Houston Green Building Roadmap

1. Houston Green Building Roadmap Richard Morgan Austin Energy

2. Green Building in Austin • Started in 1991 as single family homes rating system. • Evolved from Austin Energy Star Homes program-alternate path to energy code compliance • Municipal and commercial buildings in 1995 • Multi-family rating system in 1999 • June 2000 Council requires LEED Silver for Municipal bond projects • Manage it Green consulting group begun in 2002

3. Current State • In the beginning all private sector compliance was voluntary • 1999 MOU with City’s Affordable Housing Dept. to require compliance for housing receiving incentives from COA • 2003 requirement for buildings zoned DMU or CBD • 2004 use of GB as trade off for PUDs or variances

4. Energy Code • GB brings new energy codes to council for adoption • Review new IECC versions for efficiency improvements and local needs • Develop local amendments to meet Austin’s needs • Review with stakeholders before taking to council • IECC 2006 w/local amendments 19% more efficient than 2000 IECC w/local amendments • Based on 2270 sq. ft. typical home-2462 kWh per year reduction

5. Single Family GB • Locally developed rating tool • Currently using v.8.0 of SF rating tool • 1 to 5 star rating- 1 star = basic GB, 5 star highest possible, 7,000+ homes, 35 at 5 star • Custom and volume builders, high end to affordable

6. SF basic requirements • 14 SEER HVAC efficiency • Submittal of Manual J for HVAC sizing • Duct leakage testing • Air barriers as per Energy Star • Minimum of 5 fluorescent lights • 2 H.E. Toilets • 40 points from optional menu

7. SF Process • Builder submits rating spreadsheet and Manual J • Staff review for obvious discrepancies • Staff inspection at rough mechanical • Duct testing performed by third party • Staff final inspection • Certification

8. Multi Family GB • Locally developed rating tool • Applies to projects with 3 floors of residential or less • Apartments to high end condos • 50 projects completed-6,365 units, 5.5 million sq. ft. • 44 projects currently under review, 4,270+ units

9. MF requirements • Energy Star labeled windows or exceed COA Energy Code envelope performance by 15% • Testing/commissioning of HVAC units • All showerheads 1.8gpm or exceed EPAct indoor baseline by 15% • Divert 50% by weight construction debris and waste

10. Commercial GB • Locally developed rating tool or LEED • Separate/similar tool developed for AISD bond projects • MF projects permitted as commercial, rated as commercial • 46 projects complete, 1.32 million sq. ft. • 100 projects under review, 8.6 million sq. ft.

11. Commercial Requirements • Commissioning Plan, Verification, Report submitted • Energy Star Qualified Roof • Exceed COA lighting and envelope energy requirements by 15% • Divert minimum 50% construction waste and debris from landfill • No “grandfathered” water quality compliance

12. Commercial Process • Owner’s rep. submits Request for Participation • Staff assigned to project and participate as sustainability consultants • Goal setting • Plan and spec review and recommendations • Building energy simulation review • Construction monitoring • Documentation reviews • Certification

13. Key Strategies • Professional education • Monthly seminars • Conferences and trade shows • Web based resources • Marketing • Create demand for GB from the public • Acknowledge exceptional buildings and teams • Promote program as “go to” source for GB issues

14. Key Strategies • Stakeholder involvement • Participation in trade associations • Education on “their turf” • Participate in other groups events

15. Market Transformation • Work with the leaders, if everyone does it-it is not GB • When measures become accepted, raise the bar • Use the code to bring the rest of the industry up to the level of the leaders

16. Results • Single Family • FY ’06 1049 ratings-21% of new SF homes in service area • 874 kW of demand eliminated- 0.7 kW per (demand is power plant capacity not needed) • 1,469,000 kWh savings to consumers 1400 kWh per • 936.83 Tons CO2 not emitted • 72,913,892 gallons water saved, 69,508 per

17. Results Commercial • Medical Office Building- 3 Star AE GB • 129,691 Sq. Ft. • Demand Savings 462 kW • Energy savings 1,370,719 kWh • CO2 reduction 874.2 tons • Building water 770,975 gallons- 28% • Irrigation water (July) 103,954 gallons- 75% • Construction waste 303.9 tons diverted 50%

18. Results Commercial • Grocery – 4 Star AE GB • 93,000 sq. ft. • Demand savings 172.5 kW • Electric energy 1,141,179 kWh • Gas energy 730,000 CCF • 989.4 Tons CO2 (gas & electric) • Building Water 535,308 gallons 36% • Irrigation water 67% • Construction waste 127 tons 81%

19. Results Multifamily • Apartment building, 240 units, 196,000 sq. ft. • 2 star AE GB rating • 157 kW demand reduction • Live/Work Condos, 29 units, 29,467 sq. ft. • 3 star AE GB rating • 57.3 kW demand reduction

20. Total Results FY 2006 • Demand Reduction- 14,755 kW • Energy Saved 24,974 mWh • $ value of energy $2,222,686 • CO2 reduction 15,926.8 tons • SOx reduction 3.04 tons • NOx reduction 15.36 tons

21. Austin Climate Protection Plan • Upgrade energy code to make all single family homes built in Austin by 2015 ZECH • Upgrade energy code to make all other construction 75% more efficient than existing code • Develop policy/program to require energy use disclosure and upgrades at resale • Develop evaluation and recognition program for carbon neutral buildings • Continue to upgrade GB standards for projects required to meet program requirements

22. Lessons Learned • Be inclusive, all your stakeholders bring something valuable • Avoid the bandwagon, no one knows your climate and your buildings better than the people working in your area • Be bold, no one will care what you do if you take half measures