding continuous exterior insulation.
 The GreenHome Institute is proud to be a PNNL funding recipient to administer this research project here in Michigan. Before taking on the program, we launched a 1-hour continuing education session on the topic. We are looking at researching this approach on at least nine homes and now have our first project completed to share some initial information.
 

The first thought might be energy efficiency, utility bill savings, and comfort for the owners or tenants of homes that get AIRS. However, additional important benefits of this work are the reduction of wall moisture issues and durability risk reduction. In fact, many siding jobs are not taking this opportunity, leaving in place moisture risks that are reducing the life of the walls and homes due to deficient construction and renovation practices. To illustrate this, you can see the Building Science Advisor (BSA) tool evaluation we did on the previous wall assembly versus the new one here. Here is a CEU webinar we did on the Building Science Advisor tool.

According to the BSA tool, adding 1 inch of Owens Corning EXTRUDED POLYSTYRENE (XPS) continuous exterior insulation to this first test home significantly reduced the risk of wall sheathing moisture content and mold.

 

We suggested that the siding contractors add two inches of insulation, but they were fairly resistant to that idea – which is what this research project is about. Trying to convince siding contractors that adding insulation is important is going to take a lot of work. Adding more insulation requires more effort from the installer.  Design conversations will happen, and they will be different for each home.

 

However, let’s look at the wall’s durability. If we had added the additional one inch as advised in Climate Zone 5, you can see that scenario versus the two inches suggested below, which moves it from a potential sheathing risk to the light green zone of reduced risk. 

From an energy efficiency standpoint, each home we work with receives a GreenHome Inspection before and after work is completed. This process includes reviewing many components of the home. Still, the focus of this program is to give the home and overall US DOE Home Energy Score and determine the home’s air leakage and total energy usage before and after the retrofit. For this particular home, the overall score went from a 4 to a 6, which included over $100 in utility savings and nearly 15 members in total energy reduced both in heating and cooling, which was the result of the exterior rigid being added, three windows being replaced, and a 22% air leakage reduction. If you do the math, that is a 13% savings in energy usage, which gets us pretty close to the savings needed for the Inflation Reduction Act State HOMES rebates of 15% in measured savings needed to get $4-$8k in rebates.   

Not only are energy and money being saved, but the owner also said, “I’ll add that aesthetically, the house looks great. From a functional standpoint, my wife and I definitely have noticed that the two bedrooms that previously felt colder than the rest of the house feel much more comfortable.”

 

The other aspect of our GreenHome Inspection included reviewing ventilation systems. With a tighter home, we need to see if ventilation needs to be improved to optimize occupant health when these jobs are being completed.

 

Stay tuned as we report on the eight additional homes. Note that PNNL will be releasing case studies on these homes. Two GreenHome Institute members have already completed an AIRS study on their homes. One case study is forthcoming, and the other, which you can find here, was done by Tom at Builder World Builders.

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What are the biggest challenges and opportunities to achieve LEED Residential certification in existing housing? A 4-part series: Part 2

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Please review part 1 of this series, then continue below

 The remainder of this series will describe what makes LEED a challenge as well as what makes LEED easier on existing homes projects.

 The ENERGY STAR Homes program is an ideal goal for all major renovation projects to strive for, but it can be very difficult to meet if there is no plan or budget to change certain features. Reviewing the ENERGY STAR thermal enclosure checklist, here are the exceptions granted:

  1. High-Performance Fenestration not required for existing windows that are not being replaced
  2. High-Performance Insulation not required for existing walls that aren’t impacted by the renovation.
  3. Slab insulation is strongly encouraged but not required to meet or exceed 2009 IECC levels.
  4. Attic insulation at the intersection of existing roof and existing exterior walls does not have to meet R-value requirements.
  5. Advanced framing is not required on existing framed walls,
  6. For insulated ceilings with attic space above (i.e., non-cathedralized), Grade I insulation extends to the inside face of the exterior wall below and is ≥ R-21 in CZ 1-5; ≥ R-30 in CZ 6-8.
  7. Air Barrier is needed except for Existing sill plates on top of concrete are not required to be placed on a foam gasket.

 Review technical details here:

https://basc.pnnl.gov/checklists/energy-star-single-family-new-homes-version-331-revision-11

Insulate and airseal rim band joists

 

Garage pollution protection can be achieved while creating the air barrier

 Place all air-handling equipment and ductwork outside the fire-rated envelope of the garage. Tightly seal shared surfaces between the garage and conditioned spaces, including all of the following:

  • In conditioned spaces above the garage, seal all penetrations and all connecting floor and ceiling joist bays.
  • In conditioned spaces next to the garage, weather-strip all doors, install carbon monoxide detectors in rooms that share a door with the garage, seal all penetrations, and seal all cracks at the base of the walls.Watch out for CO detectors, too, if they are not near the garage, and the electrician may need to wire one near the garage. You may be able to get an exception for battery backup only if there is no easy way to wire it. Check with your provider at the start of the project.

 Put together an air seal and insulation plan with your contractor and submit it to your LEED Residential Provider to ensure it is sufficient. This is mandatory for all midrise multifamily buildings.

 What do I do with mechanical and HVAC?

 The next biggest barrier to achieving LEED in older homes is an energy-efficient, properly functioning, and commissioned HVAC and mechanical system. This includes proper sizing, proper functions, proper air filtration, and well-sealed ductwork to deliver air.

 One of the biggest HVAC barriers to achieving LEED certification in older homes is ensuring there is no panned ductwork in the floor or wall joists. Ensuring this does not happen improves the Energy Rating Index, or HERS. Any existing home found to have this ductwork panned anywhere on the floors, walls, or attic must be re-ducted. This may require the drywall to be torn out and redone, which can be costly.

 Another option is to use the existing ductwork for a ventilation system, which negates the need to have it fully ducted, though this is still recommended. Then, consider radiant or ductless mini splits for heating and cooling.

 *Note that getting a mini split might not resolve humidity issues either, so there are bonus credits in v4.1 Residential for products like dehumidification or ventilating dehumidifiers. These will reduce the humidity issues that are not resolved by mini splits. Also, existing homes suffer more from humidity issues than new homes.

 If the system must be replaced with a new ducted HVAC system, it must be correctly sized. This is a good way to seal the ductwork; this can be done as the ducts are being rebuilt if they were panned in the joists; some technologies seal existing ductwork from the inside. If the filter box is one inch, you can add a MERV 8 filter or higher (10 for additional points), but the static pressure of the system will need to be checked; otherwise, if getting a new HVAC system, consider adding a 4-inch filter to reduce static pressure and improve system performance. Getting a new HVAC system will also help you get a better energy rating, and many Inflation Reduction Act tax credits apply in the US. Consider a heat pump to get the funding and achieve the best energy rating with lower utility bills in many cases.

 In summary, commissioned, right-sized HVAC systems with reduced duct leakage and good filtration are important. During the LEED preliminary rating, the HVAC contractor can measure the size of the current system and complete the HVAC design report relevant to the planned home energy upgrades to determine if it is oversized using the ENERGY STAR guidance.
Stay tuned for next month’s Part 3 LEED Renovation Durability and Healthy Home Opportunities.

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Getting Your Year-End GHI CEUS and Reporting

With the end of the year approaching, you may need to accumulate and/or report your year-end continuing education accomplishments. Below, you can just learn how to find, manage, and report any GreenHome Institute CEUs you have accumulated. Then, please find out how to get more CEUs quickly if you need them.

End of the year CEU Reporting

The vast majority of GreenHome Institute’s educational sessions have been approved for the following CEU types:

Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) Building Performance Institute (BPI) NonWholeHouse American Institute of Architects – AIA (HSW) Certified Green Professional (NARI & CGP) Certified GreenHome Professional (CGHP) Pillar(s): Energy, Materials, American Institute of Building Designers (AIBD) Building Science Institute (BSI) Verifier Society of American Registered Architects (SARA) Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC)Some sessions also include LEED AP Homes or BD+C and the MI Realtor license.In addition, many sessions may also qualify for various local, state, and regional programs for builders, designers, real estate, and engineering license renewals.

Each program has various reporting requirements. However, the vast majority of them are self-reporting, which requires logging into your portal to report on each course. AIA and SARA report for members. Maintaining backup documentation for potential audits and accurate reporting is a good idea.

GreenHome Institute tracks your CEUs in two places: live session attendance is tracked in the Gutenberg portal, and on-demand attendance is tracked on Thinkific. All AIA member attendees are also added to the AIA portal as long as the correct AIA # is submitted in the survey following each webinar.

So, for live webinar CEU records, you can log in to Gutenberg Certificates here and create an account if you have not logged in. You need to use the email you used during our live webinars, which will be associated with your certificates. If you used multiple emails, you may have multiple accounts – we can just merge these whenever you’d like. This compiles a database of the sessions you’ve attended; download these to retain them for your records and submit them to your CEU provider.

For on-demand class attendance records, you can log in here, access your certificates, download them, and report them to your CEU provider.

For AIA and SARA CEUs, check your transcripts. If there is a course you have a certificate for from either of the various methods above, email your certificate proof and AIA number to Brett.Little@greenhomeinstitute.or for reporting assistance. Please see below for a potential solution if you still need the certificate.

Rapidly getting CEUs completed to report for the year’s end.

Who doesn’t wait until the end of the year to get their CEUs? We get it. You are busy, and you will cram, or maybe you just need a few more CEUS. We are here to assist you!

Head over to our on-demand education CEU channel here to check out our CEU webinars on demand and watch them on your own time; take the quiz with an 80% passing rate, drop in your CEU provider number (AIA or SARA), and that’s it!

From now until January 1st, 2025, we are offering a 50 percent discount on our on-demand education CEU channel.  Use code “ghice50” for the discount.

Better yet, please help us reach our goal of 400 members by the end of the year. As an active member, you get instant access to all our on-demand education CEU channels for free.

All of our live webinars are free, and the on-demand courses are low-cost. This is in an effort to be equitable and to support education needs and to help ensure widespread access to residential green building education.

There are no live CEU paywalls here, however…

We have to pay for the cost of the CEUs, the technology to provide them, our staff to manage the volunteer speakers and the management of the CEU certificates. Please consider donating to help us continue to do this work and ensure everyone can access residential green building knowledge, awareness, and continuing education.

Click here to donate and help us reach our year-end goal. Better yet, help us reach 400 members by 2025 – support our work and take advantage of many benefits, including all-on-demand CEU webinar access. Check out our membership benefits here. 

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Inflation Reduction Act Rebates & Tax Credits (Updates)

There are now three updates on the Inflation Reduction Act: Tax Credits and Homes Rebates.

The first is specific to the rollout of the HOMES rebates in Michigan, the second is related to product manufacturer registration to help ensure Inflation Reduction Act qualifying products are easy to determine, and the last applies to multifamily and commercial extending the 179D rebates to be adjusted for inflation.

 In Michigan, the Department of the Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has released an update on the rollout of the HOMES rebates. The bottom line is that it seems rebates will only apply to households with incomes at or below 150% of the Area Median Income (AMI), and they will pilot the program first in Holland and the UP. Finally, they are looking to onboard contractors to help deliver the rebates as part of their service offerings. The full program will roll out sometime in early 2025 for the rest of the state. You can stay updated on what is happening and get registered here if you are a contractor. If you are outside of Michiganm, you can find out what your state is up to here.

 If you are above the income limit, you will likely benefit from the Inflation Reduction Act Homes 25C tax credit instead. GHI recently conducted a webinar that discussed this program and how to utilize it in more detail. GHI Education Manager will be on a panel giving another update on this incentive program during the Dec 12th DOE Residential Better Buildings Webinar; you can learn more and register here.

There has been some confusion about what products qualify for the tax credits, and to help clear it up, “manufacturers will be able to use the IRS Energy Credits Online Portal (IRS ECO) to register (their products) with the IRS.” To help with tax consultant confidence, “beginning in 2025, for each item of specified property placed in service, no credit will be allowed unless the item was produced by a qualified manufacturer and the taxpayer includes the PIN for the item on the taxpayer’s tax return.”

 Finally, for multifamily housing project teams, the 179D tax credit was designed to give tax incentives per square foot for more energy-efficient buildings or those renovated to achieve better results. Due to the cost of inflation of improvements to buildings or building more energy-efficient buildings, the IRS has announced increases in the available tax credit amounts. You can learn more about the increase on page 15 here. Note that while GHI has yet to do a 179D tax credit webinar, we did cover it briefly during a 45L tax credit webinar also related to energy-efficient new homes and multifamily buildings.

 In summary, the Inflation Reduction Act funding is one small component to help fund the transformation of our housing sector. Of course, there are going to be new changes and updates to this program, especially in 2025. GHI will keep you updated as we learn more about improving our housing stock.  GHI also tracks additional resources for funding and more on our new Resources page. 

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Achieving LEED Residential Certification in Existing Housing: Challenges and Opportunities Pt. 1(a four-part series)

In the past, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) residential certification was difficult to achieve in existing homes because it required a full demolition down to the studs and replacement of HVAC systems. However, this has changed. The new LEED requirements allow the structure to be brought into alignment with today’s energy, health, and materials standards to achieve certification. The program now takes an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach. In many cases, the less you do, the more you score in the LEED rating system, except for fixing durability issues and improving energy. Often, 10 out of the 40 points available to achieve certification are achieved just by renovating an existing home. When it comes to existing multifamily buildings, there are even more exceptions. There is also the LEED Operations and Maintenance (O&M) program, which instead focuses on sustainable metrics and outcomes such as carbon, utilities and water usage.

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Conversely, the GreenStar Homes Certification may still be a more appropriate program for existing housing. Enterprise Green’s Green Communities program is typically best for moderate renovations in multifamily projects involving tax credits, though LEED is also an option.

The ten main tips for doing LEED renovations

  • Meet the ENERGY STAR Homes requirements only when planning changes to envelope, mechanicals & appliances
  • Energy Rating Index (HERS or other) of 85 or lower
  • No ductwork panned in the joists post-renovation
  • Shower/tub backer must be moisture-resistant
  • Fix any durability and water entry issues
  • HVAC systems need to be commissioned and may need to be right-sized and improved
  • Existing materials that are re-used/refurbished benefit the project
  • Water heaters, furnaces, and fireplaces must be safe from exposure to combustion
  • Determine existing water flow rates and landscaping
  • Determine the benefits to the project in terms of its existing location

Within this article, the following LEED credits and prerequisites are reviewed:

  1. P – IN: Preliminary Rating
  2. C – IP: Integrative Process
  3. P – EA: Minimum Energy Performance
  4. R – EQ: Garage Pollutant Protection
  5. C – EA: Annual Energy Use
  6. C – EA: Refrigerant Management
  7. P – MR: Durability Management
  8. P – EQ: Combustion Venting
  9. P – MR: Environmentally Preferable Products
  10. C – WE: Total Water Use
  11. P – EQ: Ventilation
  12. P – EQ: Compartmentalization (attached housing only)
  13. C – RP: Regional Priority
  14. C – LT: Site Selection

 

The first part of any new LEED project, whether new construction or renovation, is to assemble your Integrative Project Team and complete the required preliminary rating. Planning a LEED Residential renovation will include an energy rater, LEED Green Rater, a Residential Provider, and potentially a home inspector and/or professional builder to inspect the building.  Because some professionals carry multiple credentials, these roles could be filled by the same person. These professionals evaluate the home’s condition and determine what will be needed to achieve LEED certification.

You may also include a mechanical contractor to give feedback on new or existing HVAC systems, an architect if you plan a major redesign, and/or a landscape architect if you are planning outdoor plantings or redesign. This is a great practice in general, and engaging these three practitioners, specifically, is also a way to earn the LEED point in this section.

At the very least, minor renovations should include the general contractor and mechanical and energy rater (building science background), and major renovations/additions should include the designer or architect.

In the case of planning a major rehab, the full onsite assessment with a rater may not be necessary because most of the existing structure will be removed and replaced, thus starting with a blank slate. Consider a designer or architect instead.

Upon reviewing the structure and systems, these professionals may determine that a total rehab is required to make the home safe, healthy, energy-efficient, and eligible to qualify for LEED.

 

What version of LEED do I use?

Renovations do not work well under traditional LEED v4 for 1 – 4 unit buildings or townhomes.

Instead, use v4.1 Single Family Homes or v4 Midrise or Lowrise, taking advantage of the v4.1 credit swaps under in the US and Canada. Outside of North America, use v4.1 Multifamily Homes.

For multifamily buildings not planning major upgrades, consider using the LEED Operations and Maintenance (O&M) programs. These programs focus more on performance outcomes such as carbon emissions, water use reduction, and other sustainability metrics rather than mechanical and shell improvements. However, to achieve those outcomes, you may need to make upgrades called for in the LEED Residential rating systems.

 You can watch the full CEU Succeed with LEED Existing Homes webinar below – stay tuned for Part 2 of this written series next month.

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November GreenHome Job Alerts

November GreenHome and Sustainability Job Opening. 

Follow us on LinkedIn at #GreenHomeJobAlert to get these updates in real-time. 

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October 2024 GreenHome & Sustainability Jobs Round Up

Follow #GreenHomeJobAlerts on LinkedIn in real time to get these monthly updates. 

Job Openings

Featured jobs listed by our members. 


Risk and Compliance Officer, Clean Energy Credit Union, Englewood CO or remote

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Neurodivergent Design: A Prescription for Respite

-Written By GHI Board Member Meghan Cruse.

In our modern built environment, there are endless alternative building styles to be explored. A concept that has received a lot of attention within the past few years (particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic) is neurodivergent design. Spaces designed with neurodivergence in mind are designed and constructed in a way that supports individuals who are neurodivergent – or, “people whose brain differences affect how their brain works.” Differences might include medical disorders, learning disabilities and other conditions, while strengths may include better memory, being able to mentally picture three-dimensional (3D) objects easily, the ability to easily solve complex mathematical calculations, and more. (Cleveland Clinic Medical Professional, 2024) These individuals often process the world around them in a way that is different than most, and can include diagnoses like Autism (ASD), Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Dyslexia, Dyspraxia (Development Coordination Disorder, or “DCD”), Dyscalculia, and more.

When designing a space for neurodivergent individuals, it is imperative to understand their individual sensory sensitivities. For instance, while all humans (both neurodivergent and neurotypical) can benefit from calm spaces, a “calming” space might look very different for someone who has ASD than it does for someone with ADHD. When considering the design framework for these individuals, it is important to appreciate the differences in their diagnoses and to utilize design as a restorative tool, not just a purely aesthetic one.

In order to effectively execute a neurodivergent-friendly design, a starting point would be to consider designing for all of the senses. If an individual who has a neurodivergent diagnosis is more sensitive than most to their surroundings, they would need more accommodating textures, materials, scents, and sounds to force their body to transition from a parasympathetic state to a sympathetic one.

Both the parasympathetic nervous system and autonomic nervous system are essential parts of the human body’s autonomic nervous system; however, while both are necessary they play opposing roles. The parasympathetic system is responsible for keeping us safe in dangerous situations, and is most commonly referred to as our “fight or flight” response. The opposing sympathetic nervous system is responsible for our body’s ability to relax or feel safe, and is often referred to as our “rest and digest” response.

In individuals who have atypical brain structures or sensory responses, a bit of effort may be required to drop their minds and bodies into a sympathetic state. By utilizing neurodivergent design tactics, an individual’s environment can be utilized as a therapeutic modality by encouraging all of the senses to be ignited in a calming way. A few sensory-friendly design suggestions include:

  •     Sight: Consider including biophilic design elements such as nature-inspired colors and materials (wood structural elements and wood furnishing). Include interesting art that includes calming colors and patterns. Consider order and functionality – “everything should have a home.” Consider lighting options.
  •     Smell: Remove any sources of unpleasant smells, and encourage uplifting and natural scents instead; keep linens and carpets washed regularly. Include sources of air purification. Remove artificial fragrances from the space.
  •     Taste: Consider keeping a carafe for water nearby, or a small dish of a favorite chocolate on a desk to aid in concentration while completing a task.
  •     Hearing: Keep a sound machine that plays white or pink noise, and/or a speaker nearby to listen to a favorite song or calming melody.
  •     Touch: Utilize soft materials and avoid sharp corners/edges when possible, glass, or metals in places that are often utilized. Focus on comfortable design choices, such as soft and inviting seating, and avoid the use of rough or hard materials.

         While neurodivergent design is not limited to designing for the senses, it is a great place to start when considering designing to support your client’s lifestyle and individuality. Many of the basic approaches are a blend of biophilia, trauma-informed design theory, and various psychology theories. In addition to incorporating pieces from previously established design approaches, being conscious of including places for movement is highly encouraged.

In many neurodivergent conditions, an occupational therapist (OT) is a key component of the patient’s therapeutic support team. They work with the patient/client through means of movement therapy, whether that is working on fine motor movement or incorporating large movements to support proprioception. It is important to receive any relative recommendations from the OT when possible as well to help guide the design. For example, if an individual client or household member feels calm and regulated when they spend time reading while sitting in a comfortable chair, opting for a beanbag in a reading nook area might be preferable to a hard chair or window seat. An opposing example would be including a bucket of “exercise dice” in a child’s room for movement breaks while completing homework to help them focus.

While neurodivergent design can feel overwhelming on large scale projects, it is much more achievable on a smaller, single family residential scale. In our industry, many of our designs are rooted in aesthetics and functionality, and more often than not the aesthetics of a piece of furniture or floor plan of a home are the deciding factor for the end product. However, what if we consider what inclusive design looks like across various measures? What if we create a way to opt for sensory-focused design selections that are as easy to put together as an energy efficient build?

It’s important to remember that our homes are supposed to be a place of respite, whether that be a single-family home or a multi-family property; homes are supposed to support our healing and be a place where we can finally let our guard down after the demands of the day. For neurodivergent individuals, this feat is increasingly more difficult in a built environment that is not supportive to their individuality. The more mindful we are in our design approach, the more significant impact we can have on the effectiveness of our clients’ success.

 

References

Cleveland Clinic Medical Professional. (2024, July 15). Neurodivergent. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/23154-neurodivergent

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Zillow automates climate risk information as flooding expands beyond traditional places during Helene

Zillow recently announced that it now automates the tracking of climate risks as the unsettling reality of flooding expanding into unexpected areas becomes more apparent. This unpredictability of climate change is a stark reminder of the need for proactive measures.

Zillow® is introducing climate risk data, provided by First Street, the standard for climate risk financial modeling, on for-sale property listings across the U.S. Home shoppers will gain insights into five key risks—flood, wildfire, wind, heat and air quality—directly from listing pages, complete with risk scores, interactive maps and insurance requirements.

Climate risks are growing, and yet professionals, homeowners, and homebuyers alike need to improve their knowledge of these risks and what can be done to mitigate them.

 

GHI is thrilled to see First Street’s recent announcement that they will partner with Zillow to track flood, heat, wind, wildfire, and air quality risks in homes for sale. “Nationwide, more new listings came with major climate risk, compared to homes listed for sale five years ago, according to a Zillow analysis conducted in August. That trend holds true for all five of the climate risk categories Zillow analyzed. Across all new listings in August, 16.7% were at major risk of wildfire, while 12.8% came with a major risk of flooding.”

GreenHome Institute hosted First Street to discuss its flood risk assessment tool, which can be viewed for CEUs and to gain a better understanding of the tool.

 

With the devastating floods surprisingly brought by the recent hurricane, Helene, many areas that did not expect to be affected, such as mountain towns and those inland, suffered from major flooding.

 

By being educated and more informed, consumers can make more sustainable choices on the locations they want to buy or build as well as what needs to be done to existing homes to make them more resistant to climate threats.

 

The GreenStar Homes Program provides a path to evaluating a home’s climate risk and takes a good, better, best approach to dealing with climate risks. GreenStar Homes and Enterprise Green Communities certifications first require a climate assessment and then action against the identified threats to achieve higher certification levels. Two of the tools that can be used to assess climate risk are First Street and Portfolio Protect, which was highlighted in the CEU webinar Strategies for Community Residential Climate Resilience.

 

Building greener and renovating more sustainably can lead to reduced climate risk. It is important that we think about additional strategic ways to reduce risk that is more likely to occur in each local area. Let’s elevate the conversation about climate risk to help people and communities stay safer and healthier. 

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Improving water quality: New US report shows fluoride-linked mental health issues

When it comes to residential green buildings, water quality is a crucial consideration. We often focus on water conservation and preventing moisture issues, but the quality of the water we use is equally important. This is particularly true in light of recent concerns about fluoride and other contaminants in our water supply.

 

When it comes to health, the quality of our water is a significant factor. Recent concerns about fluoride, lead, PFAS, radon, and dioxin in our water supply have highlighted the need for greater scrutiny. Fluoride, in particular, which is intentionally added to our water, has been associated with lower IQs in children and is raising serious health concerns.

 

This is why, several years ago, we added the water quality assessment and water filtration requirement into our GreenStar Homes program as part of one of the higher certification levels. It requires you to evaluate your local water and implement remediation efforts to deal with local water risks. In areas with groundwater, that might be sodium or other risks from shallow wells, and in the city, it might be fluoride. If your home is connected to a city water supply, you will likely need to remediate fluoride from the water until it is no longer added to water.