LEED, NAHB, Raters, & Providers... which way do we go?

Another month almost behind us, and I am left wondering where it all goes. The past month has been beneficial, as I have taken the initiative to meet with and interview possible working relationships with a USGBC LEED Provider and Energy Star Rater… both professions that will be required as part of the project if we are to seek LEED for Home certification.

As I mentioned there is yet to be a nominated LEED Provider for my state, Montana, so I spent some time with Kristin Shewfelt of AEC in Boulder, Colorado this past week (www.archenergy.com). As the state’s nominated LEED Provider, Kristin shed some light on the subject of a possible working relationship. To recap, if we are to pursue a LEED H certification, we will have to work with a designated LEED Provider. As a LEED Provider, AEC offers four phases of services towards the LEED Certification;
* Energy Modeling, Review, and Analysis
* Field Testing and Performance Rating of Operating Systems
* Documentation, Calculations, Verification c/o Energy Rater
* Wrapping up all services performed c/o contractor, subs, energy rater, etc., with full submittal of same to USGBC for review / sign-off.

It is important to note that out of these four phases of service, AEC and any other LEED Provider is only obligated to offer phase #4 to move on LEED Certification. The first three phases mentioned above are simply other expertise services AEC puts forth to fine tune the green build project for the owner. It is understood that other companies (LEED AP’s, Design Consultant, Energy Modeling Firms, Engineering Firms, Architects, etc.) could play the role of offering such services short of the LEED submittal phase. For the time being, I have been instructed to supply Kristin with up to the minute design plans / specs for the build, idea of HVAC operating system, along with material ideas as they pertain to building structure, insulation, window selections, etc., so AEC can draw up an initial proposal for services to be rendered. Working with our architect this next week, I intend to do just that.

In a typical case of projects out of the area, AEC would subcontract out the role of the Energy Rater. These services would fall in line with phases #2 & #3. I had the opportunity to meet with Russ Hellem of Energytech (www.energytech.com) this past week in Montana. Russ heads up an Energy Rater firm situated in Missoula, MT and is recognized as a certified Energy Star Rater. We spent the time discussing his services, and how he could offer Energy Modeling Analysis of particular operating systems, prescribe certain energy packages to reduce cooling / heating loads per the designs, and work alongside the owner as a Commissioning Agent to see that decided upon operating systems (HVAC) were sized, calibrated, and operating per specs / ratings determined within the design scope of the project. On a personal note, I could immediately see the passion Russ brought to the table for green / sustainable design. Even though our home will be large in the context of space allocation under Green Design, he made a point of asserting that whatever the size, he would work diligently to insure the highest level of energy efficiency throughout. He also brought much attention to the National Association of Home Builders Green Program (www.nahb.org). This program is in line with the LEED program, but goes a step further to take into account local / regional conditions when considering various design aspects of building. As a result, I am now spending the next week to digest both options and decide which rating system we will target for our Dream Home build.

In the next week, we will be meeting with Don Briggs to finalize design plans so to have a working set of drawings once we enter the Charette process; we will also discuss, finalize, and invite individual members to join the project team; decide on the green rating system we wish to pursue; and solidify a date of commencing the Charette process.

Stay tuned, for the ball is rolling faster and faster each day!

All the best, and an Abundant Tomorrow to you all.

Tim