1. Introduction
2. Green Team
3. Site Selection
4. Site Conditions
5. Structural Materials
6. Plumbing
7. Electrical
8. Roofing
9. Insulation
10. Windows
11. Mechanical
12. Renewable Energy
13. Finish Materials
14. Appliances
15. Indoor Air Quality
16. Landscaping
17. Building Operation & Maintenance
18. Occupant Education
19. Green Building Resources

Habitat for Humanity International's Environmental Initiative promotes energy-efficient, environmentally friendly construction. They encourage affiliates to be good stewards of natural resources by raising awareness of the environmental impact of home construction. The Environmental Initiative embraces the concept of sustainable building which can be defined as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

The most immediately clear benefits of implementing a green building program is that the Habitat homeowner will be provided with a home that is economical to operate and healthy to live in while reducing their impact on natural resources.

Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County has established a “Green Team” whose goal is to encourage and assist Habitat for Humanity with the implementation of more efficient and environmentally friendly building practices. One result of the Green Team's work is the following Green Building Guidelines. The guidelines are intended to serve as a tool for project planners as they evaluate the particular elements of the project and determine the best management practices to reduce the projects environmental impact and promote sustainability throughout the project cycle.

The project planner using these guidelines will be presented within each chapter, a series of elements that are identified with their intent, desired condition(s) and best management practices.

These guidelines are unique in addressing the various constraints placed on Habitat projects due to costs, mandated location, and donated materials or cooperative procurement practices. Although in some ways these constraints limit greening opportunities in Habitat projects, they also highlight the potential and opportunities to implement further sustainable practices at low cost to the homeowner.

These guidelines were specifically written to address conditions in Ventura County regarding environmental conditions, local building practices and local/state building code. The intent is to review and revise these guidelines on a regular basis to reflect change in green building techniques and material availability. Other planners should feel free to adapt the guidelines to address specific conditions in their area.

These guidelines were written for Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County by Kent Bullard, a Green Team Volunteer who is also a Board Member of the Sustainability Council of Ventura County. For more information on these guidelines or the Green Team contact:
Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County
167 Lambert Street
Oxnard, CA 93036
(805) 485-6065
http://www.habitatventura.org
Written by Kent Bullard

Why Build Green ?
Green buildings are constructed using techniques and materials that demonstrate energy efficiency, resource conservation, improved home safety and air quality, comfort and economy. As requirement change to protect the environment and preserve resources, green building practices frequently become trade standard or become mandated by local building code.

The goal of these green building guidelines are to provide the occupants of homes built by Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County with residences that conserve natural resources, are energy efficient, economical to operate and maintain, healthy to live in and bring pride of ownership to the family.

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A group of environmentally conscience community members have joined together beginning in January of 2003 to form Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County's Green Team.

The Green Team is a network of local volunteers who champion sustainable (resource-efficient) construction techniques in order to encourage and assist Habitat for Humanity with the implementation of more efficient and environmentally friendly building practices. The team's desire is to save the homeowner money by decreasing their utility expense, prove a healthy home to live in, while at the same time growing into better steward's of God's creation.

The green team is made up of members from various specialties including; Ventura County's Environmental Resource Department, Adapt Design Studio (an environmental design firm), the Navy Facilities Engineering Service Center, the Sustainability Council of Ventura County, Channel Islands National Park, plus other valuable architects and environmentalists.

The team has been meeting monthly sharing ideas, which members have been researching throughout the month pertaining to "greener" building practices. The team is excited to present to the Board alternative building practices, which prove to lower the monthly costs of utilities for the homeowner and decreasing the negative impact on our precious earth. The current schedule is for the Green Team to meet at 630 PM on the last Tuesday of each month at the affiliate office at 167 Lambert St (off Vineyard) in Oxnard. If you have an interest if promoting sustainable building practices in the county please feel free to join us at our next meeting.

The Green Team sees the opportunity for Habitat to adopt these simple and innovative practices, which improves not only the quality of life for our current Habitat homeowners, but also for the generations to come.

The proposals for sustainable practices which have been presented to the board of directors are posted here. Some the ideas may well serve you in your own home. Browse the ideas and put them to work on making yours a "greener" home.

The Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County Green Team will continually update the guidelines as conditions, standards and programs change.

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Within the constraints and limitations of land offered for construction of Habitat Homes, the organization should consider the following criteria before accepting properties.

1. Access to Transportation-
Intent- To reduce impacts of development and the associated vehicle pollution and urban sprawl, development lands should occur within urban or suburban areas with adequate access to transportation corridors.

Desired Conditions- The development site is located near basic services including grocery shopping facilities, bank, day care, place of worship, medical care, laundry/dry cleaning, pharmacy, post office, school, public transit stop, park, restaurant and hardware store.

50 % of the above facilities should be located within ¼ mile of the development site, which will allow for convenient biking or walking.

The maximum distance from access to public transportation should be ½ mile.

Best Management Practice = The Board of Directors should identify lands prior to donation to determine that the residents will not be unduly reliant of the use of their automobile to access services. If required the Board of Directors should enter into negotiations with the area transit authority to provide nearby access to public transportation facilities.

2. Building Lot Selection-
Intent- Habitat homes should be located on lands, which are safe for the residents and the surrounding community both human and natural and should not contribute to the degradation of agricultural or natural resources. Additionally the building location should lend itself towards efficient land utilization by building in higher density areas.

Desired Conditions- To avoid contributing to urban sprawl, building sites ideally will be located on formally developed areas, in existing neighborhood areas or on abandoned or underutilized commercial areas. All efforts must be made to avoid any Habitat construction on prime agricultural lands, former parklands, wetlands, endangered species habitat, slopes over 12% or within 5 feet above the 100 year flood plane.

Lands utilized for Habitat construction should be located on vacant or de-habituated lands whenever possible in order to take advantage of existing infrastructure. At no times would units be constructed at densities of less than 8 units per acre, target levels should be at or above 14 units per acre. Ideal condition would include mixed-use development and provide a minimum of 25% open space or exceed local code by 50%. Open space is defined as natural undisturbed lands (non-irrigated or intensively maintained).

Best Management Practices = Habitat homes should be built to take best advantage in the utilization of scarce lands, prime agricultural lands should never be used to construct homes. Density targets should be 14 units per acre or greater. Ideally Habitat homes will be built on land within existing developed areas to avoid increased costs or environmental impacts in infrastructure development.Ideally lots will allow the home to be constructed on an East/West axis to allow for solar access.

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These guidelines cover the construction practices at the job site and address some issues related to site preparation.

1. Construction Waste Management Plan-
Intent- EPA research found that the typical waste from frame construction ranged from 3.5 to 7.5 pounds of waste per square foot of house. The intent of this guideline is to reduce the level of waste generated to the landfill from Habitat construction to less than 2.5 pounds of waste per square foot.

Desired Conditions- On all Habitat job sites planning will occur prior to the project to reduce construction debris through source reduction, reuse and recycling.

Best Management Practice = Each Habitat project will have a plan in place, which is followed throughout the project to minimize waste generation. This proactive process will lower construction costs, reduce impacts on the local landfills and demonstrate Habitat's commitment to green home construction.

2. Source Reduction-
Intent- Reducing excess materials from entering the job site is an important process of greening the construction process. Excess materials require additional handling and effort to recycle or dispose of in a responsible manner.

Desired Conditions- On all Habitat job sites planing will be performed to keep materials entering the site to the minimum required while achieving the construction process. Control of access to dumpsters during non-construction periods can reduce deposition of non-project materials.

Best Management Practice = Careful planning and accurate takeoff will be performed to reduce overage in ordering of materials. Whenever possible pallets arriving with materials will be returned to the vendor for reutilization. During periods of non-construction, dumpsters should be locked to prevent unwanted dumping.

3. Reuse of Construction Materials-
Intent- Full utilization of all materials on the job site is the desired condition. Adaptive use of materials has the additional benefit of reducing costs in material procurement and in reducing waste disposal costs.

Desired Conditions- Materials generated in the construction process will be reutilized when ever possible on site. These uses can include using cutoff 2x wood waste for stakes, bracing, shims, blocking and as drywall nailers. Concrete waste material can be used as rubble backfill around the foundation or for drainage in landscaping. Unused materials or materials with useful potential will be retained for further Habitat projects or delivered to the "Restore" for revenue generation.

Best Management Practice = Innovation in reuse of materials is a desired criterion on all Habitat projects. The reuse of materials is basic to Habitats goal of providing low cost homes with minimal costs.

4. Recycle Job Site Construction Materials-
Intent- Recycling reduced pressure on landfills, saves monies by reducing tipping fees, raises funds through sale of some materials and provides materials for future building projects. Over 50% of most construction debris are wood and cardboard which can easily be recycled.

Desired Conditions- On all Habitat job sites provisions will be made to sort and recycle construction debris.

Best Management Practice = Provide a location at the construction site where materials are sorted prior to disposal. On larger sites provide separate disposal bins for trash and recyclable materials, in some areas the recycle bin may be provided at no cost in conjunction with the regular trash bin service. All materials that can be not be reutilized will be sorted for scrap value and sold for revenue if possible. In addition onsite generation of waste related to volunteer activity will be kept to a minimum through education and collection points for beverage containers.

5. Permeable Paving-
Intent- Permeable paving allows water to penetrate to sub-surface areas to replenish soil moisture as it absorbs the water rather than allowing it to run into the storm drains. This is important as there is less polluted water reaching the drains and will also reduce the requirements for the homeowner to utilize domestic water for irrigation.

Desired Conditions- Install permeable paving systems wherever possible to reduce runoff and replenish soil moisture. At a minimum 50% of uncovered patio areas, walkways or driving surfaces are pervious and allow for the passing of ¼" of moisture per hour.

Best Management Practice = In place of poured concrete sidewalks and parking areas permeable paving systems should be considered and installed where feasible.

6. Stormwater Management/Water Catchment-
Intent- Retention of rainwater runoff on site reduces the volume of polluted waters reaching storm drains and the water supply and reduces the need for utilization of treated domestic water for irrigation purposes.

Desired Conditions- All stormwater runoff is retained on site through a combination of catchment, underground dry wells or percolation into the soils. Rainwater catchment is provided at a volume of 50 gallons per 300 square feet of roof area. The catchment barrels should be plumbed with to allow for water utilization or drilled to allow for the slow release of the water onto the soils.

Best Management Practice = Provide for guttering systems on all Habitat homes that allow for the installation of rainwater catchment barrels or that channels the water to turf areas for replenishment of soils moisture. Downspout placement should not allow for the direct runoff onto hard surface areas that lead to storm drainage.

7. Erosion Control and Reduced Site Disturbance-
Intent- Control of erosion during construction to reduce negative impacts on water quality.

Desired Conditions- As part of the construction plan develop a site sedimentation and control plan which prevents loss of soil during construction by storm runoff or wind erosion, prevents soils sedimentation in the storm drain system and reduces dust and air pollution at the job site.

Best Management Practice = Any soils disturbed during the construction process should be stockpiled for later landscaping works. Disturbance on site should be limited 20' beyond the new building, 5' beyond the primary road, curbs, walkways or utility trenches. Install fencing as required to delineate areas for reduced construction impacts. Do not allow concrete trucks to washout on site as per local regulations, or if required only in a designated non-disruptive area within 20 feet of the foundation.

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FOUNDATION-

1. Incorporate Recycled Flyash in Concrete-
Intent- Flyash is a byproduct of coal burning power plants and can be an inexpensive substitute for a portion of the portland cement used in concrete. This not only provides for the recycling of materials but reduced the energy requirements in the manufacturing of portland cements.

Desired Conditions- At a minimum all concrete will be specified to contain 15-20% flyash in the cement mix. The maximum desired content of 50% would be used for any non-structural flatwork including driveways, walkways and patios. Additionally the concrete supplier will be asked to use the maximum allowable content of recycled aggregate materials.

Best Management Practice = Habitat homes in this area are almost always built as slab-on-grade construction. By incorporating recycled materials to the maximum allowable content, new material requirements will be reduced. This is an important goal of the greening initiative and can be achieved in this clause with no increase in cost. In some cases local concrete suppliers are now supplying all standard concrete mixes with 15% flyash and will increase the content on demand without additional cost.

2. Reuse of Form Materials-
Intent- Reduction of the cost for forming materials both fiscally, in material use or material consumption is desired in the greening of Habitat homes.

Desired Conditions- New lumber materials should not be utilized in forming of concrete works on Habitat job sited. Reusable form materials such as aluminum either rented or procured will greatly reduce the demand to procure wood forming. Any use of sawn boards for forming should be limited and all form boards should be salvaged for reutilization.

Best Management Practice = Form materials used on Habitat job sites should be reused in the construction process where ever appropriate or retained for use on other job sites. As an alternative Habitat should consider renting or procuring aluminum forms. With continual construction planned for this area, the purchase of durable form materials will have a short payback period.

3. Insulated Foundations-
Intent- Foundations should be all insulated with R-4 or greater rigid foam to minimize heat loss to reduce energy bills in colder locations.

Desired Conditions- If required through energy calculations, or to meet any title 24 requirements, all foundations including slab floors should be insulated. Use of rigid foam concrete forms provides dual utilization and can eliminate the requirement for board foundation forming.

Best Management Practice = Although most local Habitat hoses are constructed in a warmer environment where foundation insulation is not necessary, consideration should be given to using rigid foam concrete forms in any colder weather projects.

4. Biobased Form Release Materials-
Intent- Form release agents are most often manufactured from used motor oil or other petroleum products. Use of these products not only releases the forms, but release the petroleum into the soils of the home site through over spray and when the forms are cleaned for reuse. Although on a typical home construction project only 1-2 gallons of petroleum would be used, we can do better.
Biodegradable form release agents are now available which are made from biobased or vegetable oil products. One such product is manufactured in Indio by Imperial Western Products is their Concrete Form Release E-46 .

Desired Conditions- No petroleum products will be used as form release agents.

Best Management Practice = On all Habitat for Humanity projects, protection of the environment is a top priority. Therefore only biodegradable non-petroleum form release agents bill be used.

STRUCTURAL FRAME

1. Use of Chromium and Arsenic Free Treated Woods-
Intent- Treated woods used for sill plates which contain chromium or arsenic can present health and safety issues during use (splinters and sawdust), are not recyclable, should not be burned for heat and can unhealthy for contact by children. Use of woods treated with Alkaline Copper Quatenar (ACQ) or Wolman Natural Select are healthier alternatives.

Desired Conditions- No habitat home should be constructed with toxic materials when healthier alternatives are available.

Best Management Practice = In keeping with the goal of providing a healthier home for the occupants, Habitat for Humanity should eliminate the use of any toxins when alternative materials are available. All required treated woods should be specified to use either the Wolman Natural or ACQ treatment.

2. Substitute Sawn Lumber with Engineered Lumber-
Intent- Solid sawn lumbers in sizes larger that 2x10 typically come from old growth forests while engineered lumber is manufactured from fast growing farm trees. Engineered lumber used the wood fiber more efficiently resulting in stronger, straighter and defect free construction. Engineered lumber includes glulam beams, laminated veneer lumber, wood I-joists, OSB and parallel strand lumber.

Desired Conditions- Wherever allowed by code engineered lumbers should be utilized in Habitat homes. Applications would include structural headers and beams, floor joists and sheathing.

Best Management Practice = Construction of Habitat homes should at all times strive to reduce their environmental impacts. Use of engineered wood products is an important step in this direction. The design of Habitat homes should specify use of engineered lumber products wherever allowed by code.

3. Use OSB Sheathing-
Intent- Oriented Strand Board (OSB) is manufactured from fast growing farm trees and can be utilized in place of plywood for sheathing and subfloor applications. Specified OSB used lower formaldehyde content adhesive that can lead to improved indoor air quality. In addition OSB is stronger that traditional sheet plywood and is cost competitive and at times can be less expensive.

Desired Conditions- In all applications allowed by code substitute OSB for traditional sheet plywood.

Best Management Practice = The use of OSB leads to a greener home y reducing impacts on forests, improves indoor air quality and can reduce the cost of the structure. All components that provide value to the green Habitat home.

4. Use Finger Jointed Studs-
Intent- Finger jointed studs are available in standard lengths of 2x4 and 2x6 sizes and are manufactured from shorter lengths of wood. They reduce the demand for sawn studs and are straighter and stronger than conventional studs.

Desired Conditions- Where allowed by code finger jointed studs will be used to reduce the demand for sawn lumber, to provide straighter and stronger walls while reducing waste.

Best Management Practice = Wherever allowed by code Habitat construction will utilize finger jointed studs which can cost less that conventional framing materials and provide the occupants with a better constructed home.

5. Use of Reclaimed Material-
Intent- Reclaimed lumber can originate from building demolition, salvage or donation. The use of any reclaimed material has a direct reduction in the demand for forest products and construction costs. Often these older materials are of higher quality than newer grown materials.

Desired Conditions- Reclaimed lumber if available and allowed by code should be used in any non structural application. Some deconstructed materials are available for use in structural applications when they have been re-graded and stamped for approval.

Best Management Practice = To reduce the demand for forest products, Habitat construction should utilize reclaimed materials wherever practical.

6. Use of Recycled-Content Steel Studs-
Intent- Interior walls can be framed using steel studs which typically contain up to 60% recycled materials. Their use also can create straight interior walls, as they do not warp like standard wood walls.

Desired Conditions- Interior walls should utilize steel studs whenever practical to reduce the demand on the use of forest products.

Best Management Practice = Steel framing provide unique challenges for incorporation into Habitat projects as they require special tools and training to install. However they still should be considered, as they are becoming more common is commercially constructed homes. Some Habitat volunteers have the skills to use these materials and the opportunity to pass the knowledge on to others should not be overlooked.

7. Use of Certified Sustainable Woods-
Intent- Certified wood comes from forests that are managed in accordance with sustainable forest practices developed by the Forest Stewardship Council. Certified solid sawn lumbers and plywood are now available. As an example this link is a listing of the certified wood products available in the western region Home Depot Stores. Typically certified wood products can cost up to twice the cost of uncertified materials but at the Home Depot the costs are similar and in many cases only certified products are offered.

Desired Conditions- All sawn wood products used in the construction of Habitat homes comes from sources certified by the Forestry Stewardship Council.

Best Management Practice = Depending on product availability and funding constraints, Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County will specify and use wood products from certified sustainable sources.

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1. Install Tankless Hot Water Heater-
Intent- Tankless hot water heaters provide hot water on demand through an efficient flash burner. The energy uses is directly related to the demand, unlike conventional tanks that lose 15% of their energy through tank loss. Tankless heaters also have a longer life cycle and typically last up to twenty years unlike conventional tanks which last 5-12 years. Although higher in initial costs, considering the longer life span, reduced replacement costs, reduction in landfill disposal impacts and greater efficiency. Over a twenty year life cycle the tankless water heater will cost $3,540 to operate and replace, while a standard 6 year warranty, 40 gallon tank will cost $5,307 to operate and replace. Look at the life cycle of the home and appliance, the tankless water heater definitely qualifies as a "best buy".

Desired Conditions- Install only tankless water heaters in Habitat homes.

Best Management Practice = Habitat for Humanity should continue to maintain their partnership which allows for a partnership purchase of the Aquastar water heater. The recommended model is the pilotless model 125HX which will be installed in all future Habitat homes.

2. Insulate Water Pipes-
Intent- Insulating water pipes reduced heat gain and loss of the standing water which will lower the energy bill for the homes residents.

Desired Conditions- All water pipes within 6' of the water heater will be insulated and all hot water pipe runs will be insulated to the point of service.

Best Management Practice = All water pipes within 6' of the water heater will be insulated and all hot water pipe runs will be insulated to the point of service.

3. Install Water Conservation Plumbing Fixtures-
Intent- Flow reducers and low flush toilets are mandatory in almost all new home construction and should be the standard in all Habitat homes. Flow reducers can lower water usage at faucets and showerheads by up to 40% with little noticeable effect.

Desired Conditions- Low flow showerheads and faucets combined with low flush toilets will be installed in all Habitat homes to keep residents utility costs as low as possible.

Best Management Practice = Low flow showerheads and faucets combined with low flush toilets will be installed in all Habitat homes to keep residents utility costs as low as possible.

4. Consider Water Conservation in Home Design-
Intent- Design homes which provide central usage of the utilities. This will reduce energy consumption and water usage. This conservation in demand reduces the need for circulation pumps and their associated installation, operation and maintenance costs.

Desired Conditions- Minimal piping runs are required between the source of hot water and the service points.

Best Management Practice = Habitat for Humanity should continue the practice of designing homes which consolidate utility uses in one area. This is a commendable practice, which reduces energy and water consumption by placing uses near the source of the hot water.

5. Install Gas Shut-Off Valve for Earthquake Safety
Intent- Seismic shut-off valves installed at the meter will shut off the gas supply during an earthquake which reduces the potential fire hazard. This feature is like smoke alarms in that you hope they are never needed, however it will provide a measure of safety for the family and the structure that is well worth the small investment in construction costs.

Desired Conditions- Install gas shut-off seismic valve on main supply at the gas meter.

Best Management Practice = Habitat homes with gas service should have a seismic gas shut-off valve installed to provide for occupant safety.

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1. Install Fluorescent Light Fixtures-
Intent- Wherever practical installation of standard fluorescent fixtures provide a cost effective lighting application. All standard fluorescent fixtures should be of the T-8 size as they use one-third of the electricity of a T-12 bulb while providing similar lighting conditions. Additionally only green tipped mercury free tubes will be utilized in construction projects

Desired Conditions- Green tipped T-8 fixtures will be installed in the kitchen, garage and hallways which will provide more economical and environmental lighting.

Best Management Practice = All Habitat homed will be constructed with fluorescent lighting fixtures in the kitchen, garage and hallways. These fixtures will use T-8 bulbs to reduce electrical costs and be provided with green tipped mercury free tubes. The family will be educated on the need to replace the bulbs as required with similar environmental friendly tubes.

2. Install Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs-
Intent- Installing Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) in place of incandescent bulbs will reduce lighting load electrical consumption by two-thirds. Although higher in initial cost, each CFL bulb may last up to 10 years and save over one hundred dollars over the life of the bulb. Additionally the CFL bulbs can last up to eight times longer than a conventional bulb and reduce the amount of material entering the landfill.

Desired Conditions- Perform initial installation of CFL's in all locations in the home except or closets and attic spaces. Provide the occupant with warrantee information on the bulbs in case replacements are required.

Best Management Practice = In all locations in the home which require screw in bulbs, except for the attic or closet spaces will be provided with CFL bulbs. As part of the family education, they will be provided with information of the benefits of the bulbs and why it is important to replace them with similar technology when required. Additionally the family will be provided with the warranty information of the provided bulbs to encourage like kind replacement in the event of failure. Purchasing bulbs at a location such as Home Depot will provide the family with return and replacement options.

3. Install Lighting Controls-
Intent- Occupancy sensors or user activated timers prevent inadvertent wastage of electricity in unoccupied spaces. Occasional use rooms such as the garage and utility room and exterior lighting are all areas that should have control sensors installed.

Desired Conditions- Install lighting controls with sensors or control timers in all practical areas to prevent energy waste.

Best Management Practice = In all Habitat construction, lighting controls are to be installed in garages, utility rooms and for exterior lighting.

4. Upgrade Electrical Service-
Intent- Newer homes are requiring greater number of circuits due to increases loads related to home offices, entertainment centers and small appliance uses. Installing larger capacity load centers provide for the installation of additional circuits without overloading the service connection.

Desired Conditions- All /habitat homes shall be provided with 200 Amp/30 space load centers.

Best Management Practice = As a standard practice in Habitat homes 200 Amp service panels with a minimum of 30 breaker spaces shall be provided. This will allow for expansion without requiring costly upgrades, reduce the potential for circuit overloading and provide provisions for the photovoltaic interconnect.

5. Install Ceiling Fans-
Intent- Ceiling fans improve interior comfort as they circulate the air in the house. Reversible fans can bring warm air down during the winter or upwards during the summer. In Habitat homes without air conditioning, ceiling fans can provide an adequate level of comfort during the summer months while they reduce heating requirements during the winter.

Desired Conditions- Fans shall be installed in all living areas and bedrooms.

Best Management Practice = Homeowners should be encouraged to use their discretionary finds to purchase ceiling fans for all bedrooms and living room areas. As part of the education program for the occupants they should be instructed on the fans energy savings benefits and the proper operation during the different seasons. All rooms should be prewired and fan support blocking and ceiling boxes shall be installed as part of the construction process.

6. Install Insulation Compatible Recessed Lighting Fixtures-
Intent- Recessed lighting fixtures which are not covered with insulation in the attic or ceiling allow heat to escape into the attic which raises home heating costs. As well during the summer hot attic heat can infiltrate into the home which can raise discomfort levels. In Contact (IC) fixtures greatly reduce the heat loss/gain through the ceiling opening.

Desired Conditions- All recessed lighting fixtures are installed as IC fixtures and covered with insulation.

Best Management Practice = To control utility costs for the homeowner all recessed lighting fixtures are installed as IC fixtures and covered with insulation.

7. Upgrade Wire Size-
Intent- Larger size electrical wire has the capacity to carry electrical current with less loss. Although the paybacks to upgrade for example from 12 to 10 gage wire for most appliance circuits may be reached during in a short lifecycle it usually is not economical as most electrical fixtures are designed for 12 gage wire. However the Copper Development Association does show that there are indeed cost and energy savings related to wire upgrades for larger circuits in this table.

Desired Conditions- Where practical wire size should be upgraded by one size to reduce electrical losses and improve efficiency.

Best Management Practice = Continue the practice of using all 12 gage wire in Habitat homes for the ease of construction and avoidance of wiring errors. However while do it also being aware that you are reducing the electrical consumption in the lighting circuits and in the long term will save the occupant on utility costs. On home designs such as the ones in Oxnard where there are long service runs between the main panel in the garage and the sub panel in the house the service wire size should be upgraded by one size to reduce the electrical costs of the resident.

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1. Install Light Colored Roofing-
Intent- Dark colored roofing materials absorb heat making the house warmer during the summer months, whereas light colored roofing reflects heat away from the building. Light colored materials decrease attic heat, reduce heat discomfort in the building and increase the life span of roofing materials that can be degraded by excessive heating.

Desired Conditions- Select and install light colored roofing materials to reduce heat loading of the structure.

Best Management Practice = Habitat homes shall be constructed with light colored roofing to reduce heat buildup in the residences and reduce the requirements for installation of air conditioners.

2. Install Durable roofing-
Intent- Roofing materials come in a variety of materials and each has varying life cycles. Selection of the best materials can depend on a variety of environmental conditions or the design of the roof itself. When ever possible a longer life roofing materials should be selected as the longer life reduces loading on landfills and expense for the homeowner when roof replacement occurs. If composition shingles are selected which come in a variety of life spans from 15 to 40 years, at a minimum 25 year product should be selected. In environments not subject to snow and ice loading, concrete tile roofs offer the most durable product for roofing which provides the homeowner with a fire resistant and virtually maintenance free roof.

Desired Conditions- All home construction should be roofed with durable long life roofing products. Lightweight concrete shingles roofing is the product of choice to provide the residents with problem and maintenance free roofs.

Best Management Practice = Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County should maintain their relationship with MonierLifetile and install their light colored product on all habitat residences. The only exception would be on roofs which are designed for photovoltaic installation which may be roofed with 30 year composition shingles.
Monierlifetile Roofing Products

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1. Upgrade Wall and Ceiling Insulation to Meet or Exceed Energy Code Requirements-
Intent-The insulation in a home serves to reduce the demand for heating and keeps the house cooler during the summer months making the home more comfortable for the occupants and saves them money by keeping energy costs down.

Desired Conditions- Increase the insulation to exceed the title 24 requirements. Specifically in this area the R-30 ceiling insulation should be increased by 20% to the R-36 level. Increasing the wall insulation to R-16 is desired if the wall cavity has the capacity for the insulation.

Best Management Practice = New construction requires that Habitat homes meet title 24 guidelines at a minimum. The increased cost of adding extra ceiling insulation during the construction process is offset by the reduced energy costs for the family.

2. Install Formaldehyde Free Insulation-
Intent- The indoor air quality of the home is greatly effected by the materials used during the construction process. Some insulation products contain formaldehyde binders, which are slowly released into the home environment. Use of formaldehyde free insulation is one part of the strategy of improving the environmental health of the home.

Desired Conditions- Allow only formaldehyde free and recycled content insulation on the jobsite.

Best Management Practice = In the majority of cases insulation purchased for Habitat projects is purchased at the Home Depot. In this area the environmental policy of Home Depot is to provide only formaldehyde free insulation. The best management practice is to ensure that only formaldehyde free insulation is provided on the Habitat job site. In addition the insulation provided at Home Depot is manufactured with recycled content whish is another greening aspect of this building element.

3. Install Blown In or Loose Fill Cellulose Insulation in ceiling areas-
Intent- Batt type fiberglass insulation often does a poor job of preventing infiltration around pipes, light fixtures or framing elements as gaps or openings remain after installation. Blown In or Lose Fill insulation does a superior job of sealing and filling the voids prevalent throughout the attic.

Desired Conditions- Install loose fill cellulose insulation to the R-30 level in the attic of the home.

Best Management Practice = Loose fill cellulose insulation can be easily installed on Habitat projects by volunteers. The insulation is available at similar cost to fiberglass batts, contains no formaldehyde and is more comfortable during the installation process.

4. Consider Alternate Insulation Materials-
Intent- As technology changes or new materials appear on the market, there will continue to be opportunities to reevaluate the installation of fiberglass insulation. One such product entering the market is manufactured from cotton fibers. Once supplies become readily available this Ultra Touch Insulation should be considered for Habitat Homes.

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1. Install Energy Efficient Windows-
Intent- Windows play an important part of the energy efficiency of the home. During the summer they can let in unwanted heat to the home and during the winter up to 25% of the home heat loss can be attributed to the windows. Therefore window selection should be made to provide the most efficient energy performance for the location in which the home shall be built. Windows with a low emissivity rating use a glass coating to reduce heat transfer of the window. This is most important on windows that are exposed to direct sun conditions to prevent over heating of the home during summer months.

Desired Conditions- Install low-E windows on all south or west facing windows and elsewhere in the house install double-glaze windows with low conductive frames.

Best Management Practice = Habitat of Ventura County should continue the relationship with Milguard windows so as to procure the most energy efficient windows economically possible. Only windows with low conductivity frames meeting Title 24 requirements will be installed on Habitat homes. In this environment the overall benefit of low emissivity windows needs to be addressed on a case by case basis. They should be installed when they will provide positive energy cost reductions for the family.

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1. Install 90% or Greater Efficiency Forced Air Gas Furnace-
Intent- A properly sized gas furnace is more economical to operate, saves natural resources, reduces emissions and creates a cleaner environment in the home. Installing a higher efficiency rated furnace during initial construction has low incremental costs but typically have paybacks for the residence in less than 4 years.

Desired Conditions- Gas forced air furnaces are installed which have an efficiency rating of 90% or higher.

Best Management Practice = Habitat homes shall have Energy Star rated furnaces installed. These rated furnaces have a 90% Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) and currently qualify for a $200.00 rebate which makes the units cost neutral with "economy" priced furnaces.

2. Install Programmable Thermostat-
Intent- New homes constructed in California require the installation of a setback or programmable thermostats. These units control time of use requirements of the heating system to provide only the heat when required. A properly programmed thermostat can reduce heating costs between 20 to 75 percent.

Desired Conditions- Install Energy Star Labeled thermostats which are eligible for utility rebates.

Best Management Practice = All habitat constructed or renovated homes shall have programmable thermostats installed. Rebates currently of $20.00 will be filed for to reduce the cost of installation.

3. Install Attic Ventilation Fan-
Intent- During the summer months the temperature in an attic can reach between 140-160 degrees and the heat can migrate to the living areas making them uncomfortable. Additionally the heat can degrade roofing materials and shorten their life. Increasing the ventilation in the attic can be accomplished by installing a thermostat controlled exhaust fan and doubling the required amount of ventilation to one square foot of net area for every 75 square feet of attic floor area.

Desired Conditions- Each attic is provides with adequate ventilation both through natural convection and mechanical means to prevent overheating. The temperature-controlled fan is a final control method of cooling the attic.

Best Management Practice = Habitat should continue their practice of installing attic fans and to save additional energy should maximize the amount of attic ventilation during construction.

4. Install Whole House Fan-
Intent- Whole house fans provide comfort for the home occupants by continuously replacing warmer interior air with cooler outdoor air. This is especially effective during the night. Typically a whole house fan can provide comfort levels while using one tenth of the energy required by an air conditioning unit.

Desired Conditions- Whole house fans should be installed to maintain living areas and to improve the air quality in the residence. Fans should be sized to produce between 4-5 air changes per hour.

Best Management Practice = In hotter interior locations such as Piru where summer heat is an issue Habitat should install whole house fans to preclude the installation of air conditioning. Fans should be selected to provide 4-5 air changes per hour. Care in selecting fan systems, combined with over sized attic ventilation should prevent radiation of attic heat through the fan mechanism into the living areas.

5. Vent Range Hood to the Outside-
Intent- Cooking produces gasses, smoke and other particulates and moisture in the kitchen. Besides the smell issues, these materials can be unhealthy to breathe. The outside venting of the range hood will expel these gasses out of the building envelope. This is even more important when gas ranges are installed as is typically the case for Habitat built homes.

Desired Conditions- Vent all ranges to the outside.

Best Management Practice = All habitat homes should be designed to position the range adjacent to an exterior wall to allow for easy access for range ventilation. If design considerations require an interior location the ductwork should be kept as short as possible to the exterior wall or through the ceiling to prevent grease build up in the ducts. The exterior venting of the range will improve the indoor air quality for the residents.

6. Install Garage Exhaust Fan for Attached Garage-
Intent- Attached garages can be the most significant source of indoor pollution in the home according to the EPA. The exhaust from vehicles contains known carcinogens and can enter the house through open doors. To provide for a healthier indoor environment, garage exhaust fans should be installed in the opposite wall from the house door. The fan should be wired to the garage door opener or controlled be a timer that operates the fan for 15 minutes after the garage door has been opened or closed

Desired Conditions- Every attached garage will be provided with a exhaust fan set to operate on a fifteen minute cycle.

Best Management Practice = All Habitat projects with attached garages will have an exhaust fan installed to improve the sir quality and health for the family.

7. Use Duct Mastic on all Duct Joints-
Intent- Typically heating ducts are sealed with duct tape which can begin failing after 3-5 years which can cause leakage of the heated air and energy into the attic or chase areas. Duct mastic lasts for decades and provides good seal at duct joints and elbows. Leaking ducts can cause negative air pressure that can cause natural gas appliances to draft improperly and allow carbon monoxide to enter the home.

Desired Conditions- Duct mastic is used on all elbows and joints to provide positive seals.

Best Management Practice = To seal ducts and prevent loss of heat and energy all Habitat homes should have ductwork joints and elbows sealed with duct mastic. This simple step during construction will have long term benefits in energy savings for the resident families.

8. Install Ductwork within Conditioned Space-
Intent- Heating ducts which run through uninsulated attic spaces and interior walls can loose a significant amount of energy through convection. All ductwork should be insulated to prevent energy loss especially all metal joints and taped areas. By providing chases for the ductwork in the conditioned areas of the home, the heating system will operate more economically and use less energy.

Desired Conditions- Habitat homes will run all ductwork through conditioned living spaces to reduce energy losses.

Best Management Practice = Habitat homes should be designed with chases which lead ductwork through conditioned spaces inside the insulated building envelope to reduce energy losses. This action will make the home more economical to heat and provide fore more efficient occupant comfort.

9. Clean All Ducts Before Occupancy-
Intent- During the construction process heating ducts can become contaminated with dusts and debris which can cause allergic reactions in residents. Children are especially sensitive to micro particles such as drywall dust. Cleaning and vacuuming the ductwork reduces dust in the residence after it is occupied. The cleaning of ductwork should be performed after the drywall is finished and prior to the installation of carpets and finishes. One helpful strategy is to block the ductwork at the registers to prevent dust buildup.

Desired Conditions- Sealing ducts during construction and cleaning of the ductwork will occur as part of the final construction process.

Best Management Practice = To improve the indoor air quality of the residence, care will be taken to avoid dust buildup in ductworks and they will be cleaned prior to occupancy of the home.

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1. Install Solar Electric Generation (photovoltaic)
Intent- A photovoltaic system generates electricity to offset the needs of the resident and can be sized to generate up to 100% of the annual electrical requirements. The systems are tied to the electrical grid, which provides storage for electricity produced during the day and return the electricity, as it is needed during the night. A “net” metering service with the utility provides for the balancing of the electrical needs on an annual basis.
The benefits of photovoltaic installations is that the Habitat home is not reliant for electrical generation on conventional power plants which contribute to air pollution. It is estimated that each Habitat home with a PV system will not contribute 5,780 pounds of Carbon Dioxide, .1 pounds of Sulfur and 1.7 pounds of Nitrous Oxides of atmospheric emission per year.

Desired Conditions- Install photovoltaic system with the capacity to generate the equivalent of local baseline tier allocation. In Oxnard at this time baseline electrical service is 11.3 kW per day. As Habitat homes have natural gas for heat, hot water and cooking, the residents should be able to have only minimal electrical service charges to cover consumption beyond the baseline level.

Best Management Practice = Habitat should work with partners to procure and install photovoltaic systems on all projects. Currently there are rebate programs with the California Energy Commission that will pay up to 75% of the system cost for qualified affordable housing projects. A system can be installed for under $4,000 which will generate an estimated $47.00 worth of electricity per month. The cost of the system if rolled into the monthly mortgage payments would only increase the payment by $17.00 while saving the homeowner $30.00 per month. The system will have a simple payback period of 5.1 years.

In Ventura County Baseline Electrical Allotment is zoned in three areas.
Coastal Areas are Baseline Region 10
Central Areas are Baseline Region 17
North County is Baseline Region 16
SCE is currently (July 16,2003) revising the allocation tier structure.

2. Install Solar Hot Water Systems-
Intent- Active solar hot water systems provide preheated water to the homes hot water heater, which is then only required to raise the water temperature to the desired level. During the day, the hot water heater often is not activated as the solar water has sufficient heat to meet demands. Solar water systems often have payback periods less than seven years that can be shortened by utility rebate programs. A solar thermal system is most often mounted on the south-facing roof of the residence.

Desired Conditions- Design the roof structure for additional weight load and install the solar water system to provide the resident with reduced costs for water heating and improved air quality.

Best Management Practice = Habitat should investigate funding opportunities to implement a program of installing solar water heating systems on future homes. The savings in water heating costs for the residents will be dramatic and have fiscal returns in a short period.

3. Pre-Plumb for Solar Water Heating
Intent- At the time of construction, the minor additional costs of preparing for future solar installation can save the homeowner substantial retrofit costs if they later desire to install hot water systems. The short runs of insulated pipe can remain dry and are capped to prevent contamination. The roof calculations can be made as part of the design elements and retained for future permit applications.

Desired Conditions- Any home not having solar water heating systems shall be pre-plumbed for the systems and the roof design prepared for the addition loading.

Best Management Practice = Habitat should provide the residents with the option of retrofitting their homes with hot water systems at a future date. The minor costs during construction will save major remodel costs of running plumbing through living areas.

4. Provide for Natural Cooling
Intent- Simple passive design features incorporated into the structure and landscaping of the home have the capacity to reduce overheating of the home. This is very important for homes that are not equipped with air conditioning. The features can include deciduous trees, roof overhangs, window films and radiant heat baffles in the attic.

Desired Conditions- Provide design features which passively cool the residential envelope.

Best Management Practice = Habitat homes should provide for roof overhangs on south side windows to shade the glazed surfaces from summer suns. The passive design will reduce heat loading on the home and provide for increased occupant comfort. Additionally the sites landscaping plan should provide for the planting of deciduous trees to shade the south facing surfaces of the home. (but not the solar array)

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The materials used to finish the exterior and interior of the house offer several opportunities for utilization of sustainable products. Additionally the materials commonly used in the interior of the home often contain toxic materials that can effect the indoor air quality and health of the residents. Therefore the selection of the materials used to finish the home should be made with care.

EXTERIOR MATERIALS

1. Utilization of Fiber-Cement Exterior Siding
Intent- Utilization of siding materials manufactured from recycled content materials reduces demands on scarce natural materials. Fiber-Cement siding contains recycled materials yet it looks like and performing like wood sidings. Additionally cement fibrous siding has beneficial qualities to include improved fire resistance, termite resistance and reduced maintenance costs due to superior paint holding characteristics.

Desired Conditions- On all Habitat Homes, siding materials should be utilized which contain recycled content or are manufactured form fibrous-cement products.

Best Management Practice = Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County should maintain their relationship with the James Hardie Company for the procurement of Hardiplank Cement Siding. This siding is recognized for it's greening qualities both in the manufacturing process and in the reduced maintenance requirements for the homeowner.
Hardieplank Siding
http://www.jameshardie.com/index_flash.htm

2. Decking Materials
Intent- Reduction in pressure on grown materials, use of recycled materials and reduction in maintenance and environmental costs can occur through the utilization of recycled content decking. Materials are available which perform with greater durability than conventional wood products in decking applications. These materials do not splinter, rot or crack, require no toxic treatment or preservatives and require no staining or painting. In addition they are resistant to termite infestation and provide a quality looking finish.

Desired Conditions- Any deck constructed by Habitat will have the decking material be made from recycled component materials, either plastic or woodfiber composite material.

Best Management Practice = Due to local construction policy, decks are not provided on local Habitat homes. If however due to plan changes or accessibility requirements, decks become a component of habitat homes, recycled component materials will be utilized.

INTERIOR MATERIALS

1. Use Low/No-VOC and Formaldehyde-Free Paint
Intent- As paint dries it releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the home. This is a major source of indoor air pollution and the formation of urban smog. Paints with low/no VOC are now available and can be applied just like conventional paints. As with regular paints, high washability should be specified for the kitchen, bathrooms and children's bedrooms.

Desired Conditions- Use only low/no-VOC paints.

Best Management Practice = To reduce the emission of toxic materials into the home and improve indoor air quality only low/no-VOC paints should be used in finishing Habitat homes. This will reduce indoor pollution and provide for a healthier home.

2. Use Low VO, Water-Based Wood Finishes
Intent- As with paints, water based wood finished are now available which are used in most applications where solvent based materials would be used. These products are safer to use in an environment that has children present.

Desired Conditions- Use only low/no VOC wood finished.

Best Management Practice = If wood finishes are required in the Habitat home only low/no VOC materials should be used to improve the indoor air quality of the home. If solvent bases wood finished are required, they should be allowed to outgas for three to four weeks prior to occupancy.

3. Use Solvent-Free Adhesives
Intent- A wide selection of solvent free adhesives are now available to the builder. Use of these products will reduce the outgas of harmful materials into the home. An additional benefit to using these products is that they are often stronger than conventional adhesives.

Desired Conditions- Use only solvent free adhesives on Habitat projects.

Best Management Practice = The use of solvent free adhesives is one more step in improving the indoor air quality for the family. Habitat should not allow solvent bases material use when healthier alternatives are available.

4. Substitute Particleboard with Formaldehyde-Free Materials
Intent- Particleboard is most commonly made of wood fibers and binded with adhesive containing urea formaldehyde which is a suspected carcinogen. The particleboard is used to produce low cost materials, cabinets and furniture, all of which outgas the formaldehyde into the home and produce poor air quality. Children are the most susceptible to illness related to living in a sick home. Whenever possible particle board materials should be substituted with plywood, solid wood or formaldehyde free MDF. As a last resort particleboard if used should be sealed.

Desired Conditions- The elimination of all formaldehyde containing particleboard.

Best Management Practice = Habitat desires to construct safe and healthy homes for the resident families. Along with eliminating VOC in paints, the commitment to reducing formaldehyde-containing materials in Habitat homes is an important step in improving indoor air quality. Eliminating particleboard may not be possible within cost constraints, but if used it should be sealed and outgas minimized.

5. Use Exterior Grade plywood for Interior Uses
Intent- Use Exterior Grade plywood for Interior Uses
Intent- Exterior grade plywood uses a phenolic resin as a binder that offgasses one tenth as much as interior plywood made with urea-formaldehyde glue. By making this simple change in specifications better indoor air quality will occur in the home.

Desired Conditions- Unless required by code any use of plywood for interior applications shall be done with formaldehyde free plywood.

Best Management Practice = To improve indoor air quality and the health of the home, Habitat should avoid using any formaldehyde containing plywood for interior applications. Building specifications should indicate the usage of all exterior grade plywood for home construction.

6. Use Formaldehyde-Free MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard)
Intent- MDF is often used in home construction to fabricate shelving, cabinets and for trim. Conventional MDF is manufactured from sawdust and an adhesive that contains urea formaldehyde that will outgas into the home and degrade indoor air quality. MDF is now available that is manufactured without formaldehyde binders.

Desired Conditions- Eliminate the utilization of materials in the home which contain formaldehyde.

Best Management Practice = To improve indoor air quality, no formaldehyde MDF should be used in the construction of Habitat homes. These actions will improve the health of the home for all occupants.

7. Seal all Exposed Particleboard or MDF
Intent- If particleboard or MDF must be used that can not be certified to be formaldehyde free than the materials should be sealed with two coats of low permeable paint or sealer to reduce the release of harmful gasses. All exposed edges of cabinets, undersides of countertops, shelves and other locations where MDF or particleboard is used should be sealed prior to installation.

Desired Conditions- This step is only required when formaldehyde free products are not available.

Best Management Practice = To protect the health of the Habitat home this step is necessary to reduce the outgas of harmful materials. This is the next best solution to the elimination of particleboard in home construction.

8. Use Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified Trim and Finish Materials
Intent- FSC certified materials come from forests managed in accordance with sustainable forest practices. As FSC materials become available they should be selected for use in Habitat homes to conserve natural resource and preserve old growth forests and landscapes.

Desired Conditions- Use only FSC certified materials when they are required as a finish items.

Best Management Practice = If stain grade trim is required for Habitat projects, the material should come from FSC certified suppliers. Locally Home Depot is providing certified wood molding items in a variety of shapes and sizes. Also Home Depot offers a large selection of hardboard interior and exterior doors from certified sources.

9. Use Finger Jointed Trim Material
Intent- Finger jointed trim materials are manufactured from short pieces of clear wood that is glued together to make finish trim. This material can be used in any application in which the trim will be painted. Finger jointed material is both straighter and stable than conventional materials which reduces construction wastage and save the project money while natural resources are conserved.

Desired Conditions- Use finger jointed materials for all painted trim.

Best Management Practice = To conserve natural resources, finger jointed trim should be used whenever possible in finishing Habitat homes.

10. Install Carpets and Underlayment made with Recycled Content Materials
Intent- Recycled content carpet is available at comparable costs to conventional carpets. The recycled carpet is manufactured from recycled bottles, wool or cotton and is often more durable and color fast than regular carpet. Up to 40 two-liter soda bottles are recycled to make one yard of carpet. In addition the carpet underlayment is also available in recycled materials. Use of recycled carpets diverts landfill material, saves resources in manufacturing and

Desired Conditions- All carpet and underlayment installed will be manufactured from recycled content materials.

Best Management Practice = Habitat should evaluate and use recycled content carpet whenever possible to improve the conservation of natural resources. The recycled carpet is more durable and often has a longer life than economy carpet. This increased lifecycle will save the resident family in replacement and cleaning costs.

11. Use Ceramic Tile with Recycled Content
Intent- Ceramic Tile flooring is very durable and is often a lifetime installation in the home. Floor tile can be made with up to 70% recycled glass content. This type of tile was developed for commercial applications had has proven to be very durable for residential applications, even in high traffic areas. This durability is

Desired Conditions- Install floor tile when practical and should be specified to include recycled content materials.

Best Management Practice = To provide a durable flooring in the kitchen and bath areas, Habitat homes should use ceramic tile flooring. To further the green aspects of the home, recycled content tile materials should be specified.

12. Use Natural Linoleum in Place of Vinyl Flooring
Intent- Vinyl flooring should be avoided for both the air quality issues in the home and the related air quality concerns during the manufacturing process. Linoleum flooring can be manufactured from a variety of materials including cork and linseed oils. The durable linoleum can last up to 40 years compared to the typical 7-10 year life cycle of vinyl flooring.

Desired Conditions- Do not use vinyl flooring products. Use alternate flooring such as natural linoleum products with their long life and healthier materials.

Best Management Practice = To improve the indoor air quality, Habitat homes should not use vinyl flooring products. Instead specify the use of linoleum flooring, such as the material made from natural products. The longer life of linoleum justifies the minor increase in costs.

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Help Protect the Environment
Simple actions can make a big difference. If just one in 10 homes used ENERGY STAR qualified appliances, the change would be like planting 1.7 million new acres of trees. For top performance, premium features, and energy savings, look for energy-efficient clothes washers, refrigerators, dishwashers, room air conditioners and dehumidifiers that have earned the ENERGY STAR. This mark may appear on the appliance, the packaging or on the Energy Guide Label.

1. Refrigerators
Intent- Refrigerators are usually the largest single user of electricity in the home. Newer units on the market now operate on one third of the energy compared to refrigerators manufactured 10 years ago. Energy Star rated units use less electricity, have safer refrigerants and are quieter in operation.

Desired Conditions- Provide Energy Star rated refrigerator for the Habitat family.

Best Management Practice = Habitat has an established partnership with Whirlpool which is currently providing Energy Star Refrigerators to Habitat families. Habitat and whirlpool should continue this commendable partnership as it promotes energy conservation and preservation of resources. The refrigerator provided by Whirlpool is rated to use an average of 434 kW per year.

2. Dishwasher
Intent- Dishwashers which are Energy Star rated use water and energy more efficiently. A dishwasher normally consumes the most energy to heat the water it uses. By using less water, the Energy Star rated units are more economical to operate. Typically a standard dishwasher costs $219 to purchase and $96 to operate per year. An Energy Star Rated unit costs $319 to purchase and $63 to operate the same number of cycles. The savings of $33 dollars per year would have a payback in just under three years, however with utility rebates , the current time of payback would be 2.5 years and than savings would continue to be generated for the life of the appliance.

Desired Conditions- Install Energy Star rated dishwasher.

Best Management Practice = Habitat families who chose to install dishwashers should be educated on the benefits of installing Energy Star rated units. Energy star units use 25% less energy than standard dishwashers. Currently rebates of $50.00 from the Gas Company make the selection of the Energy Star rated appliance more economical.

3. Washing Machine
Intent- Installing an energy star rated washing machine saves energy both in the electricity to run it, in the reduced water used per load and in the reduced amount of hot water required. Typically these rated appliances use up to 50% less energy and water and extract more water during the spin cycle, which reduces drying time. Horizontal axis machines generate the most savings, but have a higher initial investment cost.

Desired Conditions- Install Energy Star rated washing machine.

Best Management Practice = Habitat families who chose to install washing machines should be educated on the benefits of installing Energy Star rated units. Currently rebates of $75.00 from the Gas Company make the selection of the Energy Star rated appliance more economical. Families should also be provided with tips to reduce costs by using cold water and doing full loads.

4. Dryer
Intent- The best clothes dryer from an energy standpoint is the clothesline which uses direct solar power to perform its functions. If powered dryers are purchases the most economical to operate are those models which have moisture sensors that automatically shut off the dryer when the clothes are dry. A timed drying cycle often wastes large amounts of energy by running longer than required. The wasted time running also cause unnecessary wear on clothing which shortens their life.

Desired Conditions- Install Energy efficient clothes dryers.

Best Management Practice = Habitat families which chose to purchase clothes dryers should be encouraged to acquire a unit which has moisture sensor cycles and to air dry clothes whenever possible to maximize savings.

5. Range
Intent- Ranges and ovens are should be selected which offer the most economical mode of operation. Gas ranges that have electronic ignition offer savings over those that use pilot lights. The standing flames of pilot lights use energy continuously and decreases air quality in the home.

Desired Conditions- Install ranges which are the most energy efficient.

Best Management Practice = The range provided to Habitat families is an electronic ingition model which saves gas by not having pilot lights.

“Save Energy, Save Money"
When buying an appliance, remember that it has two price tags: what you pay to take it home and what you pay for the energy and water it uses. ENERGY STAR qualified appliances incorporate advanced technologies that use 10-50% less energy and water than standard models. The money you save on your utility bills can more than make up for the cost of a more expensive but more efficient ENERGY STAR model.

Energy Star Web Site
Whirlpool Appliances

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One of the primary goals of this greening initiative is to provide the Habitat families with safe and healthy homes. The indoor air quality of the home has direct effects on the health of the occupants. Young children are especially susceptible to health issues related to dusts, toxic out gassing of materials and the effect of "sick building syndrome". Careful selection of materials and performance of certain steps during the construction process will improve the indoor air quality of the home.

1. Eliminate Formaldehyde Containing Products
Intent- Materials selected for inclusion in the home should be evaluated and specified to contain no Formaldehydes. This includes insulation, MDF, particleboard and cabinets. See the chapter on Finish Materials and Insulation for more information.

Desired Conditions- Allow no Formaldehyde containing materials to enter the jobsite.

Best Management Practice = To provide a healthy home for the family, Habitat should eliminate or minimize the use of any Formaldehyde containing materials in constructing the home.

2. Use only Low VOC or Solvent Free Materials
Intent- Use of low VOC or solvent free paints will greatly improve the air quality for the residents. See the chapter on Finish Materials for more information.

Desired Conditions- No VOC or solvent materials shall be allowed on the jobsite.

Best Management Practice = To provide a healthy home for the family, Habitat should eliminate or minimize the use of any VOC containing materials in constructing the home.

3. Control Construction Dusts and Debris
Intent- Dust and debris accumulating on the jobsite can become a health hazard for those with respiratory ailments. By performing regular sweepings and cleanings of the jobsite the hazard can be minimized. In addition the clean job site will be safer to work in, instill pride in the volunteer workforce and show donors that Habitat prides itself on a professional approach to construction management.

Desired Conditions- Regular cleaning of the jobsite and cleaning of ductwork should be part of the construction management plan.

Best Management Practice = As part of the construction management plan the Habitat job site will be kept clean for safety, show and pride. The cleaning of ducts and the home will provide better indoor air quality for the resident family.

4. Install Carbon Monoxide Detector
Intent- Carbon Monoxide is emitted from gas appliances, car exhausts and fire. A carbon monoxide detector functions as an early warning device and can save lives. This simple tool is a safety device that also served to warn the residents of unhealthy air quality.

Desired Conditions- Have at least one carbon monoxide detector mounted in the residence.

Best Management Practice = As Habitat homes use gas for heat, cooking, hot water and clothes drying is very important that the home be equipped with a carbon monoxide detector. The unit should be installed at the same time that the mandatory smoke alarms are installed. The resident family should receive education on the importance of this detector.

5. Install HEPA Filters
Intent- High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters reduce ones exposure to dust and the fine particulate matter that can exist within the home. Installing HEPA filters on the furnace and vacuum cleaners can substantially cut down on the amount of dust and debris in the home.

Desired Conditions- Equip all furnaces with HEPA rated filters.

Best Management Practice = All habitat homes should initially have the furnace equipped with a HEPA filter. The resident family shall receive education on the importance of maintaining the furnace, the HEPA filter and on installing them in their vacuum cleaner.

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1. Design Resource Efficient Landscapes and Gardens
Intent- Resource efficient landscaping can include practices such as "xeriscaping" to provide the residents with landscaped areas that minimize operation and maintenance costs. These design features can save the families up to 75% of the maintenance costs over planted turf areas.

Desired Conditions- Landscaped areas will include no more than 25% turf, with the remaining areas wit the remaining areas being planted with vegetable gardens, shrubbery and drought tolerant plants appropriate for the local conditions.

Best Management Practice = The Habitat homes landscaping will be designed to minimize requirements for utilization of resources for irrigation, fertilization and maintenance. The planted turf area if provided, should not exceed 25% of the landscaped area. Turf types should be selected appropriate for the local conditions that require minimal water for irrigation. Provisions should be made to allow for the family to have a garden area that can provide home grown fruits and vegetables to lower monthly food costs. The family should be educated in resource efficient practices to include composting, plant maintenance and water conservation.

2. Install Drip Irrigation
Intent- Drip irrigation provides landscaping with the small amount of water required while avoiding overspray and runoff. A properly designed system can dramatically reduce the water consumed for landscape irrigation and help keep the resident's water bill low.

Desired Conditions- Install drip irrigation for all landscaping areas except for turf.

Best Management Practice = To keep watering costs low for the families, Habitat should install drip irrigation systems as part of the landscaping project. If required the costs for such a system could be assessed from the family's discretionary funds.

3. Minimize Disruption of Existing Trees and Plants
Intent- On homes sites which have existing trees and plants, provisions should be made during the planning process to retain as many of the features as possible. Retaining these features reduces landscaping costs, diverts waste from the landfill, maximizes natural cooling features, prevents soil erosion and maintains community character.

Desired Conditions- Existing trees and landscaping features will be incorporated into the homes landscape.

Best Management Practice = On any building site provided for Habitat projects a pre-construction plan will include evaluation of preservation of existing features which will benefit the family.

4. Retain Rainwater for Irrigation
Intent- Retention of rainwater runoff on site reduces the volume of polluted waters reaching storm drains and the water supply and reduces the need for utilization of treated domestic water for irrigation purposes. This clause is repeated from Site Conditions.

Desired Conditions- All stormwater runoff is retained on site through a combination of catchment, underground dry wells or percolation into the soils. Rainwater catchment is provided at a volume of 50 gallons per 300 square feet of roof area. The catchment barrels should be plumbed with to allow for water utilization or drilled to allow for the slow release of the water onto the soils.

Best Management Practice = Provide for guttering systems on all Habitat homes that allow for the installation of rainwater catchment barrels or that channels the water to turf areas for replenishment of soils moisture. Downspout placement should not allow for the direct runoff onto hard surface areas that lead to storm drainage.

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Keeping a Home Green requires the occupant to utilize a variety of practices and products to clean, maintain and sustain the home. By utilizing the techniques in this clause the occupant will nor degrade indoor air quality, safety or the environment while maintaining their home. Education on these practices will greatly increase the heath of the Habitat families.

1. Use Low-Toxic or Citrus-Based Cleaning Supplies-
Intent- Most cleaning supplies are now available in less toxic forms that are much safer to use than conventional products. Many of these products are based on citrus-based materials that are particularly effective and have a more pleasant odor than harsh bleach, ammonia or perfumed products.

Desired Conditions- Only low toxic cleaning supplies will be used in the home.

Best Management Practice = By educating the family on this practice, Habitat can improve the healthy living environment of the home.

2. Install HEPA Grade Filters on Vacuum Cleaner
Intent- HEPA filters greatly reduce the amount of fine particulate dusts that typically is blown about during vacuuming. The reduction is dusts will improve indoor air quality making the home healthier for children and those with respiratory conditions. Indoor particle dusts have been determined by the USEPA to be a significant health hazard.

Desired Conditions- HEPA filters will be used on all vacuums.

Best Management Practice = By educating the family on this practice, Habitat can improve the healthy living conditions in the home.

3. Place Doormats at All Exterior Doors.
Intent- Many toxic contaminates like pesticides and fertilizers and other dirt borne materials can enter the home on shoes. By providing doormats or leaving the shoes at the entry these sources of contamination can be reduced. The doormat is an inexpensive method to improve indoor air quality.

Desired Conditions- Each exterior door will be provided with a doormat to reduce dust and toxic contaminates in the home.

Best Management Practice = By educating the family on this practice, Habitat can improve the healthy living conditions in the home.

4. Keep Cleaning Supplies and Paints Safely Stored in Enclosed Ventilated Area
Intent- Even while using safer low toxic cleaning supplies their storage should be considered to keep them safely out of reach of children. Additionally paints and other materials should be stored in ventilated areas to avoid reducing indoor air quality and fire hazard. Too often storage areas end up being cluttered with materials that can create hazardous conditions. By providing areas outside for storage of gardening supplies, paint storage in the garage and cleaning supplies in the utility room the occupants will improve the environmental health of their home.

Desired Conditions- Provide designated areas for the storage of household materials which can be hazardous.

Best Management Practice = By educating the family on this practice, Habitat can improve the healthy living conditions in the home.

5. Use Organic or Low-Toxic Fertilizer and Pesticides
Intent- With balanced landscaping practices, the need to use these fertilizer and pesticides will be reduced. However when they are required, there are many products that give the users the option to reduce toxic contamination in the home while achieving the desired results. If is particularly important to reduce toxic chemical use in yards and gardens with children as they spend so much time playing outdoors and can come into close contact with these materials.

Desired Conditions- Only low toxic or organic materials will be used to maintain landscaping areas.

Best Management Practice = By educating the family on this practice, Habitat can improve the healthy living conditions in the home.

6. Provide Recycling Containers in the Residence
Intent- Although each resident may have different waste disposal services, all can benefit both fiscally and environmentally by increasing their recycling success. By providing recycling containers for ease of use, the material is easily diverted from the landfill.

Desired Conditions- Provide equipment and establish recycling programs in each household.

Best Management Practice = Habitat should partner with the local waste management authority to obtain recycling containers, composting equipment and related materials to establish recycling in each home as a routine operation.

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Living green is more than a collection of physical attributes; it also is an attitude and lifestyle. Even with incorporating the provisions made in these Green Building Guidelines it is up to the Habitat families to continue the process and maintain the green condition of their home. Therefore it is critical that Habitat, the partner family and the homeowner families work together to learn about the benefits of living green which include saving resources, living in a healthier environment and having less impact on the environment while maintaining quality of life.

Specific topic areas to be covered in these green education criteria would include-

• Selecting appliances with regard to their lifecycle costs and how to operate them in the most cost-effective manner.
• Energy efficiency and tips for keeping utility costs under control.
• Green Landscaping, techniques for reducing watering, fertilization and pesticide applications and maintenance costs. Included in this segment would be information on gardening and composting.
• Keeping a house clean and green, selection and use of low toxic cleaners and solvents.
• Living with Solar Energy, installation, maintenance and monitoring. The family should participate in installing their solar system to learn more about the technology, how it operates and its benefits.
• Recycling and waste management.
• Home maintenance including painting, servicing the furnace and performing repairs.

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HABITAT for HUMANITY RESOURCES:
http://www.habitatventura.org Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County
http://www.habitat.org/ Habitat for Humanity International
http://www.habitat.org/env/default.html Habitat Internationals Environmental Initiative
http://www.eastbayhabitat.org East Bay Habitat, going solar

HABITAT for HUMANITY CORPORATE PARTNERS:
http://www.homedepot.com Home Depot
http://www.monierlifetile.com Monier Lifetile Roofing
http://www.jameshardie.com/index_flash.htm Hardie Plank Siding
http://www.whirlpool.com/index.html Whirlpool Appliances
http://www.insideadvantage.com/inside/habitat.phtml Whirlpool Habitat Support Page

LOCAL RESOURCES:
http://www.sustainabilitycouncil.org/ Sustainability Council of Ventura County
http://www.wasteless.org/ Ventura County's Environmental and Energy Resources Department
http://www.communityenvironmentalcouncil.org/ Community Environmental Council of Santa Barbara
http://www.vccf.org/regionalcivic.html The Regional Civic Alliance for Ventura County
http://www.vccf.org/ Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF)
Ventura County Economic Development Association (VCEDA)
http://www.ventura.lafco.ca.gov/index.html Ventura Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO)
http://www.countyofventura.org County of Ventura Homepage
http://www.ventura.org/vcrma/build_safe/ Ventura County, Department of Building & Safety
http://www.lacity.org/SAN/srcrd/ Los Angeles City, Solid Resources Citywide Recycling Division

SUSTAINABLE LIVING:
http://www.sustainableliving.org The Sustainable Living Network
http://www.greenliving.org/ The Green Living Center
http://www.nps.gov/renew/hometips.htm Home Greening Tips
http://www.ecohome.org Eco Home Network

SUSTAINABLE ENERGY:
http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/index.html CEC Consumer Energy Center
http://www.californiasolarcenter.org/index.html Californiasolarcenter.org
http://www.ases.org American Solar Energy Society
http://www.crest.org/index.html Renewable Energy Policy Project & CREST
http://www.norcalsolar.org/resources/pv/pv_for_affordable_coop_housing.pdf PV for Affordable and Cooperative Housing PDF format Booklet

SUSTAINABLE BUILDING:
http://www.usgbc.org/ US Green Building Council
Santa Monica Green Building Program
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/greenbuilder/ City of Austin Green Building Program
http://www.builtgreen.org/ Built Green Colorado
http://www.nps.gov/dsc/dsgncnstr/gpsd/ Guiding Principles of Sustainable Design
http://www.buildinggreen.com/ Building Green, The Environmental Building News
http://www.greenbuilder.com/ Green Builder, The Sustainable Building Sourcebook
http://www.thebii.org/cgbp.asp California Green Builder Program
http://www.nahbrc.org/green1.asp National Association of Home Builders Resource Center, Green Building Program
http://greenbuilding.ca/GBIC.htm Green Building in Canada
http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/GreenBuilding/ CA Integrated Waste Management Board, Green Building
http://www.ci.san-jose.ca.us/esd/gb-home.htm San Jose Green Building Program
http://bcn.boulder.co.us/environment/becc/becc_build.html Boulder Green Building/Energy Conservation Center
http://www.healthybuilding.net Healthy Building Network

SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY:
http://www.coastalalliance.com/ Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE)
http://www.livingwage.com Living Wage from the Employment Policies Institute
http://www.livingwagecampaign.org Living Wage Resource Center

SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION:
http://www.scat.org/ Ride the Bus, South Coast Area Transit (SCAT)
http://www.goventura.org Goventura, The Ventura Transportation Commission

GOVERNMENT RESOURCES:
http://www.energystar.gov/ EPA Energystar Program
http://www.energy.gov/ Department of Energy
http://www.sustainable.doe.gov Smart Communities Network
http://www.ofee.gov/ The Office of the Federal Environmental Executive
http://www.energy.ca.gov/title24/residential_manual/index.html California's Title 24 Energy Guidelines

OTHER NON-PROFITS & NGO's:
http://www.envirolink.org EnviroLink, The Online Environmental Community
http://www.earthshareca.org/home.htm Earth Share of California
http://www.rmi.org/ Rocky Mountain Institute
http://www.ncat.org/ National Center for Appropriate Technology
http://www.globalgreen.org Global Green USA

MISCELLANEOUS SITES OF INTEREST:
http://www.shell.com/solar Shell Solar Division
http://www.imperialwesternproducts.com/ Imperial Western Products
http://www.millspride.com/ Mills Pride Cabinets
http://energy.copper.org/onesizeup.html Copper Development Association
http://www.bondedlogic.com Denim Insulation

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1. Design Water Efficient Landscapes
Description: Low-water landscape designs, such as xeriscape, reduce water use by emphasizing native and/or drought tolerant plants, elimination of turf areas, and minimizing maintenance. Efficient irrigation systems, such as drip and micro irrigation, place the correct amount of water directly at the base of each plant, thus reducing water use and waste from overwatering.
Benefits: Water efficient landscape and irrigation systems help plant growth and overall health by eliminating overwatering or excessive drying. They also lower water bills and reduce impacts on water supply infrastructure.

2. Install Water Efficient Toilets and Fixtures
Description: New toilets use 1.6 gallons per flush compared with old toilets that require 5-7 gallons per flush. Flow reducers fit into the aerator at the tip of the faucet and reduce the rate of water flow through the faucet. Low-flow showerheads replace standard showerheads.
Benefits: It is estimated that low-flow toilets can save up to 22,000 gallons of water per year for a family of four. Flow reducers can cut water usage of faucets and showers by as much as 40% with little noticeable effect.

3. Use 15% or Greater Flyash in Concrete
Description: Flyash is a byproduct of coal burning power plants and can be an inexpensive substitute for 15% - 40% of the Portland cement used in concrete.
Benefits: Flyash increases the strength and durability of the concrete. Using flyash also reduces the amount of cement needed, thereby decreasing the overall environmental impacts of cement production (mining and energy consumption).

4. Use low- or no-VOC Paint
Description: No-VOC paint does not emit odors related to volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Organic chemicals are widely used as ingredients in household products like paint, adhesives, cleaning supplies, etc. No-VOC paint is used exactly like conventional paint. Current no-VOC paints are most suitable for indoor use.
Benefits: VOCs can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, loss of coordination, and potentially damage the liver and central nervous system. Outside, VOCs can bond with other pollutants and create ground-level ozone.

5. Seal All Exposed Particleboard or MDF
Description: Particleboard typically includes formaldehyde. Sealing with a flat, latex-based primer or other suitable material can prevent the off-gassing of formaldehyde.
Benefits: EPA ranks formaldehyde as a probable human carcinogen. Exposure to formaldehyde can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, skin rashes, headaches, nosebleeds and nausea.

6. Install Carbon Monoxide Detector
Description: Carbon monoxide detectors monitor the level of this gas in individual dwelling units.
Benefits: Carbon monoxide is a common indoor air pollutant created by the combustion of natural gas from stoves and heaters and is harmful to human health.

7. Vent Rangehood to the Outside
Description: Steam, gases, smoke and other combustion by-products (such as unburned hydrocarbons) can result from cooking. Stovetop range hoods expel these by-products to the outside.
Benefits: Range hoods improve indoor air quality, prevent overheating and excess moisture build-up.

8. Maximize Natural Daylighting
Description: Natural daylighting is usually available to the east, south, and west facades.
Benefits: Maximizing natural daylighting reduces the need for artificial light, thus reducing energy consumption and utility bills. Dwellings that have good natural daylighting are usually considered to be more pleasant for the residents.

9. Provide Overhangs or Screens on South-Facing Windows
Description: Overhangs or screens on south-facing windows are one component of a natural cooling system.
Benefits: Shading south-facing windows can make homes more comfortable without airconditioning by screening the hot summer sun.

10. Incorporate Natural Cooling/Ventilation
Description: Natural cooling/ventilation systems incorporate shading from deciduous trees (for east and west-facing glass) and window overhangs and awnings.
Benefits: Natural cooling/ventilation reduces the need for air conditioning, saves money on energy bills, and can make homes without air conditioning more comfortable.

11. Select Light Colored Roofing
Description: Dark roofing materials absorb heat, making the house warmer in summer months, whereas light colored roofing reflects heat away from the building.
Benefits: Light colored roofing reduces heat buildup through the roof, thus increasing occupancy comfort, and decreasing air conditioning bills. Light colored roofing can also last longer because it does not thermally expand and contract as much as darker colors.

12. Use Recycled Fiberglass or Cellulose Insulation in Walls and Ceilings

13. Install High R-Value Insulation
Description: Both fiberglass and blown cellulose insulation have recycled content. Fiberglass products are used identically to standard products. Blown cellulose (made of recycled newsprint) requires a special installer.
Benefits: Cellulose insulation provides a tighter enclosure than fiberglass. Recycled-content products support state solid waste diversion goals.

14. Install Fluorescent Lights w/ Electronic Ballasts

15. Install Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

16. Install Lighting Controls (occupant sensors, timers)
Description: Interior fluorescent bulbs and (where practical and appropriate) fixtures produce light quantity and quality that is comparable to incandescents, while expending less energy. Electronic ballasts also improve efficiency and reduce flickering. Lighting controls use sensors and timers to turn lights off in unused areas or during times when lighting is not needed.
Benefits: Energy efficient lighting reduces energy consumption and lowers utility bills. One compact florescent bulb will pay itself back over ten times over the course of its life through reduced energy use. Lighting controls reduce energy use by having the lights on for shorter periods of time.

17. Install Energy Star Refrigerator and Other Appliances
Description: Refrigerators and freezers are among the largest users of electricity in most homes. They can account for up to 25% of household energy use. Energy Star appliances are in the 15% of efficiency for their type.
Benefits: Energy Star refrigerators can save over 10% of the total annual electrical bill in a home. Check with the local utility company for rebate programs.

18. Use Engineered Wood for Headers, Joists, and Sheathing
Description: Solid sawn lumber in sizes of 2X10 or greater typically comes from old growth forests. Engineered lumber products, however, come from small-diameter and fast growing plantation trees. 2X10 and larger dimensional lumber is typically used for floor and ceiling joists and some seismic applications. Large size lumber can be replaced with engineered lumber (microlam, paralam, gluelam) in most applications unless required by seismic codes. Solid sawn 4X6s are often used for headers when smaller dimension lumber would suffice, such as double 2X6s, unless solid 4X6s are required by seismic codes. Wood I-Joists are an alternative to 2X6s or 2X8s used for floor and roof joists.
Benefits: Reducing demand for large dimensional lumber decreases pressure to cut down old growth forests. Engineered lumber uses wood fiber more efficiently that conventional lumber, resulting in stronger and higher quality homes.

19. Install Ceiling Fans
Description: Ceiling fans improve interior comfort by circulating cold and warm air. They can be adjusted to either draw warm air upward during summer months or push it downward during the winter.
Benefits: Ceiling fans can reduce the need for air conditioning and heating by circulating air effectively.

20. Select Double-Paned, Spectrally Selective (low-e) Windows
Description: "Low E" windows generally reduce the amount of heat that comes through windows without significantly reducing the amount of visible light.
Benefits: Minimizing heat gain through glass during hot periods can reduce cooling loads and utility bills.

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