Sep 27, 2010 | Energy, Green Home Building/Remodeling
This credit, the final one in the Energy & Atmosphere section, is required for both the prescriptive and performance pathways, so we can begin accumulating more points again. The purpose of this credit is to both ensure proper air conditioning performance as...
Sep 23, 2010 | Energy, Green Home Building/Remodeling
This credit, only for the prescriptive pathway (it is modeled in the performance pathway), awards up to ten points for generating electricity on-site through renewable energy sources. It is important to note that passive solar designs must be modeled and can take...
Sep 22, 2010 | Energy, Green Home Building/Remodeling
Household appliances are responsible for 20%-30% of a home’s energy use and about 25% of its indoor water use. Thankfully, we have ENERGY STAR labels for appliances, so I don’t have to look up every different standard of energy efficiency measures for...
Sep 21, 2010 | Energy, Green Home Building/Remodeling
Lighting can account for 5%-15% of a home’s total energy use. Being one of the first to install the new LED (light-emitting diode) recessed can fixtures made by CREE, we were pioneers in this area. The fixtures we chose, LR6 recessed downlights, had just come...
Sep 21, 2010 | Energy, Green Home Building/Remodeling
In line with efficient distribution of hot water and hot water pipe insulation, this credit is the last in this section that awards points for efficient hot water systems. It is only, however, required for the prescriptive pathway (unlike 7.1 and 7.2, which are...
Sep 16, 2010 | Energy, Green Home Building/Remodeling
For this sub-section, also required in both the prescriptive and performance pathways, all domestic hot water piping needs to have R-4 insulation. Insulation needs to be properly installed on all piping to elbows to adequately insulate the 90-degree bend. This helps...
Sep 15, 2010 | Energy, Green Home Building/Remodeling
This credit counts in both the performance and prescriptive pathways, because it is not an input in the HERS index rating. The intent is to reduce energy consumption associated with the domestic hot water system, including improving the efficiency of the hot water...
Sep 14, 2010 | Energy, Green Home Building/Remodeling
So…I did not want to write about our solution to the last “solar blip” post until it was actually happening. (I have gotten rather jaded and won’t believe things until I see them.) But yesterday, 16 Centrosolar photovoltaic panels were...
Sep 14, 2010 | Energy, Green Home Building/Remodeling
This credit is broken down into three parts: the prerequisite for HVAC Design & Installation (EA 6.1), High-Efficiency HVAC (EA 6.2), and Very High-Efficiency (EA 6.3). Energy savings can be achieved by sizing the equipment appropriately and selecting very...
Sep 13, 2010 | Energy, Green Home Building/Remodeling
This credit is designed to minimize duct leakage. (Duct leakage? Sounds gross.) Just as a home’s envelope should be tight to save energy, so should the air duct system – the system that distributes hot and cold air throughout the house, usually...
Sep 9, 2010 | Energy, Green Home Building/Remodeling
This is the third LEED credit in a row that starts out stating “Approximately one-quarter of a home’s heat losses and gains is due to….” The first is heat flow in and out of the insulated building envelope (EA2), the second is leakage through...
Sep 8, 2010 | Energy, Green Home Building/Remodeling
This credit is about sealing up the house. The tighter the home, particularly those in more extreme climates, the less energy it uses for heating and cooling; typically these houses are also more comfortable because they are draft-free. The tradeoff, though, is that...
