GREEN BUILDING More

GREEN BUILDING more. efficient than a home built to code in 2007. All new non-residential buildings will be required to be 75% more Austin Energy • 482-5300 efficient by the same year. This increased efficiency will

allow for the balance of energy to be provided by onsite solar energy as these systems become more affordable. Since 1991, Austin Energy Green Also, AEGB is charged with creating a Carbon Neutral Building (AEGB) has evolved from certification for homes and buildings. an idea promoted by a small group of visionaries into a major policy implementation tool used by the This section will introduce you to some of the ways AEGB City of Austin and its municipal is leading the city to a sustainable future. It will describe utility to make and keep Austin a our efforts to make the Mueller Redevelopment one of the leader in sustainability and climate greenest neighborhoods in the country, look at how efficient protection. the homes and buildings rated by our programs really are, and examine how AEGB will work through the Austin Climate Protection Plan to shape a low-carbon future for From our start as a program for rating single family the City and Austin Energy. homes, AEGB has grown to encompass single family, multifamily, and commercial ratings; energy code improvement and education; and green building consulting for other For more information on Austin Energy Green Building cities and utilities. and the services we offer, including seminars and other events, go to www.austinenergy.com/go/greenbuilding.

AEGB influence on the way homes and buildings are In This Section... designed and built has grown beyond voluntary participation by industry leaders to include requirements for green Top-Rated 5-Star Green Building Homes...... 3 building ratings in specific areas such as affordable housing, Green Building Rated Multifamily...... 10 planned unit developments, and downtown buildings. Green Building in AISD Schools...... 12 Transit Oriented Development...... 15 The Austin Climate Protection Plan continues to expand Mueller Airport Site Redevelopment...... 18 the role of AEGB. The Zero Energy Capable Homes initiative Zero Energy Capable Homes...... 21 (p. 64) requires coordination between AEGB and the Energy Green Remodeling...... 23 Code to make all new homes built in Austin by 2015 65%

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Organic Pest Control (512) 805-7777

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2 Top-Rated "5-Star" Homes by Austin Energy Green Building Fletcher Avenue Architect: Craig Nasso What is a 5-Star Green Builder: JDFC Construction Home Rating? Home Area: 2,295 sq ft Austin Energy Green  Urban infill, two homes on lot Building rates new homes  3 KW solar electric PV system and large renovation proj-  Total-fill, spray foam insulation  Metal roof with gutters and downspouts ects on a 1 to 5 Star scale. To date, AEGB has rated over 7,000 homes. Only Mira Loma one-half of one percent has achieved a 5-Star rating. Designer/Builder: ZWorks Design Build Home Area: 2,010 sq ft Sq ft per ton cooling: 670 Star level does not de- pend on the home’s style  3 kW solar electric PV system and solar or price. As you can see water heater from the homes pictured  Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) exterior walls and Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) here, 5-Star homes run the roof system gamut. The Rating con- siders the energy, water, and material efficiency Westhill Drive of a home; its health and Architect: Glen Chappell safety; and its impact on Builder: Randy Meek Homes the community. Home Area: 2,070 sq ft Sq ft per ton cooling: 690 5-Star homes typically  17 SEER AC system and high efficiency include: EnergyStar appliances • Design for passive cool-  Local Texas limestone countertops ing and daylighting;  Outdoor shower and tub with graywater • Efficient thermal en- re-use velope using total-fill insulation that prevents Link Avenue Architect: Smith Holt air from leaking through Builder: Shelter Design + Construction walls; Home Area: 1,802 sq ft • High amount of living Sq ft per ton cooling: 720 space per ton of cooling  Remodel of existing residence; many (indicates appropriate re-used materials design for our climate);  Insulated concrete form wall system (Rastra) • Heating and cooling with total-fill foam roof insulation ductwork and equipment within the thermal Photo: Thomas McConnell envelope; Heather Hills Drive • Testing the envelope Designer: Images Of... and ductwork for air Builder: Owner built leakage; Home Area: 2,520 sq ft • Metal, tile, or highly Sq ft per ton cooling: 1,010 reflective roofing;  Cast-earth wall system using local materials • EnergyStar appliances;  Total-fill foam insulation in roof • Water-wise landscaping  Durable stained-concrete floor

Photo: Eliot Johnson

Green Building – Top-Rated Homes 3 Sustainable Design LEED Certification

[email protected]

Robert T. Jackson, AIA

1135 West 6th Street, Suite 125 • Austin, Texas 78703 Phone: (512) 472-5132 • Fax: (512) 472-5158 [email protected] • www.JacksonMcElhaney.com 4 Top-Rated Homes by Austin Energy Green Building

Delano Street Designer: Lee Doar What Makes a Home Builder: Habitat for Humanity Green? Home Area: 1,095 sq ft Sq ft per ton cooling: 730 The starting point is  Compact home design location. Building on  Energy efficient metal roof plus foil radiant an empty urban infill barrier lot with existing streets,  Rigid metal ductwork with R-10 duct insula- sewer, water and electric tion Photo: S.K Photography lines or renovating an Cumberland Road existing home are greener approaches than starting Designer: Jay Billig Builder: Jaythings, Inc. fresh in a remote spot re- Duplex Area: 1,731 sq ft / 1,150 sq ft quiring a lot of driving to Sq ft per ton cooling: 692 / 767 meet daily needs. A home built over an aquifer or in  Urban infill with two units on one lot  Limited windows on east and west sides endangered species terri-  Preserved site trees tory is not green.

Good design comes next. Photo: Thomas McConnell The home must be appro- Treadwell Street priate for its conditions, Architect: Ross Tedter especially climate and site. Builder: Oliver Custom Homes A sun room that would Home Area: 1,712 sq ft be pleasant in Minnesota Sq ft per ton cooling: 685 might be uninhabitable in  Urban infill Central Texas.  Fluorescent lighting  Tankless gas water heater A home needs to be the right-size—able to meet a Photo: Patrick Wong family’s current and future Oak Street needs with flexible, multi- Designer: Emily Little Architects, Inc. use spaces, but not so big Builder: Blue Horse Building & Design that it wastes resources. Home Area: 2,700 sq ft Sq ft per ton cooling: 675 Simplicity of design  Metal structural insulated panels (SIPs) reduces both construction used for walls and roof and maintenance costs.  Locally milled cedar columns, flooring, Simplicity reduces the closet lining and porch trim likelihood of all types of problems—from getting ductwork where it needs Avenue H to go to reducing leak- Architect: Weber Hanzlik causing trouble spots in Builder: Wm T Moore Construction roofs. Home Area: 2,360 sq ft Sq ft per ton cooling: 944  Remodel and 2nd floor addition maintains neighborhood scale  2.45 KW solar electric PV system  Rainwater harvesting system Photo: Patrick Wong

Green Building – Top-Rated Homes 5 CENTRAL TEXAS – BALCONES [email protected]

Jane Baxter Lynn Executive Director [email protected] Brian Uhlrich – LEED for Schools [email protected] [email protected]

6 Top-Rated Homes by Austin Energy Green Building

East 22nd Street Architect/Builder: Don Smith, Choose durable materials Northfield Design Home Area: 2,000 sq ft and construction methods Sq ft per ton cooling: 667 that work well in hot, humid conditions. Con-  All water-based finishes and no-VOC paints structing a wall so it can’t  3 KW solar electric PV system dry out easily might be  Blown-in rock wool and foam insulation okay in the desert southwest, but it would be a Photo: Patrick Wong disaster of rot and mold in Capital Court Austin. Architect: Jackson & McElhaney Architects Home Area: 2,750 sq ft Choose water and ener- Sq ft per ton cooling: 611 gy-saving heating and  Modular design reduces material waste cooling systems, fixtures  Total-fill spray foam insulation and appliances. HVAC  Windows and window overhangs carefully systems that are correctly oriented and sized sized save money upfront  3,000-gallon rainwater harvesting system and every month thereaf- Photo: Michael McElhaney ter, provide better humidity control, premium Stamford Lane comfort, and reduce the Architect: Barley + Pfeiffer Architects Builder: Oliver Custom Homes likelihood of mold. Dual- Home Area: 3,654 sq ft flush and high-efficiency Sq ft per ton cooling: 664 toilets save water without affecting performance.  Overhangs designed for sun and weather Fluorescent lighting is  Total-fill cellulose and foam insulation  Healthy hard flooring and rapidly renew- now of such high quality able linoleum and wool carpet that old problems, such as flicker, buzz and poor light quality are solved. Reagan Terrace Builder: Wm T Moore Construction, Inc The right landscaping for Home Area: 2,072 sq ft conditions matters too. Sq ft per ton cooling: 691 Central Texas has about  Energy-efficient, reflective white roofing the same average rainfall  Healthy and efficient sheet metal ductwork as Seattle, but we have  Cabinets and bookcases made of wheatstraw drought punctuated by  100% fluorescent lighting flooding, so completely different plants thrive in Photo: Thomas McConnell our area. Evans Avenue Architect: Rick Black It’s the totality of the Builder: Domus Construction home, not the parts, that Home Area: 1,001 sq ft determines its affect on Sq ft per ton cooling: 667 workers, occupants, the  Space-efficient: multi-use rooms community and the planet.  Autoclaved aerated concrete exterior wall cladding  Ground source heat pump

Green Building – Top-Rated Homes 7 Top-Rated Homes by Austin Energy Green Building Beverly Road Architect: Webber | Hanzlik Architects Why Rate a Home? Builder: Howard Builders, Inc. Home Area: 3,695 sq ft Sq ft per ton cooling: 616 A rating gives an environmental snapshot of  Extensive use of salvaged and re-used ma- a home. It assesses the terials design, construction and  3.2 KW solar PV system  Tankless, on-demand water heater anticipated performance of a home, based on the green measures it incorpo- Robbs Run rates. Architect: McKinney Architects Home Area: 3,938 sq ft A rating helps educate Sq ft per ton cooling: 656 homebuyers about green  3 KW solar photovoltaic system building and provides  1,200 gallon rainwater harvesting system a means to compare one  Compressed wheatboard used for over home with another. 75% of cabinets A rating is not a perfect Photo: Thomas McConnell tool. However, it’s still Treadwell Street very helpful provided you Architect: Joseph Bennett understand what it can Builder: Lantana Homes and can’t tell you. Rat- Home Area: 1,810 sq ft ings tend to give credit for Sq ft per ton cooling: 905 “more”—more efficient equipment, healthier paint,  Flexible design: attic planned for expansion  Metal roof with total-fill spray foam insula- and so forth, but a home tion at roof line that is designed so well it doesn’t even need cooling equipment or has walls that don’t require paint, Delores Street might actually be greener. Architect: Stewardship Architecture You get the point? Builder: Casa Verde Builders Home Area: 1,185 sq ft AEGB aims to be on the Sq ft per ton cooling: 601 leading edge of green  Straw-filled structural insulated panels building. As building (SIPs) exterior walls practices, codes and fed-  Recycled cotton batt insulation in ceiling eral standards rise, AEGB  Metal roof raises the standard of its Ratings as well. Avenue G Designer: Jackson + McElhaney Architects Builder: Oliver Custom Builders Home Area: 2,220 sq ft Sq ft per ton cooling: 635  Urban neighborhood infill  All EnergyStar appliances  Certified backyard wildlife habitat landscaping

Photo: Troy Hunter

Green Building Top-Rated Homes 8 DESIGN~BUILD~LIVE a sustainable learning center Formerly the Sustainable Building Coalition

Our Mission is to share, practice, promote, and nurture natural building and sustainable living. We seek to design and build our homes, buildings, landscapes, communities, and entire lives thoughtfully, respectfully, and beautifully.

Our Vision is to serve as a vehicle for discovery, learning, and integration of sustainable and regenerative life practices that reflect values such as Regionally appropriate built environments that Our Goals, Programs, and Activities are healthy and ecologically sound Classes and Workshops—Ongoing and Simpler, richer, more satisfying living special sessions, for the public and for Respect for all living beings and the Earth building professionals, on natural building Focus on locally and regionally sourced techniques such as cob, straw bale, resources, both human and material climate-responsive design, and earth plasters; and sustainable living topics such as Permaculture, simpler living, eco-urban living, and natural cleaners What is Natural Building? Sustainable Learning Center—We Natural building is sustainable building at its “greenest.” are working towards creating a center Natural building utilizes minimally processed, nontoxic in which to base our workshops and materials and systems, used appropriately for the classes, printed resources, and a tool climate, site, and intended use. It incorporates primarily lending library natural materials rather than high embodied energy, Ecovillage—The village we envision will processed commercial materials. serve as a real-life demonstration of the sustainable practices we promote and teach, and will operate synergistically with How is Natural Building different from Green Building? the Sustainable Learning Center While natural building is a special category within green Natural Building Colloquium of Texas— building, it is more accurate to think of a green building DBL was one of the primary sponsors/ spectrum, with natural building materials and methods organizers of this successful gathering of being at the “greenest” end of the spectrum. seasoned and aspiring natural builders in the fall of 2007. View event photos and Visit the Design~Build~Live Web site for our list of the stellar cast of presenters at recommended natural building publications and Web www.naturalbuildingtexas.org sites.

Design~Build~Live offers evening presentations, free and open to the public, on natural building and sustainable living, on the third Wednesday of every month, at Casa de Luz, 1701 Toomey Road, Austin, Texas. See our newsletters on the Web site for past and upcoming presentation topics. For more information about Design~Build~Live, current activities, and how to get involved, or to sign up for our free e-newsletter, contact us at

P. O. Box 49381, Austin, TX 78765 512-478-9033 www.designbuildlive.org

9 Case Studies: Green Building Rated Multifamily and Vertical Mixed Use

The Austin Energy Green Building Multifamily interrelated. We work with building professionals to Program, one of only a handful in the country, is at build energy and water efficient units that are more the leading edge of sustainable building. About 20% durable and require less maintenance than buildings of new residential construction is classified as mult- that are only built to code. Green buildings sell and family, making this sector important in terms of energy rent faster, have lower turnover, and reduce operating savings and environmental impacts. Building green costs. Green buildings are better for business, better multifamily communities can have a major impact for tenants, and better for the planet. on climate protection, occupant health, and opera- tion and maintenance costs. Many of Austin’s new As green building processes and techniques per- buildings and developments are required to achieve colate through the building industry and the public some level of our 1 to 5 Star Rating based on zoning, mindset, the AEGB Multifamily Program stays ahead development agreements, or SMART Housing. of the curve by continuously raising the bar on our rating. The 2008 Multifamily Rating is currently in Green building starts with good planning and a effect; however, the case studies below received their comprehensive, thoughtful design. The AEGB Multi- ratings using previous versions of the standards. family staff understand that all parts of a building are

City View at the Park 4 Star Photo: McConnell Photography

City View is an independent living community, located directly to the south of Mabel Davis District Park on Wood- ward Street. Green building goals were developed by the design and construction team early in the process. The team worked together to achieve a high rating. It was one of the first multifamily developments to perform duct leakage tests. The development provides for both private residential space and common social space including a community living room as well as walking paths around the property and connections to the nearby park.

Green Building Features  100% high-efficacy lighting  Native and adaptive landscaping Team: Parker Lane Developer, Strategic Housing Finance  Right-sized air conditioning Corporation, AA Gonzalez Engineering, White Oak Builders, SGI Ventures

The Boulevard 3 Star Photo: Alex Howell

Located north of E. Riverside Dr. on Grove Blvd., across the street from Austin Community College and near Safe- Place and Ruiz Library, The Boulevard is well-positioned to house a diverse group of residents. The team worked closely with United Cerebral Palsy to design a percent- age of the units to meet the special living needs of their members.

Green Building Features  Durable, recycled, engineered, and local materials  Fluorescent lighting and EnergyStar appliances  Continuous ridge and soffit vents for attic ventilation  Native and adaptive landscaping

Team: Tekoa Boulevard Partners, Andersson-Wise Archi- tects, Tellepsen Builders, Brettco Service Company

Green Building – Top-Rated Multifamily 10 Case Studies: Green Building Rated Multifamily and Vertical Mixed Use

Saltillo Lofts 3 Star Photo: McConnell Photography

Built adjacent to the MetroRail stop at Saltillo Plaza (East 5th St. & Comal St.), Saltillo Lofts sets a good precedent for green building as a part of transit-oriented developments. It is a mixed-use development with condominiums above retail on a pedestrian-friendly site near transit and a variety of commercial, retail, and entertainment venues.

Green Building Features  Hard surface flooring (wood and concrete)  Ductwork located within the thermal envelope  High quality windows with low solar heat gain coefficient  Native landscaping  Permanent termite and water intrusion prevention Team: Constructive Ventures, Hailey | Johnson Architects, systems Bailey Elliot Const., Encotech Engineering Consultants Quarters at Cameron House 3 Star Photo: McConnell Photography

Located in West Campus near 28th & Rio Grande St. along with Quarters at Sterling House and Quarters at Montgomery House. A 1-Star Rating was required to obtain more density. A green building consultant worked with the team throughout design and construction to achieve a 3-Star Rating.

Green Building Features  Encourages recycling for residents  EnergyStar appliances  Recycled content and durable materials  Low-VOC paints and a no-adhesive flooring system  Native plants and drip irrigation system Team: Simmons Vedder Partners, Steinberg Design Collaborative, Rampart Construction, Monarch Design/Con- sulting, Eleanor McKinney – Landscape Architect, Johnson Consulting Engineers, Haynes Whaley Associates Residences at The Domain 3 Star Photo: McConnell Photography

Phase One located north of Braker Lane at MoPac is a pedestrian friendly mixed-use development where residents can find shopping and fun without needing a car. High efficiency heating and cooling is provided by the nearby Austin Energy combined heat and power facility.

Green Building Features  Composite decking on roof-top gathering spaces  Stockpiled top-soil and mulch from site trees for landscaping  Native and adaptive landscaping  Low-VOC paints and adhesives, formaldehyde-free insulation and millwork  Mixed-use, mixed-income, pedestrian friendly, walkable community Team: Columbus Realty Partners, Centro Partners, RTKL Associates, Amicus Construction

Green Building – Top-Rated Multifamily 11 Austin ISD – Leading the Way toward Department to calibrate and optimize the performance Green and High-Performing Schools of the mechanical and electrical equipment in schools. Rating Success In 2004 and again in 2008, Austin voters approved school bonds that were collectively worth almost $900 million. These included funding for new schools, major additions, EWaS and AISD collaborated with Austin Energy Green and renovations. These bond projects were designed to Building (AEGB) to use the AEGB commercial rating as improve the quality and safety of AISD schools and facili- the basis for rating new school construction and additions ties, and alleviate overcrowding in existing schools while under the 2004 Bond Program. providing new and expanded facilities to serve Austin’s growing population. As part of the rating process, EWaS and AEGB consult with project teams and provide recommendations and sug- Specifically addressing environmental considerations, gestions on how to integrate sustainable strategies into the the 2004 and 2008 Bond Programs called for initiatives to projects. Throughout design and construction, EWaS meets conserve energy and water and enhance indoor environ- with the teams, verifies integration and implementation mental quality. In collaboration with AISD’s sustainability of sustainable strategies to ensure systems are installed consultants, the District established a goal to create a “cul- and operating properly, and provides documentation ture of sustainability” throughout the AISD community, support. including a coherent and cohesive approach to design, construction and operations. The AISD goal for the bond programs is to achieve at least a 2-Star Rating on all new schools and additions. To Building on earlier environmental initiatives, financing achieve a 2-Star Rating, projects should fulfill all basic re- from these bonds has allowed AISD to demonstrate that quirements and achieve additional points in the following green schools can yield financial, educational and social categories: site, energy, water, indoor environmental quality, benefits for a modest increase in price. Based on national materials, and innovations. The AEGB basic requirements data, first-cost premiums are quickly paid back through include: operational savings and enhanced staff performance. In addition, these studies document that students enjoy • Building systems commissioning; improved health, better test performance, and reduced absenteeism. AISD is among a growing number of school • Storm water run-off and water quality control; districts across the country that design, build and operate • Roofing materials that reduce the heat island schools to use resources efficiently while creating healthy effect; and productive learning environments. • Exceeding the building envelope and lighting energy code by at least 15%; What Makes Schools Different? • Reducing water use indoors by at least 15%; • Low-emitting interior paints and coatings; School districts play a vital role in the efforts to create • Providing for storage and collection of recyclables; better buildings and protect the environment. Every day, • Diverting at least 50% of construction waste from 55 million students and 5 million teachers, administrators, the landfill. and other staff occupy K-12 schools, amounting to 20% of the total population of the United States. Because children Due to the skillful guidance of EWaS, and close col- have developing immune systems that can be sensitive to laboration with AEGB, all new schools and additions have environmental hazards, children need healthy classrooms projected significant energy savings through computer that are conducive to learning. modeling. Better envelope design, energy-efficient lighting, greater and better use of daylight, efficient and properly At the same time, schools fulfill their primary mission, sized mechanical systems, and cool roofs are some of the the education of students. Integrating environmental issues approaches that were implemented. Reduced energy into the curriculum will result in informed future citizens consumption in better performing schools results in lower and advocates. utility bills for these schools, reduced pollution from burn- ing fossil fuels, and less damage to the environment. Plan for Success Energy use, however, is not the only focus of better performing and greener schools. Water use is reduced To attain identified sustainability goals, the District con- indoors through the use of dual flush or high-efficiency tracted with ACR Engineering for assistance with these ef- toilets, water efficient urinals, and low-flow aerators, and forts. ACR Engineering joined with the Center for Maximum outdoors through native and adapted landscaping. More Potential Building Systems, Cotera + Reed Architects, and importantly, students and teachers in the new schools are Studio D Consulting + Design to form the Energy, Water, enjoying the benefits of high performance lighting and con- and Sustainability (EWaS) consulting team. EWaS is actively trols, views and natural light, and low-emitting, healthy and involved in each project throughout design and construc- durable materials. The Austin ISD is proactively taking the tion. EWaS also works with the District’s Maintenance

Green Building – Green Schools 12 necessary steps to create a better learning environment for • Integrated Pest Management – AISD developed a students and work environment for teachers and staff. plan that focuses on preventing pests in and around the schools using a least-toxic approach. Native Beyond the efforts of project teams, the District has plants, naturally resistant to pests and diseases, are pursued its own initiatives to improve sustainable oper- being used in all landscapes. Non-toxic barriers and ating policies and procedures. Among the most notable least-toxic treatments will be used to prevent and initiatives are: eliminate infestations indoors. • Low-Emitting Buses – A total of 266 low-emitting • Green Power – AISD meets 40% of the District’s (ultra-low sulfur diesel) buses have been purchased energy needs through participation in the Austin under the 2004 and 2008 Bond Programs, along with Energy GreenChoice® program that provides power one plug-in hybrid bus. At the time of purchase, the generated primarily from wind. plug-in hybrid bus was one of only 18 in the nation. • Renewable Energy generated on site – Several schools feature demonstration solar panel installations (PVs) The energy and water savings documented by EWaS that generate power and provide the opportunity for enabled the District to apply for rebates from Austin Energy students to learn about solar energy. Students can and the City of Austin Water Conservation Department. track the power generated by the systems for each As of February 2010, over $1 million has been paid to the school at www.soltrex.com. District by Austin Energy, with about $52,000 still in pro- • Green Housekeeping –After a thorough evaluation cess for payment. of the cleaning products, the District selected a new set of products that aim for better health and envi- Through the 2004 and 2008 Bond Programs, the District ronmental outcomes, while remaining cost effective developed environmental procedures and construction and performing well. Following a pilot evaluation standards for existing and future schools. AISD hopes to period at 23 facilities, they will be considered for build upon these lessons to create a brighter future for our District-wide use. children and community.

Case Studies: Green Building in AISD Schools

Perez Elementary School 2 Star Photo: Thomas McConnell

Green Building Features  Sidewalks provide safe pedestrian access to the school; bike racks are also provided  Located near two or more public transportation routes  27% annual electric energy use reduction  25% annual indoor water use reduction  Low-emitting and mold/mildew resistant materials  83% of all construction waste diverted from the landfill  38% of building materials manufactured in Texas Team: Graeber, Simmons & Cowan, HMG & Assc., Jose I. Guerra, Datum/Gojer, Rogers-O’Brien Construction, EWaS

LBJ High School Theater Addition 4 Star Photo: Thomas McConnell

Green Building Features  The theater is a shared-use facility, reducing the need for additional structures and fostering strong community interaction  Located near two or more public transportation routes  32% annual electric energy use reduction  25% annual indoor water use reduction  Low-emitting materials  75% of all construction waste diverted from landfill  30% of building materials manufactured in Texas LZT Arch., Encotech Eng., Brath General Contractors, EWaS

Green Building – Green Schools 13 Clayton Elementary School 2 Star Photo: Austin Energy Green Building

Green Building Features  Two-story school reduces building footprint  23% annual electric energy use reduction  21% annual indoor water use reduction  35% materials with recycled content  Low emitting materials  Durable, stained concrete floors throughout corridors and entryways  81% construction waste diverted from the landfill  69% of building materials manufactured in Texas Barnes Gromatzky Kosarek Architects, Goetting & Assc., Ray- mond Chan & Assc., Datum/Gojer Eng., SpawGlass, EWaS Overton Elementary School 3 Star Photo: Thomas McConnell

Green Building Features  Sharing gym and rec-center with City of Austin  Two-story classroom wings reduce footprint  Building orientation and window size and placement to optimize daylight in classrooms  20% annual electric energy use reduction  26% annual indoor water use reduction  92% annual irrigation water use reduction  Low-emitting and mold/mildew resistant materials  59% of all construction waste diverted from landfill  53% of building materials manufactured in Texas O’Connell Robertson & Associates, Jaster Quintanilla & Associates, American Constructors, EWaS Kealing Middle School Addition 4 Star Photo: Thomas McConnell

Green Building Features  Located near two or more public transportation routes  36% annual electric energy use reduction  33% annual indoor water use reduction  Low-emitting and mold/mildew resistant materials  58% of all construction waste diverted from landfill  60% of building materials manufactured in Texas

BLGY Arch., Talex, Jaster Quintanilla & Assc., Kencon, EWaS

HOLOS (a.k.a. HOLOS Collaborative) Contracting and Remodeling Kathleen Zarsky Assoc. AIA, LEED AP From Additions to Repairs A Sustainability Management Firm & Think Tank Quality Work • Assessments and Reporting Tools Since 1980 • Building and Site Certification(s) Management Member, • Program and Policy Guidance and Creation Green Builders • Research and Data Collection • Educational Programs and Coaching Joe Zakes

[email protected] • (512) 466-6895 445-4470 www.holoscollaborative.com www.apcaustin.com

Green Building – Green Schools 14 Transit Oriented Development near the MetroRail Red Line station located between Justin Green Building & Transportation and St. John’s. Platform and infrastructure construction is completed, and this area will include several bus bays and parking for transit riders, making it a multi-modal Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) is being imple- transportation center. mented across the country as policy-makers recognize the benefits of creating vibrant, walkable, mixed income, and With roughly 150,000 sq. ft. of office and retail space, 335 mixed-use development clusters linked together by safe, multifamily dwelling units already constructed, and plans affordable, easy-to-access and diverse transit options. Two for additional single family and multifamily residences, Mid- City of Austin departments, the Neighborhood Planning town Commons is full of mixed use and mixed income op- and Zoning Department and Austin Energy Green Building portunities. The first phase of this development has achieved (AEGB) work together to encourage TOD. a 3-Star rating through the AEGB Multifamily program.

While the Neighborhood Planning and Zoning Dept. Plaza Saltillo: The Plaza Saltillo TOD is comprised of touts benefits of increased predictability and consistency of 608 acres between E. 7th and E. 4th streets on the north development process, AEGB recognizes that TODs help pre- and south and IH-35 and Comal on the east and west. A vent sprawl, utilize existing infrastructure, and preserve nat- master plan created in 2006 for the Saltillo Redevelopment ural resources. By reducing the need for parking, the urban District, located within the Plaza Saltillo TOD, identifies the heat island effect and stormwater run-off are also reduced. location of mixed use, residential and open space parcels, and outlines several improvements to encourage pedestrian The Red Line Cometh access. Key goals of the master plan are to mitigate gentri- fication and provide affordable housing. Construction of the MetroRail Red Line station located at 5th and Comal Capital Metro’s (Austin’s mass transit authority) long- was completed in 2009. range plan, All Systems Go!, creates the transportation network that will connect future transit-oriented and destination developments in Austin. The first phase of The first of hopefully many AEGB-rated developments the plan includes the Capital MetroRail Red Line, which in this TOD, Saltillo Lofts (p. 11), received a 3-Star Rating, will start providing service during peak traffic hours by and includes a mix of residential and commercial spaces. the spring of 2010. Regular and special shuttle buses will It is a mixed income development within walking distance run in conjunction with the Red Line to allow a wide range of the Red Line station. of final destinations. Downtown (Central Business District): Within the down- Along with the North Burnet/Gateway area, four other town area, a majority of the available building sites are zoned TOD districts are on the Red Line: Lamar/Justin, MLK, Plaza Central Business District (CBD) and Downtown Mixed Use Saltillo, and Downtown. Green building requirements are (DMU). Since mid-2003, any new construction (requiring in place for all of these districts except MLK. a site development permit) with a CBD or DMU zoning is required to achieve at least a 1-Star AEGB Rating. Green Building Meets TOD As of February 2010, 16 projects (3.6 million square feet) have achieved an AEGB Rating. More than 13 additional North Burnet/Gateway: The North Burnet/Gateway projects (4.8 million square feet), currently in design or area is a 2,300-acre mixed use development, larger than construction stages, are on track to achieve an AEGB Rat- Austin's downtown and three times the size of the Mueller ing. Though the results are still coming in, annual savings redevelopment. It is located north of Highway 183, west of of 14.2 million gallons of water and 6,400 Megawatt hours Metric, with Duval and Mo-Pac making other boundaries. of electricity have been reported. Furthermore, meeting green building standards reduced peak electric demand by Redevelopment of the area will take place over the next 2.4 Megawatts, and kept 9,400 tons of construction waste 20 to 30 years, and has already begun at The Domain. The out of the landfill. eastern portion of the Domain is being developed by En- deavor Real Estate Group. This mixed use village will be Beyond the Red Line completed over the next 10 to 12 years, housing more than 6,000 residents and serving 17,500 office workers. Endeavor has signed a Planned Development Agreement to achieve Austin may soon see connectivity to destination (and either a 2-Star AEGB Rating or LEED Silver certification green) developments through bus and MetroRapid bus for all buildings. service “book-ended” with Park and Ride facilities around Austin. In addition, Capital Metro plans to add express bus lines and is investigating a new Park and Ride facility Lamar/Justin: Midtown Commons (also known as in South Austin near South Park Meadows. New bikeways Crestview Station) is a 73.4-acre area within the Lamar/ are also in the works including the Lance Armstrong Bike- Justin TOD in North Austin located at the intersection of way envisioned to connect East and West Austin through Airport and Lamar, just south of Highway 183. Trammell downtown. Cyclists will soon enjoy easy access to MetroRail Crow Company is the developer. Midtown Commons is at the Downtown and Plaza Saltillo stations.

Green Building – Tranist Oriented Development 15 University Neighborhood Overlay (West Cam- pus): In 2004, a group of public and private stakeholders developed a plan for the West Campus neighborhood that encourages pedestrian access and increases the number of residences. The result- ing University Neighborhood Overlay is a voluntary zoning overlay that allows for increased height and density in exchange for affordable housing, green building and pedestrian amenities among other requirements. All multifamily buildings must achieve at least a 1-Star AEGB Rating.

With 16 AEGB rated projects saving over 780 KW in peak demand, and still more on the drawing board, there will be many opportunities to continue developing a walkable, compact neighborhood with residences built to reduce energy and water consumption. Though not on a proposed Metro- Rail stop, Capital Metro and UT buses serve the neighborhood regularly.

Mueller: Mueller is located at the old Robert Mueller Municipal Airport east of IH-35 and south of 51st Street. Though no MetroRail stop will be located within Mueller in the first phase of All Systems Go!, it is targeted for a transit connection in the future. In addition, Mueller has a bike path network that ties into the overall city network for both bike commuting and leisure cycling. All Mu- eller buildings will be green-rated. Single family homes and duplexes are required to achieve at least a 3-Star AEGB Rating. Multifamily and commercial buildings are required to achieve a minimum 2-Star AEGB Rating and/or LEED certification. (The following article on Mueller discusses more details on the performance results achieved by commercial and residential buildings to date.)

East Avenue: East Avenue is the site of the former Concordia University campus. The developer has been working with the design teams and AEGB to create buildings that are responsive to the site’s location and achieve at least a 2-Star AEGB Rating. The development will contain a mix of uses and is located near many opportunities for mass transit.

Better Together

The transportation and building sectors offer huge opportunities for improving the environment and quality of life. TOD and green building naturally fit together and each strategy is easier to implement when the other is included. They are Use the map to see how green building and transit-oriented and destination part of a larger vision of a sustainable city infra- developments are integral to how our region is evolving. structure that supports dense, compact communities created around high-quality green buildings, Expanding the Connections and offers numerous transit options including safe, walkable streets and public spaces that encourage community interaction. Three other areas of Austin that require Green Building Ratings are ripe for expanding mass transit options.

Green Building – Tranist Oriented Development 16 Alarife – E. Logan Wagner AIA Jim Rush, Green Builder, Inc. ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & CONSULTING (512) 925-2029 • www.jimrushgreenbuilder.com

1416 Alameda Austin, TX 78704 [email protected] (512) 441-9729 alarifearchitects.com Building and remodeling high-performance, sustainable Rammed-Earth Home homes in Austin, Bastrop and surrounding communities. L. M. Holder III, FAIA,  Architecture  Planning  Energy Consulting 4202 Spicewood Springs  Ste. 214  Austin, Texas 78759  512.345.8817  FAX 512.345.2143

L. M. Holder III

www.holder3.com

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17 Mueller – an Ambitious Mixed-Use Sustainable Urbanism Development in the Heart of Austin

For more than seven decades the Mueller airport site has been a broken link within the Austin community. The decision to move the airport to its current location pre- sented a unique opportunity to reclaim this vital but very complicated piece of land situated within three miles of Downtown, The University of Texas and the State Capitol. The discussions for a redevelopment process started in the early 1980s and involved hundreds of citizens, politi- cal entities, the City and other stakeholders. The official process that started a decade later, and under the skillful guidance of the ROMA Design Group, transformed the community’s vision into the Mueller Master Plan. In 2002, the City selected Catellus Development Group, a nationally known company skilled in technical and financial aspects of redevelopment, as the master developer. Robert Mueller Municipal Airport site - photo taken in 2002 Beyond the merits of the plan, the process itself speaks To create a community that fosters a sustainable lifestyle, highly of Austin's community spirit, aspirations for future the Mueller plan builds upon the principles of smart growth growth, and commitment to enhance the city’s distinct and sustainable urbanism. The plan promotes sustainability quality of life. It is no wonder that a process that involved at three distinct levels: Green Community Design, Green so many dedicated individuals, who respected each other’s Infrastructure, and Green Buildings. views and cared deeply for the results, produced a plan that can serve as a paradigm for green urbanism. Green Community Design

Plan Overview and Goals Mueller is a mixed-use community that gives residents the ability to live, work, shop, and support their daily The key community goals, as identified during the needs within walking distance. In addition, the available redevelopment process and articulated by the Mueller variety of housing types will allow families with different Task Force, became the foundation and framework for the lifestyles and incomes to live in the same neighborhood, Mueller Master Plan. These goals include: thus enriching each other’s experiences.

• Fiscal Responsibility: create revenue stream to fund the Since affordability is a key element in the Mueller vision, infrastructure improvements and increase the tax base. the plan calls for more than 25% of the homes to be affordable to families that make 80% or less of Austin’s median • Economic Development: create employment and reinforce family income. These homes will be part of all development Austin’s role in the global marketplace. phases and will be fully integrated. Furthermore, Catellus • East Austin Revitalization: promote economic develop- created the Mueller Foundation and put mechanisms in ment opportunities within the greater East Austin area. place to ensure that Mueller will remain a mixed-income • Compatibility with Surrounding Neighborhoods: enhance community for many years to come. the quality of life in adjacent neighborhoods. • Diversity: offer a wide range of housing choices to create Open Space an ethnically and economically diverse community. Parks and greenways comprise more than 20% of Muel- • Sustainability: promote resource efficien- ler (approximately 140 acres). Large parks cy; reduce auto dependency; protect the Mueller Redevelopment and playfields are designed for recreational watershed; preserve green space. Land Use Overview activities, while smaller parks and urban Total Land Area:711 acres plazas promote social gatherings and build a sense of community. Within the perimeter Mueller clearly showcases Austin’s val- Site Type:Remediated greenways, a continuous, six-mile long ues – sustainable urbanism, affordable hous- Brownfield hike-and-bike trail is taking shape that ing and lively neighborhoods. The goal is to Open Space:140 acres not only ties the entire greenway system create a compact, mixed-use and interactive Building Breakdown together, but connects to surrounding community that is less dependent on auto- Commercial neighborhoods and parks as well. mobiles for transportation. To reduce the use Square Footage:4.2 million of cars, employment centers, retail centers, Number of recreational spaces and parks, residences More than 15,000 trees will be planted Residential Units:4,600 and mass transit facilities will all be located within the Mueller community to create an Affordable within walking distance of each other. urban forest, mitigate the heat island effect, Residential Units:1,150 and reduce stormwater runoff. Existing

Green Building – Mueller Redevelopment 18 trees are being preserved, while hundreds of mature pecan The main advantage of a district energy system over a trees – rescued and relocated by Catellus when a Bastrop conventional power plant is efficiency. Typically, only developer sought to build over a former pecan grove – found one-third of the fuel energy input to a traditional power a new home around the Northwest Greenway and the Visi- plant is delivered to the end user as electricity. The rest of tor’s Center. Trees, shrubs and grasses are selected from a the energy is released as waste heat or lost in transmission carefully developed list of native and adapted plants that lines. By contrast, the Mueller Energy Center recycles the thrive in the Austin environment, demand less water and hot exhaust air from the combustion process to produce preserve water quality. Another ambitious effort calls for steam. The steam is used by the Dell Children’s Hospital, the Southwest Greenway to be transformed back into its and is also used to produce chilled water for absorption air original state – a Texas blackland prairie with tall, mixed, conditioning. The chilled water is piped to new buildings and short grasses. This native prairie will showcase the nearby, such as Strictly Pediatrics and the Dell Pediatrics beauty of this landscape in an urban setting and educate Research Institute, which benefit from the high reliability visitors about the Central Texas ecosystem. and efficiency of the plant.

Stormwater Management Mueller’s stormwater system is designed to manage 100% of the runoff on-site through a series of retention and detention ponds that mitigate flooding in the surrounding neighborhoods and serve as public amenities. Lake Park already attracts local residents and visitors along the promenade edge and outdoor performance venue, while the Southwest and Southeast Greenways will feature large ponds with waterfalls and open meadows. Furthermore, the Greenways play a significant role in filtering stormwater contaminants. Interpretive signs will be placed close to the lakes, explaining their role in stormwater management. Photo: Tate Austin Photo: Tate Northwest Greenway - trail and playground

Streets and Transportation A comprehensive network of streets complements and extends the open space system and the pedestrian and bicycle ways throughout the community. These well- landscaped, multi-modal corridors provide efficient cir- culation and distribute traffic without overburdening the perimeter streets. In an effort to reduce up to 30% of car trips generated by this new community, the Mueller plan also calls for future commuter or light rail to pass through a central transit corridor. McConnell Photography Green (High-Performance) Infrastructure Mueller neighborhood – Tom Miller Street

Reclaimed Water Green Buildings In Austin, sewage is treated to a very high level of As a model for sustainable urbanism, all buildings within quality before it is released back into the Colorado River. Mueller are required to meet green building standards. This highly treated water can be "reclaimed" and reused Specifically: for non-potable uses such as irrigation instead of being returned. The Austin Water Utility has constructed a reclaimed water supply system that runs along the northern • all commercial buildings larger than 25,000 square feet boundary of Mueller on 51st Street. It will be the primary and all multifamily buildings will achieve a minimum source of irrigation for most open spaces, streetscapes and 2-Star rating from Austin Energy Green Building and/ commercial landscapes. The system includes a 2 million or LEED certification gallon capacity water storage tank located at the northern • all single family buildings will achieve a minimum 3-Star edge of Mueller. rating from Austin Energy Green Building

Mueller Energy Center Results to date confirm that all buildings met, and in The 4.3 Megawatt Mueller Energy Center that features most cases exceeded, the green building requirements. an on-site electric plant and thermal (off-peak) energy Several of the buildings have already been recognized for storage is an innovative energy production facility that their sustainable designs, including: assures maximum reliability and very low emissions. Green Building – Mueller Redevelopment 19 DOUG GORTON 512-799-8384 [email protected] ECO-PAINTING WePaintAustin.com

AUSTIN'S ENVIRONMENTAL PAINTERS Craft Style • Quality Work Excellent References LOW VOC & LOW ODOR • NON-TOXIC MTLS. USED CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY • ODOR SENSITIVITY Living Architecture: Still Alive and Kicking

Spotlight on Mueller Central Marley Porter Mueller Central serves as the Visitor's Center and the main 4401 Cottonwood Dr. offices for Catellus Development. The project transformed a Cottonwood Shores, TX 78657 former air terminal to create a showcase for green building. Office - 830-798-9310 It saves 25% on energy, 77% on water, uses 100% reclaimed Fax - 830-798-9304 water for landscaping, and recycled 64% of its waste during [email protected] construction. Its use of locally sourced construction materials amounted to 52% of its materials costs. Bowerbird Construction, Inc. • Mueller Central – 4-Star AEGB rating and LEED Gold Custom Homebuilding certification Alternative Construction • Ronald McDonald House – LEED Platinum certification Rainwater Collection Systems • Dell Children's Medical Center – first commercial building to get 5-Star AEGB rating, and the only hospital in Keith Miller Cell: 512-461-3851 the world to achieve LEED Platinum certification Tel: 512-858-5395 [email protected] Commercial Buildings P.O. Box 1141 • Dripping Springs, TX 78620 As of February 2010, the commercial and retail facilities at Mueller have:

• reduced energy use by 42% on average (saving more than 4,360 Kilowatts in peak demand); • reduced building water use by 33% (saving more than NATURAL BUILDING • Permaculture design 4.5 millions of gallons of water per year); CONSULTATION • WORKSHOPS • reduced water use for irrigation by more than 3.5 million Frank Meyer gallons of water during the month of July; (512) 517-9272 Tel/fax 2728 S. Congress, #9 • diverted more than 89% of construction waste from the [email protected] Austin, TX 78704 landfill (more than 37,000 tons). www.thangmaker.com MIGHTY FINE CRAFTSMANSHIP Single Family Buildings The Mueller neighborhoods are designed to be as diverse as possible offering yard houses, garden-court houses, row houses, and live-work shop houses. All homebuild- ers – David Weekley Homes, Meritage Homes, The Muskin Company, Saldana Homes, Standard Pacific, and Streetman Homes – are successfully meeting and exceeding 3-Star rating requirements. Standards include tests for thermal envelope leakage and duct leakage, and recycling at least 25% of construction waste.

Out of the 532 AEGB rated homes at Mueller, 43 achieved 5-Star ratings and 10 achieved 4-Star ratings. 20 Energy Code + Green Building = energy efficiency of new homes on a scale of 1 to 4 Stars. In Climate Protection 1992, this program was expanded into Austin Energy Green Building (AEGB) by adding water conservation, sustainable materials, and waste reduction to the rating criteria. Global warming may be the single largest threat to the environment in a world beset by them. The City of Austin has opted to be a leader in reducing fossil fuels emissions AEGB leads a working group comprised of City staff to from its building and transportation sectors. recommend changes or local amendments to the national code, and move the amended code through the adoption process. The adoption process includes stakeholder review, One of the largest and most cost-effective opportuni- legal review, City Boards and Commissions, and finally City ties to reduce emissions is in new buildings. The build- Council action. After the code has been adopted, AEGB is ing sector emits almost 40% of the carbon dioxide in this responsible for educating both the industry and other City country. It is more cost-effective to construct an efficient departments about the changes and ensuring that the new building than it is to retrofit an existing building to save code is effectively implemented. energy, or to provide low-carbon renewable energy. Zero Energy Capable Homes Energy codes first appeared in the U.S. in the 1970’s as a response to the energy crisis. Austin adopted its first energy code in 1975 and there have been three updates The Austin Climate Protection Plan builds on the City’s since then. Each code update resulted in a higher level of long history of successful energy conservation through the energy efficiency, saving energy for owners and tenants energy code by requiring all homes built in the City of Austin and reducing the need for new power plants. to reduce energy use by 65% by 2015. It will also require energy use reductions of 75% for all non-residential new Since that first energy code adoption in 1975, the City construction buildings in the same year. By greatly limit- of Austin and Austin Energy have operated programs to ing the amount of energy used, these "zero energy capable" ensure building professionals understand the requirements buildings will be ready to have all their remaining energy and are able to meet or exceed them. The first program needs generated onsite when solar energy prices fall. was Austin Energy Star Homes, a rating system evaluating

A J K

F I B E C D F G H D

Net Zero Energy Capable Homes

A Zero Energy Capable Home saves the majority of the energy normally used in a conventional home with energy-efficient design and equipment, and provides the balance with onsite renewable energy. This model home exhibits strategies to achieve zero energy: A) Foam insulation applied to underside of roof deck – this turns the attic into a conditioned space so ductwork can run through it without losing heating or cooling to a cold or hot attic; B) Ductwork is sealed, insulated, and on the inside of house or in insulated attic; C) High- efficiency HVAC unit is on the inside of house or in insulated attic; D) Energy Star™ appliances; E) Insulated doors; F) Windows with low Solar Heat Gain Coefficient and U-value; G) High R-value wall insulation; H) Ceiling fans in major rooms; I) Compact fluorescent lamps that save 75% of lighting energy; J) Solar photovoltaics; K) Solar water heater that saves 70-80% of water heating energy in Texas.

Green Building – Energy Building Code 21 In August 2006, the Austin City Council authorized a ficient reduced from 0.4 to 0.3, U-value (conductive heat citizen task force to develop a Zero Energy Capable Homes transmission) reduced from 0.65 to 0.51; (ZECH) plan for consideration. The task force consisted of • Improve water heating system efficiency by 5%. builders, architects, heating and air conditioning contractors, affordable housing advocates, energy efficiency advocates, and city staff. It submitted a report in July 2007 laying out Some of the measures that may be included in the 2012 a plan to use the energy code to meet the ZECH 2015 goals. and 2015 codes may not be in Austin’s discretion to implement. Appliances play a big part in the plan to substantially

improve energy efficiency in homes since plug loads can City Council approved the task force recommendations represent 20% to 30% of the total electric energy use. How- in October 2007 and the current energy code became effec- ever, efficiency standards for most appliances are regulated tive on January 1, 2008. Some of the recommendations for by the federal government. Other potential energy saving meeting the energy efficiency goals in the 2009, 2012 and measures for 2012 and 2015 include: 2015 code updates will be added to the Green Building rating to prepare and educate the local building industry. • HVAC unit and ducts installed in conditioned space; • Reflective roofing; Since air conditioning is the biggest energy use in Austin • Improve furnace efficiency. homes, the first set of code changes (already adopted) fo- cused on improving HVAC systems. Changes included: Energy Efficiency for Commercial Buildings

• Tests for duct leaks, air balancing, and static pressure; The Climate Protection Plan also calls for energy ef- • Documentation for properly sized HVAC systems; ficiency improvements of 75% by 2015 in non-residential • Radiant Barrier System in non-reflective roofs; buildings. The commercial portion of the 2008 energy code • Testing the building envelope to reduce air leakage to did not require extensive local revisions because the adop- and from the outside; tion of the latest national code advanced energy efficiency • High-efficiency lamps for 25% of interior lighting. by approximately 20%.

Energy savings were quantified using energy analysis The most significant energy performance changes to software for a 2,263 square foot house under construction the national code were in lighting and building envelope. in Austin by a national production builder. The results Code defines lighting power allowances in watts per square showed total energy savings of 11%. The annual savings by foot, for various types of building uses. New high efficacy fuel type were 2,515 kWh and 4 CCF (hundred cubic feet) lighting fixtures provide the same amount of light at a lower of natural gas, for a 19% improvement in electric energy wattage. As an example, the lighting power allowance in use and a 1% improvement in gas use. office buildings was reduced from 1.3 watts per square foot to 1.0 watt per square foot – a 23% savings. Similar lighting These code changes will require an additional cost of power reductions were imposed in other building uses. about $1,179 for the typical Austin home. At a utility rate In addition, Austin adopted local amendments requiring of 9.1¢ per kWh, the annual energy cost savings come to reflective roofing on all commercial buildings and exterior $228, yielding a 5-year simple payback. Even better, when the lighting controls. cost of these changes is rolled into a $200,000 mortgage at 6.5% interest, the utility bill savings exceed the additional mortgage As technology and the codes progress, Austin Energy costs providing an immediate payback to the homeowners. Green Building will be working with other groups nationally to ensure that our goals under the Climate Protection Plan Three More Times are met. The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the U.S. Department of Energy have already set a goal of improv- After completing the 2008 code, the task force turned to ing the national standard that the energy code is based on setting goals for the three other energy code cycles (2009, by 30% in 2010. This will certainly help Austin fulfill the 2012, and 2015) needed to ramp up to the Zero Energy goals in the Climate Protection Plan. Capable goal. The task force expects to improve energy efficiency by 19% in 2009, 18% in 2012, and the final 17% What Is Started Now... in 2015. With the final goal achieved, the energy efficiency measures will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 6,000 tons per year per thousand new homes built. By building new structures with zero net energy use, Austin may ultimately be able to grow without using more Proposed changes in the 2009 cycle (slated for adoption conventional energy in buildings that contributes to global in 2010) include: warming. In fact, over a few decades, our city may actually decrease carbon emissions as old buildings get replaced or go through major remodeling that requires energy code compli- • 90% of interior lighting to be high efficacy; ance. These codes will demonstrate to the rest of the country • Wall assembly performance equivalent to R-15; that a local government, in collaboration with the building • Improve window performance: Solar Heat Gain Coef- industry, can have significant influence on climate change.

Green Building – Energy Building Code 22 Green Remodeling save about 5% in cooling costs. • Improve your lighting – Fluorescent bulbs use one- fourth as much energy, last ten times longer and create 90% You don’t have to build new to have a green home. An less heat than incandescent bulbs (saving on AC). They older home may even be greener than a newer one before are now available in warm colors (2700o) that look good you even update a thing. That’s because many older in homes. Experiment to find the right ones for your uses homes were designed for better comfort without lots of and color scheme. air conditioning. They often have green features, such as covered porches, hardwood floors and mature shade trees. • Replace old appliances – Use Energy Star™ models. By remodeling, you’ll benefit your community as well as • Replace old toilets – Install models from the City of your family, because you won’t be contributing to sprawl Austin Water Conservation toilet list (see link below). Many and you’ll improve housing stock that would otherwise of these models perform well (double flushes not needed) be an energy and water hog. and save water over time due to better design or because they don’t allow installation of an incorrect flapper. • Improve landscaping – Increase the quality and depth Planning of your soil—your plants will thrive with less water. Mulch, mulch, mulch. Reduce turf area—it takes a lot of water to You may feel the need for a bigger home, but before maintain a green lawn. you start planning an addition, remember that more space means more furnishings, heating and cooling, cleaning Materials and maintenance. Sometimes just getting furniture that is well scaled for your current space or arranging it differently obviates the • Remove old materials carefully need for more square feet. Opening – On the negative side, they may be up cramped rooms by removing toxic, but on the positive side, they walls or adding windows, porches may be reusable. and decks and improving lighting • Select new materials with care help make a small space function – Choose durable materials that are better and feel larger. An architect or local, salvaged, engineered, have professional designer can help you high recycled content, or are made find good solutions. from rapidly renewable resources. • Replace an old composition roof with metal – Metal is energy Energy and Water Efficiency efficient and won’t need replacing. You’ll get a break on your home- • Shade from the outside – Plant long-lived shade owner’s insurance as well. trees. Protect windows with awnings, trellises and solar screens. Indoor Environmental Quality • Add attic radiant barrier – If you have ducts in the attic, a radiant barrier tacked to the underside of the rafters, • Protect from dust during construction – Seal off shiny side down, will drop your attic temperature up to 30 supply and return air grills and areas where remodeling degrees. That helps keep the conditioned air in the ducts is taking place. cooler and saves up to 10% in cooling costs. • Replace carpet with hard flooring – Carpets collect • Improve attic insulation – Since most insulation dust and dust mites (which cause asthma) and are hard to settles over time, you may need to add more. Aim for a keep clean. Wood, cork, or tile adds beauty and value and minimum R-30 for Austin’s climate. Cellulose insulation helps you maintain a clean, healthy home. is a good choice, since it’s made from recycled paper and • Choose low-fume paints, finishes and glues – Look doesn’t contain formaldehyde. for low-VOC (volatile organic compound) products. • Reduce air infiltration – Caulk any potential leak spots you can find: along base molding, around windows and electrical boxes. Weatherstrip doors. Helpful Resources • Check your HVAC system – Even if it’s only a few years old, get your ductwork tested and sealed to get • www.austinenergy.com/go/greenbuilding: for infor- leakage below 10%. If it’s time to replace old equipment, mation on Green by Design workshops and a Directory of be sure new equipment is correctly sized by Manual J, the green building professionals HVAC industry’s sizing method. With cooling equipment, • www.austinenergy.com: for information on energy- bigger isn’t better. Oversized units don’t run efficiently or efficiency rebates. long enough to dehumidify well. Excessive humidity feels • www.ci.austin.tx.us/watercon: for information on uncomfortable and enables mold growth. water conservation and toilet list • Install ceiling fans – But turn them on only when a • www.growgreen.org: for information on native and room is in use (they don’t cool the air — just the skin). For adapted landscape plants for Central Texas every degree you raise the thermostat in summer, you’ll

Green Building – Remodeling 23 24 25 VINYL-FREE BUILDING PRODUCTS ardous waste landfills or incinerated. This creates more pathways for environmental pollution if landfills leach toxins to the groundwater, and through air emission of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is a widely used plastic per- dioxins and furans at incinerators. vasive in consumer products. Of all common plastics, it is generally considered the most dangerous. Its elemental make-up is a mixture of carbon-based petrochemicals com- One reason for PVC’s popularity is its adaptability to bined with chlorine. This combination is rarely found in use. Combined with the right plasticizers and stabilizers, nature, and many members of the “organochlorine” chemi- vinyl can be modified in “alloys” that are flexible, rigid, or cal family, such as the banned pesticide DDT, PCBs, furans, imitate other materials. However, many of the chemicals and dioxins, are considered cancer causing and highly toxic. used in PVC modification are themselves toxic, and over In addition to these hazards, these chemicals biodegrade time can harm indoor air quality. very slowly into less toxic substances, some taking as long as 200 years, and bioaccumulate in the food chain. Dioxin and furans are present in trace amounts. Phthalate plasticizers can make up as much as 60% of flexible vinyl The American Chemical Council reported North Ameri- products such as flooring and wall coverings. Stabilizers can production of vinyl at 6.4 million tons in 2008. About such as lead, cadmium, and organotins are in products such 80% of all PVC is used in building products. Worldwide, as window frames, electric wire sheathing, and water piping. about 30 million tons are produced annually. About 5.4 million tons of phthalates and 156,000 tons of lead are used each year in vinyl products worldwide, and can affect air and water quality in and near buildings. PVC manufacturing has major environmental effects. Chlorine manufacturing is a major emitter of mercury, a heavy metal known to be neurotoxic, and is linked to kid- Scientific studies have linked phthlatates to asthma, and ney damage, birth defects, and developmental problems in lung and nasal inflammation. Vinyl wall coverings can act children. Chlorine production is also a major consumer of as a moisture barrier, promoting mold growth. Organotin electric energy, with all its attendant pollution. Substantial can cause birth defects, problems with the immune system, amounts of toxic chemicals from PVC are emitted to the air and damage to internal organs. The neurotoxicity of lead and water, causing harm to both workers at plastic produc- has been known for thousands of years. tion plants and residents in regions surrounding the plants. Some of these contaminants are dioxins and furans. In the event of fire, hydrogen chloride is released, causing skin burns and respiratory distress to firefighters and Contaminants screened from air and water at factories victims exposed to it. Heavy metals used as stabilizers with pollution control equipment must be buried in haz- mingle with the smoke, and dioxins are created through the combustion process.

Local Green Building Retailers After a fire at a kindergarten class in Germany, dioxin levels were so pronounced that the classroom was re- Ecowise...... 326-4474 mediated as a hazardous waste area. A fire at a plastics 110 West Elizabeth warehouse in New York state created dioxin levels in the Austin TX 78704 soil 100 times greater than samples taken from the sur- www.ecowise.com rounding community. Less-toxic Paints (zero-VOC strippers, thinners, finishes, off-gas stoppers, caulk) Disposal of vinyl products are also problematic. To begin Eco-Flooring (bamboo, cork, natural linoleum, natural with, post-consumer recycling is practically non-existent, and reclaimed hardwoods, recycled and natural carpet, so PVC adds to solid waste problems. When it is collected, adhesives, waxes, cleaners) it is not recycled into vinyl products; at best it is put into Countertops & Tile (Eco-Cem, Eco-Gres, Eco-Terr, Bio- heterogeneous products such as plastic wood. In landfills, the toxic plasticizers and stabilizers can leach into the Glass, Hill Tile Recycled Glass Tile, IceStone Countertops, groundwater. In waste incinerators, PVC combustion emits Paper Stone) carcinogenic and hazardous pollutants in the air and waste Plywood (wood, sorghum, bamboo) ash. Worldwide, about 10 million tons of vinyl building Aerated Concrete Blocks products are disposed of each year, with about 1.7 million Green Home Outfitters...... 294-3995 tons of this in the U.S. Not unlike radioactive waste that www.greenhomeoutfitters.com stays toxic long after it is used to produce power, an inven- tory of toxic PVC disposal problems grows every year. Less-toxic Paints (soy-based paint and wood stains, zero- VOC paint, sealers, non-skid coatings, strippers) Environmental consumers should avoid PVC when Eco-Flooring (wool carpet, concrete stains, sorghum possible. Generic and specific alternatives are listed on the board) next page. Some are specialty products and carry a price Concrete Resurfacing (counter and floor refinishing premium. Still, how much is good health worth? products and professional application)

Green Building – Vinyl-Free Products 26 PVC-FREE ALTERNATIVES – GENERIC MATERIALS – For more information, see healthybuilding.net BLINDS/SHADES: Aluminum, Fabric, Wood DUCTS: Fiberglass, Sheet Metal GUTTERS: Aluminum, Galvanized Steel, Copper PLUMBING – WATER SUPPLY: Aluminum, Copper, Polyethylene (PEX) PLUMBING – SANITARY SEWER: ABS, Cast Iron (1) PLUMBING – LANDSCAPE: Polyethylene (PEX) SHOWER CURTAINS: Nylon, Polyester, Cotton/Polyester SIDING: Aluminum, Fiber Cement, Wood WALLPAPER: Cork, Fabric, Fiberglass, Paint, Polyethylene, Stone, Stucco, Clay-coated paper, Wood paneling WINDOWS: Thermal-break Aluminum, Fiberglass, Wood, Some Composites (2) PVC-FREE ALTERNATIVES – SPECIFIC PRODUCTS RESILIENT SHEET FLOORING Allstate Rubber (718) 526-7890 allstaterubber.com Frei Floor., a.k.a. LifeLine; Calcium carbonate, polymer, pigments Allstate Rubber (718) 526-7890 allstaterubber.com Au Natural; virgin rubber Amtico (404) 267-1900 stratica.com Stratica; Wear layer is copolymer, backing is mineral-filled copolymer Architectural Flooring Systems (847) 394-3944 4afs.com CS Line, a.k.a. LifeLine CSl; Calcium carbonate, polymer, pigments Armstrong (800) 233-3823 armstrong.com Migrations; Contains corn-based polymer Armstrong (800) 233-3823 armstrong.com Marmorette, Linorette, Colorette Uni Walton, Granette; natural linoleum Ceres Natural Flooring (888) 377-8801 ceresnaturalfloors.com PVC-Free WELS sheet flooring; polyurethane Ceres Natural Flooring (888) 377-8801 ceresnaturalfloors.com Sequoia Plank, a.k.a. LifeLine LT; Calcium carbonate, polymer, pigments Forbo (800) 842-7839 forboflooringna.com Marmoleum; natural linoleum Mohawk (800) 241-4494 themohawkgroup.com StoneWalk; limestone (80%), ethylene acrylic (20%) Mondo (800) 361-3747 mondousa.com Punti, Harmony, Geode, Natura, Terra Nova; rubber Nora (800) 332-6672 norarubber.com noraplan, norament; Rubber (natural and industrial) Nova (866) 576-2458 novafloorings.com Natural linoleum Tarkett (800) 366-2689 tarkett-commercial.com Linoleum XF, Linosom Etrusco, Linosport, Toscano, Veneto; nat. linoleum PVC-FREE CARPET Bolyu Contract (800) 451-1250 bolyu.com Nexterra backing Bolyu Contract (800) 451-1250 bolyu.com iLoc backing system Construction Specialties (908) 236-0800 c-sgroup.com non-PVC backed carpet tile Fortune Contract (800) 359-4508 fortunecarpet.com EnviroCel and BioCel backing Interface Flor Commercial (800) 336-0225 interfaceflorcommercial.com NexStep Milliken (800) 528-8453 millikencarpet.com Comfort Plus Mohawk / Lees Carpet (800) 523-5647 leescarpet.com Unibond, Unibond RE, and Unibond U2 backing Mohawk (800) 241-4494 mohawkind.com Action Bac (standard backing) Mohawk (800) 241-4494 mohawkind.com Encycle (plain) and Encycle RE Mohawk (800) 241-4494 mohawkind.com UPS RE and UPS RE Bloc carpet backing Shaw Contract Group (800) 441-7429 shawcontract.com Eco Solution fiber &EcoWorx carpet backing Tandus (800) 248-2878 tandus.com ethos™ backing (C&A brand) Tandus (800) 248-2878 tandus.com LifeLong backing system (Monterey, Crossley brand) PLASTIC SIDING Alside (800) 922-6009 alside.com Pelican Bay® One; polypropylene siding Certainteed (800) 233-8990 certainteed.com Cedar Impressions®; polypropylene siding FauxPanels.com (800) 651-4223 fauxpanels.com Polypropylene and polyurethane outdoor siding/panels Mastic Home Exteriors (800) 962-6973 mastic.com Cedar Discovery®; polypropylene siding Nailite (305) 620-6200 nailite.com Exteria; polypropylene siding PLASTIC WOOD (3) American Plastic Lumber (877) 677-7701 american-plasticlumber.com Ameriwood Aeolian Enterprises (800) 269-4672 aeo1.com BreezeWood Bedford Technology (800) 721-9037 plasticboards.com Select BJM Industries (800) 683-3810 bjmindustries.com Millennium Lumber Cascades (888) 313-2440 perma-deck.com Perma-Deck Advantage+ Durable Plastic Design (425) 883-2570 orcaboard.com Orcaboard Eco-Tech (262) 539-3811 eco-tech.ws Eco-Tech, Eco-Tuff Engineered Plastic Systems (800) 480-2327 epsplasticlumber.com Bear Board Enviro-Curb Manufacturing (800) 655-0827 envirocurb.com Enviro-Curb Everlast Plastic Lumber (610) 562-8336 everlastlumber.com Everlast PlasTEAK (800) 320-1841 plasteak.com PlasTEAK The Plastic Lumber Company (800) 886-8990 leisuredeck.com Leisure Deck Resco Plastics (541) 269-5485 rescoplastics.com MAXITUF PLASTIC WINDOWS (4) Center Industries, Ltd. (866) 722-1488 center-industries.com Polyethylene frames Thermal Line Windows (701) 663-1832 tlwindows.com ABS-framed triple-pane windows 1 Cast iron is recyclable, long lasting, and has low noise levels. 3 Plastic wood for fences, decks, etc. has a much longer life than However, ABS is considered more cost effective than iron for most kinds of conventional wood, as well as reduced maintenance. residential applications. Environmentally preferable products made with polyethylene plastic that is at least 50% post-consumer recycled waste are 2 Vinyl has a higher insulation value than thermally broken alu- listed here. minum, but this is not important to energy savings in climates like Austin’s. Wood, fiberglass and composite frames have insulation 4 Only two companies in the U.S. make non-vinyl plastic win- values similar to PVC. Vinyl lacks the strength of aluminum dows at this time. However, they serve as precedents for future in severe storms, and expands and contracts significantly with products. outdoor temperature, impacting the frame’s ability to stop air infiltration as it ages.

Green Building – Vinyl-Free Products 27