keeps the business running seamlessly. Her management and building science expertise guarantee that you can count on GreenFIT Homes to take excellent care of you and your home. Brandi’s background is in Construction Management; she spent eight years as a residential and retail construction project manager and 2 years as a kitchen and bath designer before moving to the home improvement/renovations and energy-efficiency fields.
Brandi L. Vallone
General Manger
GreenFIT Homes, LLC
Featured on the 2014 GreenBuilt Home Tour in Chicago this GreenStar Type 1 gold certified remodel features a completely gutted and restored Chicago Bungalow.This newly renovated home was also completed by the States 1st GreenHome Professional, Ron Cowgill, former NARI Chicago chapter president. ” To date this home hasn’t even seen 100 gas bills and before the renovation we had seen $500.00 gas bills that likely lead to the foreclosure of this property.” – Ron Cowgill.
Build Equinox manufactures the CERV (pronounced “serve”) smart ventilation system. On-board CO2 and VOC sensors combined with heat pump energy recovery make the CERV the most capable air quality management system for high-performance homes. Real-time monitoring of the home’s air quality along with temperature and humidity give control and peace of mind to homeowners that their house is being kept healthy and comfortable. Designed and built in the United States, the CERV is UL Listed and assembled in a 100% solar powered facility located in Urbana, Illinois. Live Healthier, Live Longer. Live Better with a CERV.
So here we are, October 2016.
Those of us in the green building world know this is a big month.
The universe’s largest green building certification program is about to do an upgrade. You knew it was coming for a long time, similar to a Windows upgrade; you know you need to do it, but you just have been so busy and pushing the “upgrade later” button. In 2014 you collectively pushed it for the last time and instead opted for a small upgrade that didn’t require a restart. But now, here we are in 2016 and the upgrade is coming and it has to come and so you might be scrambling the last min to make the preparations and make sure you are ready even though you don’t feel like you are!
The construction market is back up; green building is trending as a 80 billion dollar industry (soon), and now there is 400 ppm of CO2 in the atmosphere with no end in sight. Asthma and poor indoor air quality are on the rise and some cities Like Grand Rapids, MI where I am from, construction waste is reported to make up the largest portion of landfill waste.
LEED cannot solve all our environmental problems but can serve as a guide and standard when the time to act is now. Buildings and homes account for a majority of energy sources; their location can influence driving, and they have a big impact on our health.
The new version of LEED is going to be more difficult in many ways, more energy efficiency requirements (especially for rural or less connected projects), more thought will need to go into where you source materials from, where they are going at the end of their life and if your no VOC paint is certified to be so. For multifamily buildings we need to make sure apt units are communicating less to ensure occupant health and comfort, water pressure is being tested to reduce leaks and ensure flow rates work.
These changes are different, but they are good. The good news is for Homes projects; you will see a reduction in paperwork, no more chasing subs for signatures, no more durability plans required as it is all done in energy stare and just 1 signed workbook plus a few photos and energy reports. Another bonus is water performance calculations that allow the client to decide what is more important to them, similar to energy modeling and reduce in those areas (outside, kitchen etc)
If you aren’t ready yet that is ok, we are here to help you clear off your desktop before the upgrade restarts you construction process on 10/31.
Submit your project inquiry now, and we can help you get registered asap under v2008/2009. You won’t have to pay for 90 days, giving you time to secure funds or back out in Mid January if you cannot. No commitment.
Ready to take the plunge?
On November 2nd we are hosting 2 back to two back free CEU (APH) webinars on this topic.
The first webinar is a basic understanding of LEED for Homes and how it works(updated for V4) and the 2nd session 30 minutes after is a comparison on the differences of V2008 VS V4 for homes Home, multifamily and Mid to high rise mixed use buildings.
Sign up now as space is limited!
Finally, if you want to get the full education, check out our recently launched understanding LEED for Homes V4 on demand series where we take a deep dive in each of the categories (energy, EQ etc) and compare the differences of 2008 vs. v4
Thank you for your commitment in marking homes healthier and more sustainable!
1. Finish & Materials coatings section 9.1.1 has been updated to be more tolerant when it comes to pre-occupancy flushing. 
Now it is 48 hours non-consecutive and allows to use windows and not just HVAC.
2. Pre-construction design strategies 2.4.2 Air Changer Per hour was very outdated, and health points have been added at 3 ACH or under. We also removed the 2.4.1 ACH @ Natural since it was redundant but if that caused a significant disruption to your project, please register by the end of the month and we will maintain those credits for you.
3. 2.2.4 & 2.2.5 Document all existing conditions, equipment and assemblies in the house & Estimate carbon emissions of operating the home have been removed now because they are a standard part of home energy models, labels, and scores.
Strategies and Results
The existing home foundation was reused, and advanced framing techniques and building envelope upgrades were used to improve energy efficiency and reduce construction waste. Superior walls with spray foam were used in the crawl space foundation of the new addition. BioPCM phase change material was used in west facing walls and ceiling deck under solar shingles. A spray foam/rock wool combination was used in other areas in the home. The south-facing roof incorporates DOW POWERHOUSE™ solar shingles to generate building-integrated renewable energy. Earth tubes were installed to temper incoming air.
Exemplary Performance
Ultra high-efficiency bathroom fixtures, including a wall-mounted Duravit toilet in master bath, were used to maximize water efficiency. Drought tolerant natural landscaping was used to reduce irrigation water demand by an estimated 62%. Aging-in-place design strategies were incorporated to ensure owners could stay in the home regardless of mobility issues that may arise in the future. Plumbing for future grey water management was installed as local building codes allow. Energy and solar modeling performed to bring project as close to net-zero energy use as possible.
Ready to make your next project better? Learn more about LEED for Homes and Register today!
The new North Campus Housing project at Kenyon College, furthering the College’s commitment to green practices in all new building construction, is expected to win “LEED for Homes” gold certification. The award is based on a nationally recognized rating system that encourages the design and construction of high-performance homes promoting both human and environmental health.
LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a program of the U.S. Green Building Council. Under LEED programs, projects can win certification based on an array of environmentally friendly features and practices. The rating system, developed by consensus among experts, includes four levels: certified, silver, gold, and platinum.
Designed by Gund Partnership of Cambridge, Massachusetts, and built by Messer Construction of Columbus, the Kenyon project will ultimately create a village of 21 townhouse apartments clustered around a common green space in the northern part of campus. The first four buildings opened for students in August 2011 and an additional two buildings opened for the spring 2012 semester. When phase two is completed, the apartments will house 220 students.
Third-party verification, an essential part of the LEED for Homes rating system, provides a basis for quantifying the benefits of green homes. Sol Design and Consulting of Cincinnati is serving as the project’s green rater and has been involved with the project since its inception. To ensure proper performance, each home undergoes onsite inspections and thorough performance testing after completion.
LEED measures a home’s performance based on eight categories: site selection, water efficiency, materials and resources, energy and atmosphere, indoor environmental quality, location and linkages, awareness and education, and innovation. Key elements contributing to the housing’s anticipated gold certification include the use of high-efficiency building systems and plumbing fixtures, geothermal heat exchange for heating and cooling the homes, and the use of Energy Star appliances.
The buildings’ design minimizes energy consumption caused by uncontrolled air leakage into and out of air-conditioned spaces. A blower door test on the completed buildings resulted in Home Energy Rating Standard (HERS) scores of 61-65, indicating that the buildings are 35-39 percent more efficient than a standard home built to code. Kenyon plans to display all utility information on Web “dashboard.”
LEED for Homes also requires a “durability risk planning process and evaluation” that promotes the durability and high performance of the building envelope and related components. To meet this requirement, Kenyon used materials, paints, sealants, and carpeting that are low in volatile organic compounds-features that help protect the health and promote the comfort of occupants. Landscape elements include a drought-resistant lawn, non-invasive species in plantings, a reforestation mix on lands greater than 1:4 in slope, and swales with plantings that help with surface water management. In addition, more than 83 percent of the construction waste thus far has been recycled rather than sent 
to landfills.
The apartments have been very well received by residents. The twelve-student houses contain three to six bedrooms; each unit also has a living room, kitchenette, and dining area. Spaciousness, ample natural light, and a balance of common and personal space were among the most popular features cited by residents.
This housing initiative will allow Kenyon to relieve overcrowding in its residence halls. Upon completion, the additional capacity will enable the College to refurbish and modernize existing residences. The project will also help Kenyon realize its long-term goal of improving student housing and will give it a competitive advantage in recruiting students.
The U.S. Green Building Council is a nonprofit organization dedicated to sustainable building design and construction and the developer of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building rating system. LEED is a registered trademark of the U.S. Green Building Council.
Gund Partnership is a nationally recognized architecture and planning firm based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The firm has completed several award-winning projects at Kenyon College, including the Kenyon Athletic Center, Peirce Hall expansion and renovation, and, most recently, the Gund Gallery.
Energy efficiency and other environmentally friendly aspects of Kenyon’s new student apartments should bring recognition from the U.S. Green Building Council.
• Geothermal heating and cooling
• Energy Star appliances
• High-efficiency plumbing fixtures
• Materials low in volatile organic compounds
• Environmentally friendly landscaping
• 83 percent of construction waste recycled
Recently two West Michigan Organizations were awarded the distinguishing “LEED Homes Power Builders Award by the USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council). Through this award and others, the USGBC recognizes projects, architects, developers and home builders who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and innovation in the residential green building marketplace.
The “LEED Homes Power Builders,” was developed by the USGBC to honor an elite group of developers and builders who have exhibited an outstanding commitment to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and the green building movement within the residential sector. In order to be considered as a Power Builder, developers and builders must have LEED-certified 90 percent of their homes/unit count built in 2015 at any LEED certification level.
One of the great benefits of the LEED certification process is that it can apply to very different projects types. As you will see with the two organizations recognized, LEED certification has important benefits to low-income houses in urban settings to higher end homes in remote settings. Both organizations benefit from using the LEED certification process to add validation to their building efforts and to ensure the homeowner is getting a quality built efficient home.
Cottage Home based of out Holland and Habitat for Humanity of Kent County were the two West Michigan recipients honored with the recognition of Power Builders. While they are in different segments of the development and remodeling of homes in West Michigan, both are setting the standard for sustainable building practices.
Habitat for Humanity of Kent County is on their way to completing 150 homes and counting in the Kent County/Grand Rapids area that has achieved some level of LEED Certification. Corri Sandwick Home Performance Coordinator for Habitat for Humanity of Kent County stated that the organization started seeking LEED Certifications in 2006 and by 2007 all new homes built were LEED Certified.
Recently, they have been one of the first builders committed to building according to the new and more stringent LEED v4 criteria even before it had been fully finalized. Sandwick said it started in partnership with Grand Rapids Community College Residential Construction Program in celebration of their 100th anniversary. The two organizations decided to try a v4 build. Once they accomplished that build, Habitat Kent decided to build all future homes to the same criteria knowing it would soon be the standard. To date, Habitat Kent has completed 10 LEED v4 certified homes.
Habitat Kent has aggressive goals in the future both related to LEED but also participates in programs such as Energy Star. Habitat Kent is also considering the benefits of getting involved in Zero Energy Ready and the EPA’s Water Sense Program. Building homes that are sustainable just make sense for Habitat Kent. It sets homeowners up for success, keeps costs down for homeowners and aligns with Habitat Kent’s partner organizations’ principles. Habitat Kent states that by being wise about green building, they include only what will be most beneficial to families. This creates a healthful environment and drastically reduces energy and water use, saving Habitat Kent homeowners thousands of dollars. For a family of four living on $30,000 a year, reducing their utility bills to an average $105 a month goes a long way in helping them be successful in their home.
Cottage Home based out of Holland is the other recipient of this prestigious title. According to Jeremy Vaneyk construction manager, they started building based on LEED criteria in 2008 and to date have built 100 sustainable homes along the lakeshore. Vaneyk also said that 31 homes have achieved a LEED certification with 13 of those homes being Platinum certified. Building sustainably is very important to Cottage Home. Both Vaneyk along with Founder Brian Bosgraff both live in LEED Certified homes and can use their experience as builders and homeowners to help their clients. Cottage Home strongly believes it is their responsibility to build with the environment in mind. The LEED certification process provides their clients with a validation that their home is being built to some of the most stringent standards. LEED certification is one of the many tools they use to build focusing on air quality, energy efficiency and site preservation as a core foundation of the build. It is much more than a certification process to Cottage Home but more of a business philosophy.
Both Cottage Home and Habitat for Humanity of Kent County are equally passionate about green building and both use the LEED Certification process to set the bar for sustainable building in West Michigan. Their business while different in many regards is also very similar in others. They both show a strong desire to build with the environment in mind and factoring in their homeowners wants and needs.
LEED has become the world’s most recognized rating system for green buildings. The LEED for Homes rating system was created as a way for single-family homes and multifamily buildings to achieve LEED certification. LEED for Homes projects undergo a technically rigorous process to become certified, including multiple on-site inspections and diagnostic tests. According to Green Home Builder, more than 230,000 single family and multifamily units are certified or registered. USGBC is working to make the LEED residential program even more accessible and utilized by builders, developers, and architects. LEED v4, the latest version, will be required for new projects certifying after October 2016. USGBC’s recent Green Building Economic Impact Study found that the residential green construction market is expected to grow from $55 million in 2015 to $100.4 million in 2018, representing a year-over-year growth of 24.5 percent.
Get your next LEED for Homes project started or find more educational resources at the greenhomeinstitute.org/leed-for-homes/
July 2016 GreenStar Homes Certification Program Update
Summary of changes
These changes may have impacted your existing project workbook, if your project was registered or you plan to register it soon, AND you were impacted negatively, please let us know so we can just adjust your points. You must register by the end of July.
Catch the 30 min webinar here
Download the slide handouts
New Construction Home Size Adjuster removed
We have removed the new construction home size adjuster and instead created a New Construction credit. Now, just like when selecting the project (remodel, addition, etc. Project cert project level, you can simply select new construction and desired certification level. This remains in section 1 but has been moved to the over prerequisite category.
Home size credit moved and updated. New added square feet credit removed
The Home Size credit has been updated to rewarded smaller homes all the way down to “tiny home” size starting 750. We also removed all health and water credits associated with this since those have little to do with home size. This credit now also applies to new homes since the home size adjuster was removed. Note this credit had its category along with with the credit that rewarded for not increasing square feet in a remodel. It has now been moved right into the 2.2 Design section. Also, we have updated the language to reflect how to measure a home which now under ANSI Standard Z765-2003. Multifamily projects will use average unit size for this credit.
Numbering is fixed!
It has been a long time but yes, the numbering is finally all matched up. Also, several sections have now changed what their numbers use to be. If you create alternative documents, it always best to name the credits too, just so that you can reference it if the number changes. Section 1 is now overall prerequisites (use to be section 2) and section 2 is now preconstruction design strategies (formally Section 3) and so on. Also, Air leakage reduction has been moved in section 2 and some sections in finishes and materials have been moved to lower numbers, properly ordering that section.
WaterSense water budget tool & drought tolerant plants
Drought tolerant / Native plantings have been moved out of Irrigation and moved to Plantings/trees section. Also, this section was updated to award Land (place) points for these categories, and the section was expanded to rewarded for 30% of the landscape incorporating these plant types. – 3.3.6 Plantings have been removed because of this Water sense water budget tool has been incorporated into the program.We have been altered to the fact that in some cases greenstar rewards more for irrigation system vs having a landscape plan that does not require irrigation. This is one of the efforts to fix that issue. You can now collect more points for achieving 60% or more of a reduction below the baseline of your project type. This already rewards for Land (place) points at higher levels since those will require native/adaptive plantings.
Greenstar Qualification opportunity update
We have updated the online on-demand education to become Greenstar qualified. The idea is that anyone looking to certify a project should have a very basic understanding of the residential green building. The course you need to take is called The Basics of Residential Green (Re) Building & introduction to GreenStar Homes certification. These two courses total 4 hours of education and two open note quizzes that you can take at your own speed. Use coupon code GSHqualified to get 75% of the course(s) costs. Both of these courses can count toward your GreenHome Associates, which can get you more credit in the system. Remember this is just of the four ways to get qualified.
PS: Radon only needs to be tested on homes without systems. Currently, you do not need to test homes with passive systems but it is highly recommended. Here is a very neat resource on Radon for your clients.
Learn more about GreenStar Here
Certification is underway but check back here for details.
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