A RESOURCE FOR BUILDING PROFESSIONALS IN NEW MEXICO

1. EMNRD-ECMD LEED TOOLKIT Administered by Susie Marbury, Energy Efficiency & Green Building Administrator cleanenergynm.org Presented this afternoon by: Noreen Richards, LEED AP A RESOURCE FOR BUILDING PROFESSIONALS IN NEW MEXICO

2. PROCESS 1) Statewide survey of building professionals to gain an understanding of perceptions and challenges that impact green building in NM, combined w/ 2) Project consulting on several ongoing LEED projects 3) Major topics with a detailed outline 4) Live webinar presentation of topics and detailed outline, with questionnaire 5) Modifications to topics and preliminary presentations 6) Focus Group sessions 7) Completion of modules 8) Test-run sessions 9) Distribution of resource

3. EMNRD-ECMD LEED TOOLKIT GREEN BUILDING FOUNDATIONS LEED for PROJECT TEAMS LEED for DESIGN TEAMS LEED for CONSTRUCTION TEAMS

4. NAME OF MODULE Topic Title BACK TO PREVIOUS SECTION GREEN BUILDING FOUNDATIONS LEED for PROJECT TEAMS LEED for DESIGN TEAMS LEED for CONSTRUCTION TEAMS HOME SECTION SECTION SECTION EMNRD-ECMD

5. GREEN BUILDING FOUNDATIONS Green Building Foundations Defining Sustainability Design Concepts Green Metrics for Buildings Costs and Benefits of Green Buildings Mandates and Incentives for Green Buildings EMNRD-ECMD

6. GREEN BUILDING FOUNDATIONS Design Concepts “Good design is clear thinking made visible”. - Edward Tufte If good design is sustainable design, than it’s critical to understand and integrate green building concepts in the design and construction process of building projects. This section explores concepts specifically related to green buildings. Response to the Natural Environment Resource Efficiency Health and Well-being of Occupants Integrated Design/Construction Process EMNRD-ECMD

7. Health and Well-Being of Occupants GREEN BUILDING FOUNDATIONS Indoor air quality and environmental quality both have to do with the way in which occupants experience and interact with a building. These attributes, whether they be technical, aesthetic, or some measure of both, are critical to the ultimate success and appeal of a building. Indoor Air Quality Indoor Environmental Quality • Concepts • Strategies • Resources • Concepts • Strategies • Resources EMNRD-ECMD

8. Health and Well-Being of Occupants GREEN BUILDING FOUNDATIONS Indoor Air Quality: Concepts Asone out of every 13 school-age children has asthma, it is a leading cause of absenteeism. Many factors found in the school environment can cause, trigger, or exacerbate asthma symptoms, including mold, volatile organic compounds, dust and pollens. EMNRD-ECMD

9. Health and Well-Being of Occupants GREEN BUILDING FOUNDATIONS Indoor Air Quality: Concepts Although it is difficult to quantify productivity loss associated with perceived poor air quality, several studies approximate that poor air quality reduces productivity by 2-10%. In addition, illness from poor air quality- irritation of the eyes, skin, nose and throat, mental fatigue, headaches, a stuffy nose, and other flu-like symptoms, causes an unquantifiable amount of absenteeism, not to mention costs in health insurance, workers compensation, etc. Photo from SafeWorkers.uk EMNRD-ECMD

10. Health and Well-Being of Occupants GREEN BUILDING FOUNDATIONS Indoor Air Quality: Concepts SICK BUILDING SYNDROME: Chemicals, toxins, environmental hazards, particulates and mold can all present health problems for building occupants. Many building finishes, including carpet, paint, adhesives and furnishings, can emit VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) which are harmful to breathe. In addition, dust, mold and pollen, can contribute to asthma and other health problems. Because contemporary construction methods prevent infiltration (casual transfer of air through the building envelope) and often don’t include operable windows, air changes aren’t sufficient to clean the air, and occupants are exposed to dangerously high levels of irritants and hazardous substances.This phenomena is known as Sick Building Syndrome. EMNRD-ECMD

11. Health and Well-Being of Occupants GREEN BUILDING FOUNDATIONS Indoor Air Quality: Strategies • Carbon Dioxide and Air Changes • VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) • Outdoor Hazards- Particulates, Pollen and Cigarettes • Mold Prevention & Treatment EMNRD-ECMD

12. Health and Well-Being of Occupants GREEN BUILDING FOUNDATIONS Indoor Air Quality: Strategies- Carbon Dioxide and Air Changes Ventilation rates should be adjusted to allow for varying occupancy and activity levels. Otherwise, the carbon dioxide levels rise, causing rooms to feel ‘stuffy’ and people to feel drowsy. Carbon dioxide monitors can be installed to measure CO2 levels and signal an alarm when CO2 levels are too high. These devices work well in spaces that have varying levels of occupancy, like classrooms, gyms, and auditoriums. Image from Perfect Sense EMNRD-ECMD

13. Health and Well-Being of Occupants GREEN BUILDING FOUNDATIONS Indoor Air Quality: Strategies- Carbon Dioxide and Air Changes In addition, greater air changes flush out irritants and hazardous substances more rapidly, reducing the likelihood of negative health impacts. For this reason, new buildings should undergo air testing or a ‘flush-out’ procedure in order to remove dangerous fumes and chemicals from the air that have been offgassed by solvents, adhesives, finishes, and furnishings. buildingcommissioning.files.wordpress.com EMNRD-ECMD

14. Health and Well-Being of Occupants GREEN BUILDING FOUNDATIONS Indoor Air Quality: Strategies- VOC’s VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) are organic chemical compounds that have high enough vapor pressures under normal conditions to significantly vaporize and enter the atmosphere. These include aldehydes, ketones, and other light hydrocarbons. Many of these substance can be found in the adhesives, solvents, textiles, paints, sealants, finishes, and furnishings that are used in buildings. EMNRD-ECMD

15. Health and Well-Being of Occupants GREEN BUILDING FOUNDATIONS Indoor Air Quality: Strategies- VOC’s Photo from frontdoor.com In order to reduce health hazards from volatile organic compounds, it is important to reduce their sources and remove existing VOC’s from the air. Low-VOC carpets, paints, adhesives, janitorial supplies and furnishings are now readily available, and should be carefully specified for new construction and renovations. In addition, air that already contains unacceptable levels of VOC’s needs to be flushed out, or filtered using specialized air purifiers that capture formaldehyde and other VOC’s. EMNRD-ECMD

16. Health and Well-Being of Occupants GREEN BUILDING FOUNDATIONS Indoor Air Quality: Strategies- VOC’s This classroom in the First Mesa Elementary School has low-VOC carpet and Marmoleum (which is also low-VOC) flooring, which improves the air quality for students and staff. The LEED Certified School, located in Polacca, AZ serves the Hopi Tribe. Photo from Greg Comer Photography EMNRD-ECMD

17. Health and Well-Being of Occupants GREEN BUILDING FOUNDATIONS Indoor Air Quality: Strategies- Outdoor Hazards In some cases, outdoor substances can create indoor hazards. When buildings are located near highways and high-traffic roadways, lead and hazardous car emission levels can reach unhealthy levels. It’s important to filter air, not only when it is recirculating through a building, but also when it is initially entering the building. In order to filter pollen, dust, and other particulates, high-quality filters should be used in mechanical systems. MERV, or minimum efficiency rating values are assigned to tested filters and indicate the size of particulates captured. Higher MERV numbers indicate high-performance filters. In the spring and fall, pollen reaches high levels in New Mexico Photo from getty images.com EMNRD-ECMD

18. Health and Well-Being of Occupants GREEN BUILDING FOUNDATIONS Indoor Air Quality: Strategies- Outdoor Hazards Particulates and irritants can be introduced into a building’s mechanical system before the building is even occupied. Indoor Air Management during construction is essential, and can be accomplished by following an IAQ Management Plan. Ductwork, as shown here, should be sealed and protected from particulates previous to installation. Photo from Hilary Noll EMNRD-ECMD

19. Health and Well-Being of Occupants GREEN BUILDING FOUNDATIONS Indoor Air Quality: Strategies- Outdoor Hazards Cigarette smoking, although prohibited in buildings, should also be kept away from entrances, windows, and all indoor uptake vents to a minimum of 25 ft. Designated smoking areas, away from buildings, encourage smokers to comply with regulations. Photo from Andrew D Miller, creative commons EMNRD-ECMD

20. Health and Well-Being of Occupants GREEN BUILDING FOUNDATIONS Indoor Air Quality: Strategies- Mold Prevention and Treatment According to the EPA, moisture control is the key to mold control.  Common sources or causes of water or moisture problems include roof leaks, deferred maintenance, condensation associated with high humidity or cold spots in the building, localized flooding due to plumbing failures or heavy rains, slow leaks in plumbing fixtures, and malfunction or poor design of humidification systems. Common molds found in buildings EMNRD-ECMD

21. Health and Well-Being of Occupants GREEN BUILDING FOUNDATIONS Indoor Air Quality: Resources How-To Guide for LEED in New Mexicooffers helpful information for improving air quality in your building EPA’s The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality EPA’s “Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings” Indoor Air Quality Association OSHA’s Safety and Health Topics for Indoor Air Quality EMNRD-ECMD

22. Health and Well-Being of Occupants GREEN BUILDING FOUNDATIONS Indoor air quality and environmental quality both have to do with the way in which occupants experience and interact with a building. These attributes, whether they be technical, aesthetic, or some measure of both, are critical to the ultimate success and appeal of a building. Indoor Air Quality Indoor Environmental Quality • Concepts • Strategies • Resources • Concepts • Strategies • Resources EMNRD-ECMD

23. GREEN BUILDING FOUNDATIONS Design Concepts “Good design is clear thinking made visible”. - Edward Tufte If good design is sustainable design, than it’s critical to understand and integrate green building concepts in the design and construction process of building projects. This section explores concepts specifically related to green buildings. Response to the Natural Environment Resource Efficiency Health and Well-being of Occupants Integrated Design/Construction Process EMNRD-ECMD

24. Costs & Benefits of Green Buildings GREEN BUILDING FOUNDATIONS It is a common perception that green buildings cost more than conventional ones. Is this true? If so, what are these added costs? What, then, are the benefits or financial pay-offs for going green? What happens when we look at different models, such as first costs, Life-Cycle Costing, and speculative construction? Costs of Green Building in NM Benefits of Green Building in NM Cost-Benefit Analysis EMNRD-ECMD

25. Costs & Benefits of Green Buildings GREEN BUILDING FOUNDATIONS Costs of Green Building in NM These are the costs most commonly understood to be associated with green building: • Additional Consultants • Impacts on Schedule • Additional Construction Costs • Costs Associated with LEED Certification EMNRD-ECMD

26. Costs & Benefits of Green Buildings GREEN BUILDING FOUNDATIONS Benefits of Green Building in NM • Health & Well-Being of Occupants • Reduced Operating Expenses • Increased Property & Leasing Values • Marketing and PR Benefits • Tax Incentives EMNRD-ECMD

27. Benefits of Green Buildings in NM GREEN BUILDING FOUNDATIONS Health & Well-being of Occupants According to studies commissioned by the US Green Building Council, green buildings demonstrate real cost savings in terms of worker health. $58 billion is saved in less sick time annually, and worker productivity is increased by $180 billion annually. Although it is difficult to isolate green building features (natural light, better air quality, natural habitats, etc) as factors in the health and well-being of occupants, a 2003 study penned by Vivian Loftness, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University, provided data on measurements as to how certain green building characteristics and features increased worker productivity. Loftness recorded a 3-18% gain in productivity in buildings with daylighting systems. Daylighting systems provide reduced artificial light and increased natural light as natural light is available. Loftness found a 0.4-7.5% gain in building environments with natural ventilation (such as operable windows) and/or access to the outdoors. In buildings with individual temperature controls, a 0.2-3 percent gain productivity was found. EMNRD-ECMD

28. Benefits of Green Buildings in NM GREEN BUILDING FOUNDATIONS Reduced Operating Expense In Green Building Costs and Benefits, a 2003 study by Gregory Kats, a detailed review of 60 LEED rated buildings demonstrated that green buildings, when compared to conventional buildings, are on average 25-30% more energy efficient and characterized by even lower electricity peak consumption. EMNRD-ECMD

29. Benefits of Green Buildings in NM GREEN BUILDING FOUNDATIONS Reduced Operating Expense The 12,000 sq ft McKee-Wallwork Office Complex, near Albuquerque’s Old Town, was completed at 28% under budget. The project earned 3 Optimize Energy points by exceeding ASHRAE 92.1 2004 standards for energy usage by 20%. In addition to achieving LEED-Silver Certification, it won the 2008 NAIOP Award of Excellence for Small Office Buildings. Photo by Patrick Coulie EMNRD-ECMD

30. Costs & Benefits of Green Buildings GREEN BUILDING FOUNDATIONS Cost-Benefit Analysis The way in which buildings are financed, as well as the accounting methods used to determine the value assigned to various decisions, determines and impacts building design. This section explores the financial aspects of green buildings. • First Costs • Life-cycle Costing • Speculative Construction • Resources EMNRD-ECMD

31. Costs & Benefits of Green Buildings GREEN BUILDING FOUNDATIONS Cost-Benefit Analysis- First Costs In considering whether to invest in green building technologies and strategies, most owners and investors are concerned with up-front, or first costs. One method of determining the value of a particular design decision is Return On Investment, or ROI. ROI compares the cost of a particular measure compared to the savings it will bring in the first year of operation. For instance, if a $10000.00 investment to install an energy management system result in $1,000.00 savings in energy in the first year, its ROI would be 1000/10000 = .1 (or 10% return). So the formula is: Rate of Return = Annual Savings/Cost. Some design decisions, like replacing light bulbs, will show an excellent ROI in the first year. Other, more expensive measures, won’t show much savings in just one year. EMNRD-ECMD

32. Costs & Benefits of Green Buildings GREEN BUILDING FOUNDATIONS Cost-Benefit Analysis- First Costs Another method for determining the value of a particular design decision is payback period. Payback period is the time it takes for a particular investment to pay for itself. For instance, if the same $10,000.00 was invested to install an energy management system, and this resulted in annual savings of $1000.00, the simple payback would be 10000/1000 = 10 (or 10 years to break even on the investment). So the formula is: Payback (years)=Cost/Annual Savings Many commercial building owners aren’t comfortable investing in measures that have a payback period any longer than 7-10 years. Administrators for schools and institutions will often make design decisions will payback periods that are quite a bit longer. EMNRD-ECMD

33. Costs & Benefits of Green Buildings GREEN BUILDING FOUNDATIONS Cost-Benefit Analysis- Life-Cycle Costing In both the ROI and Simple Payback cost-benefit models, the full picture is missing. ROI only shows value in the first year, and Simple Payback doesn’t take into consideration the maintenance and replacement costs of design decisions. If we were to take our example of the energy management system, let’s broaden the problem to compare two different energy management systems. System ABC costs $10,000, has average maintenance costs of $400/year, and requires replacement on an average of every 10 years. System XYZ is more expensive, $12,500, but its annual maintenance costs average only $150/year, and it has an average lifetime of 15 years. How could we use all this information to make the right decision? EMNRD-ECMD

34. Costs & Benefits of Green Buildings GREEN BUILDING FOUNDATIONS Cost-Benefit Analysis- Life-Cycle Costing Life-Cycle Costing takes a comprehensive range of factors (replacement costs, maintenance costs, warranty issues, expertise and technology issues, even financing and interest rates) into consideration when making decisions about a particular building element, for the life of the building. To use our somewhat simplified example of the System ABC and System XYZ energy management systems: System ABC would cost, over the life of the building, 10,000 x 3 (initial plus replacement), + 400 x 30 (yearly maintenance) = $42,000 System XYZ would cost, over the life of the building, 12,500 x 2 (initial plus replacement), + 100 x 30 (yearly maintenance) = $25,000 So, although System XYZ is slightly more expensive in the first year, it is certainly less expensive over the life of the building. EMNRD-ECMD

35. Costs & Benefits of Green Buildings GREEN BUILDING FOUNDATIONS Cost-Benefit Analysis- Life-Cycle Costing It’s also important to keep track of how different decisions have cost effects on other aspects of the building. For example, if our System XYZ energy management system not only saves energy, but also reduces wear and tear on the mechanical system’s fan motors, it saves money in another way. Or, perhaps, having an energy management system will require more training and expertise for the maintenance staff- this should also be considered. In general, funding mechanisms require that owners and administrators have a thorough understanding of both the first costs and the life-cycle costs of buildings and all their components. EMNRD-ECMD

36. Costs of Green Buildings in NM GREEN BUILDING FOUNDATIONS Cost-Benefit Analysis- Life-Cycle Costing According to the U.S. Green Building Council, an upfront investment of 2% in green building design, on average, results in life cycle savings of 20% of the total construction costs — more than 10 times the initial investment. Design Construction/Operations Traditional $ Integrated Life of the Building EMNRD-ECMD

37. Costs & Benefits of Green Buildings GREEN BUILDING FOUNDATIONS It is a common perception that green buildings cost more than conventional ones. Is this true? If so, what are these added costs? What, then, are the benefits or financial pay-offs for going green? What happens when we look at different models, such as first costs, Life-Cycle Costing, and speculative construction? Costs of Green Building in NM Benefits of Green Building in NM Cost-Benefit Analysis EMNRD-ECMD

38. GREEN BUILDING FOUNDATIONS Incentives & Mandates- Green Buildings in NM Mandates: Federal mandates State Executive Order for State agency buildings City of Albuquerque Executive order City of Albuquerque Conservation Code Water Conservation laws in NM Incentives: Federal Tax Incentives NM SBTC and Other Tax Incentives Albuquerque’s Greenpath Program Other Municipalities and Organizations EMNRD-ECMD

39. EMNRD-ECMD LEED TOOLKIT GREEN BUILDING FOUNDATIONS LEED for PROJECT TEAMS LEED for DESIGN TEAMS LEED for CONSTRUCTION TEAMS EMNRD-ECMD

40. LEED for PROJECT TEAMS LEED for Project Teams • What is LEED? and LEED Toolbox • Understanding LEED Rating Systems • Owner’s Considerations • Introduction to LEED Online • Back to Green Building Foundations EMNRD-ECMD

41. “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” A third-party certification program for green buildings A nationally accepted benchmark used to quantify performance in five key areas: sustainable site development water savings energy efficiency A rating system that owners, designers, and contractors can use to evaluate their efforts toward sustainability in the built environment. What is LEED? LEED for PROJECT TEAMS • materials selection • indoor environmental quality EMNRD-ECMD

42. LEED is administered by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) The USGBC is not a government agency but a non-profit organization committed to expanding sustainable building practices. The LEED Rating System was developed by consensus among USGBC members such as real estate developers, facility managers, architects, engineers, general contractors, product manufacturers, and government agencies. There are many regional USGBC chapters that provide green building resources, education, and networking opportunities in their communities. What is LEED? LEED for PROJECT TEAMS EMNRD-ECMD

43. USGBC Website – information on LEED certification and professional accreditation, industry news and event information, educational resources, and more How-To-Guide to LEED Certification – free NM publication that walks the reader through the steps of preparing a LEED application, including navigating LEED-Online LEED Reference Guide – the official rulebook for LEED projects. There is one for each Rating System, and they elaborate on strategies for achieving each credit LEED AP – consultants whose experience in LEED projects and thorough understanding of the Rating Systems prepares them to guide you through the certification process LEED Checklist – document used to choose credits and tally expected points, varies among different LEED rating systems The LEED Toolbox LEED for PROJECT TEAMS EMNRD-ECMD

44. LEED Rating Systems LEED for PROJECT TEAMS • LEED currently encompasses several project-specific rating systems and application guides. • New Construction • Core & Shell • Commercial Interiors • Existing Buildings • Schools • Depending on their level of achievement, LEED projects can reach four levels of certification. • Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum • Retail • Healthcare • Homes • Neighborhood Development EMNRD-ECMD

45. Anatomy of a LEED Credit LEED for PROJECT TEAMS • All LEED rating systems are made up of credits, each of which earns one or more points. • Every LEED credit has • An Intent, what the credit is meant to achieve. • Requirements, criteria that determine whether a project satisfies the credit intent. • Submittals, documentation that proves that the credit requirements have been met. • Many credits reference relevant industry Standards, which are typically guidelines set forth by professional organizations or government agencies EMNRD-ECMD

46. LEED for New Construction LEED for PROJECT TEAMS Certification Levels TierPoints Certified 26-32 Silver 33-38 Gold 39-51 Platinum 52-69 • LEED for New Construction and Major Renovation (LEED-NC) is the rating system designed to guide and distinguish high-performance commercial and institutional projects. • office buildings • high-rise residential • government buildings • Download a blank LEED-NC scoring checklist here. • recreational facilities • manufacturing plants • laboratories EMNRD-ECMD

47. LEED for Existing Buildings LEED for PROJECT TEAMS Certification Levels TierPoints Certified 34-42 Silver 43-50 Gold 51-67 Platinum 68-92 • LEED for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB) measures operations, improvements, and maintenance in order to maximize operational efficiency and minimize environmental impacts.  • It addresses issues of existing building such as • cleaning & maintenance (including chemical use) • recycling programs • Download a blank LEED-EB scoring checklist here. • exterior maintenance • systems upgrades. EMNRD-ECMD

48. LEED for Commercial Interiors LEED for PROJECT TEAMS Certification Levels TierPoints Certified 21-26 Silver 27-31 Gold 32-41 Platinum 42-57 • LEED for Commercial Interiors (LEED-CI) certifies tenant improvements that are healthy to work in, less expensive to operate and maintain, and have a reduced environmental footprint. • LEED-CI recognizes the sustainable choices of tenants and designers, who do not always have control over whole-building operations. • Download a blank LEED-CI scoring checklist here. EMNRD-ECMD

49. LEED for Core and Shell LEED for PROJECT TEAMS Certification Levels TierPoints Certified 23-27 Silver 28-33 Gold 34-44 Platinum 45-61 • LEED for Core & Shell (LEED-CS) is a rating system for speculatively developed buildings, and covers base building elements such as structure, envelope and HVAC system. • LEED-CS is designed to complement the LEED-CI rating system, allowing future tenants to capitalize on green strategies implemented by the developer • Download a blank LEED-CS scoring checklist here. EMNRD-ECMD

50. LEED for Schools LEED for PROJECT TEAMS Certification Levels TierPoints Certified 29-36 Silver 37-43 Gold 44-57 Platinum 58-79 • LEED for Schools recognizes quantifiable efforts to build schools that are healthy, conducive to learning, and cost-effective to operate. • Based on the LEED for New Construction rating system, it addresses issues such as: • classroom acoustics • environmental site assessment • Download a blank LEED for Schools checklist here. • mold prevention • master planning EMNRD-ECMD