Top-10 Green Building Priorities: #10 – Make it Easy for Homeowners to be Green

There are two primary areas we divide most items into when it comes to "making it easier for the homeowners;" Passive and Active.

Passive items are the ones we can control as the contractor:
- timers (outdoor lights, electric water heaters, charging stations, av equipment, etc.)
- humidistat activation for the bath fans (both on and off)
- Vacancy sensors (NOT motion sensors)
- High quality filters that only need to be changed annually vs. quarterly
- low flow plumbing fixtures
- zoned lighting by task vs. all-on or all-off in every room
- pre-programming the thermostats for them
- ERV's where appropriate
- shade and SHG control (overhangs, automated blinds, window films {in certain regions})
- LED lighting
These are just a few of our weapons of choice. As many of these types of technologies and designs as we can factor into a project, the better. Homeowners are either happy to have them or don't even realize they're installed and they simply benefit from them anyway. The less they have to think about, or the less they can tinker with and disable, the better job we've done.

The Active side is much more of a challenge. For years now, we have used a Project Manual for our remodeling work which is developed as the designs progress. It starts out as an empty 3-ring binder and as each product, appliance, paint color, and cabinet knob is chosen, the specs and documentation go into that binder. Then when the project is ready to start construction, the binder is handed off to the Lead Carpenter and he has a ready-made How To for the entire project. Then when the work is done, that same manual is cleaned up a little and given directly to the Homeowner as an Owner's Manual.

But ... here's what we've learned. That manual alone becomes an immediate paper weight unless the clients understand it's true value. We would always get calls for basic questions which could easily be answered by simply referring to the documentation. But, people didn't fully understand what they had because we had failed in properly explaining what we were providing to them.

So ... that manual now comes with a hand-over meeting where we ask BOTH parties to be present and depending on the size of the project, we ask them to set aside several hours. We then physically walk them though the house (not just the binder) and explain to them what they need to be aware of. We prepare a customized "recommended maintenance schedule" where we break down for them on a monthly basis what their specific house needs (gutters cleaned, filters changed, dryer duct cleaned, water heater flushed, faucets winterized, etc., etc.) Wether it's a DIY item or something which may require a Pro, we make sure it's on the list and that they know they need to take action to make it happen.

Now we've seen that the basic info calls have all but stopped, and instead, they are calling to ask us about setting up the next "whatever" service appointment; or where they can get the filters they know they need to replace themselves; or what caulk should they get to reseal their tub deck, etc. They also express to us what a difference it makes to have been "trained" on their home.

Having no info at all makes for a bad homeowner. Having documentation without knowledge is equally as worthless. But having the information coupled with personalized training makes for a building which stands a chance of being truly sustainable.

Commissioning for Homeowners and/or an Owner's Manual is a great idea. I could see that being a new cottage industry in the future.

Thanks for working on this, Alex.

As a nonprofit affordable housing provider in Austin, TX, we own and operate multifamily apartments. Of course, it's our responsibility to be sure our properties are as energy and water efficient as we can make them, ultimately resident choices can and do have far more impact than we can control. For example, we can replace HVAC units with Energy Star equivalents, put R-38 insulation in the attics, replace appliances with Energy Star equivalents, add solar screens to windows, etc. (all of which we routinely do), and likely make potential impacts for residents on the order of 10-30% on utility bills (depending on number of floors, etc.).

However, we have similar units with similarly sized families with differences of 75-100% in utility costs. Education and awareness is hugely important in this equation. Particularly in a rental multifamily housing where you don't have the same sense of "ownership" and care-taking. 38% of housing units in Austin are multifamily. This is a critical issue.

My point being that I agree with other commenters that this should not be #10. The issue is rarely addressed by those of us embedded in the construction/rehab industry, but should be more in the forefront of our minds...

Karen,

All builders of new homes should (most probably do not) provide a homeowner manual that has all system instructions and operating manuals neatly organized in one or two books. However, my company has invested in a new business, DwellGreen that you should look for on the national scene in the near future who complete an in-person whole house evaluation, and then provide you with very specific recommendations on how to make improvements to your home that lower energy costs, water use, improve interior health and quality of life. They also catalog all of your systems in one place - which allows you to quickly gain access to the information you need to properly operate the equipment in your home. The company is called DwellGreen and is located in Sarasota Florida.

More often times than not, people are not even aware of the green living opportunities they have in front of them. Most people don't know about different products and technologies that are available to them. One of the key aspects of effective green building is to be knowledgeable enough to present them with options to help immerse them in green living.

Love the idea of a homeowner's manual! Instructions on setting a programmable thermostat and automated drip watering system, and using a dual-flush toilet, etc. would be very handy. As would a general maintenance manual with "things to do" listed by month or season. A little trickier to produce for older homes, but do-able. I'll look forward to your article "chapters."

The idea of a green manual is a good one and there are several around. Great too that others are getting involved.
BUT that photograph?????
A lady carrying two 'green' bins presumably full of discarded recyclables - products she couldn't actually consume. Walking down the drive and there's this gas-guzzling tank just sitting there - mocking all those do-goodie things. It's one of the best ironical photos I've seen in a long while.

These suggestions are so good I don't know why they aren't in the top 5.

I would add to the "easy for homeowners" list: switchable receptacles. Phantom elec loads are incredibly large; all appliances now either are on standby 24/7, or have irritating lights that accomplish nothing but suck energy. Last house I installed a switch on 3 sets of receptacles (lower half only). This old method that used to be used for switching floor lamps when the builder was too cheap for a ceiling fixture works great for turning off the entire A/V area or Office with one flip. Would do more next time. NPR reported some hotels are using the room key to power up the room: leave the room, remove the key, and the whole place immediately goes dead. Very cool.

Other item belonging in the top 3: build the house where you can bus, bike, or walk to work, play, or shopping. Driving the car uses more energy than most expensive green housing technologies save.