Category: GHI Education Manager

Basics of Electric Fireplaces for Aesthetics and Health – Article

Post author By Brett Little
Post date August 15, 2026

Carl Brekjern, joined us recently for our Weekly Wednesday Free CEU webinar Series.

If you missed this session, want to rewatch it, or want to share it with a friend or colleague, you can now do so, as the recording and an article on the topic are available below.

Webinar attendees learned that electric fireplaces, particularly the newer water vapor models, offer enhanced options in aesthetics, energy efficiency, and installation flexibility. Many discovered for the first time that water vapor fireplaces use mist to create realistic flame effects, are vent-free, can be installed in various locations—including retrofits of traditional fireplaces—and are available in both canister and plumbed configurations. These fireplaces often use LED lights, operate on either 120V or 240V, and can improve indoor air quality since they produce no combustion or CO emissions, making them suitable for energy-efficient and healthy homes, including Passive House designs. Participants also learned about LEED credits for forgoing traditional fireplaces and noted that, while some electric fireplaces can provide heat, many water vapor models focus on visual effect rather than heating. Overall, attendees appreciated the advancements in electric fireplace technology and aesthetics, though some wished for more in-depth technical information and expertise from the presenters.

Please help us keep these webinars and writings going by becoming a supporting GHI member or by making a donation.

This article explores the health, energy, and design implications of fireplaces in residential construction and renovation, emphasizing the advantages of electric fireplaces. Drawing upon current green building standards, including LEED certification and the electrification movement, the article provides an in-depth look at how electric fireplaces offer a compelling solution for balancing aesthetics, health, safety, and sustainability. Designed for housing professionals, builders, contractors, and the general public, the content delivers a comprehensive overview of fireplace types, installation options, energy use, and practical retrofit guidance, offering actionable insights for both new construction and existing home upgrades.

Introduction: The Significance of Fireplaces in Green Building

The use of fireplaces in homes is deeply rooted in human culture, providing warmth, a focal point for gathering, and a connection to nature that supports mental well-being. Traditionally, the comfort and beauty afforded by wood and gas fireplaces have been accompanied by significant trade-offs, particularly in terms of air quality, occupant health, and environmental impact. As the housing industry evolves with a focus on sustainability and decarbonization, professionals are increasingly tasked with reconciling these historic comforts with modern standards for health, energy efficiency, and environmental stewardship.

Green building certification systems such as LEED for Homes, EPA Indoor Air Plus, and the electrification movement have changed the criteria by which fireplaces are assessed. These frameworks prioritize indoor air quality, carbon emissions reduction, and occupant safety, often challenging traditional methods of combustion heating. Within this context, electric fireplaces have emerged as a transformative solution, offering both the aesthetic and psychological benefits of fire without the drawbacks of combustion emissions.

Fireplaces and Green Certification Standards

In green building programs, the inclusion and design of fireplaces are regulated by prerequisites and bonus credit opportunities. The LEED for Homes standard, for example, places combustion venting under the Environmental Quality (EQ) prerequisite, which governs not only fireplaces but also furnaces and water heaters. While much of this regulation focuses on safety measures—such as backdraft prevention, combustion air supply, and sealed enclosures—the underlying goal is to eliminate or drastically reduce indoor and outdoor pollution.

LEED and similar programs encourage the replacement of natural draft units with sealed combustion or power-vented alternatives. Projects are required to undergo rigorous testing, such as the BPI or ResNet Combustion Safety Backdraft Potential Test, to ensure that backdrafting does not introduce harmful pollutants into living spaces. Failure to meet these criteria can result in forfeiture of certification, regardless of other sustainability achievements.

For professionals operating within these frameworks, understanding the compliance pathways and the rationale behind them is essential. The standards prioritize occupant health by minimizing exposure to combustion byproducts, such as carbon monoxide and particulate matter, and emphasize the need for robust ventilation and air sealing. Even when sustainable fuels like bioethanol or biomass are used, the imperative remains: combustion must not compromise indoor air quality.

The Evolution of Fireplace Technology: From Combustion to Electricity

The transition from wood- and gas-burning fireplaces to electric models represents a significant shift in both technology and philosophy. Electric fireplaces offer a number of advantages relevant to the modern home:

No Combustion Emissions: Electric fireplaces do not produce smoke, carbon monoxide, or other combustion pollutants, preserving indoor air quality and contributing to a healthier home environment.
Energy Efficiency: These units are nearly 100% efficient at the point of use, as all electricity consumed is converted into heat or light, with no losses from venting or flue systems.
Design Flexibility: Electric fireplaces are available in a wide range of styles, sizes, and installation modalities, making them adaptable to both new construction and retrofit scenarios.
Safety: With no open flame or hot surfaces, electric fireplaces present fewer fire hazards, and built-in safety features, such as overheat protection, are standard.

Green certifications increasingly recognize electric fireplaces as a preferred option. In some cases, omitting a fireplace altogether earns bonus points for simplicity and air quality. However, when the aesthetic and biophilic benefits of a fireplace are desired, electric models provide a means to achieve the best of both worlds: ambiance without adverse health or environmental impacts.

Types of Electric Fireplaces: Features and Applications

Electric fireplaces are offered in a variety of formats, each suited to different design intents and functional needs:

Linear Electric Fireplaces: Modern and versatile, linear models are popular in both residential and commercial settings, including single-family homes, multi-family residences, and condos. They range in size from compact units to large, dramatic installations, and can be wall-mounted or recessed. Many feature customizable flame colors and ember beds, enhancing design flexibility.
Traditional Electric Fireplaces: Designed to replicate the appearance of classic wood-burning fireplaces, these units are available as fireboxes or inserts. They are ideal for retrofitting existing mantels or replacing outdated gas or wood fireplaces, offering shallow depths for easy installation.
Water Vapor Fireplaces: Using ultrasonic technology, these models create a realistic flame effect with illuminated water vapor. They are available as built-in units, linear formats, or movable cassettes, and can be installed with or without glass enclosures. While generally not intended for primary heating, they excel in realism and are particularly suited for applications where flame authenticity is paramount.
Multi-Sided Fireplaces: Three-sided or bay-style electric fireplaces provide panoramic views and are often used as architectural features in open floor plans, dividing spaces while maintaining visibility and ambiance from multiple angles.
Freestanding and Portable Fireplaces: These units offer maximum flexibility, requiring only a standard electrical outlet. They are popular in smaller spaces, guest rooms, or cabins, and can be easily relocated as needs change. Some models combine fireplace functionality with media consoles for added utility.

Advanced features, such as smart home integration, app-based controls, and customizable lighting, are increasingly standard across all types, catering to the expectations of today’s connected consumer.

Installation and Retrofit Considerations

One of the advantages of electric fireplaces is the simplicity of installation compared to combustion-based systems. Wall-mounted units require minimal construction—much like mounting a television—while recessed and built-in models may necessitate modest framing or drywall work. Most electric fireplaces operate on standard 120V household current, though larger models may be wired for 240V to increase heat output. This flexibility allows for both plug-and-play and hardwired configurations, with the caveat that design decisions about voltage should be made early in the project to avoid costly rewiring.

For existing homes, electric fireplace inserts are an effective means to retrofit outdated or unsafe wood and gas fireplaces. The process typically involves framing the opening, ensuring proper electrical supply, and, where appropriate, sealing off old vents and chimneys to prevent air leakage and moisture intrusion. These upgrades not only improve safety and energy efficiency but also enhance thermal comfort and the overall aesthetics of the space.

Outdoor-rated electric fireplaces further expand design possibilities, providing the ambiance of fire without the safety and maintenance concerns associated with outdoor wood or gas units. Weatherproof casings and specialized warranties ensure reliability in exposed environments, though it is important to select units specifically designed for outdoor use.

Energy Use and Efficiency: Practical Implications

A central concern for builders and homeowners is the operational cost and efficiency of electric fireplaces. Most models consume between 750 and 1500 watts—comparable to space heaters—but with the added efficiency of direct conversion of electricity to heat. Operating costs typically range from 10 to 30 cents per hour, depending on local electricity rates and whether the heating element or flame-only mode is used. In contrast, gas fireplaces often cost significantly more to operate per hour and produce emissions both inside and outside the home.

Electric fireplaces are particularly well-suited for zone heating, allowing occupants to heat occupied rooms without running a central system. This can lead to energy savings in homes where supplemental heating is desirable. The flame-only mode, powered by LED lighting, offers the visual benefits of a fire with negligible energy use—an important consideration for highly energy-efficient or passive house designs.

For all-electric homes, electric fireplaces integrate seamlessly with renewable energy systems, such as rooftop solar, further reducing their carbon footprint. While not typically designed to serve as primary heat sources, larger units can provide supplemental heat for spaces up to 1,000 square feet, making them useful in a variety of residential contexts.

Health and Safety: Protecting Occupants

Health and safety are at the forefront of green building standards, and electric fireplaces excel in these domains. Unlike combustion-based appliances, they do not release carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, or fine particulates. This makes them especially suitable for households with children, elderly occupants, or individuals with respiratory sensitivities.

The front glass of electric fireplaces remains cool to the touch, reducing burn risk, and built-in overheat protection is standard. Proper installation includes maintaining clearances from furniture and flammable materials, and most manufacturers recommend avoiding extension cords and adhering to dedicated circuit requirements to mitigate electrical risks.

By eliminating the need for fuel storage, venting, or gas lines, electric fireplaces further reduce the complexity and hazards of traditional systems. These advantages contribute to healthier indoor environments and lower the risk profile for both single-family and multi-unit dwellings.

Practical Guidance for Housing Professionals and Contractors

For professionals in the housing industry, the adoption of electric fireplaces offers several strategic advantages:

Streamlined Compliance: Electric fireplaces simplify adherence to green building standards and local codes, often eliminating the need for complex combustion venting and air quality testing.
Design Versatility: The wide range of styles and installation options makes electric fireplaces adaptable to both new construction and renovation projects, supporting creative architectural solutions.
Cost-Effective Retrofits: Replacing old wood or gas fireplaces with electric inserts can be accomplished with minimal disruption, improving safety and energy efficiency while preserving or enhancing the room’s focal point.
Enhanced Occupant Satisfaction: By providing the ambiance of a traditional hearth without pollution or maintenance concerns, electric fireplaces contribute to occupant comfort and mental well-being.

Builders and contractors should advise clients to consider future electrical needs early in the design phase, particularly when planning for higher-output units or integrating with renewable energy systems. For retrofits, sealing off old chimneys and vents is recommended to prevent energy losses and moisture problems. Outdoor installations require selection of weather-rated models and attention to warranty limitations.

Key Takeaways

Electric fireplaces provide the visual and psychological benefits of a fire without the health, safety, or environmental drawbacks of combustion-based systems.
Modern green building standards strongly favor electric fireplaces for their contributions to indoor air quality and energy efficiency.
Installation of electric fireplaces is straightforward and flexible, accommodating both new builds and retrofits.
Operating costs are low, and electric models are particularly effective for zone heating and all-electric homes.
Safety features such as cool-touch glass, overheat protection, and the elimination of open flames make electric fireplaces suitable for a wide range of settings.
For retrofitting existing homes, electric inserts are an effective way to upgrade old fireplaces, improve energy performance, and reduce maintenance.
Coordination with electrical contractors is advised for larger units requiring 240V wiring.
Outdoor electric fireplaces expand design possibilities but require weather-rated models.

Please help us keep these webinars and writings going by becoming a supporting GHI member or by making a donation.

GHI Education Manager

My experience with wildfire smoke: Impact on indoor air quality and solar power

Post author By Brett Little
Post date July 30, 2026

Recently, in mid-July 2026, Canadian wildfire smoke entered Michigan, resulting in the worst air quality I can recall in my lifetime. For two days, we sat in the hazardous range listed within the EPA AQI rating. Everything was foggy, like a normal heavy-fog day, but the air outside tasted like metal and smelled like a distant wood fire, but not the pleasant kind. In addition, we had just come off a heatwave that week, and some of the days were fairly hot during the smoke event.

I had no interest in doing this or writing this, as I do not take pleasure in it. Still, I decided to take advantage of the bad situation and to run indoor air quality experiments to see how outdoor air was affecting my indoor air quality and solar power output.

My first action Wednesday night when the smoke started to descend into Michigan was to shut down my Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV), think lungs for your house, a system that brings in fresh air and exhausts stale air. The reason I did this was the hazardous level of smoke coming in; I was worried that even my robust MERV 13 filter on the ERV and MERV 16 filter would not filter out the additional pollution a wildfire brings beyond particulate matter like Pm2.5 and PM10.

By shutting down my ERV, I was making a conscious trade-off: I knew I may increase

Airthings monitor in hallway near thermostat showing CO2 spikes

household CO2, certainly, and maybe to a minor extent indoor VOCs and humidity, but the trade-off was not letting the nasty wildfire pollution into my home. In addition, I set my heat pump filter (same as your furnace/AC filter) to high recirculation mode because it is a MERV 16 filter designed to filter out wildfire smoke that gets pulled into the house, even with the ERV off.

Now, while I do not have an outdoor air quality monitor to know exactly the air quality directly at my house, I do have several indoor air quality monitors, so I have tracked my air quality before, during, and after this event.

One of the first things I noticed on the first major smoke day was that we used our local ventilation systems, such as a range hood to vent while we were cooking or a bath fan to vent while we were using the bathroom or taking showers.

The first spike on the left was from turning on the range hood to cook breakfast; the 2nd spike was from lunch made in the oven with the range hood on again; and the 3rd and 4th spikes were from running the bath fan during showers.

Spikes in PM2.5 from local ventilation on hazardous level (500 AQI) smoke day show on Awair air quality monitor inside

So basically, what’s concerning here is that one turns on their ventilation systems to remove pollution, but during extreme wildfire events, you’re actually bringing more pollution into the house. My home is about 978 CFM and/or four (4) air changes per hour, which is not the tightest home, but that’s what our current code is here in the State of Michigan. Other states and other green building programs are usually around that level as well. But that’s enough leakage to worry about if you bring on an exhaust-only fan like a constantly running bath fan, which the vast majority of our homes, even newly built ones, and multifamily buildings are using as we speak. It’ll draw in that polluted air through the cracks and crevices in the home, and keep it in there. You will see some more examples of this below.

Now, one thing I didn’t get to experiment with was whether turning off my high-

efficiency filtration system in my heat pump would have caused my particulate pollution numbers to go up, since my home isn’t super airtight. This was because it was very hot out, and so I had to keep my heat pump cooling my house, which meant the filter was running as it should be, so the only way to experiment with that would’ve been to turn off my heat pump and suffer through heat just to see how my house handles smoke without any mechanical systems running. Certainly, if we have a hazardous wildfire event in one of the swing seasons, when I don’t need to be heating or cooling, I could test that out and update.

Speaking of a wish list of things to test, as the hazardous smoke wound down,

someone on LinkedIn told me they decided to switch their ERV system to positive pressure to help keep the smoke from entering the home by pushing the air out the natural leaks in all homes and then using their MERV 13 to filter the incoming air. I wish I had tested this more during the hazardous smoke, but I did switch over to this by moving the exhaust dial to 70 CFM and maintaining 100 CFM on the intake during the next few days when we spent most of the time in the EPA IQA unhealthy and very unhealthy range, and it seemed at least effective there.

Now, that being said, our Green realtor friend Wayne, who works in the Chicagoland area, shared an update of his house using his air quality monitor on LinkedIn during the event. He told me he wasn’t home at the time, and his energy recovery ventilation

system was running and drawing in the outdoor air through a MERV 7 filter and only being filtered through the standard low MERV heat pump conditioning system, so you can see from his post that his house quickly became polluted until he shut the system down the numbers went down from the red to yellow and so they were still elevated in higher threshold above what people should be consistently exposed to. He also shared that his house is pretty tight, around 1 air change per hour, showing even in tighter homes some pollution was coming in and it was not being cleaned by a MERV 7 filter system.

Now how does a more advanced Passive House fare? Dale Hulst, who recently built MINet0-1, got to experiment with this as he currently has his home listed on the market but has it monitored.

“The big smoke event was a great test of the house. It performed well, but not as well as I’d hoped given my MERV16 final filter on the Energy Recovery Ventilator. I decided to upgrade the recirculation plenum filter (the system with three duct fans that I added late in the game). I upgraded from MERV 11 to MERV 13, toward the end of the smoke event, on July 20 in the afternoon, and thought I saw improvement, but it was hard to know for sure as the outdoor air was significantly cleaner by that time. We’re likely to see some bad 300+ AQI days again, which will be

a better test.” – Dale Hulst.

Dale also shared with me that this particular Energy Recovery Ventilator has a MERV 13 intake filter ahead of the MERV16 final filter which also includes carbon for removing VOCs from the incoming fresh air.

“My goal is to show the new buyers / owners they can safely run the ERV in a wildfire event. With the fresh filters and upgraded MERV13 in the recirc system, I’d like to think I could run it. Some of the PM2.5 in the house may have been from the little bit of infiltration that gets into the house through the doors, etc. (0.03 CFM/FT2 at 50 pascals per final blower door test). If the ERV is taking out everything intentionally being brought in, my hope is the recirc filter will take out whatever is unintentionally leaking in.”- Dale Hulst.

So just going on beyond a couple anecdotal examples here with myself, Wayne and Dale, where I grow really concerned is when I look back over the last 15 years I’ve been providing consultations to help people at where I have just helped people achieve our building code in Michigan, which is four air changes per hour (4 ACH) and typically includes running a negative pressure bath fan to meet the ventilation standards, which are typically referred to ASHRAE 62.2.

Beyond that even the Green Building Certification programs we help consultant on such as LEED or Green Communities are fairly similar at the lower levels where typically people are just at a bare minimum meeting somewhere between two and four air changes per hour in their home or multifamily units, then having a bath fan run to meet the basic ventilation standards such as ASHRAE 62.2 2010 or maybe 2016 and then putting in a MERV8 filter in the HVAC system.

In all these cases and all these homes that are otherwise designated to meet a new building code or even a green standard, one can infer that people went into their houses thinking they were protecting themselves from the wildfire but heavy smoke at these levels are shown here above with their bath fan that is running and would’ve been otherwise used to keep their air healthy in their house was instead pulling in the wildfire smoke, and the MERV 8 in their HVAC system filter wasn’t enough to filter it but only spread it around. Maybe some of these people were savvy enough to notice and shut down their bath fans, install HEPA filters, or build a DIY Corsi–Rosenthal Box fan at some point, but that likely is not the case for most people who are not thinking about these things.

My main point is that, unfortunately, our current codes and Green Building standards are not protecting us against this new threat, which was probably unforeseen here in the Midwest and Northeast.

I would argue this is an opportunity to reflect on and review our building codes. Look at our Green building programs and significantly increase their requirements while providing the resources available for home renovations in new construction to achieve these outcomes.

The good news is that, even if, let’s say, wildfire smoke rarely came again or ever came again, the benefits of making our homes wildfire smoke-resistant would extend beyond just keeping smoke out to include improved home health, comfort, and energy cost savings.

So what do we need to do?

Airseal, airseal and then airseal again, ideally to Passive House levels
Boost HVAC filtration to MERV 13-16 (but be warned if you do!)
Get Smart; systems need to know air quality and respond to smoke events
Change policy/programs

First and most important, we need to air-seal our homes and reduce leaks, ideally aiming for Passive House standards to the best of our abilities. This can be done easily on new construction, but once the home is built, it gets harder and harder depending on its condition, unless there’s a gut renovation. Beyond keeping smoke out during extreme events, we also have humidity control, which reduces winter dryness and summer/swing-season mold/allergy issues, reduces energy loss, and could lead to improved comfort, especially during extreme heat or cold. Also, in many areas with air leaks, pests can enter the home, and water can get in those areas as well, so targeting air leakage has multiple benefits beyond just smoke.

Next, we need to boost the filtration capacity of our ventilation, heating, and cooling systems. The problem with doing this, though, is that the heavier the filtration is, the more drag it puts on the system’s efficiency due to something called static pressure. With new construction, this can be easily addressed through Manual D, where you properly design the ductwork and include a 4- to 5-inch filter with MERV 16 as part of the total system design and proper install. Then the HVAC is properly commissioned to verify that the installation works and the system is performing. Some HVAC systems even self-commission and can report issues during operations.

For existing homes, this becomes a lot more complicated because in many cases you are stuck with the ductwork you have, as it can be very expensive to get to tearing out drywall, tearing out walls, and tearing out and replacing ductwork; rarely do any of the energy efficiency programs or weatherization pay for this work but getting a good HVAC contractor assess the existing system for performance is still important and improvements can be paid or funded through some programs. You would have someone review the ductwork during a GreenHome Inspection, maybe do duct blaster testing or pressure pan testing to see how leaky it is, and check to see if ducts are panned in the joists. Then, check the length and size of the ductwork, and have the HVAC contractor or assessor complete a static pressure test on the existing system to see what its current pressure is. From there, a plan can be put together that is specific to each property to determine if it’s possible to update to at least a MERV 13 filter, which is what is needed to start filtering out wildfire smoke, or even a MERV 16 without dragging down the static pressure and reducing the life and efficiency of the system. Each home is going to be on a case-by-case basis, depending on the situation, budget, and the homeowner’s or building owner’s desires. If a home is using ductless air source heatpumps (aka mini-splits) to heat and cool, or radiant, you might have to try to do the filtration through the ventilation system instead.

Now for ventilation systems, these are usually a detriment to health and extreme wildfire smoke, but the first thing we need to do is make sure they have thick filters in them and are also designed appropriately with good static pressure without major bends or kinks in the ductwork and lots of 90° or sharper turns. I haven’t seen too many ventilation systems with MERV 16 on them other than Dale’s noted above, but I know many like what I have; the Panasonic Intellibalance one has at least a 13 on it, which helps. But more than this, we need smart ventilation and demand-controlled systems that can automatically: sense bad air, shut down, and recirculate, as most people aren’t thinking about these kinds of things on a daily basis and want to rely on the system to ensure their safety before it is too late. This would mean that the ventilation system is communicating with an outdoor air quality monitor on the house, in the area, or, if necessary, with the general EPA outdoor air quality data. Then the system would also monitor indoor air quality and either shut down the intake based on how bad it gets outside and what’s being sent inside, or maybe even throttle it back. Hence, it was a balance between some ventilation and reducing higher levels of particulates in the house. But as I said, if you’re relying on your ventilation system to filter the air because your HVAC is older and can’t have the updated filter, or you’re using mini-splits or radiant heating and cooling, then you’ll want to rely on your ventilation system to shut down, but still provide filtration for the home, and I’ve never seen any system do that short of a Build Equinox CERV unit which has the ability to detect the outdoor water wildfire smoke and do just that shut down from being a ventilation system to just a filter system which then we’ll filter the air in the home only for any of the wildfire smoke that migrate in through the cracks and crevices.

To be fair, this can all be expensive, so in the short term, what we highly recommend is a low-cost air quality monitor that can review particulates, and then a DIY filter fan that you can build a couple and set up in a room during emergencies.

But moving forward, I think it’s imperative that our codes and green building programs change, as well as our incentive structures, to help fund these kinds of advanced upgrades during Home retrofits, or especially during new construction, where it’s a lot easier to take care of.

The good news, too, is more and more people may be willing to pay for these upgrades; a recent Redfin report shows 36% of buyers value a clean air home over other luxuries.

What about solar power?

So I promised to talk about solar power. Certainly less of a worry because the majority of people don’t have solar power, but we all breathe; if you do, or you’re considering it, wildfire smoke is going to be a detriment to solar power output just the same.

Solar before smoke on a typical July day

Now, thankfully, I had one really nice full sunny day right before the wildfire smoke event, and then during one of the most hazardous days, the weather told me, at least according to the weather, I couldn’t see because of all the smoke that it was truly a full sunny day without any clouds. But otherwise, most of the smoky days we had also had clouds, so that skewed some of the data, but if you look at the sunny day right before the event and the sunny day during the event here, you’ll see all in all we had a 17 kW decrease in solar

percent again from extremely rare hazardous smoke output or otherwise a 27%

change.

This similair % drop is confirmed by Dale Hulst of MINet0, who also confirmed his solar data with me; you can see on average his home peaks at 70 kW and on the smokiest yet sunniest day (same as mine) he dropped to 50 kW, so 28%, pretty close and his system is a bit bigger and all south facing so of course the bigger they are, the harder they fall or state larger systems will see larger % drops.

So overall, unfortunately, as more wildfire smoke is forecasted to occur. we will also lose energy output with solar power, ironically, as solar is meant to reduce carbon emissions and help prevent climate change, which worsens wildfire smoke in forest fires. The good news is, despite the smoke output, I still was able to stay off grid most of the day and most of the peak energy usage time, and the other good news is the smoke will depress the heat from the sun, which is another thing that diminishes solar panels: extra heat.

If you want to see more details about my home, the monitors, systems I use, etc as well as a CEU tour of my house, go to https://greenhomeinstitute.org/greenstar_homes/little-residence-pearl-platinum-aiming-for-greenstar-zero-carbon/

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Clean Energy Credit Union Clean Energy For All Reduces Barriers

Post author By admin
Post date May 17, 2024

The Clean Energy Credit Union funds Green Home Improvements, Geothermal Heating and Cooling, Solar Power, Electric Vehicles, and E-Bikes.

GreenHome Institute Members are automatically Clean Energy Credit Union Members and can benefit from this financing to improve your home or new construction project.

Their new Clean Energy For All program reduces the interest rate on loans for borrowers who identify as BIPOC or may live in specific income-qualified communities nationwide. This program also helps people who have lower credit scores qualify.

Eligible items you can fund to improve your home or project include but are not limited to, Home Energy Ratings, Energy Monitoring, Windows, Insulation, Air Sealing, Cool Roof, Heat Pumps, Thermostat, Duct Sealing, Heat Pump Water Heater, Lighting, Electrical Upgrades, Energy Star Appliances and more. Learn more and review the full list here.

To get access to these financial benefits, first, become a GreenHome Institute Member, and then you may be able to apply for these funds and/or open accounts and CDs at the Clean Energy Credit Union.

If you live in Michigan, you may also consider the Michigan Saves Program, which offers competitive financing for all these measures, including healthy home upgrades and lead removal. Learn more here

Inflation Reduction Act Incentives also may apply to many of these items you finance, so learn more about them here.

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April 2024 GreenHome and Sustainability Jobs Round-Up.

Post author By admin
Post date April 1, 2024

Are you looking for a job in sustainable housing? Consider the internationally recognized sustainability credential, the LEED Green Associate. You can take our training class by following this link. GHI members get free access to the training and practice exam. Below are several jobs you may be interested in applying for or sharing with a friend. Follow us on LinkedIn at #greenhomejobalert for real-time job updates over the next month.

Senior Manager – Workforce Development, Building Decarbonization Coalition, remote
GHI Member – Junior Project Manager, Eco Achievers, Detroit MI
GHI member Director of Real Estate Development, Dwelling Place, Grand Rapids MI
Technical Customer Service Representative, Therma Stor, Madison WI
Development Manager, Illinois Green Alliance, Chicago IL
Director – Climate Policy, Enterprise Community Partners, Washington DC
Senior Budget & Policy Analyst, Colorado Energy Office, Denver CO
Building Electrification Policy Analyst, Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management, Boston MA or remote in the NE
Several positions, Knauf, various locations
Coordinator – Workforce and Contractor Development, Elevate, Chicago IL
Several positions, National Association of State Energy Officials, various locations
Senior Director – Workforce Development, Youth Build, remote MA/NH/ME/NY/ND/DC/FL
Education and Outreach Coordinator, Avanza EV, Washington DC
Several positions, Energy Smart Colorado, rural CO
HERS Rater/Building Science Assistant, Airtight Energy Consulting, Inc., Northampton MA
Several positions, NORR, various locations
HERS Rater II/Green Building Specialist, Airtight Energy Consulting, Inc., Northampton MA
Marketing Coordinator, International Code Council, Brea CA
Technical Writing Intern, Channing Street Copper Co., Berkeley CA
Electrical Engineering Intern, Channing Street Copper Co., Berkeley CA
Mechanical Engineering Intern, Channing Street Copper Co., Berkeley CA
Project Manager – Community Consulting, Elevate, remote in MI
Business Development Coordinator – Absolutely Accessible Kent, Disability Advocates of Kent County, Kent County MI
Community Energy Planner, Center for Energy and Environment, Minneapolis MN
Lead Hazard Control Project Supervisor, Kent County Community Action, Grand Rapids MI
Product Manager, Sealed Inc., remote
Product Manager, Elephant Energy, Boston MA
Marketing Coordinator, Siga North America, remote
Strategic Grants Fundraising Advisor and Planner, City of Seattle Office of Sustainability, Seattle WA

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Please take this MSU Student’s Mass Timber Survey

Post author By admin
Post date March 30, 2024

“My name is Hemangi Chavan, and I am currently a graduate student pursuing a Master’s degree in Construction Management at Michigan State University. Under the guidance of Prof. George Berghorn, I am conducting research on mass timber materials and construction as part of my master’s thesis.

I would like to extend an invitation for you to participate in a brief survey that forms an integral part of my research. Your voluntary participation is of immense value, and your responses will be treated with the utmost confidentiality. The survey is designed to take approximately 15 minutes to complete and covers various aspects related to mass timber construction.

I want to emphasize that this survey is not a test of your knowledge but an opportunity for me to understand your perspectives and experiences in the field. There are no right or wrong answers, and your input is highly valued regardless of your level of expertise about mass timber.

Survey link: https://msu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_em7FGOOEqu83KHc

Additionally, I have received 120 responses so far and need 400 more to reach my goal. I would greatly appreciate it if you could share this invitation within your network. The study caters to both academia and industry professionals within the AEC community, and your assistance in spreading the word is immensely appreciated.

Should you have any questions regarding the survey or my research, please feel free to reach out to me via email at chavanhe@msu.edu or direct message on LinkedIn.

Thank you sincerely for considering this invitation.”

-Hemangi Chavan

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Shawn Neinhouse completed Certified GreenHome Professional Training

Post author By admin
Post date March 30, 2024

Shawn Nienhouse recently completed his certified GreenHome Professional credential by taking our online on-demand course training. Shawn also recently won a copy of the New 7th Edition of John Krigger’s Residential Energy.

In both cases, these efforts will help Shawn as a Construction Project Manager at the GHI member Kent County Habitat for Humanity Chapter. Shawn will be assisting in the construction of all LEED-certified housing to continue to reduce energy bills for families in need and a mission to improve housing performance, which brings in further equity to families in need by owning higher-performing homes.

We commend Shawn for his eagerness to learn and to help build better homes, ensuring greener homes for all!

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Lakeside Net Zero Passive House goes LEED Platinum Passive House Certified

Post author By admin
Post date March 20, 2024

Give a summary of the project
	The owner of this new home is a life-long resident of SW Michigan. Frustrated with the limitations of attempting to upgrade the energy efficiency of a 1950’s era ranch home, this environmentalist decided to “do it right” and build an energy efficient & eco-friendly dream home. After much research, the decision was made to pursue a “net-zero home”, meaning the house will generate all the clean renewable energy on site to power itself year-round. Zero fossil fuel burning, means no more pollution or green house gases which is the mission of Passive Building, to get the building sector to reduce it’s impact in our race with global warming.With lake views to the north and solar gain to the south, this wooded site was challenging to optimize window orientation and solar panels to these conflicting orientations. Yet, the design solution achieved stunning lake views from the primary “day spaces” as well as the master bedroom. Excellent solar gains from the second floor’s abundant south facing glazing with the perfectly dimensioned roof overhang shading the windows in the peak summer months. Computer animated modeling of the trees on the site allowed for optimum placement of the house and solar array. The home’s curving floor plans are a metaphor for themes of contemplation, transformation and a healthy flow of what’s known in eastern cultures as ki (chi) or “life energy” valued by the owner. Circulating through the homes two floors and thermally isolated basement level garage via it’s stunning curved open riser staircases provides the feeling of living in a treehouse in nature. The home is designed with “Aging-In-Place” principles; is wheelchair friendly providing complete living services on the first level and is designed to accommodate installation of a vertical lift to the basement should it ever become needed. The architect chose Passive House design principles knowing it’s the best start to any net zero project by minimizing energy demand. 15″ thick double stud walls (R-60) filled with eco-friendly cellulose insulation. 24″ deep TJI’s at 24″ o.c. ceiling joists with high density cellulose provide an R-100 cap to the conditioned space with the attic strategically outside of the thermal envelope. In fact the entire home is virtually foam free as eco-friendly material selection was important to the project team. The few trees that had to be removed from the house footprint, were milled and kiln dried locally and used for all the hardwood flooring throughout and many of the cabinet faces. The home achieved it’s goals of being “Net Zero”; a certified Passive House while earning LEED’s highest rating of a Platinum level for sustainability and eco-friendliness.
Give us success stories as well as lessons learned
	The home’s strategic and well planned design and detailing has achieved multiple certifications: It’s the state of Michigan’s first GHI Zero Energy Certified, PHIUS Certified Passive House + with PHIUS Source Zero Certification. It also achieved LEED’s highest rating of a Platinum level for sustainability and eco-friendliness. PH Certification includes: Energy Star Certification; EPA’s Indoor Air Plus Certification and US DOE’s Zero Ready Home Certification. The home was recently awarded the USGBC-SM’s “Innovative Project of the Year” award and is arguably the most energy efficient home in the entire State of Michigan.Some of the unique skills Abueva Builder’s brought to the project include: experience building super-insulated double stud wall assemblies; attention to detail in constructing an air-tight shell (the home achieved an impressive 0.04 CFM50/sq. ft blower door test); an eco-conscious mantra of “no waste”, attempting to use every waste scrap of material in the project and thus the project never needed a dumpster. Aging In Place: The home is completely barrier free and wheelchair friendly. All living functions can happen on the first floor level: living, dining, sleeping, entertaining, bathing, clothes washing, etc. In the center of the home, the floor is constructed to pop-out to allow the installation of a vertical platform lift to go from first floor to basement garage level, should it ever be needed. Electrics are in place. Lessons learned include: • Site selection has a big impact on the architectural design of an energy efficient home. An abundance of trees and a strong site feature of lake views to the north made it challenging on window placement, which prefers facing south. If the site was on the other side of the lake, solar gain orientation and site views of the lake would have been the same. • The project started out with a detached two car garage with a shed roof loaded with south facing solar panels. At the last minute the owner decided an attached garage would be better, so the house was re-designed to move the garage function to the basement level. We weren’t 100% sure on how air and it’s relative humidity would behave throughout the year in the garage. Exhaust fans and an outside air intake were installed on opposite ends of the garage. A 2″ layer of rigid insulation outside the foundation wall was added. The interior performed fine throughout most of the year, but peak summer months with high RH would effect the interior when the garage door was left open for too long. Lesson learned was to include a central dehumidifier for the basement level garage for those few months. The exterior finishes are maintenance free
Tell us what is unique or innovative about this project
	The most obvious unique element about this particular project is it’s round form. In fact it’s the only round passive house in North America! All previous passive house designs tend to be very “boxy”. Due to the site having wonderful views 360 degrees around, and a home owner who values the spiritual, a round form embodied the spirit of site and home owner. There is a great sense of “flow” walking through the house which also welcomes natural ventilation throughout.The 15″thick double stud wall assembly; 24″ TJI attic floor and first floor framing allowed the use of eco-friendly high density insulation for the mass majority of insulation for the whole project. Foam was avoided as much as possible. The few trees which had to come down for the project were brought to a local sawmill, cut and dried to be used for all the home’s hardwood flooring needs and be the cabinet door faces, talk about locally sourced materials! The HVAC uses 1 efficient Mitsubishi ducted mini split system following the passive house philosophy of a 1 conditioned zone. Incorporated for superior fresh air is a Conditioning Energy Recover Ventilator by Build Equinox CERV2 with a unique ground loop heat exchanger. The system is the only one on the market with an ultra-violet light accessory that kills air borne viruses like Covid-19. HVAC, CERV2 and Hybrid hot water systems all use energy efficient heat pump technology. SOLAR POWER •12.4 kW array •Two batteries provide all the home’s power needs including charging of the owners electric vehicle.
Any special thermal envelop, insulation or passive heating & cooling details?
	ENVELOPE • Double stud wall technique w/15″ total cavity depth for super insulation and thermal bridge free construction, using curved plywood plates cut on a CNC machine for accuracy and to reduce material waste. • Triple pane high performance “tilt and turn” European style windows, assembled in the US exceed code compliant windows for U-value and air-tightness (U=0.16). SHGC changed for maximum efficiency based on each window’s orientation. Quadruple pain high-performance entry doors with a U=0.16 with four layers of gasketing for superior air-tightness for this “snow-belt” project siteINSULATION Virtually foam free project using high-density cellulose to close the recycling loop and for it’s eco-friendliness and affordability. Used in: Walls-R-50 Garage ceiling-R-54 Attic floor-R-90 2.5 x’s code levels for “Super-Insulation” high-performance. The fewer Btu’s that escape, the less the furnace has to run to replenish the loss, is the PH mantra.AIR-TIGHTNESS The builder has experience framing for air-tightness. All plates are set with beads of acoustical sealant to stop air-infiltration. Beads of sealant used at each step, throughout framing process. Tops of walls have a unique 3/4″ plywood layer that cantilevers 3″ to the interior. Ceilings are furred with 1×2 strips @ 24″ o,c. allowing netted high density super-insulation to buldge as needed, yet provide a flat ceiling. Drywall can be sealed to plywood plate making an air-tight transition from walls to ceilings. Air-tight drywall installation techniques used to provide an additional layer of air-tightness from the exterior sheathing layer (strategic redundancy), the project was blower door tested at 0.04 CFM/sq. ft.! • 1/2″ zip sheathing w/taped seams for walls and taped plywood seams at attic floor. • All pipe penetrations with rubber gaskets to air-tight sheathing layer. Limited number of holes: All holes approved by architect.THERMAL BRIDGE FREE CONSTRUCTION • Double stud walls eliminate thermal bridges in walls • Use of TJI’s for garage ceiling and attic floors stop thermal bridging. • Framing designed to stop thermal bridging on all parts of thermal envelope • High performance windows with insulated spacers and multiple air chambers in framePASSIVE HEAT AND COOLING • Roof overhang calculated to shade south facing windows in the summer perfectly • The location of the front and rear entries, along with the shape of the curved walls, provides excellent natural ventilation during the warm parts of the year. The curved shape also channels cold winter winds around the house rather than getting hit straight on like most homes. • Computer modeling determined the best site location for solar gain for the home and solar array.
Any special HVAC systems worth mentioning? Describe them
	SUPERIOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY • The heart of the indoor air quality is the integration of a Conditioning Energy Recovery Ventilator (CERV) from Build Equinox. It has four modes of operation based on monitoring CO2, VOC and temperature in the home for maximum fresh air and energy efficiency. The unit saves over 75% of the outgoing energy in the exhaust air stream. • A ground source loop heat exchanger uses the grounds temperature to pre-heat or pre-cool the incoming outdoor air. A pex tube was installed around the foundations footing before back-fill. For parts of the year, only the CERV is needed to heat and cool the home! • The system is the only one on the market with an ultra-violet light accessory that kills air borne viruses like Covid-19.
Explain your water conservation strategies
	WATER CONSERVATION • Dual flush, low flow toilets with unique hand washing stations on top of tanks, used during tank refilling • Lake is used to store rain water. A pump from lake is used for irrigation • Rheem Hybrid (heat pump) water heater unit with a hot water loop throughout the home and a hot water boost button located in bathrooms and at the kitchen, to conserve hot water.
Explain your materials & durability strategies
	• All exterior finish materials are low to no Maintainance and chosen for longevity and durability: metal roofing and metal wall panels are the majority of the exterior facade. • Concrete countertops will last the life of the home Hardwood flooring and cabinet faces fabricated from trees from the site, locally.
Detail the health and indoor environmental quality benefits
	• Superior indoor air quality with CO2 and VOC monitoring through the CERV2. The CERV adjusts it’s function based on measured conditions and responds accordingly. • All natural hardwood flooring used throughout. No carpeting. • All adhesives and paints used were no or low VOC products • Water filtration integrated with kitchen sink No fireplace, no gas appliances
Tell us about your place or location stratagies
	“Balance” is the key word to use for location strategies. Having a north facing lake view; south solar gain desired orientation and many trees on the site, one design could not satisfy all of these opposing conditions. Strategic design of the interior “day” spaces and the master bedroom, provided important lake views for all of these rooms in a small house footprint. Second floor spaces took advantage of their higher location for best south facing solar gain orientation. Computer modeling of all the trees on the site, informed best location for the home and solar arrays footprints for maximum solar benefit.

What else should we know?

This project would not come to be if it wasn’t for the values of the client, who wanted to model to the surrounding SW Michigan community that there is a better way to build, that can be better for the planet’s life sustaining biosphere and better for our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. The design and building team have tremendous gratitude for this opportunity and experience.

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GreenHome and Sustainability March 24 Jobs Round-Up

Post author By admin
Post date March 13, 2024

Are you looking for a job in sustainable housing? Consider the internationally recognized sustainability credential, the LEED Green Associate. You can take our training class here at any time! GHI members get free access to the training and practice exam. Below are several jobs you may be interested in applying for or sharing with a friend. Follow us on LinkedIn at #greenhomejobalert to get real-time job updates over the next month.

Staff Writer, GHI member Slipstream, remote WI
Building Codes Policy Analyst, GHI member Slipstream, remote WI
Green Building Verification Multifamily Project Manager, GHI member Pando Alliance, Ellicott City MD
WELL Performance Verification Associate, GHI member Catalyst Partners, remote or Grand Rapids MI
Multiple positions, Climate Earth, remote
Office Administrator – Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice, Texas Southern University, Houston TX
Director of Indigenous Programs, Yale Center for Environmental Justice, New Haven CT
Manager – Market Intelligence, Building Decarbonization Coalition, remote
Manufacturing Technician, Hempitecture, Twin Falls ID
Multiple positions, Community Housing Partners, various locations in VA
Director of Clean Energy Finance, Public Sector Consultants, Lansing MI
Entry level Sustainability Specialist, Epsten Group, Atlanta GA
Senior Account Manager – Geothermal, ICF, New York NY
Director – Solar for All Program, Philadelphia Green Capital Corp, Philadelphia PA
Sustainability and Innovations Manager, City of Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor MI
Software Engineer, Sealed Inc., remote
Energy Efficiency Services Manager – Residential Green Building, City of Austin, Austin TX
Marketing Coordinator, Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona ReStore, Phoenix AZ
Midwestern Building Policy Manager, Midwest Building Decarbonization, remote
Senior Associate – Impact Capital, Elevate, IL
Heat Pump/Electrification Installer, Pinnacle Building Performance, Durango CO
Quality Assurance Project Manager, RESNET, remote
Multiple positions, EnergySage, Boston MA
Manager – State and Local Energy Code Implementation, The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), remote or Washington DC
Financial Manager – Focus on Energy Program, APTIM, Madison WI
Technical Product Content Manager, Tesla, Palo Alto CA
Head of Communications, Rewiring America, remote
Project Manager – Climate Resilience, Anthropocene Alliance (A2), remote
Technical Writing Intern, Canning Street Copper Co., Berkeley CA

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Member Dr Alexander Ebolor achieves LEED AP Homes Credentials with GHI resources.

Post author By admin
Post date March 6, 2024

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Member Spotlight Dr. Alexander Ebolor

Congratulations to our member who passed his LEED Accredited Professional in Homes Exam with high grades!

Alexander used the tried and true method of taking the GHI on-demand courses to pass his green associates and LEED AP and then took the practice exams we offer under our membership.

Alexander is now applying to be a LEED Green Rater Rater.

Please contact him for services on your next residential housing project

This is who GHI members are
This is what GHI members do, and so can you! Learn more and sign up here at greenhomeinstitute.org/becomeamember/

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White House Zero Emissions Public Comment Due 3.6

Post author By admin
Post date March 2, 2024

The deadline to submit public to the White House their Zero Emissions Building Draft is March 6th.

Here is the draft

Here is the RFI form to submit comments

IN BOLD, we took the direct questions from the RFI form, and below that, in plain text, are our comments. We did not answer every question because some questions were not within GHI’s wheelhouse.

5.Are the draft criteria clear and appropriate for the definition of a zero emissions building? Should any other criteria be considered for Part 1? Please provide specific feedback about this draft definition.

The language, in general, is clear and appropriate. It should be emphasized that a zero emissions building is a building that is designed, (re)built, tested, and verified to be energy efficient, all-electric, and utilize onsite solar and/or energy attribute certificates (each) to reach zero emissions while being maintained on an annual basis. It is also noted that this standard primarily applies to the commercial sector, and differentiation should be developed for housing.

6.Should energy efficiency be considered a criteria for the definition of a zero emissions building? If the efficiency of an existing building should be considered, do you agree that requiring energy performance in the top 25% of similar buildings is an appropriate measure of energy efficiency for this definition? (ENERGY STAR® score of 75 or above.) Should it be higher or lower? Are there other benchmarks or approaches that should be considered? For an existing building, is one year of measured energy performance an appropriate requirement for demonstrating efficiency or is another approach appropriate?

We agree that energy efficiency is very important; these targets are fine, and consideration should be given to increasing the standards in the next version. Existing buildings should be able to use either a measured or modeled approach to achieve zero emissions.

7.For existing buildings, are the draft criteria appropriate for single-family homes? Are there other benchmarks that should be considered for single-family homes?

We don’t consider ASHRAE 90.1 an appropriate energy modeling tool for existing single-family or townhomes. Instead, the Department of Energy (DOE) Home Energy Score is the most appropriate tool for these and measures homes 1 – 10. A single-family and townhome should achieve at least a Home Energy Score of 8 or higher while not counting solar power in the score. This will put those homes in roughly the 75% percentile of homes for reduced energy use. Existing single-family and townhomes located in climate zone 5 or higher should be allowed to use a dual-fuel system, that is, a system that operates on gas when it is very cold and electric through a heat pump in the shoulder seasons. The gas usage must also be offset, just like the electrical usage is.

8.For new construction, are the draft criteria appropriate? The modeled building performance is at least 10% lower than the energy use according to the latest version of IECC or ASHRAE 90.1 (e.g. model energy code) and the building is designed to achieve an ENERGY STAR design score of at least 90 (for eligible buildings). Are there other benchmarks that should be considered?

We recommend that new construction multifamily housing be required to be certified to the latest version of the Department of Energy (DOE) Zero Energy Ready Homes program as a baseline to be accepted as a zero emissions building. The DOE should also develop and implement an equivalent standard for commercial and industrial buildings. Until then, the commercial sector should follow the same energy baseline ASHRAE 90.1 targets as DOE Zero Energy Ready and have a component of solar readiness as well.

9.For new construction, are the draft criteria appropriate for single family homes? Are there other benchmarks that should be considered for single family homes?

We do not consider ASHRAE 90.1 an appropriate energy modeling tool for new construction single-family or townhomes. Instead, the latest version of the Department of Energy (DOE) Zero Energy Ready Certification should be required for the new single-family construction and townhomes.

10.Should there be an exemption allowed for emission producing emergency generation? Are there any other exemptions needed?

Yes, methane or propane gas generators should be allowed in climate zones four and above.

11.Should biofuels consumed on-site be allowed? If so, how?

Unless used for cooking or a fireplace, we do not recommend using biofuels since they are not renewable energy sources.

Section D: Clean energy generation and procurement.

12.Are the clean energy criteria provided appropriate for this definition? Are there other clean energy criteria that should be considered? Should community solar qualify for the requirement? If so, how?

The response below will be similar to a response you will get from Watt Carbon and is copied word for word here to reinforce their point.

“The single most important criterion for a ZEB is hourly matched, local clean electricity generation. If all that this definition did was require hourly matching of clean energy for buildings, it would go farther in reducing emissions than any other building-related policy in existence. There is now a substantial corpus of research showing the difference in emission reduction from hourly versus annual matching strategies (e.g. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2542435123004993). Consistently, scholars have concluded that annual matching strategies are completely ineffective at driving new renewable energy production. It was for this reason that the EPA, Treasury Department, and Department of Energy insisted on hourly matching for the 45v tax credits for green hydrogen production. Likewise, utilities like Peninsula Clean Energy and Constellation Energy in the United States, and many more in Europe have started offering 24/7 matched renewable energy contracts for their customers. Large energy buyers like Google and Microsoft have made commitments for 24/7 renewable energy. Similarly, the U.S. federal government now has a 24/7 CFE commitment. To not require this same threshold for an official definition of a Zero Emission Building would be a complete betrayal of scientific consensus and a substantial departure from every other analogous policy that has been announced of late.”

Community solar should certainly qualify for the requirement.

13.Should there be a proximity requirement for off-site power used to meet the clean power criterion? If so, how should a proximity requirement be implemented (e.g., regional definition, phase-in, etc.)?

The response below will be similar to a response you will get from Watt Carbon and is copied word for word here to reinforce their point.

“The proximity criterion, otherwise known as deliverability, is nearly as important as hourly matching. For years, we have allowed RECs to be procured from far away grids that are not interconnected with other grids, meaning that the clean energy produced in a place like Texas stays in Texas. The principle of deliverability requires that procured clean energy be produced within the same grid as the building, so that the building’s consumption load is fully mitigated by their procured clean energy. The ZEB definition should follow the same regional grid parameters that are to be used for 45v so that there is consistency across policies. However, some buildings may already have contracts for EACs sourced from other grid regions. Other clean energy procurements may be aggregated from different regions to support the clean energy claims of a fleet of buildings. As a transition, these EACs should be counted, however they should not be counted equally. They need to be discounted by the carbon emissions differential between a building’s consumed energy and the renewable facility’s own grid carbon intensity. If renewable EACs come from clean grids and the building is located in a dirty grid, the building will need to over procure EACs to make up the difference. The data required for this calculation are freely available from the Energy Information Administration and updated on a daily basis in an accessible Excel spreadsheet.”

14.should organizations leveraging the definition be able to determine whether buildings have to meet it annually, one time, or on a different frequency?

An annual “certification” based on cumulative hourly use.

15.If the definition is extended to single family homes, what documentation should be required?

The definition should be extended to single-family housing. I went over what exactly should be done for single families. To reiterate, we suggest that single-family and townhome renovations should require DOE Home Energy Scores 8+ before solar on the site is counted. Single-family new construction, including townhomes, should require DOE Zero Energy Ready Certification. Also, housing should follow clean energy procurement in the same way.

16.Are licensed professional and third-party certification bodies the appropriate parties to independently verify the documentation that a building has met the definition? Beyond existing government resources such as EPA’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, are there other methods to verify meeting the zero emissions building definition?

Before being labeled Zero Emissions Building, these buildings, homes, and projects should have to be verified through a credible 3rd party rating system that includes, but is not limited to, United States Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED Zero, Home Innovations Lab, National Green Building Standard Zern Energy Badge, GreenHome Institute GreenStar Homes Certification – Zero Energy Certified, Passive House Institute US Source Zero and the International Living Future Institute Zero Carbon and/or equivalent program. They would ideally train their verifiers to implement the current federal standard. The DOE should also develop an add-on to the DOE Zero Energy Ready standard to update to a full DOE Zero Emissions Building standard and train the raters to deliver this through the same mechanism.

17.What time frame should be used for GHG calculations (i.e. hourly, monthly by year, annually)? Explain how this would be implemented effectively across the market.

The response below will be similar to a response you will get from Watt Carbon and is copied word for word here to reinforce their point.

“As it is currently written, the ZEB standard would not require any GHG calculations. This is a fundamental shortcoming of the proposed standard and should be rectified. If the standard chooses to adopt a GHG measurement component, hourly is the only GHG signal that has any meaningful connection to the grid and to the broader goal of energy decarbonization. Monthly or annual GHG emissions accounting simply ignores the fact that renewable energy is intermittent and that energy consumption is variable throughout the day. It would be better to not provide any standard than to provide one that gives a false sense of accomplishment when the underlying physical realities suggest otherwise. Fortunately, the data infrastructure for calculating hourly GHG emissions already exists and is updated daily by the Energy Information Administration. (https://www.eia.gov/electricity/gridmonitor/dashboard/electric_overview/US48/US48). For each balancing authority (i.e., grid region), for each hour of the day, the EIA publishes both the emissions intensity of the mix of generators for that grid, but also the emissions intensity net of imports and exports to neighboring grids. All that needs to be done to measure the hourly carbon emissions for buildings is to multiply each building’s hourly load by the emissions intensity provided by the EIA and sum these values for the duration of the reporting period. It can be done in Excel in a matter of minutes.There are some limitations to the EIA data, such as that it doesn’t reflect transmission constraints within balancing authorities, it doesn’t include utility-specific procurement, and the numbers are subject to revision for a few weeks as the EIA receives more complete reporting information. But there are no substantive technical limitations to this reporting requirement.”

18.What other verification criteria are necessary to make this definition useful for the marketplace?

We recommend adopting the national or international Energy Attributes Certificates Registry.

19.Are there any issues regarding conflict or synergy with regional, state or local energy and climate programs that ought to be addressed?

20.Is it important for a national definition to cover all building types, including commercial, multifamily, and single-family?

This is very important. However, commercial standards differ for multifamily and single-family. Additionally, new construction varies from renovation, so the goal is to ensure both have stringent reductions, and there should be differences in the approach as described above.

21.Are there any other recommendations that would help clarify and improve the definition?

22.While Part 1 of the definition focuses on operating emissions, what other areas should be considered in future parts of the definition, such as embodied carbon, refrigerant, and grid interactivity?

We recommend considering embodied carbon as a variable. We recommend that the Federal government develop an embodied carbon reduction tool to help people plan construction and renovation projects so everyone is using the same standard. Refrigerants would show up as a component of that embodied carbon tool rather than being a stand-alone. Grid interactivity would be a component of the clean energy generation and procurement in version 1; as with proper grid management, carbon can be more fairly offset.

23.Other questions or comments not included above.

Carl Brekjern, joined us recently for our Weekly Wednesday Free CEU webinar Series.

What about solar power?

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