This Weeks update of the Madrona Street project. Things are moving forward on many fronts - a quick summary:
Energy Modeling:
The Building Performance Center distributed their first draft of two different energy models for this home on Wednesday. Thursday Greg met with them to go over the assumptions and variables. One model was created using TREAT software and the other using Passive House software - both are attached to this email. Alistair is also working on an energy model using REMRATE software and we hope to see that soon. To use these models effectively we'll need to manipulate the things we can control like insulation values, infiltration rates, window specs, and water heating to see where we get the most bang for the buck in terms of reducing overall energy loads. We'll be doing that in coming week. Alistairs REMRATE model will show us where we stand with LEED credits. Final model will be useful to Dana for design and pricing of PV system.
Drawings:
An updated set of drawings will go out next week. These will be dated Oct 1 2009 and reffered to as the Bid Set. They will be used to distribute to subs and suppliers for bids and quotes.
Bids and Estimates:
Greg met with Dean this morning to discuss suppliers and specs. He'll get me a list of KCLT contacts who may want to contribute and be involved. Cascade Joinery will take the lead however on speaking with subs and suppliers and assembling an estimate. Dean and I agreed we'd give preference to green products and local suppliers.
Permits:
A meeting is set up for October 7th with City of Bellingham green team. At that time we'll review drawings to avoid any permit issues and also discuss with them their involvment with project - and hopefully get some cooperation for this project as a potential demonstration/educational project.
LEED:
We need to register the project with USGBC and engage Alistair to begin documentation process and review drawings to make sure we get proper credit for LEED points.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Affordable Net Zero Home Coming to Bellingham
Cascade Joinery is partnering with KCLT to build the first permanently affordable, net zero home in Bellingham, WA.
Greg Robinson, AIA, LEED AP designed this home specifically for the site and KCLT's homeowner base. We are in the process right now of completing the energy modeling as well as working with potential suppliers, partners utilities and agencies to make this a true pilot project within the City of Bellingham.
We will update this bog as the project gets rolling!
Greg Robinson, AIA, LEED AP designed this home specifically for the site and KCLT's homeowner base. We are in the process right now of completing the energy modeling as well as working with potential suppliers, partners utilities and agencies to make this a true pilot project within the City of Bellingham.
We will update this bog as the project gets rolling!
Friday, September 18, 2009
Weekly Update on the Madrona Street Net Zero Home
This project is really starting to pick up steam and more and more collaborators are coming into the picture . Architect, Greg Robinson, is in the process of reviewing the current version of the permit package. The set is not complete - just a rough draft - plenty more info and detail to provide.
Status:
1)Energy Modeling/Net Zero: John Davies and Building Performance Center are still working on energy model using Passive House software - a great program I'm told but it doesn't give us a HERS rating which is required by LEED performance modeling. The HERS Index is a scoring system established by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) in which a home built to the specifications of the HERS Reference Home (based on the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code) scores a HERS Index of 100, while a net zero energy home scores a HERS Index of 0. The lower a home’s HERS Index, the more energy efficient it is in comparison to the HERS Reference Home.
I met with Alistair Jackson, our LEED for Homes rater, yesterday and he has graciously offered to provide us pro-bono a second energy model using REMRATE software which will allow us to pursue LEED certification. Alistair hopes to have his model complete by the end of next week and we will get together to compare models and analyze info. The models will help us decide appropriate enclosure spec and details, U-value, SHGC, and VT ratings for windows. The info will also help us determine and appropriately size heating system and future PV system. Between these reviews and our own research and experience I'm confident we have engaged the expertise necessary to make the best choices. Preliminary review of our details and plans so far by John and Alistair indicates we are on the right track.
2)Permit Drawings: Greg is reviewing now and will make sure they meet all city requirements, etc. He will stamp and sign, engineering will be prescriptive per code, so no structural engineer will be involved. In order to complete them however he'll need feedback from energy models, and everyone else looking at them. Review and collaboration is great but it takes time. On this project however we believe the collaboration is critical and worth the time it takes. We have a plan review meeting scheduled with teh city's Green Team on the seventh of October.
3)Specs/Bids: A big part of the permit package Greg is working on is an outline spec of materials and systems.
4)Green rating systems and certifications: In discussions with Alistair yesterday regarding LEED certification he graciously offered pro bono energy modeling services that will help us maximize LEED points and also offered some ideas of ways we can reduce costs on the verification/testing/inspection services required during construction. His expertise is invaluable -offering ideas based on experience regarding envelope design, windows, heating systems, etc... We'll continue to pursue LEED certification and Cascade Joinery will support that pursuit. We understand if we can meet construction budget target with LEED certification fees included KCLT will support as well. The BIAW Built Green program is a no cost/low cost self-certifying system so Greg will complete the documentation necessary for that as well. Pacific North West Energy Star for homes rating is also achievable if we meet the more stringent LEED standards. The value of these programs to us and the project is 3rd party verification of all the effort we are putting in - to build to those higher standards and not get official recognition of that effort would be a missed opportunity.Greg is looking into the Evergreen Sustainable Design Standards but will need to review and make sure we incorporate into documents as well - Paul where are these standards from? Again all of this review and documentation takes time, but in the end it will be worth it.
Status:
1)Energy Modeling/Net Zero: John Davies and Building Performance Center are still working on energy model using Passive House software - a great program I'm told but it doesn't give us a HERS rating which is required by LEED performance modeling. The HERS Index is a scoring system established by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) in which a home built to the specifications of the HERS Reference Home (based on the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code) scores a HERS Index of 100, while a net zero energy home scores a HERS Index of 0. The lower a home’s HERS Index, the more energy efficient it is in comparison to the HERS Reference Home.
I met with Alistair Jackson, our LEED for Homes rater, yesterday and he has graciously offered to provide us pro-bono a second energy model using REMRATE software which will allow us to pursue LEED certification. Alistair hopes to have his model complete by the end of next week and we will get together to compare models and analyze info. The models will help us decide appropriate enclosure spec and details, U-value, SHGC, and VT ratings for windows. The info will also help us determine and appropriately size heating system and future PV system. Between these reviews and our own research and experience I'm confident we have engaged the expertise necessary to make the best choices. Preliminary review of our details and plans so far by John and Alistair indicates we are on the right track.
2)Permit Drawings: Greg is reviewing now and will make sure they meet all city requirements, etc. He will stamp and sign, engineering will be prescriptive per code, so no structural engineer will be involved. In order to complete them however he'll need feedback from energy models, and everyone else looking at them. Review and collaboration is great but it takes time. On this project however we believe the collaboration is critical and worth the time it takes. We have a plan review meeting scheduled with teh city's Green Team on the seventh of October.
3)Specs/Bids: A big part of the permit package Greg is working on is an outline spec of materials and systems.
4)Green rating systems and certifications: In discussions with Alistair yesterday regarding LEED certification he graciously offered pro bono energy modeling services that will help us maximize LEED points and also offered some ideas of ways we can reduce costs on the verification/testing/inspection services required during construction. His expertise is invaluable -offering ideas based on experience regarding envelope design, windows, heating systems, etc... We'll continue to pursue LEED certification and Cascade Joinery will support that pursuit. We understand if we can meet construction budget target with LEED certification fees included KCLT will support as well. The BIAW Built Green program is a no cost/low cost self-certifying system so Greg will complete the documentation necessary for that as well. Pacific North West Energy Star for homes rating is also achievable if we meet the more stringent LEED standards. The value of these programs to us and the project is 3rd party verification of all the effort we are putting in - to build to those higher standards and not get official recognition of that effort would be a missed opportunity.Greg is looking into the Evergreen Sustainable Design Standards but will need to review and make sure we incorporate into documents as well - Paul where are these standards from? Again all of this review and documentation takes time, but in the end it will be worth it.
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