EcoBuild

Those of you who attended the Down to Earth Celebration at Shelby Farms Park yesterday may have gotten a chance to talk to an MLGW representative about our EcoBuild program. For those of you who didn't, I've got you covered!


What is EcoBUILD?

EcoBUILD is a voluntary "green building" program created by MLGW to stimulate energy and environmental awareness through the promotion and use of energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly technology, materials and techniques in new home construction. Many advances have occurred in the home building industry that can help minimize energy waste in your new home - and save you money on your MLGW bill - but you have to know what to look for and how to verify efficiency claims.

How does EcoBUILD work?

MLGW developed a set of EcoBUILD construction standards that exceed local building codes and common building practices. By following these guidelines, builders can construct single-family and multi-family homes that use 30% less energy while providing greater occupant comfort and other environmental benefits

To fully appreciate EcoBUILD, you need to realize that Shelby County uses the 1992 Model Energy Code for new home construction. This means that the energy standards for insulation, windows and other materials are based on the products that were considered acceptable nearly 15 years ago! Fortunately, a number of improvements have taken place in the manufacture of building materials to increase their energy efficiency and these materials are commonly available. However, most builders typically invest in upgrades homebuyers can see such as flooring, countertops and cabinets - rather than focusing on hidden energy-saving opportunities that will reduce your monthly utility bill.

EcoBUILD offers the solution. A home built to EcoBUILD standards is designed to be 30% more energy efficient than typical residential construction in Shelby County. To accomplish this, participating builders follow EcoBUILD guidelines to meet key energy and environmental goals. Homes built to current EcoBUILD standards feature:

* Air conditioners rated at 14 SEER, not the minimum 13 SEER
* Hard sheet metal ductwork that has been sealed with mastic compound or mastic-rated tape and performance tested by MLGW. Duct leakage cannot exceed 10%. (Builders are allowed to use minimal amounts of flexible ductwork, with runs not longer than 10 feet.)
* Low-e windows with superior energy ratings to minimize heat gain and reduce UV damage to floor coverings and furnishings
* Wall cavity insulation of R-15 to reduce air movement (or R-13 walls with R-4 slab insulation)
* All wire and piping penetrations sealed with caulk or foam to block air flow
* Radiant barrier to reduce heat gain through the roof, lowering attic temperatures
* Recycled materials - such as roof decking, trim board or cellulose insulation to keep construction materials out of the landfills
* Interior finishes - such as paints and stains with low volatile organic compounds (VOC), those "new smell" gases that can cause respiratory problems
* Native or adapted plants to reduce landscape watering

EcoBUILD homes are inspected twice by MLGW to ensure compliance with guidelines. An on-site inspection is performed before the drywall is installed to verify that air sealing, insulation, mechanical systems and other behind-the-wall measures are in place. A second inspection is performed at building completion. During this inspection, all EcoBUILD components are verified and the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is tested for air tightness.

If you're looking to buy a completed home, ask for evidence of energy efficiency. If it's an EcoBUILD-certified home, the builder will have documentation from MLGW, including a Homeowner's Manual that discusses all the unique green features of that particular home. If the home was not built using the EcoBUILD standards, but the builder promotes it as "energy efficient," ask for specifics such as:

* Air conditioner SEER rating (higher is better; the minimum rating for air conditioners is between 10 and 13 SEER, based on date of construction),
* Gas furnace AFUE rating (higher is better; the minimum rating is 78%),
* Window ratings (double-pane, low-e, with a U-factor below .40 are better),
* Insulation levels (R-15 or higher in wall cavities, R-30 or higher in attics)
* Programmable thermostats
* Fluorescent lighting (tubes or compact fluorescent bulbs)

Can EcoBUILD be used for an existing home?

Unfortunately, no. Most of EcoBUILD's benefits are achieved from special attention given to air sealing behind the walls, higher wall insulation levels and duct sealing (including placement and tightness of air returns), in addition to properly sized and more efficient HVAC units and low-e windows. These are areas that cannot be accessed or improved easily in an existing home.

However, there are many things homeowners can do to improve the energy efficiency of an existing home.

* Start by conducting a Home eValuation energy audit to identify areas of energy waste and learn what types of improvements are recommended. Your audit results will include a list of recommendations, with estimated costs and payback periods, as well as low-cost and no-cost tips to help your home operate efficiently.
* If you are planning to replace appliances or equipment, MLGW's Energy Saving Calculators are a great way to determine the long-term savings from buying more efficient models.
* In addition, you can read more about home improvements, new technologies and other topics at our Energy Smart Library.

By becoming more knowlegable about how energy is consumed in your home, you can prioritize improvement projects that will lower utility bills and improve comfort in your existing home.

Want more information? Contact Us!