Earth Advantage

LEED

Living Building Challenge

Earth Advantage WebsiteHealthier Indoor Air

Environmental Responsibility

Resource Efficiency

Energy Efficiency

Healthier Indoor Air (Pg. 6)

Earth Advantage homes have fewer allergens, irritants, smells and hazardous chemicals in the living space. Common indoor air pollutant sources are reduced. Better fresh air ventilation options remove stale air and bring in fresh air.

Healthier Indoor Air Eliminate or reduce sources of

pollutionRemove stale air, bring in fresh air Filter the air Combustion Products Control

Environmental Responsibility (Pg. 16 )

Earth Advantage homes have several features that protect the natural environment. “Naturescaping,” or landscaping with native, hardy plants, reduces the need for harmful pesticides that injure wildlife. Erosion control measures protect topsoil. Rain water is put back into soils, rather than going down storm drains. Construction waste is disposed of properly and recycled as much as possible.

Environmental Responsibility Recycle Construction Wastes Safe Disposal of Hazardous Waste Recharging Groundwater Protect Soil Protect Existing Trees Naturescaping Safe Outdoor Wood Land Use Sunlight/Solar Options

Resource Efficiency

Earth Advantage homes use resources wisely. They use recycled-content building materials such as drywall, insulation and carpet that are made from wastes. They help stretch our forest resources by using wood more efficiently, by finding other products to replace wood and by promoting high quality materials made from smaller trees and wood byproducts. Water is conserved through efficient fixtures, appliances and irrigation systems.

Resource Efficiency (Pg. 23)

Efficient Use of Wood Sustainable or Salvaged Wood Recycled-content Products In-house Recycling Water Efficiency

Energy Efficiency (Pg. 29)

Earth Advantage certified homes perform 15% better compared to a home built with standard building practices. They have better windows, more efficient water heating, high efficiency heating and cooling options, and efficient lighting and appliances. Interiors can be more quiet and clean with fewer drafts, cold spots and cold windows. Comfort can be improved year-round.

Energy Efficiency (Pg. 29)Water-efficient Fixtures Water-saving Appliances Irrigation Systems Heating Systems Energy Efficient AppliancesEnergy Efficient Lighting Passive Solar Designs Performance Testing

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Resign

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

US Green Building Council Website

The LEED for Homes rating system uses eight different resource categories to measure the overall performance of a home.Innovation and Design Process (ID)Location and Linkages (LL)Sustainable Sites (SS)Water Efficiency (WE)Energy and Atmosphere (EA)Materials and Resources (MR)Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)Awareness and Education (AE)

Example: Materials and Resources (MR)

Requirements for MRPrerequisite (Mandatory Measures)

1.1 Waste Factor in Framing Order. Overall waste factor (WF)may not exceed 10%. If WF on any portion of the framing order exceeds 10%, calculate the overall WF as shown in Exhibit MR 1-A.

Credits (Optional Measures)1.2 Advanced Framing Techniques (Max. 3

Points) Implement the measures from the list shown in Exhibit MR 1-B throughout the home, where applicable and appropriate.

OR1.3 Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPS). (2

points) Use SIPS for all wall and roof components, where applicable and appropriate

MR 2 Environmentally Preferable Products

RequirementsPrerequisites (Mandatory Measures)

2.1 FSC Certified Tropical Woods

Credits (Optional Measures)

2.2 Environmentally Preferable Materials (0.5 point each Max. 8 points) See List

AND/ORExtracted, processed and manufactured within

500 miles of the home (“local”)

Sponsored by the Cascadia Regional Green Building Council

The purpose of the Living Building Challenge is simple – to define the highest measure of sustainability possible in the built environment based on the best current thinking recognizing that ‘true sustainability’ is not yet possible.

The rules are simple:1. There are no credits – just prerequisites.2. There are 16 prerequisites and all must be

met to comply.3. Many of the prerequisites have

“exceptions” that show up in the footnotes and that are intended to acknowledge market realities. The Standard needs to be challenging – but not impossible to obtain.

PrerequisitesPrerequisite One – Responsible Site

SelectionYou may not build on the following locations:

Within 50-feet of Wetlands

On or adjacent to Sensitive Ecological Habitats such as Primary Dunes, Old Growth Forest, virgin prairie.

Prerequisite Two – Limits to GrowthProjects may only be built on previously developed

sites, either greyfield or brownfield.

Prerequisite Three - Habitat ExchangeFor each acre of development, an equal amount of

land must be set aside as part of a habitat exchange.

Prerequisite Four – Net Zero Energy100 percent of the building’s energy needs supplied

by on-site renewable energy on a net annual basis.

Prerequisite Five – Materials Red List

The project cannot contain any of the following red list materials or chemicals. No added formaldehyde Halogenated Flame Retardants PVC Mercury CFC’s HCFC’s Neoprene (chloroprene) Cadmium Chlorinated Polyethylene and Chlorosulfonated Polyethlene Wood treatments containing Creosote, Arsenic or

Pentachlorophenol Polyurethane Lead Phthalates

Prerequisite Six – Construction Carbon FootprintThe project must account for the embodied

carbon footprint of its construction through a one-time carbon offset tied to the building’s square footage and general construction type.

Prerequisite Seven – Responsible IndustryAll wood must be FSC certified or from

salvaged sources.

Prerequisite Eight – Appropriate Materials/Services Radius

Materials and Services must adhere to the following list:

Weight/Distance ListMATERIAL OR SERVICE MAXIMUM

DISTANCEIdeas 12,429.91 milesRenewable Energy Technologies 7000 milesConsultant Travel 1500 milesLightweight Materials 1000 milesMedium Weight Materials 500 milesHeavy Materials 250 miles

Prerequisite Nine – Leadership in Construction Waste

Construction Waste must be diverted from landfills to the following levelsMATERIAL MINIMUM Diverted/Weight

Metals 95% Paper and Cardboard 95% Soil, and biomass 100% Rigid Foam, carpet & insulation 90% All others – combined weighted average 80% Asphalt Concrete and concrete blocks Brick, tile and masonry materials Untreated lumber

Plywood, OSB and particle boardGypsum wallboard scrapGlassPlumbing fixturesWindowsDoorsCabinetsArchitectural fixturesMillwork, paneling and similarElectric fixtures, motors, switch gear and similarHVAC equipment, duck work, control systems,

switches

Prerequisite Ten – Net Zero Water100 percent of occupants’ water use must

come from captured precipitation or reused water that is appropriately purified without the use of chemicals.

Prerequisite Eleven – Sustainable Water Discharge

100 percent of storm water and building water discharge must be handled on-site.

Prerequisite Twelve – A Civilized Work Environment

Every occupiable space must have operable windows that provide access to fresh air and daylight.

Prerequisite Thirteen – Healthy Air/Source Control

All buildings must meet the following criteria:Entryways must have an external dirt track-in

system and an internal one contained within a separate entry space.

All kitchens and bathrooms must be separately ventilated.

All copy rooms, janitorial closets and chemical storage spaces must be separately ventilated.

All interior finishes, paints and adhesives must comply with SCAQMD 2007/2008 standards. All other interior materials such as flooring and case works must comply with California Standard 01350 for IAQ emissions.

The building must be a non-smoking facility

Prerequisite Fourteen – Healthy Air – Ventilation

The building must be designed to deliver air change rates in compliance with California Title 24 requirements.

Prerequisite Fifteen - Beauty and SpiritThe project must contain design features

intended solely for human delight and the celebration of culture, spirit and place appropriate to the function of the building.

Prerequisite Sixteen - Inspiration and Education

Educational materials about the performance and operation of the project must be made available to the public in order to inspire and educate. Non-sensitive areas of the building must be held open to the public at least one day per year, to facilitate direct contact with a truly sustainable building.