1.1

Select a neighborhood that connects to existing infrastructure, streets, public transportation, and amenities

Do a master plan to identify opportunities and constraints for development of new and existing neighborhoods.

Consider neighborhood connections to libraries, schools, civic institutions, parks, shopping, etc.

Locate within close proximity to public transportation

Web Links:
www.transitorienteddevelopment.org

1.2

Make connections to larger ecological systems

Integrate with larger landscape systems such as storm water management, natural features, open spaces, wildlife corridors, etc.

1.3

Consider health issues of site such as sources of noise, hazardous materials, topography, soil, water, etc.

Optimize house placement on site to minimize costs for infrastructure and utility hook-up

1.4

Increase density by using narrower streets, smaller lots, and multi-family dwellings or mixed housing types

Consider strategies to optimize land use, minimize environmental impacts, and promote diversity

Consider alternatives to single family housing; include mixed-use and alternative housing types, such as duplexes and live-work.

Web Links:
Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, www.gmhf.com
Canadian Housing and Mortgage Corporation, www.cmhc.ca/en/imquaf/afho/afadv/cohode/indelsde/index.cfm

1.5

Include amenities that add to neighborhood value

Provide street amenities such as sidewalks, trees, landscaping, etc.

Provide alleys to improve curb appeal, provide access for services, and create pedestrian friendly neighborhoods.

Provide or connect to larger public amenities such as trails, bikeways, parks, etc.

2.1

Select a site and orient the house to optimizes daylighting, ventilation, passive solar, and microclimate opportunities

Use climate responsive and passive strategies to optimize site and house comfort

Guide Links:
Components: Equipment: Heating (furnace), and Components: Ventilation House: Window Orientation

Web Links:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory www.nrel.gov

2.2

Protect and enhance site features and biodiversity

Preserve existing site features, trees, shrubs, and habitat

Enhance or restore the site to create habitat

2.3

Protect the site from run off and erosion during and after construction

During construction, use straw bale or silt fencing on steep slopes

Protect on-site storm sewer inlets

Protect and reuse site topsoil

Chip site cleared brush and trees for mulch

Balance cut and fill to minimize earth removal

Web Links:
www.abe.msstate.edu/csd/p-dm/all-chapters/chapter4/chapter4/silt-fen.pdf

2.4

Manage and conserve site water

Use storm water management and water conservation strategies

Install rainwater catchment system for non-potable water use and/or provide gutters or infiltration system for rooftop runoff (e.g. incorporate cisterns, rain gardens, drain tiles, etc.)

Reduce turf and plant grasses that use less water

Use permeable materials for walkways, driveways, patios, etc.

Install high-efficiency drip irrigation system

2.5

Use site landscaping, landforms, adjacent buildings, garage, etc. to protect from winter winds

2.6

Use native plants with resource efficient, low-maintenance landscaping

Use native and hardy plant materials in response to specific soil and site conditions

Use xeriscaping strategies

Consider integrated pest management systems

Web Links:
www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Organics/Xeriscaping

2.7

Add value by connecting the site to the neighborhood

Create open spaces that connect to the community and neighbors (e.g. yards, gardens, play areas, common spaces, streetscape, etc.)

Consider added value: street trees, garage, landscaping

Design the yard for outdoor uses (consider public street versus private backyard)

3.1

Minimize house size to reduce material and resource consumption

Reduce plan size while optimizing space efficiency and livability

Consider the viability of a narrow house and site: small structural span reduces construction cost; clear spans allow flexibility in internal partitions; allows narrower lot widths

Focus on quality rather than quantity

Eliminate wasted space and rethink conventional standards

Minimize maintenance and housework

Guide Links:
House: Height

Web Links:
Not So Big House, www.notsobighouse.com

3.2

Incorporate daylighting, natural ventilation, and passive heating

When appropriate, orient the house on air east-west axis to optimize solar access for daylighting, natural ventilation, and passive heating

Consider siting and massing to optimize natural ventilation during the cooling season

Address solar control and shading during the overheated period at the site, building, and/or component scales

Guide Links:
Components: Equipment: Heating (furnace)
House: Window Area
House: Window Orientation

Web Links:
Energy Design Resources, www.energydesignresources.com

3.3

Reduce complexity and use modular dimensions

Use compact and uncomplicated volumes, plans, and sections

Work with standard material dimensions and modules (e.g. 2', 4' and 8')

Guide Links:
House: Height

3.4

Design the house location, layout and window placement to optimize indoor environmental quality

Consider separating the garage from the house to eliminate possible exposure to carbon monoxide

Isolate hazardous activities from the living area (workshop, art room, special activities)

Test for and mitigate radon through foundation details and proper venting

Locate windows and skylights to optimize seasonal opportunities for natural ventilation

Provide locked chemical storage unit outside living area

Guide Links:
Components: Equipment: Heating (furnace)

3.5

Consider eliminating the basement

Minimize opportunities for health and construction problems associated with moisture, mold, mildew, and radon infiltration

Guide Links:
House: Basement

3.6

Consider including flexible, adaptable, and/or unpartitioned spaces

Design to accommodate changing space needs, activities, and users: home offices; nurseries; elderly guest room, etc.

Consider possible social and cultural factors

3.7

Include expansion space

Consider providing unfinished livable basement and/or attic

Design to easily accommodate additions and "add-ons"

Web Links:
Grow Home, www.mcgill.ca/ott/technologies/pureappsci/92012/

3.8

Consider providing "do-it-yourself options"

Consider leaving some areas of the house unfinished to reduce construction costs and mortgage (e.g. kitchens, closets, bathrooms, cabinetry, unfinished basements and attics, etc.)

3.9

Consider providing an accessory apartment and/or rental unit to provide income to supplement the mortgage

3.10

Consider curb appeal and added value

"Curb appeal" issues to consider: windows, color, porches, front doors, entry, flower boxes, landscaping, etc.

Consider similar issues inside such as where to put high quality materials and detail to lower cost materials

4.1

Select assemblies that are resource efficient and durable

Use salvaged and reused assemblies

Use assemblies from sustainable materials such as certified sustainable yield wood, ACQ treated wood, and recycled materials

Use assemblies and materials from local or regional sources

Guide Links:
Components: Certified Wood

Web Links:
Forest Stewardship Council, www.fsc.org/fsc

4.2

Design assemblies to reduce material consumption and minimize waste

Use advanced framing, prefabricated components or other alternative building systems such as SIP or SEP panels, etc.

Use standard dimensions and assemblies

Eliminate redundant assemblies, framing, and materials by using common spacing for floor joists, wall studs, and roof trusses

Use advanced wall framing and assemblies

Guide Links:
Assemblies: Foundation
Assemblies: Walls
Assemblies: Roofs
Assemblies: Floors

Web Links:
Energy and Environmental Building Association, www.eeba.org
Structural Insulating Panel Association, www.sips.org
Building Science Corporation, www.buildingscience.com
Partnership for the Advancement of Technology in Housing, www.pathnet.org
Steven Winter Associates, www.swinter.com

4.3

Use assemblies that optimize indoor environmental quality

Use assemblies with components from nontoxic or low-toxicity materials

Use assemblies with formaldehyde-free materials

Use assemblies with zero-VOC or low-VOC materials, paints, finishes, and adhesives

Avoid assemblies with chromated copper arsenate (CCA) lumber

Guide Links:
Components: Paint

Web Links:
Toolbase Services, Low- or No-VOC Paints, www.toolbase.org/tertiaryT.asp?TrackID=&CategoryID=1312&DocumentID=2174

4.4

Consider prefabricated assemblies

Consider prefabricated assemblies for walls, floors, roofs, windows, pre-hung doors, kitchen cabinets, etc.

Guide Links:
Assemblies: Wall
Assemblies: Roof

4.5

Use energy efficient glazing assemblies

Look for NRFC labeled windows with a U value less than or equal to 0.35.

Provide window shading with trees, overhangs, or blinds and shades to control heat gain during the overheated period

Guide Links:
House: Window Area
House: Window Orientation
Assemblies: Window

Web Links:
The Efficient Windows Collaborative, www.efficientwindows.org

5.1.1

Use components, materials, and finishes to minimize material consumption and reduce waste

Reduce the level of complexity of finishing to reduce cost and consumption of resources

Use standard material dimensions and modules to reduce waste

Use exterior and interior materials, components, and finishes that are reused or recycled or that contain reused or recycled content or components

Use salvaged and reused lumber, materials, and components

Use materials and components from renewable and/or certified sustainable managed forests (Forest Stewardship Council - FSC-certified), OSB or plywood from fast growth material; and renewable sources such as bamboo, cork, recycled ceramic and carpet, reclaimed wood, etc.

Use engineered lumber and I-joists when possible

Provide a waste reduction, recycling, and disposal plan during construction and for operation

Provide kitchen recycling center and compost bin

Guide Links:
House
Assemblies
Components

Web Links:
Partnership for the Advancement of Technology in Housing, www.pathnet.org
Forest Stewardship Council, www.fsc.org/fsc

5.1.2

Use components, materials, and finishes that optimize indoor environmental quality

Use nontoxic or low-toxicity materials and finishes

Use formaldehyde-free sub-floor, cabinets, storage units, underlayment materials, etc.

Use zero-VOC or low-VOC materials, paints, finishes, and adhesives

Use nontoxic or low-toxicity insulation

Provide proper waterproofing and moisture protection

Guide Links:
Components

Web Links:
Indoor Air Quality Association, www.iaqa.org

5.1.3

Use insulation and air sealing for energy efficiency

Install high recycled-content insulation

Use advanced framing to increase R values

Flash and seal all penetrations

Use advanced infiltration reduction practices (expandable foam and caulk for framing, plumbing, electrical)

Consider using rigid foam, insulated concrete form (ICFs) for insulated foundation

Use exterior insulated core doors

Separate living spaces from areas that need less heating or cooling (e.g. entries, storage, mechanical, and utility spaces)

Perform a blower door test to assess air sealing and combustion safety

Guide Links:
Components
Assemblies

Web Links:
Energy and Environmental Building Association, www.eeba.org
Insulating Concrete Forms Association, www.forms.org
Toolbase Services: Blower Door Test, www.toolbase.org/docs/MainNav/
NewBuildingTechnologies/2159_siteab7.html

5.1.4

Consider where to use high quality durable finish materials versus the use of less expensive and more frequently replaced materials (e.g. interior paint, fabrics, fixtures, etc.)

Finish materials are a large percent of construction cost; look at where to put high quality finishes (What gives the greatest benefit?)

Consider where to use lower cost materials (e.g. hollow-core doors, less expensive light fixture, interior paint, etc.)

Consider what materials are replaced frequently due to interior design changes (paint, carpet, some fixtures, etc.)

Guide Links:
Components

5.2.1

Select heating and cooling systems that meet or exceed ENERGY STAR ratings for energy efficiency.

Weigh the economic and environmental trade-offs for first costs and long term operating costs of equipment

Install a furnace with 90 AFUE rating or higher

Include a programmable set-back thermostat

Use a high efficiency air conditioner (ENERGY STAR or minimum SEER 12-14) with non-HCFC refrigerants if A/C is provided

Run all duct work in conditioned spaces

Centrally locate the furnace to minimize duct runs and optimize efficiency

Consider using a high efficiency whole house fan

Consider installing ceiling fans

Consider other efficient options such as: ground coupled heat pumps; heat recovery ventilator (HRV) or energy recovery ventilator (ERV) "air to air heat exchanger"

Integrate HVAC equipment with passive systems

Guide Links:
Components: Heating (furnace)
Components: Ventilation
Components: Thermostat

Web Links:
www.energystar.gov
www.focusonenergy.com
www.eren.doe.gov/consumerinfo/energy_savers/appliances.html

5.2.2

Select ENERGY STAR appliances to optimize performance and minimize long-term operating costs

Web Links:
www.energystar.gov
www.focusonenergy.com
www.eren.doe.gov/consumerinfo/energy_savers/appliances.html

5.2.3

Select efficient water heating systems

Use a gas water heater with an energy factor of more than .58 or greater for direct vented systems, or use tankless system

Locate the water heater in close proximity to the dishwasher and clothes washer

Insulate hot and cold water lines

Consider other efficient alternatives such as: tankless water heaters, drain water heat recovery, combined efficiency domestic hot water/space heating; passive or active solar DHW heating systems

Guide Links:
Components: Domestic water heating

Web Links:
www.pathnet.org

5.2.4

Select efficient plumbing fixtures

Use low-flow toilets, faucets, and shower heads

Consider graywater systems to recover water for non-potable uses

Guide Links:
Components: Fixtures

5.2.5

Select efficient electric and lighting fixtures

Use ENERGY STAR or comparable efficient lighting fixtures and lamps outside and inside

Install lighting control systems such as dimmers, timers, and motion detectors

Consider solar lighting for outdoor areas

Integrate lighting with daylighting strategies at the Site and House Scales

Consider photovoltaic and alternative electric systems

Web Links:
www.energystar.gov

5.2.6

Design heating and ventilation systems to optimize indoor environmental quality

When using gas furnaces, only use sealed combustion units

Install continuous exhaust ventilation or central exhaust fan ducted from bathrooms and kitchens; provide make-up air vents.

Install kitchen range hood vented to the exterior.

Consider furnace filters; furnace or duct mounted electronic air cleaner and/or High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters

Seal ductwork joints with water based, low VOC mastic or metalized tape

Install non-mercury programmable thermostats

Use operable windows

Guide Links:
Components: Ventilation

5.2.7

Install carbon monoxide detectors

Provide appropriate number of detectors per floor area and number of floors (see manufacturer guidelines on detectors)

5.2.8

Address fireplace safety

Eliminate fireplaces unless proper safety and pollution control can be ensured

Provide sealable doors with outdoor combustion air supply for wood fireplaces

Use direct vent gas fireplaces to eliminate backdrafting

5.2.9

Provide efficient layout of services (stack plumbing, efficient wiring, and centralized services)

Centralize or provide back-to-back or vertical plumbing connections for kitchen and baths

5.2.10

Provide service and plumbing hook-ups for future expansion (attics/basements/future expansion)

Provide gas, electric, and plumbing rough-in for future expansion spaces