SOUTH FARM HOMES
Content
SOUTH FARM HOMES
© Vermont Building Resources
A Farmland and Development
Partnership
The Project Context: Agriculture
and Conservation
Russell
Conservation Land
Route 116
South Farm Homes/
Russell Farm
Route 116
The Site
Hinesburg, Vermont
The Property
•Looking South From
the Hillside
Project Objectives
• Conserve prime agricultural land
• Develop only enough land to finance
agricultural conservation
• Develop land as local ecology deems best
• Cluster houses to minimize land impact
• Create green homes that are resource efficient
Green Homes
Design by
Truex Cullins & Partners
Architects
Rolf Kielman, AIA, LEED® AP
Energy Consulting
Andy Shapiro
Energy Balance, Inc.
Green Highlights Recognized by VBG
• “Siting and Land Use”
•Conservation of Agricultural Soils
•Conservation of Wetlands
•Location within 3 miles of school
•Location within 3 miles of food store
• “Building Design”
•Built into the hillside
•Southern orientation and roofing for solar exposure
• “Energy Usage”
• Passive/ active solar
• Geothermal heating
Green Homes
•Five Star Energy Star Rating
•Southern Exposure
•Active Solar: Rough Surface Area ~ 696 ft²
•Passive Solar: Total Southern Facing Exterior Wall ~715 ft², where ~262.5ft² (~37%)
= windows
Green Homes: South
Elevation
•Few windows
•Lower floor earth bearmed
Green Homes:
North Elevation
•Foundation/ lower floor built into hillside
Green Homes:
Side Elevation
•Over 50% of wall is insulated concrete built into the hillside
•Utilities on northern end of house
•Front Bedrooms passive solar
Green Homes:
Lower Floor Plan
•Living spaces heated by passive solar
•Heating by geothermal and high efficiency woodstove as well
•Utilities on northern side of house
Green Homes: Upper Floor Plan
Green Building Features
•Thermotech high performance windows
•Unisolar solar panels
•Econar Geothermal Heat Pumps
•Cellulose Insulation
•Composite siding
•Certified wood
Green Homes:
Features
Vermont Builds Greener (VBG) Rating
Current Rating Proposal =
350 points
Points
Category
8
4 1) r Points per added Home Energy Rating point above 5-Star 86 point
Rating for new and above 83 points for existing homes (use conventional
rounding up or down to nearest whole Rating point).
5
4 2) f Per hard-wired incandescent fixture with ENERGY STAR® screw-in
bulbs installed (maximum 10points). 1
5
4 2) l Other ENERGY STAR® appliances (See www.energystar.gov). (1
point per appliance) 1
34
HOUSE SIZE POINTS
78
4 3) j Points per peak Watt photovoltaics and/or rated Watt of wind or hydro
site generated power with grid connection (bonus). 0.02
Page Total = 130 = 37% total points
Green Homes:
Rating
Vermont Builds Greener (VBG) Rating
Green Homes:
Rating Size Chart
LEEDH
Credit
#
Description
Mandatory
or
Optional
Measure
Suggested Addition for Vermont
LL 2
Site Selection
Mandatory
Measure
For parcels greater than 2 acres, submit a site plan that shows the proposed layout and design of the
parcel of land with soil delineations included. One or more of the following approaches must be
incorporated when the homestead is located on primary or secondary farmland. (A homestead is all
that forms a person's residence, including the house, landscaped yard, driveway and other outbuildings.)
a. Homestead is located on the edge of the soils suitable for agriculture, thereby maximizing the
contiguous land which remains available for future agricultural use.
b. No more than 2 acres of plot is developed with the rest enrolled in the Current Use program.
(Information at 802/828-5861).
c. No more than 2 acres of site is included in the homestead, and the remaining acreage is set aside for
future farming under a perpetual agricultural easement to a land trust.
d. USDA/NRCS soil maps are consulted to determine the soils least suitable for agricultural uses, and
homestead is located in this area. (Maps available at each county USDA/NRCS office or on-line at
www.vcgi.org.)
SS 4
Surface Water
Management
Mandatory
Measure
a. Prepare a surface water management plan.
b. Provide swales to divert surface water from hillsides.
Home Size
Mandatory
Measure
While the VBG Committee is generally please with the impact of the LEED for Homes house size table,
we would like to suggest that in the interest of afforadability, smaller homes be rewarded more credits
(e.g. at 50% of average size, they would only need to complete the mandatory requirements, and not
have to earn any other credits) and larger homes be penalized more.
MR 1
Green Homes:
LEED H
LEEDH
Credit
#
Description
Mandatory
or Optional
Measure
Suggested Addition for Vermont
MR 4
Durability Plan
Mandatory
Measure
Add as requirements to Durability Plan:
a. Install materials with proper detailing to control degradation from sun, heat and moisture,
including:
Wood>8”above soil; Roof/wall flashing with siding cut 2” above roofing; minimum 10” overhang
size at eaves with a sloped roof.
b. Minimum 25-year expected lifetime roof warranty.
c. 10 year warranty on vertical insulated glass.
d. Reduced ice dams: No non-airtight recessed light fixtures in insulated flat ceilings; no nonairtight
recessed fixtures in insulated cathedral ceilings.
e. Reduced ice dams: At least R-30 attic/roof-slope insulation R-value extending over outside of
exterior walls.
f. Effective flashing on all rough openings, including membrane flashing on bottom of all rough
openings for windows and doors using adhesives compatible with drainage plane materials and
window and door head casing flashing.
g. Detail deck to house connection to shed water away from house and to allow natural drying of
assembly.
h. Foundation continuous footing drain with stone covered with filter fabric, drained to daylight or if
necessary to drain to the interior, use a sealed sump pump system. (Drainage system not Req'd in
pure
sand.)
i. Basement foundation walls use porous backfill material.
j. Provide continuous crushed stone under footings or provide pipe through footing for drainage of
any
accumulated water under slab to drainage.
k. Vapor retarder (poly or rigid insulation) directly under slab.
l. Exterior of below grade foundation damp proofed.
m. Crawlspaces not vented; crawlspace walls insulated; crawlspace floor with complete,
continuous
sealed vapor retarder, also sealed to walls. (Must complete all approaches.)
EA
TBD
Mandatory
Measure
Mechanical equipment must be accessible for service, including AC condensate drain pan and
trap.
EA 1.2
ENERGY STAR
Home
Optional
Measure
Do not limit available HERS points, but allow credit for up to 100 in order to reward zero energy
homes.
Space Heating
and Cooling
Mandatory
Measure
Define "proper refrigerant charge" to be within 10% of manufacturer recommendations.
EA 6.1
LEEDH
Credit
#
Description
Mandatory
or
Optional
Measure
Suggested Addition for Vermont
IEQ 7.1
Supply Air
Filtering
Mandatory
Measure
Air filter housings must be air-tight to prevent bypass or leakage.
IEQ
TBD
Mandatory
Measure
Provide smoke detectors per code (hardwired with battery backup).
MR
TBD
Mandatory
Measure
Non-mercury thermostats.
MR 5.2
Environmentally
Preferable
Products
Optional
Measure
IEQ
TBD
Mandatory
Measure
IEQ 4.1
Outdoor Air
Ventilation
Mandatory
Measure
Insulate all ventilation exhaust ductwork (minimum R-8) outside of the insulated envelope.
IEQ 4.2
Outdoor Air
Ventilation
Mandatory
Measure
Use rigid duct or other methods to keep fan back-pressure below 0.2” for EOV systems.
IEQ 4.3
Outdoor Air
Ventilation
Mandatory
Measure
Air seal ventilation ductwork.
ID
Innovative Design
Optional
Measure
Do not limit ID credits to four, but allow open-ended options to be submitted for review/approval.
Green Homes:
No adhesives for carpet attachments unless zero VOC (100 grams per liter or less).
a. No carpet in kitchens, bathrooms, spa areas, or within 3' of exterior door.
b. Carpet installed on slab on grade or on concrete basement floor, must have: minimum R-10
continuous insulation under slab and minimum R-5 slab edge insulation break at foundation wall
intersection and R-10 slab edge insulation outward of any walk-out slab edge.
LEED H
VBG Proposal to USGBC ~ January 06
• Determine that the USGBC’s bylaws allow for local
modification and enhancement of a LEED product.
• Integrate some local mandatory requirements and optional
credits into the LEED for Homes Rating System to create statespecific Checklists. An integrated approach--and not an
addendum with local criteria or utilizing the innovative design
credits--would be the desired approach.
• Co-brand the home certifications with the local (e.g. Vermont
Builds Greener and New Jersey Green) and LEED for Homes
designations, using both logos.
• Work towards resolution on how a local program that desires
a higher standard than LEED for Homes in time for the national
2007 roll-out.
Green Homes:
LEED H
© Vermont Building Resources
A Farmland and Development
Partnership
The Project Context: Agriculture
and Conservation
Russell
Conservation Land
Route 116
South Farm Homes/
Russell Farm
Route 116
The Site
Hinesburg, Vermont
The Property
•Looking South From
the Hillside
Project Objectives
• Conserve prime agricultural land
• Develop only enough land to finance
agricultural conservation
• Develop land as local ecology deems best
• Cluster houses to minimize land impact
• Create green homes that are resource efficient
Green Homes
Design by
Truex Cullins & Partners
Architects
Rolf Kielman, AIA, LEED® AP
Energy Consulting
Andy Shapiro
Energy Balance, Inc.
Green Highlights Recognized by VBG
• “Siting and Land Use”
•Conservation of Agricultural Soils
•Conservation of Wetlands
•Location within 3 miles of school
•Location within 3 miles of food store
• “Building Design”
•Built into the hillside
•Southern orientation and roofing for solar exposure
• “Energy Usage”
• Passive/ active solar
• Geothermal heating
Green Homes
•Five Star Energy Star Rating
•Southern Exposure
•Active Solar: Rough Surface Area ~ 696 ft²
•Passive Solar: Total Southern Facing Exterior Wall ~715 ft², where ~262.5ft² (~37%)
= windows
Green Homes: South
Elevation
•Few windows
•Lower floor earth bearmed
Green Homes:
North Elevation
•Foundation/ lower floor built into hillside
Green Homes:
Side Elevation
•Over 50% of wall is insulated concrete built into the hillside
•Utilities on northern end of house
•Front Bedrooms passive solar
Green Homes:
Lower Floor Plan
•Living spaces heated by passive solar
•Heating by geothermal and high efficiency woodstove as well
•Utilities on northern side of house
Green Homes: Upper Floor Plan
Green Building Features
•Thermotech high performance windows
•Unisolar solar panels
•Econar Geothermal Heat Pumps
•Cellulose Insulation
•Composite siding
•Certified wood
Green Homes:
Features
Vermont Builds Greener (VBG) Rating
Current Rating Proposal =
350 points
Points
Category
8
4 1) r Points per added Home Energy Rating point above 5-Star 86 point
Rating for new and above 83 points for existing homes (use conventional
rounding up or down to nearest whole Rating point).
5
4 2) f Per hard-wired incandescent fixture with ENERGY STAR® screw-in
bulbs installed (maximum 10points). 1
5
4 2) l Other ENERGY STAR® appliances (See www.energystar.gov). (1
point per appliance) 1
34
HOUSE SIZE POINTS
78
4 3) j Points per peak Watt photovoltaics and/or rated Watt of wind or hydro
site generated power with grid connection (bonus). 0.02
Page Total = 130 = 37% total points
Green Homes:
Rating
Vermont Builds Greener (VBG) Rating
Green Homes:
Rating Size Chart
LEEDH
Credit
#
Description
Mandatory
or
Optional
Measure
Suggested Addition for Vermont
LL 2
Site Selection
Mandatory
Measure
For parcels greater than 2 acres, submit a site plan that shows the proposed layout and design of the
parcel of land with soil delineations included. One or more of the following approaches must be
incorporated when the homestead is located on primary or secondary farmland. (A homestead is all
that forms a person's residence, including the house, landscaped yard, driveway and other outbuildings.)
a. Homestead is located on the edge of the soils suitable for agriculture, thereby maximizing the
contiguous land which remains available for future agricultural use.
b. No more than 2 acres of plot is developed with the rest enrolled in the Current Use program.
(Information at 802/828-5861).
c. No more than 2 acres of site is included in the homestead, and the remaining acreage is set aside for
future farming under a perpetual agricultural easement to a land trust.
d. USDA/NRCS soil maps are consulted to determine the soils least suitable for agricultural uses, and
homestead is located in this area. (Maps available at each county USDA/NRCS office or on-line at
www.vcgi.org.)
SS 4
Surface Water
Management
Mandatory
Measure
a. Prepare a surface water management plan.
b. Provide swales to divert surface water from hillsides.
Home Size
Mandatory
Measure
While the VBG Committee is generally please with the impact of the LEED for Homes house size table,
we would like to suggest that in the interest of afforadability, smaller homes be rewarded more credits
(e.g. at 50% of average size, they would only need to complete the mandatory requirements, and not
have to earn any other credits) and larger homes be penalized more.
MR 1
Green Homes:
LEED H
LEEDH
Credit
#
Description
Mandatory
or Optional
Measure
Suggested Addition for Vermont
MR 4
Durability Plan
Mandatory
Measure
Add as requirements to Durability Plan:
a. Install materials with proper detailing to control degradation from sun, heat and moisture,
including:
Wood>8”above soil; Roof/wall flashing with siding cut 2” above roofing; minimum 10” overhang
size at eaves with a sloped roof.
b. Minimum 25-year expected lifetime roof warranty.
c. 10 year warranty on vertical insulated glass.
d. Reduced ice dams: No non-airtight recessed light fixtures in insulated flat ceilings; no nonairtight
recessed fixtures in insulated cathedral ceilings.
e. Reduced ice dams: At least R-30 attic/roof-slope insulation R-value extending over outside of
exterior walls.
f. Effective flashing on all rough openings, including membrane flashing on bottom of all rough
openings for windows and doors using adhesives compatible with drainage plane materials and
window and door head casing flashing.
g. Detail deck to house connection to shed water away from house and to allow natural drying of
assembly.
h. Foundation continuous footing drain with stone covered with filter fabric, drained to daylight or if
necessary to drain to the interior, use a sealed sump pump system. (Drainage system not Req'd in
pure
sand.)
i. Basement foundation walls use porous backfill material.
j. Provide continuous crushed stone under footings or provide pipe through footing for drainage of
any
accumulated water under slab to drainage.
k. Vapor retarder (poly or rigid insulation) directly under slab.
l. Exterior of below grade foundation damp proofed.
m. Crawlspaces not vented; crawlspace walls insulated; crawlspace floor with complete,
continuous
sealed vapor retarder, also sealed to walls. (Must complete all approaches.)
EA
TBD
Mandatory
Measure
Mechanical equipment must be accessible for service, including AC condensate drain pan and
trap.
EA 1.2
ENERGY STAR
Home
Optional
Measure
Do not limit available HERS points, but allow credit for up to 100 in order to reward zero energy
homes.
Space Heating
and Cooling
Mandatory
Measure
Define "proper refrigerant charge" to be within 10% of manufacturer recommendations.
EA 6.1
LEEDH
Credit
#
Description
Mandatory
or
Optional
Measure
Suggested Addition for Vermont
IEQ 7.1
Supply Air
Filtering
Mandatory
Measure
Air filter housings must be air-tight to prevent bypass or leakage.
IEQ
TBD
Mandatory
Measure
Provide smoke detectors per code (hardwired with battery backup).
MR
TBD
Mandatory
Measure
Non-mercury thermostats.
MR 5.2
Environmentally
Preferable
Products
Optional
Measure
IEQ
TBD
Mandatory
Measure
IEQ 4.1
Outdoor Air
Ventilation
Mandatory
Measure
Insulate all ventilation exhaust ductwork (minimum R-8) outside of the insulated envelope.
IEQ 4.2
Outdoor Air
Ventilation
Mandatory
Measure
Use rigid duct or other methods to keep fan back-pressure below 0.2” for EOV systems.
IEQ 4.3
Outdoor Air
Ventilation
Mandatory
Measure
Air seal ventilation ductwork.
ID
Innovative Design
Optional
Measure
Do not limit ID credits to four, but allow open-ended options to be submitted for review/approval.
Green Homes:
No adhesives for carpet attachments unless zero VOC (100 grams per liter or less).
a. No carpet in kitchens, bathrooms, spa areas, or within 3' of exterior door.
b. Carpet installed on slab on grade or on concrete basement floor, must have: minimum R-10
continuous insulation under slab and minimum R-5 slab edge insulation break at foundation wall
intersection and R-10 slab edge insulation outward of any walk-out slab edge.
LEED H
VBG Proposal to USGBC ~ January 06
• Determine that the USGBC’s bylaws allow for local
modification and enhancement of a LEED product.
• Integrate some local mandatory requirements and optional
credits into the LEED for Homes Rating System to create statespecific Checklists. An integrated approach--and not an
addendum with local criteria or utilizing the innovative design
credits--would be the desired approach.
• Co-brand the home certifications with the local (e.g. Vermont
Builds Greener and New Jersey Green) and LEED for Homes
designations, using both logos.
• Work towards resolution on how a local program that desires
a higher standard than LEED for Homes in time for the national
2007 roll-out.
Green Homes:
LEED H
