Issue 2 Volume 5

February 2007

"Heather Home" certified LEED-H Platinum – First in Texas

It has just been announced that Ferrier Custom Homes' Heather Home scored a 90 under the LEED for Homes rating system, making it the first LEED certified home in Texas, and only the third Platinum home in America. LEED for Homes is a voluntary initiative designed to promote sustainable home building practices. The LEED for Homes Rating System is targeting the top 25% of homes with best practice environmental design and construction. The LEED for Homes rating system is being developed to provide national consistency in defining the features of a green home and to enable builders anywhere in the country to obtain a ‘green’ rating on their homes. The strength of the LEED for Homes program will be third-party verification that will include both on-site inspections and performance testing.

Philips Proposes EU Incandescent Phase Out

Royal Philips Electronics, a worldwide manufacturer of incandescent lighting, is taking steps to phase out incandescent bulbs in the European Union. At an energy-efficiency forum in Brussels, the company recently called on energy suppliers, government leaders, NGOs and representatives of the lighting industry to begin collectively and systematically replacing incandescent bulbs with energy-saving alternatives such as compact florescent lamps. Philips believes the switch-over could be accomplished in as few as 10 years.

Efficiency, By Order of the President

President Bush signed Executive Order 13423  January 24th requiring federal government agencies to reduce energy intensity 30 percent by 2015. Achievements will be brought about largely through the use of ENERGY STAR devices, higher standards for new building construction and renovations, and an emphasis on reducing petroleum consumption and increasing alternative fuel use in federal fleets.

Indoor Air Quality
by Kenneth Lackey, GWS City Manager-Dallas/Fort Worth

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) has recently become a concern because of the improved building standards. This has resulted in increased insulation and reduced energy-consuming ventilation systems. The combination of these factors has led to an increase in indoor air quality complaints.

Studies have shown that productivity can be increased 15% by improving the working environment. IAQ problems are commonly classified as one of the following: sick building syndrome (SBS), building related illness (BRI), or multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS). The majority of IAQ concerns stem from poor ventilation, poor filtration, and contaminated HVAC systems.

Sick building syndrome (SBS)
One of the most common causes of IAQ complaints is sick building syndrome (SBS). It occurs when approximately 20% of the buildings occupants complain of drowsiness. Fatigue. Eye and skin irritations, or respiratory problems. These symptoms frequently disappear when the individual is removed from the environment.

Building Related Illness (BRI)
Exposure to an airborne agent leading to a diagnosable illness is referred to as Building Related Illness (BRI). BRI health problems do not disappear when the occupant moves to a more favorable environment. Example of BRI include legionnaire’s disease, colds, flu viruses, tuberculosis, measles, and smallpox.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS)
A very small portion of the population has experienced multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS). These individuals appear to have abnormal sensitivity to chemicals in the environment.

Indoor Air Contaminants
There are three major indoor air contaminants: asbestos, bioaerosols and radon. Inadequate prevention system maintenance may provide nutrients for growth of bacteria such as Legionella. The design of the equipment and proper maintenance of the system may reduce risk.

The HVAC system should be checked whenever medical evidence indicates the presence of diseases (such as humidifier fever, allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis, etc).

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is inhaled and exhaled by humans. The concentration of CO2 in exhaled breath is fairly constant, appx: 3.8%. When people exhale CO2, they also exhale other gases, odors, bacteria, and viruses. When these build up in a space due to poor ventilation, poor air quality results.

Diagnosing Indoor Air Contamination
When evaluating the ventilation, ASHRAE Standard 62-1989 should be used.

1. Obtain a description of symptoms from the occupants.
2. Determine the possible sources.
3. Take an air pollutant sampling and perform a chemical analysis.
4. Take proper procedures to correct the problem.
                A: Servicing Ventilation Systems
                B:  Measuring Filter Efficiencies
                C:  Duct Cleaning

If you are experiencing Indoor Air Quality problems, please contact GWS @ 1-888-488-0206 or visit our web site www.gwssi.com.

May 3, 2007
Francis Tuttle – Rockwell Campus
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

"Best of Building Science.com" on line training www.bestofbuildingscience.com are lessons learned from the nation's foremost building science professionals and is specifically designed for builders, sub-contractors and design professionals in the residential construction business.

Best of Building Science.com LIVE offers a one day building science training that gives you the opportunity to preview the training sessions "LIVE"

Some of our presenters include:

• Sam Rashkin - Environmental Protection Agency
• Kelly Parker P.E.- President, RESNET & GWS
• Hank Rutkowski P.E.- Author of " Manual J-the document"

Some of the topics will include:

• Hands On Building Science LIVE, EEBA Applied
• HVAC Training for Contractors
• Marketing & Sales of the High Performance Green Home
• Energy Star for New Homes
• State of Global Energy & Green Building
• Federal & State Tax Incentives

For information regarding this event or for sponsorship opportunities click here or please contact Julie Porter at 612-232-7598 or Jenna Anderson at 952-426-5340.

Energy Efficiency Global Forum
and Exposition

November 11-14, 2007 at the Washington, D.C. Convention Center

The Alliance to Save Energy's inaugural conference will serve as the premier gathering and showcase for the energy-efficiency industry. EE Global will attract industry professionals, academics and policy makers from around the world to promote the efficient use of energy through a curriculum aimed at sharing best practices and unifying the public and private sectors. Please visit www.eeglobalforum.com for more information.