greenpoint rated: an overview

Build It Green | www.builditgreen.org 1

GreenPoint Rated: An Overview

Presented by: Build It Green | BuildItGreen.org

Build It Green | www.builditgreen.org2

Agenda

• Who is Build It Green?

• Why green building matters

• CALGreen

• GreenPoint Rated Program

• Comparisons

• Individual case study – what does a GreenPoint Rated building look like?

• Technical process and resources available to support implementation

• Available incentives for homes built to the GreenPoint Rated standard.


Meet Build It Green


Build It Green | www.builditgreen.org

Who is Build It Green?

• Build It Green, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based

in Oakland, CA, has been a building culture catalyzer

for more than 15 years.

• BIG built its reputation on bringing residential green

building into the mainstream with credible, accessible

resources and innovations including the GreenPoint

Rated home certification program.

• We are advocates, a trusted resource, and your

partner for residential green building best practices.



Build It Green’s Role

• Work with local governments and partners to help

shape and raise awareness of credible green building

policies and standards.

• Provide professional green building training to expand

the knowledge and expertise of practitioners.

• Establish and promote an attainable and credible

green building program and label, GreenPoint Rated.

• Increase public awareness by educating consumers on

the value and benefits of green homes.


Why Green Buildings Matter


Why Build Green?

Green homes last longer, cost less to operate, and aim to

not harm people’s health.

Other goals of green buildings include:

• reduce carbon emissions to protect us from global

warming

• conserve national resources

• improve the built environment for people,

communities, and ecosystems to thrive.


Building Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Source: Building Carbon Coalition. A Roadmap to Decarbonize California Buildings.

Buildings make up 40% of

global greenhouse gas

emissions.

Retrofitting existing buildings

& building green new

construction is a key strategy

for climate stabilization.


Five Principles of Green BuildingsUse Energy Wisely

Improve energy efficiency and use renewables to reduce potential energy supply interruptions, improve air quality, reduce utility bills.

Water ConservationUse cost-effective, high efficiency appliances and landscape water management systems to reduce expenses for residents, reduce greenhouse gas emissions because treating and pumping water use energy, and contribute to sharing our shared resource..

Indoor Air QualityReduce off gassing of chemicals found in building materials, design with good ventilation, and designing for less noise pollution.

Resource ConservationManaging construction process to reduce, reuse and recycle, and building with durable materials.

Plan for Livable CommunitiesProvide broad-based economic and community benefits ranging from cleaner air to reduced traffic congestion and more appealing recreational opportunities.



Benefits of Green Building

Green buildings are

designed to make

the best use of

natural resources

both in design and

operation.

The materials selected are

safer and better for the

occupant. Also, it uses

building science principles

to ensure proper ventilation

and less risk of pollutants

like dust and mold.

By requiring less resources,

and being located closer to

community services, the

community benefits with less

demand for more roads, and

pipelines. This also results in

cleaner air and healthier

communities.

Better For the

Environment

Healthier for

Occupants

Less Demand on

Infrastructure



Green Building – Asset ValueDEVELOPER

Why would I want to build a green building?

• Higher sales price

• Quicker sales

• Lower design & construction costs

• Built-in verification / QA

• Lower refurbishment costs

• Corporate image & prestige value

• Compliance with legislation

• Lower transaction fees

• Meeting Corporate Social

Responsibility goals

+ OWNER & TENANT

• Ability to secure finance

• Rapid ROI

• Increased market value

• Reduced vacancies

+ OWNER



Green Building – Asset ValueOwner

Why would I want to own a green

building?

• Slower depreciation

• Increased occupancy rates

• Lower exit yields

• Health & well-being

• Increased productivity

• Lower maintenance costs

• Lower operating costs

• Reduced downtime

+ TENANT

TenantWhy would I want to live in a green

building?


CALGreen



Overview

• First-in-the-nation mandatory green

building standards code.

• Developed in 2007 by the California

Building Standards Commission

• Initiated by AB 32, which established

cost-effective reductions of greenhouse

gases (GHG) to 1990 levels by 2020.

• It is known officially as: Title 24, Part 11 -

CALGreen

• Updated every 3 years. Latest version is

2019, in effect since Jan. 1, 2020.



Overview

• CALGreen requirements consist of:

– Mandatory measures (though some may not be

applicable to your project)

– Tier 1 or Tier 2 (check with local jurisdiction to see

what’s required in your area)

• Sections cover:

– Planning & design - EV charging, storm drainage

– Energy efficiency - meet Title 24 Energy Code

– Water efficiency - limits to gallons per minute on

plumbing fixtures and fittings, and meet local

landscaping ordinance

– Material Conservation - waste management, rodent

proofing, recycling

– Indoor air quality - paints, carpets, flooring,

ventilation and HVAC design

– Installer / Special inspection qualifications


GreenPoint Rated Program



GreenPoint Rated Overview

• Certification standards and rating system

for residential green buildings.

• Consumer label, tied to 3rd party,

independent field verifications

• Checklist of best green practices

• Plug-and-play resources for local govt.

policies & incentives

• Educational focus with pathway for

improvement



GreenPoint Rated Overview

• Credible and accessible entry point

• Competitive advantage for builders

• California grown & community based

• Quantifies environmental benefits

• Complementary to LEED for Homes



General Features

• A major objective is to educate builders and building

managers about the benefits of green construction.

• Points are earned by complying with the specific standards

for any of the given measures in the system.

• Projects are scored on overall performance and

performance in each category.

• Projects get points in five environmental categories.



Points Categories

EnergyEnergy performance, renewables

Water ConservationIndoor water fixtures, landscaping, reclaimed water

Indoor Air QualityInterior finishes, ventilation

Resource ConservationWaste diversion, efficient and green materials, interior & exterior

CommunitySocial gathering areas, walkable services, home size, universal design



Rating System

New Home

Single Family

Whole House

Multifamily

Whole House

Existing Home

Single Family

Whole House or Elements

Multifamily

Whole House or Elements


Existing Building• Buildings of all vintages can get rated.

• Can earn points based on existing

green features or when undergoing

work.

• Able to earn either Elements or Whole

House label.

New vs. Existing Homes

New Construction• GreenPoint Rater is brought on

before the design process.

• Integrated design helps minimize cost

and maximize the benefits


Minimum Points Needed

New Home

SF & MF

Existing

MF

Elements

Existing

MF Whole

House

Community 2 2 3

Energy 25 8 30

Indoor Air Quality 6 2 5

Resource

Conservation

6 2 6

Water Conservation 6 2 3

Additional Points 5 9 3

Total Needed 50 25 50


New Home Certification Levels

GOLD

SILVER

CERTIFIED

PLATINUM

Levels

50 - 79

80 - 109

110 - 139

140 - 300

50

300

Points


GreenPoint Rated Certification


CALGreen vs GreenPoint Rated: A

Comparison


Comparison

✔GreenPoint Rated requires CALGreen be

complete as a prerequisite

✔Builds upon code requirements

✔On average, GreenPoint Rated saves

more than 2.1 times more GHG emissions

than buildings that meet CA code

✔GreenPoint Rated provides the home with

a green label – valuable


Example: Construction Waste

Disposal

✔Recycle and/or salvage for reuse a minimum of the

non-hazardous construction and demolition debris

✔CALGreen: Minimum 65% Waste Diversion

✔GreenPoint Rated: Minimum 70% Waste

Diversion


Example: Water Closet Flush Rates

✔Plumbing fixtures and fittings shall comply with the

following:

✔CALGreen: Water Closets: ≤ 1.28 gal/flush

✔GreenPoint Rated: Water Closets: ≤ 1.28 gal/flush

with MaP Threshold of at least 500 grams


Example: Paints and Coatings

✔CALGreen: VOC limits range from 50 g/L

to 150 g/L based on paint type.

✔GreenPoint Rated: VOC limits for all

interior paints capped at 5 g/L


A Deeper Look at A GreenPoint Rated

Home


New Construction Multifamily

Villas on the Park,

Downtown, San Jose

83 supportive homes

Dedicated to formerly

chronically homeless

individuals earning 30-

50% of the area median

income (AMI)

Obtained: GreenPoint

Rated Multifamily Gold


Requirements

Meets CALGreen Compliance

Meets ASHRAE Standard 62.2 2010

Roofing warranty for Shingle Roofs

GreenPoint Rated Checklist in Blueprints

Green Appraisal Addendum



Energy Efficiency Measures

• Outperforms Title 24, Part 6 by at least 10%

• Solar hot water heater system

• Solar PV installation

• Size-efficient ENERGY STAR refrigerator

• Insulated hot water pipes

*Note: Photos are examples of applicable measures. Not taken at actual site.



Water Conservation Measures

• Three inches of mulch in planting beds

• Minimal turf in landscape

• WaterSense showerheads 1.8 GPM with

matching compensation valves

• Central Laundry



Indoor Air Quality Measures

• Insulation that meets the CDPH Standard

Method – Residential for Low Emissions

• Insulation that does not contain fire

retardants

• Energy Star bathroom fans per HVI

standards w/ air flow verified

• Low emitting flooring meets CDPH Standard

Method – Residential



Resource Conservation Methods• 65% C&D waste diversion

• Landscaping – no invasive species

• Structural pest and rot controls – all wood located

at least 12” above soil

• Insulation w/ 30% post-consumer or 60% post-

industrial recycled content

• Infill site

• Home size efficiency

• Conserve resources by increasing density



Community Measures• Located within ½ mile of a major transit stop

• Pedestrian access to services within ½ mile of

community services (e.g. grocery, post office, library,

etc.)

• Bicycle storage for residents

• Reduced parking capacity

• Affordable housing – dedicated units for households

making < 80% of AMI


Existing Family Common Upgrades

•Weatherstripping

•Windows

•Insulation

Building Envelope

•HVAC and controls integrations

•Domestic hot water system

•Lighting and controls (LEDs and Dimmers)

Upgrades

•Refrigerator

•Washer / Dryer

•Dishwasher

Appliances

•Low-flow devices

•Toilets

•Landscaping & Irrigation Changes

Fixture Replacement


The GreenPoint Rated Process



GreenPoint Raters

• Vetted and trained by Build It Green

• Have at least one Green Building certification and

Building Professional License or Certification

• Existing Home Raters have building performance

experience (e.g. HERS Rater, BPI Building Analyst, etc.)

• Multifamily Raters must have previous experience with

multifamily buildings (e.g. design, evaluation,

operations, etc.)



GreenPoint Rated Rater Process

Owner hires 3rd

party rater

Rater fills out GreenPoint Rated

checklist

Rater takes photos as proof

Rater submits checklist &

photos to Build It Green

Build It Green reviews and

verifies submission

Build It Green issue certification

packet



How to Find a GreenPoint RaterFull list of active Certified GreenPoint Raters can be found at:

Builditgreen.org/directories/certified-professionals-directory



How to Find a GreenPoint RaterFull list of active Certified GreenPoint Raters can be found at:

Builditgreen.org/directories/certified-professionals-directory

Can filter by type

of Rater you are

seeking



Green Home CalculatorAccess your home and get tips on improvements!

http://greenpointrated.com/calculator/


Available Resources + Incentives for

GreenPoint Rated Homes


Rebates Available• Southern California Edison:

– Qualifying Heat Pump Water Heaters - $1,000/unit

– Central HVAC Heat Pumps - $300/ton

• PG&E:

– ENERGY STAR Smart Thermostat - $50/household

– ENERGY STAR Electric Heat Pump Storage Water Heater - $300/unit

*Check with your local gas and electric company to learn which programs your building is eligible for.


Thank you!

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Kurt [email protected] | 510-590-3360 ext. 195

mailto:[email protected]

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