Sustainable

Building
Sourcebook
Supplement to the Green Building Program

A Program of the City of Austin

January 2000
 DISCLAIMER

The information in the Sustainable Building Sourcebook specifically applies to Austin,

Texas; however, much of the information is useful to those in other areas. All
implementation-related issues should be clarified prior to the start of any projects to insure
compliance with safe building practices, codes, and regulations.

Every attempt has been made to provide comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date
information but the listings of resources shown herein should not be considered all-
inclusive by any means. Many other qualified professionals, suppliers, and products un-
doubtedly exist. Any omissions are unintentional and we invite those that were left out to
contact the Green Building Program for consideration to be included in subsequent
Sourcebook updates and our database.

Entries in the Sustainable Building Sourcebook do not constitute an endorsement of spe-

cific products or services.
 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Special thanks and deepest appreciation go first to Laurence Doxsey. His tireless dedication
was behind the creation of the Green Building Program and his far seeing vision provided
inspiration for the birth of the Sourcebook. Thank you, Laurence, for your integrity and the
standard of excellence you set in providing the best resources possible to all those interested
in furthering the cause of sustainable building.

First Edition
Much gratitude is owed to the many individuals that contributed time and knowledge to the
development of our first edition of the Sustainable Building Sourcebook. Special thanks go to
Steve Loken of the Center for Resourceful Building Technology who generously permitted the
use of information generated from his excellent publication, Guide to Resource Efficient
Building Elements.

Robert Morriss, P.E., Lucia Athens, David Kuhles, Tony Gregg, Beauford Anderson, and John
Gleason were invaluable in the development of the Water Section – thank you for sharing
your expertise. We are grateful to Pliny Fisk and Gail Vittorri of the Center for Maximum Po-
tential Building Systems for their guidance and assistance at various stages of the project.
We
sincerely appreciate the efforts of Tim Kisner, Michael Gimbrere, Mary McLeod, Susan Bar-
nett, Alex MacGregor, Ieris and Walter Macedo, and Doug Seiter for their assistance to this
project.

A grant from the Urban Consortium Energy Task Force and Public Technology, Incorporated,
helped create the first edition.

Second Edition
Thanks to Betty Rogers, technical writer, for assisting us in making the Sourcebook more
reader friendly.

Our Green Building Program members are the best! We thank them all for their support and
enthusiasm. Special kudos go to Shellie Reott, Dennis Brown, and Jim Walker for their writ-
ing and editing assistance. Contributors from City of Austin staff include Dick Peterson, John
Gleason, and Patrick Hartigan. Further rewrites and new contributions were made by the
current Green Building Program Staff:
Richard Morgan
Mary McLeod
Jill Mayfield
Marc Richmond-Powers
Barshia Cohee
Lee Gros
Russell Shaver
Maureen Scanlon
Susan Barnett
Lisa Nutt

Very special thanks to Nathan Doxsey, the next generation of brilliance coupled with incredi-
ble organization skills. We couldn’t have done it without you.
 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
Table of Contents

Page

Introduction to the Sourcebook ......................................................................... iv

List of Acronyms and Abbreviations .................................................................. vi

Section 1: Water
Alternative Stormwater Quality Controls................................................................ 1-1
Composting Toilets................................................................................................ 1-4
Greywater Reuse .................................................................................................. 1-8
Harvested Rainwater............................................................................................. 1-11
Pervious Materials ................................................................................................. 1-23
Site Protection....................................................................................................... 1-26
Water Wise Landscape......................................................................................... 1-30
Indoor Water Conservation ................................................................................... 1-43

Section 2: Energy
Ductwork ............................................................................................................... 2-1
Earth-Sheltered Design ......................................................................................... 2-6
Electromagnetic Fields .......................................................................................... 2-10
Energy Efficient Appliances .................................................................................. 2-14
Energy Recovery Ventilator................................................................................... 2-19
Energy Saving Landscapes ................................................................................. 2-24
Fans ...................................................................................................................... 2-27
Lighting.................................................................................................................. 2-30
Natural Daylighting ................................................................................................ 2-39
Passive Solar Design ............................................................................................ 2-46
Photovoltaic Systems ............................................................................................ 2-56
Radiant Barrier and Ridge-and-Soffit Venting ....................................................... 2-68
Solar Water Heating and Space Heating .............................................................. 2-74
Water Heating ....................................................................................................... 2-86

Table of Contents ii
Table of Contents, continued
Page
Section 3: Materials
Cabinets ................................................................................................................ 3-1
Dimensional Lumber ............................................................................................. 3-4
Earth Construction................................................................................................. 3-9
Engineered Sheet Materials .................................................................................. 3-25
Engineered Siding and Trim.................................................................................. 3-30
Engineered Structural Products ............................................................................ 3-35
Finishes and Adhesives ........................................................................................ 3-40
Floor Coverings ..................................................................................................... 3-47
Flyash Concrete .................................................................................................... 3-55
Insulated Concrete Forms ..................................................................................... 3-59
Insulation............................................................................................................... 3-64
Integrated Pest Management ................................................................................ 3-70
Outdoor Decking Materials .................................................................................... 3-80
Roofing.................................................................................................................. 3-85
Straw Bale Construction........................................................................................ 3-95
Structural Insulated Panels ................................................................................... 3-101
Windows and Doors .............................................................................................. 3-106
Wood Flooring....................................................................................................... 3-111
Wood Treatment ................................................................................................... 3-114

Section 4: Recycling
Commercial Recycling........................................................................................... 4-1
Compost Systems ................................................................................................. 4-6
Construction Waste Management ......................................................................... 4-11
Home Recycling .................................................................................................... 4-23

Appendix A: Green Building Design Tools

Appendix B: Glossary of Green Building Terms

iii Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 Introduction

Purpose of the Sourcebook

The Sustainable Building Sourcebook (Sourcebook) contains information relevant to
Austin, such as regulatory issues, climate, installation guidelines, and sources of assis-
tance. The information pertinent aspects of sustainable building strategies and possible
implementation issues which may be found in these less familiar approaches to building.
The Sourcebook is designed to educate and inform all readers, but is directed specifically
to those with knowledge of the building trades and terminology and motivated lay persons.

Many topics discussed in this Sourcebook could be and are books in themselves. Informa-
tion is presented as briefly and succinctly as practical with the hope that readers choose
sustainable building options. It provides information to help you pursue further study or
find professional expertise. The Sourcebook does not present specific building details as
found in a construction manual. It offers general building guidelines that reflect Austin’s
unique conditions and addresses a variety of building approaches.

The Green Building Program welcomes feedback from users of the Sourcebook and we
will continue to keep it updated as new information develops. We hope this Sourcebook
can serve everyone as an important networking tool with the goal of implementing safe,
durable, livable, environmentally-responsible buildings for the citizens of Austin.

How To Use The Sourcebook

The Sourcebook contains four major sections: Water, Energy, Materials, and Recycling.
Each section is organized by topic; for example, Natural Daylighting is discussed under
Section 2, Energy. Each topic includes the following subsections: Introduction, At-A-
Glance, Considerations, and Guidelines and Resources. The Introduction identifies the
topic and it’s environmental relevance. Considerations gives the options that are being
discussed in that topic. At-A-Glance is a quick review of key points. Guidelines contain a
more in depth view of basic principles and implementation issues. Resources are a list of
ways you may seek more information and find experienced local contacts, suppliers or
manufacturers. Appendix A, Green Building Design Tools, contains a comprehensive
overview of several available tools and resources that will guide and inspire you as you
proceed further on the Green Building path. Appendix B is a glossary of building and
green building terms.

How to be Listed in the Sourcebook

Any individuals or manufacturers that are providing services or products that may relate to
green building can contact the Green Building Program by any of the following methods.

Green Building Program

P.O. Box 1088
Austin, TX 78767-8844
Phone: 512.505.3700

Introduction iv
Email: lisa.nutt@austinenergy.com

Product manufacturers or vendors should enclose the following:

• Product MSDS
• Technical Information that identifies the materials and processes used to
manufacture the product
• Code compliance information
• Sample specification
• Marketing materials
• Pricing
• Names and distributors or dealers that serve Austin

Service providers should provide a brief synopsis of their expertise and experience (less than
two pages long) and indicate the appropriate areas for your listing. Please provide refer-
ences.

You will be contacted to verify the placement of your listing in the Sourcebook. There is no
cost to be listed in the Sourcebook.

v Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 Acronyms and Abbreviations

AARC Austin Association of Remodeling Contractors

ABOR Austin Board of Realtors
AACC Austin Air-Conditioning Contractors Association
ACCA Air-Conditioning Contractors of America
AGC Association of General Contractors
AIA The American Institute of Architects
ARCSA American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association
ASHRAE American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers
ASCE American Society of Civil Engineers
ASID American Society of Interior Designers
ASME American Society of Mechanical Engineers
BBB Better Business Bureau
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
F: Fax Number
GHPC Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium
ICBO International Conference of Building Officials
IFA Independent Fee Appraiser
IGSHPA International Ground Source Heat Pump Association
IIDA International Interior Designers Association
M: Mobile Phone Number
NAHB National Association of Home Builders
NAR National Association of Realtors
NFPA National Fire Protection Association
NSPE National Society of Professional Engineers
P: Pager Number
PCA Portland Cement Association
SBAT Straw Bale Association of Texas
SBC Sustainable Building Coalition
SBCCI Southern Building Code Conference International, Inc.
TACCA Texas Air-Conditioning Contractors Association
TBAE Texas Board of Architectural Examiners
TIBD Texas Institute of Building Designers
TSA Texas Society of Architects
TSPE Texas Society of Professional Engineers
TREIA Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association
TxCABA Texas Capitol Area Builders Association
TxSEIA Texas Solar Energy Industries Association
TxSES Texas Solar Energy Society
WEF Water Environment Federation

Acronyms and Abbreviations vi

 ALTERNATIVE STORMWATER QUALITY
CONTROLS
INTRODUCTION:
Stormwater runoff can result in flooding, excessive stream erosion, and water quality degrada-
tion of Austin's creeks, the Edwards Aquifer, and the Colorado River. Stormwater can carry
pollutants such as oil; grease; pesticides; heavy metals; such as copper, zinc, and lead into
streams and our drinking water supply and can negatively affect ecosystems. Its unchecked flow
is also destructive, causing erosion and flooding. The City of Austin requires stormwater man-
agement, but meeting and/or exceeding the requirements through alternative methods may
have the added benefits of cleaner water, introduction of bird and other wildlife habitat, and
creation of a more pleasant environment for your building site. A good example is the Central
Park development between North Lamar and Guadalupe. Another development, the Wood-
lands near Houston, was the first alternative water quality control project in Texas and a very
successful development as well.

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: Available.

SUPPLIERS: Not Applicable

COST: Initially somewhat higher

FINANCING: Conventional

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: Landscaped wet ponds have public appeal.

REGULATORY: Alternative controls must be submitted by a Civil Engineer and approved by

the Director of the Watershed Protection Department (WPD). Applicants are strongly encour-

CONSIDERATIONS:
To minimize the effect of stormwater runoff
impacts development sites should manage
the quantity and quality of water on-site to
the maximum extent possible. A variety of
non-structural and structural control practices
can be used to manage stormwater. Non-
structural practices include public education,
integrated pest management, and retention of
native vegetation. Structural controls include
detention and water quality treatment ponds.
The standard water quality structural controls
used in Austin are sedimentation/sand filtra-
tion basins, wet ponds, and retention-
irrigation systems. These controls are de-
signed to improve water quality by removing
suspended particulate matter and associated
constituents such as bacteria, nutrients, and
metals. Alternative controls, such as rainwa-
ter harvesting, bioretention, and vegetative
filters may be acceptable, but the applicant
must demonstrate that they will provide a
level of control equal to or greater than that
provided by standard controls.
If land area is a constraint, another option is
a subsurface collection chamber. There are

Water 1-1
 ALTERNATIVE STORMWATER QUALITY
CONTROLS
CONSIDERATIONS, continued
several methods. One is to use a pervious
paving which filters water into a graduated
rock chamber below. Another method is a
stormwater chamber beneath a paved sur-
face. However, the use of systems which rely
on direct soil infiltration may not be appro-
priate for many soils in the Austin area.
In addition to stormwater retention ponds,
major stormwater management strategies re-
lated to restoration and management of natu-
ral water cycles in the landscape include:
understanding the whole water system and
GUIDELINES:
The City of Austin allows alternative water
quality controls under it’s Land Development
Code/Environmental Criteria Manual. One
measure encouraged for it’s beneficial fea-
tures other than stormwater detention is a
“wet pond” system. A wet pond is a
stormwater pond with a permanent pool of
water that uses a vegitative filter method of
water cleaning. Wet pond criteria are given
in Section 1.6 of the Environmental Criteria
Manual.
The EPA study called The Economic Bene-
fits of Runoff Controls, describes the negative
impacts of stormwater from urban areas on
the natural environment. Urban runoff man-
agement controls are now widely accepted
due to lessons learned from not planning
properly for the impacts associated with in-
creased urbanization. The City of Austin has
stringent requirements for measures which
minimize damage from flooding and to re-
duce pollution of nearby bodies of water. De-
vices that store or treat stormwater runoff to
reduce flooding, remove pollutants, and pro-
1-2 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
attempting to model it over time; creating
buffers along natural stream corridors and
wetlands to restore and protect the natural
infrastructure; sustaining and restoring his-
toric landscapes by protecting the historical
patterns of drainage; concentrating on enlarg-
ing and connecting existing areas of forest
and forest corridors along stream channels to
restore natural hydrologic patterns; reducing
the extent of turf areas with the addition of
grasslands and meadows to reduce runoff,
and; restoring and creating new wetlands by
identifying opportunities for dispersed, small-
vide other amenities are usually called best
management practices (BMP’s).
Two types of BMP’s are wet ponds and con-
structed wetlands. Their benefits to the sur-
rounding environment are greater than stan-
dard sedimentation/filtration ponds because
they remove a range of pollutants from
runoff before it enters surrounding water-
ways or aquifers. They also benefit the com-
munity by increasing property values. Several
studies have shown that “when all else is
equal, the price of a home located within 300
feet from a body of water increases by up to
27.8 percent” (NAHB, 1993). Office lease
spaces facing natural water features may also
lease for greater amounts per square foot. Vi-
sually, a wet pond or constructed wetland is
more appealing than a concrete reservoir.
Safety is an issue which must be considered
when planning a wet pond as well as for
other stormwater controls. The City’s regula-
tions require gentle slopes and recommend
plantings surrounding the pond which hinder
 ALTERNATIVE STORMWATER QUALITY
CONTROLS
RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:

Leslie Sauer Glenrose Engineering

Andropogon Associates, Ltd. P.O. Box 161270
374 Shurs Lane Austin, TX 78716-1270
Philadelphia. PA 19128 www.glenrose.com
(215) 487-0700 (512) 329-9450
lauren@glenrose.com
Loomis and Moore
3103 Bee Cave Rd. Suite 225
Austin, TX 78746
www.loomismoore.com
(512) 327-1180

COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:

Infiltrator Systems, Inc. Invisible Structures, Inc.

800-221-4436 20100 E. 35th Dr.
High Capacity Infiltrator Chamber System is a Aurora, CO 80011-8160
molded polyolefin chamber (800) 233-1510
local contact:: Steve Murdock at 260-0321 several water storage and soil reinforcement prod-
ucts
Hancor
Subsurface Retention/Detention chamber
Frank Stencer
834-1349
(800) 848-3546

GENERAL ASSISTANCE:

City of Austin United States Environmental Protection

Watershed Protection Department Agency
John Gleason- 512/499-3543 Economic Benefits of Runoff Controls
Patrick Hartigan 512/499-1863 EPA 841- S - 95 - 002
September 1995
City of Austin Land Development Code Rule www.epa.gov
R 161-97.06
City Clerk, City Hall 124 W.8th
www.ci.austin.tx.us/development/de-
fault.htm

Water 1-3
 COMPOSTING TOILETS
INTRODUCTION:
There are several types of composting toilets, all based on the goal of water conservation. Wa-
terless and forced-air composting toilets produce a valuable fertilizer. Electric toilets burn the
waste. Some models use a very small amount of water or a chemical foam to assist the passage
of waste to the composting chamber. When properly installed, none of them create odor or
health problems.

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: The technology for composting toilets is well developed. Newer models
that offer complete self-contained waste-water integration with greywater systems are now
available.

SUPPLIERS: Local off-the-shelf availability is limited.

COST: Composting toilets are cost-competitive with many septic systems. However, they are
not cost-competitive with centralized wastewater systems, particularly in Austin, where sewage
sludge is composted.

FINANCING: Fear of limited resale opportunities and lowered property values may affect
lenders.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: There is limited appeal for composting toilets. Maintenance re-
quirements vary by manufacturers, and although minor for many systems, they may prevent
wider interest. People are typically interested in composting toilets when they do not have
other satisfactory toilet options (e.g. lack of space for a septic field, impossibility of using heavy
equipment on a site).

REGULATORY: Ordinances #880310-H and 880310-I address composting toilets and are a
part of Chapters 6-10 of the Austin City Code. The Austin-Travis County Health Department
(ATCHD) must issue a permit to install such toilets. Cost of the permit depends on whether the
unit is National Sanitation Foundation (NSF)-approved or an engineered unit. A composting
toilet is considered an alternative system and must be inspected annually by the ATCHD for a
fee. Other municipalities may have other requirements for permits, inspections, and fees. The
licensing procedure outlined in the Greywater section of the Sourcebook also applies for compost-

CONSIDERATIONS:
Composting toilets are lawful in Austin pro-
vided the units are approved by the National
Sanitation Foundation [NSF] or engineered
by a registered PE.
Austin presently composts sewage waste de-
rived from its central wastewater system. The
composted product is marketed as a land-
scape fertilizer called ‘Dillo Dirt’. For this
reason, it may be difficult to justify the extra
cost and maintenance needs of a composting
toilet in order to gain compost when a city
sewer line is available. Additionally, the low
volume of water required to be used for

Water 1-4
 COMPOSTING TOILETS
CONSIDERATIONS, continued
standard toilets [1.6 GPF] makes the water There are commercial products available that
savings from composting toilets quite low. range in cost depending on their complexity.

If a home does not have central wastewater In areas where these systems can supplant
services, a composting toilet may be practi- large investments in septic systems, they are
cal. Coupled with a sub-surface greywater ir- cost-competitive.
rigation system (see Greywater section of the
Surcoebook), installing a composting toilet
can alleviate the need for a blackwater septic
system.

GUIDELINES:
There are two types of composting toilets: important design consideration for homes
self-contained and split units. that have a concrete slab floor or a flat site.

Self-contained units combine the commode
and the composting compartment in a sin-
gle unit.
Split units have separate commode and
composting components. The composting
component must be positioned below the
commode section. Some designs may use a
small amount of water or foam to flush the
commode. The storage chamber must be
accessible for compost removal. This is an
Just like standard toilets, composting toilets
have a vent to exhaust gases and prevent
odors from entering the living space. Many
models are fan-assisted. Several manufac-
turers offer heaters to accelerate the decom-
position process in cold weather. Solar-
powered models are available.
Commercial composting toilets are avail-
able in a variety of sizes to serve different
sized households.

RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:

See " Engineers " in the Yellow Pages

COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:

(check with the listed companies regarding NSF Biolet USA, Inc.
approval) Water Conservation Systems
P.O. Box 592
The Home Place San Benito, TX 78586
Rt 1 Box 307 (800) 5-BIOLET, www.biolet.com
Johnson City, TX 78636 NSF approved
(830) 868-7077
Sun-Mar retailer, NSF approved

1-5 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 COMPOSTING TOILETS
RESOURCES, continued
AlasCan of Minnesota, Inc. manufacturer, NSF approved
P.O. Box 88 Bio-Sun Systems, Inc.
Clear Lake, MN 55319 Box 134A, RR #2
(320) 743-2909, www.alascanofmn.com Millerton, PA 16936
manufacturer (800) 847-8840, www.nota.com/bio-sun/
not NSF approved manufacturer
Sun-Mar Corporation
5035 North Service Road Unit C9-C10 Bio-Recycler Co.
Burlington, Ontario Canada L7L 5V2 5308 Emerald Dr.
(800)461-2461, (905)332-1314 (Canada), Sykesville, MD 21784
www.sun-mar.com (410) 795-2607
manufacturer, NSF approved not NSF approved

Eco-Wise (local dealer) Sancor Industries Ltd.

110 W. Elizabeth St. 140-30 Milner Ave.
Austin, TX 78704 Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, M1S 3R3.
(512) 326-4474, www.ecowise.com (800) 387-5126, www.envirolet.com
retailer manufacturer, NSF approved

Jade Mountain Inc. EcoTech Carousel Composting Toilet

P.O. Box 4616 50 Beharrell Street
Boulder, CO 80306 Concord, MA 01742
(800) 442-1972, www.jademountain.com (978) 369-3951
retailer www.ecological-engineering.com/
ecotech.html
Clivus Multrum, Inc. 5 brands of composting toilets, $2 catalog
15 Union St.
Laurence, MA 01840
(800) 962-8447, (800) 4-CLIVUS
www.clivusmultrum.com

GENERAL ASSISTANCE:

Austin-Travis County Health Department www.jenkinspublishing.com $19.00

15 Waller St. (198 pages, indexed. Basic composting prin-
Austin, TX 78702 ciples related to the composting of human
(512) 469-2015, excrement, with an emphasis on single fam-
ily, small scale, and inexpensive applica-
The Humanure Handbook; a guide to com- tions. Includes information on commercial
posting human manure, Jenkins Publishing, and home-made composting toilets)
1995. 800-689-3233,

Water 1-6
 COMPOSTING TOILETS
RESOURCES, continued
National Small Flows Clearinghouse
West Virginia University
P.O. Box 6064
Morgantown, WV 26506-6064
(800) 624-8301, www.estd.wvu.edu/nsfc/
nsfc_homepage.html
information, “Small Flows” newsletter
1-7 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
Texas Water Resources Institute
Texas A & M University
301 Scoates Hall
College Station, Texas 77843-2118
(409) 845-1851
http://towtrc.tamu.edu
On-Site Insight, free newsletter re: on-site
wastewater treatment
 GREYWATER REUSE

INTRODUCTION:
In Central Texas, any opportunity to reuse water should be taken because we are using
up more water than we have. Not only is our water supply dwindling, but pumping wa-
ter from place to place uses electricity and production of electricity causes air pollution.
In Austin we typically use 35 percent of our water for watering our landscape. If we
used greywater for this purpose, it would conserve treated water, reduce electricity con-
sumption, and reduce air pollution.

Greywater is defined as the wastewater produced from baths and showers, and lavatory sinks.
The wastewater generated by toilets, kitchen sinks, dishwashers, and diaper washing in clothes
washers is called blackwater.

CONSIDERATIONS:
At the time of this revision, the State of gation without chemical treatment. There-
Texas Texas Natural Resources Conserva- for this section will not give guidelines for
tion Commission considers greywater and implementation.
blackwater to be the same and does not al-
low for subsurface irrigation or surface irri-

RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:

See "Engineers-Professional" in the Yellow Pages septic engineer experienced in alternative systems
David Venhuizen
Robert Morris Inc. 5809 Gateshead Drive
P.O. Box 1688 Austin, TX 78745
Cedar Park, TX 78630 (512)442-4077
(512) 267-0688 waterguy@ix.netcom.com
rmorriss@texas.net septic engineer experienced in alternative systems

COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:

See "Septic Tanks" in Yellow Pages Aerobic Wastewater Systems

P. O. Box 163263
Clivus Multrum, Inc. Austin, TX 78716-3263
15 Union St. (512) 263-2219
Laurence, MA 01840 aerobic system
(800) 962-8447, (800) 4-CLIVUS
www.clivusmultrum.com
compost/greywater system

Water 1-8
 GREYWATER REUSE
RESOURCES, continued
Jade Mountain Inc. compost/greywater systems & components
P.O. Box 4616 Drip-Tech WW Systems
Boulder, CO 80306 PO Box 5814
(800) 442-1972 Austin, TX 78763
www.jademountain.com (512) 329-0066
greywater systems drip wastewater irrigation systems

Ecos
50 Beharrel Street
Concord, MA 01742
(978) 369-3951
www.ecological-engineering.com/
ecos.html

GENERAL ASSISTANCE:

Texas Natural Resources Conservation Information, “Small Flows” newsletter

Commission City of Austin Water Conservation Program
Warren Samuelson P.O. Box 1088
(512)239-4799 Austin, TX 78767
www.tnrcc.state.tx.us (512) 499-2199
www.ci.austin.tx.gov/watercon
Austin-Travis County Health Department
15 Waller St.Austin, TX 78702 Additional Information:
(512) 469-2022, Chapter 12-4 of the 1992 Code of the
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/wri/fact.htm City of Austin
"Greywater Task Force Report,"
Texas On-Site Insights write to: Texas Water City of Austin Resource Manage-
Resources Institute ment Department, 1985.
Texas A & M University
301 Scoates Hall Reed, Sherwood C., E. Joe Middle-
College Station, Texas 77843 brooks, Ronald W. Crites. Natural
(409) 845-1851 or 845-8571 Systems for Waste Management and
http://towtrc.tamu.edu, Treatment, 2nd edition. McGraw-
free newsletter re: on-site wastewater dis- Hill: New York, 1994.
posal
Brittain, Richard G., DeCook, K.
National Small Flows Clearinghouse James, Foster, Kennith E., Water
P.O. Box 6064 Harvesting and Reuse: Designing an
Morgantown, WV 26506-6064 Urban Residential Demonstration,
(800) 624-8301, www.estd.wvu.edu/nsfc/ Office of Arid Lands Studies, Col-
nsfc_homepage.html lege of Agriculture, University of
Arizona, Tuscon, November, 1984.

1-9 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 GREYWATER REUSE
RESOURCES, continued
"How to Use Greywater: Guide- U.S. EPA, "Onsite Wastewater
lines to the Approved Use of Grey- Treatment and Disposal Systems
water in Santa Barbara County," Design Manual", EPA/625/l-80-
The County of Santa Barbara Grey- 012, October 1980
water Technical Advisory Commit-
tee, March, 1990. Ludwig, Art, Building Profes-
sional’s Greywater Guide, Oasis
"Grey Water," City of Austin Resource Design 5 San Marcon Trout Club
Management Department, 1985. Santa Barbara, CA 93105-9726. A
guide to professional installation of
Carlisle, B.L. and Batte, Charles, greywater systems.
Guide to Soil Evaluation and Suit-
ability for On-Site Sewage Disposal
Systems for Travis, Williamson,
and Hays Counties, Texas, Texas A
& M, U. S. Soil Conservation Ser-
vice and City of Austin, February,
1984.

Brittain, Richard G., DeCook, K.

James, Foster, Kennith E., etal,
"Summary Reports on Phase I and
Phase III, Casa Del Agua: A Com-
munity Water Conservation
Demonstration and Evaluation Pro-
ject", University of Arizona, Tus-
con, Arizona, July, 1986 and Octo-
ber, 1989.

Water 1-
 HARVESTED RAINWATER
INTRODUCTION:
Water has long been a precious commodity in Texas. In the past, 50 percent of water used in
Central Texas was from mineral rich groundwater. Our future growth will have a great impact
on our water reserves. If the rapid population growth continues, our groundwater will be ex-
hausted within twenty years. Another factor of growth is that there is more ground surface be-
ing covered over, and impervious surfaces prevent groundwater from being recharged. Surface
water evaporates quickly in our climate and can not keep up with the expected demand.

On site rainwater collection is one means to augment our fresh water needs and can prevent
rapid stormwater accumulation from roof areas. Harvested Rainwater is rainwater that is cap-
tured from the roofs of buildings. Harvested rainwater can be used both indoors and for irriga-
tion.

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: Fairly well-developed, with new products appearing often. Rainwater har-
vesting is an old tradition practiced in all parts of the world including Texas and is required by
law in new construction in Bermuda, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Germany, Isreal.

SUPPLIERS: Suitable roof and gutter materials are common products in our region. Special-
ized products such as roof washers (pre-filters) are also available here. Storage tanks (cisterns)
are available regionally and statewide. System designers and installers are present locally.

COST: A rainwater harvesting system is costly compared to a city hookup but may be less ex-
pensive than drilling a well in our area.

FINANCING: Cities in Germany, Japan, and California offer tax credits and other financial
incentives for rainwater harvesting systems. However, in Austin appraisers may not properly
value such a system and underwriters may not accept this system as the sole source of house-
hold water. If the owner provides a backup water source, such as an on-demand supply contract
with a water hauler, lenders will be more favorably inclined to fund the project. Conventional
financing is becoming more common for new homes with rainwater systems. Hays county
lenders show preferences for rainwater collection. The City of Austin offers rebates for rainwa-
ter collection for landscape irrigation.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: In the Austin region, there are increasing numbers of rainwater
harvesting systems. An excellent example can be found at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower
Center. The Green Building Program has noted that rainwater harvesting presentations draw
large crowds at conferences and trade shows.

REGULATORY: At present, there is no Texas regulation for rainwater for indoor or outdoor
household use unless the system is backed up by publicly supplied waterlines. If there is a
backup system, there must be an airgap between the public water and rainwater. This airgap
must exceed two diameters of the city line in width. The Austin-Travis County Health Depart-
ment does not allow uncovered cisterns because they can contribute to mosquito breeding. For

Water 1-11
 HARVESTED RAINWATER
AT-A-GLANCE NOTES, continued
a commercial building with less than 25 people, the regulations are the same as for a household.
But for more than 25 people, the system must be chemically treated to Clean Water Act stan-
dards.
CONSIDERATIONS:
The Austin area receives an average of 32
inches of rain per year. A 2,000 square foot
area can capture 36,000 gallons of water an-
nually, which would meet 100 gallons per
day in household water needs.
The quality of rainwater can vary with prox-
imity to industrial pollution sources. In gen-
eral, Austin’s rainwater quality is quite good.
The softness of rainwater is valued for its
cleaning abilities and benign effects on water-
using equipment such as water heaters and
dish washers, and cooling towers. As an irri-
gation source, its slight acidity is helpful in
the high PH soils of our region and is the best
water for plants.
GUIDELINES:
Capacity
The capacity of a rainwater harvesting sys-
tem depends on the amount of rainfall, size
of collection area, storage capacity, and the
household's level of demand for water.
Table 1 indicates the gallons of water pro-
duced annually for different size roof areas
and rainfall amounts.
To determine the square footage of catch-
ment area of a house, use only the roof foot-
print. The actual area of roof material will be
greater because of the roof slope. However,
the amount of rainfall on the roof is not af-
fected by the slope. In Table 1, note that
Austin's average rainfall is 32 inches.
1-12 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
Rainwater collection systems can supplement
water for irrigation purposes with minimal
equipment cost.
The primary expense for a rainwater collec-
tion system is in the storage tank (cistern). In
our area, the cistern size for irrigation can be
large because of high temperatures and ex-
tended dry periods in the summer. If the sys-
tem is not counted upon as the only source of
irrigating water, base the size of the cistern
on affordability. If rainwater is for potable
water, there will be additional expense and
maintenance for filtration and treatment.
For outdoor uses of rainwater, the types of
plants, amount of exposure to direct summer
sun, soil conditions, presence or lack of
mulch, and size of the area will determine the
necessary amount of irrigation water. Large
landscapes with large water demands are not
readily accommodated by rainwater catch-
ment systems.
Indoors, a conserving household may use 25-
40 gallons of water per person per day. To
determine the total amount of rainwater stor-
age capacity required, multiply the number of
persons in the household by the average wa-
ter use. (See the Water Budget section to de-
termine precise amounts.) Then ensure a
safety factor for drought conditions. The
Austin area’s longest drought in 50 years
 HARVESTED RAINWATER
GUIDELINES, continued
TABLE 1: ANNUAL RAINFALL YIELD IN GALLONS FOR VARIOUS ROOF SIZES
AND RAINFALL AMOUNTS

Roof size Rainfall in Inches

Square Feet 20 24 28 32 38 40 44 48 52
1000 11236 13483 15730 17978 20225 22472 24719 26966 29214
1100 12360 14832 17303 19775 22247 24719 27191 29663 32135
1200 13483 16180 18876 21573 24270 26966 29663 32360 35056
1300 14607 17528 20450 23371 26292 29214 32135 35056 37978
1400 15730 18876 22023 25169 29315 314461 34607 37753 40899
1500 16854 20225 23596 26966 30337 33708 37079 40450 43820
1600 17978 21573 25169 28764 32360 35955 39551 43146 46742
1700 19101 22921 26742 30562 34382 38202 42023 45843 49663
1800 20225 24270 28315 32360 36405 40450 44495 48540 52584
1900 21348 25618 29888 34157 38427 42697 46966 51236 55506
2000 22472 26966 31461 35955 40450 44944 49438 53933 58427
2100 23596 28315 33034 37753 42472 47191 51910 56629 61349
2200 24719 29663 34607 39551 44495 49438 54382 59382 64270
2300 25843 31011 36180 41348 46517 51686 56854 62023 67191
2400 26966 32360 37753 43146 48540 53933 59326 64719 70113
2500 28090 33708 39326 44944 50582 56180 61798 67416 73034
AUSTIN ANNUAL RAINFALL YIELD IN GALLONS for
VARIOUS ROOF SIZES AND RAINFALL AMOUNTS
Average rainfall per month:
Month Average Rainfall
January 1.60
February 2.49
March 1.68
April 3.11
May 4.19
June 3.06
July 1.89
August 2.24
September 3.60
October 3.38
November 2.20

Water 1-13
 HARVESTED RAINWATER
GUIDELINES, continued
lasted 75 days. The Green Building Program
recommends a 100-day safety factor to
determine storage capacity.
Example: 3 people each use 40 gallons per day.
3 (persons) x 40 (gallons per day per person) x 100
(days) = 12,000 gallons of storage required.
Rainwater for Irrigation
Since the largest need for irrigation water in
our area occurs during the time of lowest
rainfall and highest temperature, a rainwater
system designed to meet this need will have
to capture water prior to the summer. And
since large or water-intensive landscapes
would require prohibitively large storage sys-
tems, the Green Building Program recom-
mends using rainwater harvesting with low-
water use landscaping.
Table 2 shows the gallons of rainwater that
can be captured from roof areas and the gal-
lons of water it takes to irrigate various land-
scape areas to equal a certain amount of rain-
fall. These are useful in calculating the stor-
age size and roof area associated with vari-
ous irrigation requirements.
Example of irrigation requirement estimation
The landscape to be irrigated for this example
consists of 2,500 square feet. Landscape spe-
cialists have determined that the plants
should receive a minimum of one inch of rain
per week to be healthy from June through
September. The roof area for collection in
this example will be 1,500 square feet.
1. Table 2 shows that 2,500 square feet of
landscape area requires a little over 1,400 gal-
lons of water to equal one inch of rain. (Find
2,500 in the landscape/roof size column and fol-
low across to the one inch rainfall column.)
1-14 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
2. In 16 weeks (June - September), the water
requirement is 22,400 gallons. (16 weeks x
1,400 gallons per week)
3. For this example, we will estimate that
only half of the average summer rainfall will
occur. (June through September rainfall totals
10.79 inches. We will assume therefore only 5.25
inches will fall.)
4. In Table 2, the 5 inch column for 2,500
feet of area equals 7,023 gallons and the 0.25
inch column for 2,500 feet equals 351 gallons.
(The total is 7, 374 gallons. This is the amount of
natural rainfall the landscape will receive at 5.25
inches for June-September.)
5. Subtract the natural rainfall (7,374) from
the required amount (22,400) for the net need
of the landscape. This amount equals 15,026
gallons. This is the amount of water that will
need to be collected for irrigating the land-
scape.
6. The roof area during this period will simi-
larly receive 5.25 inches of rain which can be
collected for irrigation purposes. Locate the 5
inch column and the 0.25 inch column totals
for 1,500 square feet of roof/landscape area.
(The 5 inch total is 4,214 gallons and the 0.25
inch column is 211 gallons for a total of 4,425 gal-
lons.)
7. Subtract the amount the roof will collect
in step #6 (4,425 gallons) from the required
amount in step #5 (15,026 gallons). This
equals 10,600 gallons. (This is the amount of
rainwater that must be in storage prior to June for
use as irrigating water for the landscape if rainfall
is one half the average amount.)
By knowing the average amounts of rainfall
 HARVESTED RAINWATER
GUIDELINES, continued
TABLE 2:
AMOUNT OF RAINWATER (GALLONS) THAT CAN BE CAPTURED BY ROOF SIZE

Landscape/
Roof size Rainfall in Inches
Square Feet 0.25 0.50 0.75 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00 6.00
1000 140 281 421 562 1124 1685 2247 2809 3371
1100 154 309 463 618 1236 1854 2472 3090 3708
1200 169 337 506 674 1348 2022 2697 3371 4045
1300 183 365 548 730 1461 2191 2921 3652 4382
1400 197 393 590 787 1573 2360 3146 3933 4719
1500 211 421 632 843 1685 2528 3371 4214 5056
1600 225 449 674 899 1798 2697 3596 4494 5393
1700 239 478 716 955 1910 2865 3820 4775 5730
1800 253 506 758 1011 2022 3034 4045 5056 6067
1900 267 534 801 1067 2135 3202 4270 5337 6405
2000 281 562 843 1124 2247 3371 4494 5618 6742
2100 295 590 885 1180 2360 3539 4719 5899 7079
2200 309 618 917 1236 2472 3708 4944 6180 7416
2300 323 646 969 1292 2584 3876 5169 6461 7753
2400 337 674 1011 1348 2697 4045 5393 6742 8090
2500 351 702 1053 1405 2809 4214 5618 7023 8427

that can fall in the period preceding the sum-
mer irrigation period, you can estimate the
time needed to collect that amount of water.
(Use the 1,500 square foot row on Table 2 and add
each month's average rainfall until you reach the
required amount.)
Some parts of the landscape may require dif-
ferent amounts of water throughout the entire
year. Total the requirement for each month
in the same manner as in the example above
and follow the same procedure. When calcu-
lating water requirements for an entire year,
it is best to use the average monthly rainfall
figures rather than a conservative amount as
in the above example.
System Components
A rainwater harvesting system consists of the
following components: catchment area
(roof), conveyance system (guttering, down-
spouts, and piping), storage (cistern),and fil-
tration and distribution.
Catchment
Rainwater harvesting can be done with any
roofing material if it is for non-drinking use

Water 1-15
 HARVESTED RAINWATER
GUIDELINES, continued
only. For potable use of rainwater, the best
roof materials are metal, clay, and cementi-
tious, although all roof material types except
asbestos have been used. Asbestos roof
materials used in older homes should not be
part of a system to provide drinking water.
Asphalt shingles can contribute grit and
leeched chemicals to the system and a pre-
filter will be needed for the water before it en-
ters the cistern. Lead materials in any form,
including flashing, should not be used.
Conveyance
Gutters convey water from the roof to pipes
to the cistern. If a straight run of gutter ex-
ceeds 60 feet, use an expansion joint.
Keep the front of the gutter 1/2 inch lower
than the back. Provide a gutter slope of 1/16
inch per lineal foot minimum.
Provide gutter hangers at 3 feet O.C.(on cen-
ter). Gutter should be a minimum of 26
gauge galvanized steel or 0.025 inch alu-
minum. (Galvanized steel, copper, or alu-
minum are preferred gutter materials. )
Downspouts should provide 1 square inch of
downspout opening for every 100 square feet
of roof area. The maximum run of gutter for
one downspout is 50 feet.
The conveyance piping from the gutter sys-
tem to the cistern or filter should be Schedule
40 PVC (or comparable) in a 4 inch diameter.
Do not exceed 45 degree angle bends in hori-
zontal pipe runs and provide 1/4 inch slope
per lineal foot minimum. Use one- or two-
way cleanouts in any horizontal pipe run ex-
ceeding 100 feet.
Storage
The storage tank (cistern) can be located
1-16 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
above or below ground. See the previous sec-
tion regarding capacity for sizing informa-
tion.
The best materials for cisterns include con-
crete, steel, ferro-cement, and fiberglass.
When ordering a cistern, specify whether the
cistern will be placed above or below ground
and if the cistern will be used to store potable
water. Fiberglass cisterns are constructed dif-
ferently to meet these criteria.
If using a manufactured tank designed to hold
drinking water, the tank should conform to
the published specifications of the American
Waterworks Association. (See Resources.)
Cistern characteristics
A cistern should be durable and watertight,
with a smooth, clean interior surface. Joints
must be sealed with non-toxic waterproof
material.
Manholes or risers should have a minimum
opening of 24 inches and should extend at
least 8 inches above grade with buried cis-
terns. Fittings and couplings that extend
through the cistern wall should be cast-in-
place.
Dissipate the pressure from the incoming wa-
ter to minimize the stirring of any settled
solids in the bottom of the cistern. This can
be accomplished in a concrete cistern by plac-
ing concrete blocks (cavities facing upward)
surrounding the base of the inlet pipe. The
blocks can be 8"x 8"x16" blocks with the pipe
exiting one inch above the bottom of the cis-
tern. Baffles to accomplish the same result
can be made as part of fiberglass cisterns. Set-
tling problems do not occur in cisterns that
maintain a large reserve of water.
 HARVESTED RAINWATER
GUIDELINES, continued
TABLE 3: CAPACITIES OF CISTERNS

Depth 6 Foot Diameter 12 Foot Diameter 18 Foot Diameter

(feet) (gallons) (gallons) (gallons)
6 1,266 5,076 11,412
8 1,688 6,768 15,216
10 2,110 8,460 19,020
12 2,532 10,152 22,824
154 2,954 11,844 26,628
16 3,376 13,536 30,432
18 3,798 15,228 34,236
20 4,220 16,920 38,040

roof area is considered an acceptable amount

The use of two or more cisterns permits ser-
vicing one of the units without losing the op-
eration of the system.
Have a fill pipe on the cistern for adding pur-
chased water as a backup and a cover to
prevent mosquito breeding and algae growth
from contact with sunlight.
Table 3 gives typical cistern capacities.
for washing. Roof washers are commercially
available and afford reliability, durability, and
minimal maintenance.
Roof washing is not needed for water used for
irrigation purposes. However, prefiltering to
keep out debris will reduce sediment buildup.
A leaf screen over the gutter and at the top of
the downspout is helpful for this purpose.

Filtration
The rainwater may become contaminated by
dirt, debris, and other materials from the roof
surface. The best strategy is to filter and
screen out the contaminants before they enter
the cistern.
A primary strategy is to reject the first wash of
water over the roof. A "roof washer" will use
the first rainfall to clean away any contami-
nants.
The main function of the roof washer is to
isolate and reject the first water that has fallen
on the roof after rain has begun and then
direct the rest of the water to the cistern. Ten
gallons of rainfall per thousand square feet of
Distribution
Removing the water from the cistern can be
achieved through gravity, if the cistern is
high enough, or by pumping.
Most cases will require pumping the water
into a pressure vessel similar to the method
used to withdraw and pressurize water from
a well. A smaller pump can be used to pump
from a cistern.
A screened 1.25-inch foot valve inside the
tank connected to a 1.25-inch outlet from
the cistern approximately one foot above the
bottom (to avoid any settled particles) will
help maintain the prime on the pump.

Water 1-17
 HARVESTED RAINWATER
GUIDELINES, continued
A float switch should be used to turn off the cistern. This approach withdraws the water
pump if the water level is too low. from approximately one foot below the sur-
face, considered to be the most clear water in
An alternative method uses a floating filter any body of water.
connected to a flexible water line inside the

Determining Indoor Water Budget

A water budget establishes a baseline of how The following information is based on the
much the occupant should expect to use and average per capita interior water use rates de-
where the water goes. This is helpful in deter- veloped by the U.S. Department of Housing
mining the size of cistern you will need. The and Urban Development [HUD]. Actual use
designer can also plan additional conserva- rates for water fixtures will vary.
tion strategies from the water budget infor-
mation. Bear in mind that the figures derived
from the water budget are estimates -- per-
sonal lifestyle will determine actual water
use.

HUD has determined the following daily average use and flow rates:

Item Use Rate Flow Rate

Toilet 4.0 flushes/person 1.6
Shower 4.8 minutes/person 2.5
Washer 0.30 loads/person 40 gallons/load
Dishwasher 0.17 loads/person 8.5
Faucets 8.5 gallons (total) 8.5
Bath 0.14 bath/person 50 gallons/bath

To calculate usage, multiply Use Rate times Flow Rate times # people for each type of fixture or
appliance. Then add the subtotals. The total can be multiplied by 365 to show the amount of
water that would be consumed in one year.
Determining Outdoor Water Budget
The outdoor water budget is for sunny turf/ the more water required.
lawn areas only. Shaded lawn areas have re-
duced water requirements. Soil type can also To minimize water needs for turf areas, do
affect water demand. The method below not remove grass clippings, keep grass at the
gives a general indication of water demand recommended cutting height with frequent
and is based on the five types of grass that are mowings, and use natural soil amendments
common to the Austin area. The Green such as ‘Dillo Dirt. Note that watering rates
Building staff has assigned a “grass factor” to will vary during the year, with most watering
each type of grass, depending on its water re- occurring in the summer.
quirements. The higher the factor number,

1-18 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 HARVESTED RAINWATER
GUIDELINES, continued

KEY FOR CALCULATIONS

Type of Grass Grass Type Factor

St. Augustine 1.0
St. Augustine/Bermuda Mix 0.9
Zoysia 0.9
Bermuda 0.8
Buffalograss 0.5

CF/YR: cubic feet per year CFNR/YR: cubic feet of natural rainfall per year
G/YR: gallons per year GNR: gallons of natural rainfall
GTF: grass type factor NR: natural rainfall
SQFT: square feet of turf

Calculation Sequence to determine outdoor water needs :

Step 1: Cubic feet of water demand per year

Multiply 50 (inches of turf water demand for one year not including natural rainfall) times the
square feet of the turf area and divide by 12.
[50 x SQFT/12 = CF/YR]

Step 2: Gallons per year required by grass type

Multiply the cubic feet of water demand per year times 7.48 (conversion factor) times the grass
type factor.
[CF/YR x 7.48 x GTF = G/YR]

Step 3: Cubic feet of water supplied by rainfall per year

Multiply 32 (inches of natural rainfall) times the square feet of turf area divided by 12.
[32 x SQFT/ 12 = CFNR/YR]
Step 4: Gallons of natural rainfall
Multiply the cubic feet of natural rainfall per year times 7.48 (conversion factor)
[CFNR/YR x 7.48 = GNR]

Step 5: Amount of additional irrigation water required

Subtract the gallons of natural rainfall in Step 4 from the required water for the selected grass
type in Step 2.
G/YR - GNR = water requirement in gallons

Water 1-19
 HARVESTED RAINWATER
RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:

See "Systems" suppliers below

COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:

RainMan Waterworks Tank Town

P. O. Box 972 1212 Quail Ridge
Dripping Springs, TX 78620 Dripping Springs, TX 78620
(512) 858-7020 (512) 894-0861
design & installation, systems rainwater systems

Bowerbird Construction Barrel City USA

st
P. O. Box 698 8401 South 1 St.
Dripping Springs, TX 78620 Austin, TX 78748
(512) 796-4012 (512) 282-1328
ferocement tanks, rainwater systems recycled 55-gallon drums

Agua Dulce John Dorn Tank Building, Inc.

P.O. Box 165 P.O. Box 150
San Marcos, TX Vidor, TX 77662
(512) 392-7747 (409) 769-5129
rainwater systems bolted, galvanized tanks

Sustainable Homesteads Red Ewald, Inc

P. O. Box 2669 P.O. Box 519
Wimberley, TX 78676 Karnes City, TX 78118
(512) 832-0737 (800) 242-3524
systems, consultation fiberglass reinforced tanks

Water Works of Texas L & F Manufacturing

2206 Matterhorn Lane P.O. Box 578, Highway 290 East
Austin, TX 78704 Giddings, TX 78942
(512) 326-4636, rainfall@swbell.net (800) 237-5791
rainwater systems fiberglass tanks

Rainwater Collection Over Texas Midessa Membranes

201 Thurman Rd. Midessa Industrial Vinyl Company
nd
San Marcos, TX 78666 Rt. 4, 5203 W. 42
(800) 222-3164 (512) 353-4949 Odessa, TX 79764
rainwater systems, conservation products (915) 333-3055
PVC bladders

1-20 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 HARVESTED RAINWATER
RESOURCES, continued
Preload, Inc. Austin Pump & Supply
5710 LBJ Freeway, Suite 140 3803 Todd Lane
Dallas, TX 75240 Austin, Texas 78744
(800) 645-3195 (512) 442-2348
concrete tanks polyethylene tanks

Sweetwater Filtration Farm & Ranch Service Supply Co.

1321 Rutherford Ln.,Suite 180 P. O. Box 10165
Austin, TX 78753 San Antonio, TX 78210
(512) 837-2488, 459-3131 (800) 292-0007
Rainsoft water treatment systems concrete tanks, roof washers, floating filters, more

Triple S Feed Ecos

2111 Highway 290 West Ecos, Inc.
Dripping Springs, TX 78620 PO Box 1313
(512) 894-0344 Concord, Massachusetts 01742
polyethylene tanks (978) 369-3951, www.ecological-
engineering.com/ecos.html
Water Filtration Company small rainwater systems & components
1205 Gilman
Marietta, OH 45750
(740) 373-6953
roof washers, floating filters, more

GENERAL ASSISTANCE:

American Rainwater Catchment Systems

Assoc. Stephen Bell Landscape & Irrigation
c/o Kate Houser, sec. P.O. Box 16159
Water Works of Texas Austin, TX 78716
2206 Matterhorn Ln. (512) 899-8888
Austin, Texas 78704 design, installation, systems, consultation
(512) 326-4636, www.pondscapes.com/
page145.html Bracken Designers
916 Remschel Ave.
Barley & Pfeiffer Architects Kerrville, TX 78028
th
1800 West 6 Street (830) 257-7400
Austin, TX 78703 consultation and design
(512) 476-8580
system design, design/build, consulting Center for Maximum Potential Building
Systems
8604 FM 969
Austin, TX 78724

Water 1-21
 HARVESTED RAINWATER
RESOURCES, continued
(512) 928-4786, www2.cmpbs.org nsfc_homepage.html
consulting and design information, “Small Flows” newsletter
National Small Flows Clearinghouse
West Virginia University
NRCCE
P. O. Box 6064
Morgantown, WV 26506-6064
(800) 624-8301, www.estd.wvu.edu/nsfc/
More Information:

Texas Guide to Rainwater Harvesting

Texas Water Development Board Rainwater Collection for the Mechanically
Conservation Division Challenged, Suzy Banks and Richard
P.O. Box 13231 Heinichen, 1997, 50 pgs., Dripping Springs,
Austin, TX 78711 TX.
Patsy Waters, (512) 463-7955, available at Book People, Gardenville and Eco-
www.twdb.state.tx.us/conservation/Alt- Wise in Austin, Texas. Nationally available
Source/Rain.htmf from RealGoods.
free, easy to understand introduction to rainwater
harvesting, can be downloaded from their web Rainwater Collection Systems
site. (video and 45 page instructional book)
also available from the Green Building Program, available from Iris Communications
(512) 505-3706 (800) 346-0104, www.oikos.com, $30
and for rebate information
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/watercon/rainwa-
ter.htm

1-22 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 PERVIOUS MATERIALS
INTRODUCTION:
Flash flood conditions in Austin reveal that impervious surfaces such as asphalt and concrete
add dramatically to stormwater runoff problems: erosion, pollution of surface waters, and
downstream flooding. For most high traffic road surfaces, impervious asphalt and concrete
pavement are the best options. But for parking areas, low-use driveways, utility access roads,
pedestrian walkways, fire lanes, and highway shoulders, there are many advantages to materials
which can absorb surface water rather than shedding it. Also, in keeping with the “cool com-
munities” effort to reduce heat absorbing and radiating surfaces, pervious materials are a smart
choice over concrete and asphalt surfaces.

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: Well-developed.

SUPPLIERS: Several systems are presented in Sweets catalogue (call McGraw-Hill at 1-800-442-
2258 to order) and can be accessed locally.

COST: Can cost 10-40 percent more than asphalt surfaces.

FINANCING: Available.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: Good; more product exposure needed. Pervious paving areas facili-
tate groundwater recharge. Pervious paving can accept runoff from roofs and adjacent parking
areas and allow it to infiltrate the ground. It can also reduce the need for curbs and gutters as
drainage features.

REGULATORY: The driveway approach is regulated by the Austin Department of Public

CONSIDERATIONS:
Materials such as gravel, crushed stone,
open paving blocks or pervious paving
blocks minimize runoff and increase filtra-
tion for driveways, parking areas, walk-
ways, and patios. Some pervious paving op-
tions can retain turf and carry autos and
trucks evenly without creating tracks or
other signs of heavy traffic wear.
Many pervious surfaces that receive vehicle
traffic require a clay-type roadbase sub-
grade. The roadbase material could slow
water percolation in heavy rains and cause
over-saturation above it, leading to puddles
or runoff. It is best to select a pervious
paving material that can use the most
porous subbase. Take care during installa-
tion to minimize excessive soil compaction.
A turf-covered pervious surface can be prob-
lematic for high-heeled shoes, and can stay
wetter after rains because of grass heights.
A compromise approach is to retain a small
impervious walkway next to vehicle loading
and unloading areas.
Pervious materials may cost more than as-
phalt, possibly less than concrete. However,
higher costs can be recovered in areas with
underground utilities because pervious ma-

Water 1-23
 PERVIOUS MATERIALS
CONSIDERATIONS, continued
terials are easier to remove and replace than Recycled content pavers, blocks, and soil
asphalt. Pavement replacement is simpli- stabilization products are available in Texas
fied, and expensive measures such as as- and are recommended for use.
phalt cutting and patching are eliminated.

GUIDELINES:
Installation
Pervious paving will function best with a
similarly porous subgrade. This can be diffi-
cult given the clay soils in many areas and
the compaction which may occur during
the construction process. Contractors will
need to take special precautions to prevent
excessive compaction of the soil during the
installation process.
above the sub-base, and can be subject to
more rapid drying out in drought condi-
tions. Including soil in the mixture of sand
and/or gravel will permit better growing
conditions for the grass.
Cultivation of grass in interlocking pavers
will be most successful in medium to low
traffic areas.

Sediment should be prevented from filling
the pore spaces of the paving blocks during
and after installation or the pervious nature
of the finished product will be diminished.
Certain systems interlock and thereby avoid
ruts, cracking, or settling in heavily traveled
spots. The interlocking feature allows for
use by heavy equipment such as fire trucks
and other emergency vehicles.
Paving systems that have distinct ridges
above the soil level can prevent the crown
of the plants from being crushed.
Proper maintenance of permeable paving
includes periodic vacuuming of the paving
with street-sweeping equipment to remove
sediment buildup.

Grass Requirements
Some pervious paved areas may use inter-
locking pavers that have open spaces which
allow grass to grow in the openings. This
creates a surface combining good load-
bearing capacity and large pervious open-
ings.

A sub-base consisting only of sand and

gravel will have less ability to support grass
roots growing into it. This restricts the grass
root zone primarily to the topsoil directly

1-24 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 PERVIOUS MATERIALS
RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:
See "Engineers - Civil" in Yellow Pages
COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:
see "Paving Materials" in Yellow Pages
Uni-Group USA
Presto Products Inc., Geosystems Divs.. 4362 Northlake Blvd., Suite 109
P. O. Box 2399 Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
Appleton, WI 54912-2399 (800) 872-1864
(800) 558-3525, www.prestoproducts.com UNI®Eco-Stone® Grid Paver (concrete)
Geoblock® (interlock recycled plastic) and Ge- regional manufacturer: Pavestone
oweb® San Marcos, TX
regional distributor: Soil Stabilization Prod- (512) 558-7283
ucts (800) 523-9992
also provides design assistance and tech support Invisible Structures
20100 E. 35th Dr.
D'Hanis Brick & Tile Company Aurora, CO 80011-8160
311 Kanoma (800) 428-1333,
San Antonio, TX 78216 www.invisiblestructures.com
(210) 525-8142, www.dhanisbricktile.com Grasspave 2 (plastic rings from recycled plastic)
corporate office in San Antonio
plant in D'Hanis, West of SA Hastings Pavement Co.
interlock pavers 30 Commercial St.
Freeport, NY 11520
Pavex Concrete Pavers (800) 874-4714,
P. O. Box 1237 www.landscapeonline.com/-
Round Rock TX 78680 hastingspavement/hastings.htm
(800) 93PAVEX Checker Block® (concrete)
www.mindspring./~pavex/
concrete interlock pavers

GENERAL ASSISTANCE:
City of Austin Water Conservation Pro- National Concrete Masonry Association
gram 2302 Horse Pen Rd.
Waller Creek Center Herndon, VA 20171
625 East 10th Street (703) 713-1900, www.ncma.org
6th Floor, Room 615
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 499-2199, www.ci.austin.tx.us/water-
con/

Water 1-25
 SITE PROTECTION
INTRODUCTION:
Preserving the natural condition of the site is important. In Green Building projects, the site is
considered first and evaluated for all characteristics. The site has a crucial role in future perfor-
mance of the building and enjoyment of occupants. Preserving native vegetation can greatly
reduce water and pesticide use, and large existing trees add to property value. A recent study
determined that Austin's urban forest contributes $133,600,000 annually in real benefits. These
benefits affect air quality, stormwater run-off mitigation, and direct energy savings from trees.

The protection of trees and shrubs can provide wind and solar protection for on-site buildings.
Using indigenous vegetation also reduces the amount of energy and water needed to grow and
transport materials. By maintaining habitat for native species a crucial environmental balance
can be preserved.

Keeping natural grades undisturbed can minimize erosion and water pollution. There are sev-

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: Readily available.

SUPPLIERS: Yes, local suppliers.

COST: Benefit by not having to purchase and transport soil and plants.

FINANCING: Not Applicable

ACCEPTANCE: Preferable to property owners.

REGULATORY: City of Austin Land Development Code

CONSIDERATIONS:
Before design begins, thorough ecological and size and location of apertures.
anthropological surveys should be conducted
of existing site conditions. Then develop plans Consideration should be given to mapping the
for protection or remediation of any sensitive individual elements discussed above on over-
areas. These issues are best addressed in design lays to get a composite view of their effects for
before construction is considered. making design decisions. Consider hiring a
professional arborist or tree specialist for the
General climatic data (insolation, temperature, surveys.
humidity and wind patterns) should be ana-
lyzed in conjunction with specific site elements If the property is a large tract of land, and mea-
(i.e. topography, vegetation, water conditions sures have been taken to promote wildlife habi-
on-site, existing built forms, natural drainage tat, the property may be eligible for a Texas tax
patterns) in the selection of building location, exemption (1-d-1W valuation).
orientation, form, envelope construction, and

Water 1-26
 SITE PROTECTION
GUIDELINES:
SITE CLEARING from damage during construction with clearly
For a sustainable project, valuable existing veg- visible fencing located below the outermost
etation, particularly understories species, branches (see Figure 1) and flags in overhang-
should be identified and preserved when clear- ing branches. Fences should be located as
ing and grubbing. Small woody and herba- shown in Figure 2.
ceous plants should not be removed indiscrimi-
nately without first identifying any potentially
valuable species.

Felled large trees should be stripped of

branches. Branches and leaves should be
chipped or pulped by a machine capable of re-
ducing it all to mulch for use on site. This ma-
terial makes an excellent mulch for trees on
construction sites. It also reduces soil com-
paction when used adequately.

Marketable (large diameter) trees that must be

removed should be offered for bid to saw mills.
Resources in this regard include Texas Kiln
Products and regional mesquite mills. Other
trunks can be cut into firewood or planks. If
there is space on site, stumps should be piled in
the open to form wildlife cover.

TREE PROTECTION
Existing trees should be viewed as valuable
natural and aesthetic resources that are not
readily renewable. They should be valued as
natural shading devices, which can reduce a
building’s energy costs and reduces the heat-
sink impact on paved areas. Existing trees that
are to remain on site need to be protected dur-
ing construction. Wooden slats attached to tree
trunks will not provide adequate protection.
Much of the damage that occurs to trees dur-
ing the construction process is due to soil com-
paction from heavy equipment and materials
being driven or stored under trees. Roots,
which extend out far beyond the trunk are Filling or cutting in tree root areas will also kill
damaged when soil becomes compacted. This trees, therefore tree wells or decks should be
will cause trees to go into a gradual decline, used to work around tree trunks, roots, and
and eventually die. Trees should be protected slopes. Any activity in the root zone of a tree

1-27 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 SITE PROTECTION
GUIDELINES, continued
has potential to cause problems. Fill soils and tree protection further on the side to encom-
soil compaction must be avioded. Severing of pass the same amount of area. If it is necessary
roots (grade cuts) is the most serious injury. Be to install buried utility lines in a tree root area,
sure to cleanly cut any exposed roots in tunneling is the preferred method.
trenches, this promotes regrowth.
If an area around a tree must be paved, pervi-
When trees are of a significant size or value, an ous materials are recommended. If impervious
arborists' or nurserymen's assessment of the materials must be used, large holes, installed at
values should be made. The tree should be regularly spaced intervals within the tree root
clearly labeled with this value during construc- zone, are recommended.
tion. The nominal unit price per tree can be
recorded in Division 1 section of specifica- TREE PRUNING
tions. Anyone on the site damaging the labeled Pruning existing trees will assist their health.
tree should be expected to compensate the as- Guidelines issued by the International Society
sessed amount to the owner. of Arboriculture should be followed for proper
tree pruning and Oak Wilt protection mea-
GUIDELINES FOR DRAWINGS: sures. Pruning, while a valuable tool for tree
Existing trees, 8" caliper and larger, should be health, is frequently overemphasized and over
incorporated into the project as much as feasi- done. Pruning trees under stress of construc-
ble. Future growth of the trees should be al- tion can be detrimental, not beneficial.
lowed for in the design of structures and utility
lines. EARTH WORK
Topsoil is a valuable living ecosystem that
Trees to remain should be clearly labeled and should not become mixed with subsoil or other
designated on the drawings; they should be materials. If topsoil is stripped during construc-
clearly distinguishable from the trees to be re- tion, it should be stockpiled for reuse on the
moved. site. Bare topsoil should never be
allowed to wash off the site. Topsoil should be
Tree protection fencing should be shown as in piled carefully, clear of all pollutants. The foot
Figures 1 & 2, if applicable. of the pile should be diked to prevent erosion
and creepage. Slopes should be covered with
Tree roots extend much further than the mulch or seeded with annual grasses if
dripline of the tree. If possible, the design a growth season is likely to occur during the
should avoid trenching in tree root zone areas. life of the stockpile.
The term “critical root zone” (CRZ) is used in
the Land Development Code and is defined as Recycled concrete should be considered for use
a radius of 1 foot for every inch of diameter of as backfill material. In addition, recycled con-
trunk size as measured at 4.5 feet. crete is an acceptable substitute for quarried
stone aggregate in nearly all site applications.
Keep in mind that symmetry of the zone isless It can be used as subgrade or base course for
important than the total area. If a building on roads, embankments, and retaining structures.
one side of a tree encroaches into the CRZ,
make up the difference in the area by extending SITE GRADING

Water 1-28
 SITE PROTECTION
GUIDELINES, continued
Extreme slope modification should be avoided run-off can be absorbed on-site.
in order to reduce soil erosion and increase in-
filtration. When modifying drainage, prefer-
ence should be given to sheet flow rather than
concentrated flow. Provide swales and tempo-
rary on-site areas, so that rainwater and roof

RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:

Urban Forestry Resources PLATEAU Integrated Land and Wildlife

Dennis Brown Management
9800 Westward Dr. Christina Allday-Bondy
Austin, TX 78733-3144 P.O. Box 1251
(512)263-2798 Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Quercus@texas.net (512)894-3479
Tododia@swnell.net
GENERAL ASSISTANCE:

International Society of Arboriculture References:

P. O. Box 3129
Champaign, IL 61826-3129
(217) 355-9411, www.ag.uiuc.edu/~isa/
Urban Ecological Analysis for Austin, Balti-
more, Milwaukee, July 1996.
American Forest Report prepared for the Na-
tional Urban And Community Forestry Coun-
cil.

1-29 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 WATER WISE LANDSCAPE
INTRODUCTION: WaterWise (or Xeriscape ) landscapes conserve water and protect
the environment. Since the early eighties, Xeriscape proponents have emphasized seven logical
landscape principles:
1)Planning and Design, 2)Practical Turf Areas, 3)Efficient Irrigation, 4)Soil Analysis,
5)Appropriate Plant Selection, 6)Use of Mulches, and 7)Appropriate Maintenance.
Water suppliers, water agencies, members of the green industry, and landscape professionals
are now joining together to build on the success of Xeriscape. One organization that illustrates
this new philosophy is the WaterWise Council of Texas. WaterWise concepts emphasize new
principles to enhance the basic seven:
Site Evaluation – Protection of valuable indigenous plants and existing topsoil during
constructionl.
Soil Depth – A minimum of 6 inches of quality soil is required beneath turf areas to re-
duce water consumption and provide good growing conditions. A good soil mix
consists of 70 percent high quality loam, 20 percent ‘Dillo Dirt and 10 percent
course grit sand.
Contour Evaluation – Recognize existing water runoff patterns and adapt the construc-
tion to it and/or re-contour the site to maximize rainfall infiltration while reduc-
ing runoff.
Water Quality – Proper design, contours, rainwater harvesting and plant selection can
combine to greatly reduce downstream contamination from fertilizers, pesticides,
and herbicides.
Energy Savings – Proper landscaping can reduce overall utility bills by providing shade
or sun depending on the seasonal requirements.
Rainwater Harvesting – Utilizing barrels and cisterns to hold rainwater for later use dur-
ing dry periods.
Habitat for Nature – Realizing that the landscape is home to thousands of birds, insects,
and animals. We can encourage the desirable species and reduce the undesirables
at the same time, by providing food, shelter, and water in our landscape. The
growing interest in water gardening (ponds) leads WaterWise proponent to in-

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: Water wise-related expertise and materials are readily available.

SUPPLIERS: Most nurseries carry a broad selection of water-conserving plants and turf.

COST: Low water plants cost no more than other kinds and are cheaper to maintain. Most
builders now install low-water shrubs and most will install lower-water turf grass upon request.

FINANCING: Available.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: Public perception of xeriscaping as predominantly cactus or rock

landscaping has diminished rapidly. This is particularly true now that water wise turf such as
Buffalograss is becoming more widely used. WaterWise landscaping reduces or eliminates the

Water 1-30
 WATER WISE LANDSCAPE
AT-A-GLANCE NOTES, continued
need for automatic irrigation systems. Most landscapes receive considerably more water than
necessary for adequate health and growth. The installation of an irrigation system in a mature
landscape typically increases water consumption by up to 30 percent. Although irrigation sys-
tems can conserve water, the system is no more efficient than the person programming the con-
troller.

REGULATORY: There are no regulatory barriers to the use of water wise landscapes. Water
wises are favored by local authorities and rebates currently are available for residential applica-
tions from the Water and Wastewater Department, Water Conservation Program.

CONSIDERATIONS:
Thirty-eight percent of the water consumed Efficient irrigation is perhaps one of the eas-
in Austin is used for outside watering. iest principles to achieve, but has much to
From a water conserving perspective, water do with the water user's habits and system
wise landscapes are very valuable. Addi- design.
tionally, water wise landscapes can be de-
signed to aid in energy conservation and
reduce the need for chemicals and fertiliz-
ers.

GUIDELINES:
Planning and Design
This is the first and most important step in
water wise landscaping. The water wise
landscape takes into account the regional
and microclimatic conditions of the site,
existing vegetation and topographical con-
ditions, the intended use and desires of the
owner and the zoning of plant materials ac-
cording to their water needs.
Proper site planning
Plan building and site as one unit. Begin-
ning a building specifically for its site topog-
raphy reduces drainage problems and the
need for grading.
Preserve and protect as much existing vege-
tation as possible. (You may have existing veg-
itation appraised and require sub contractors to
reimburse you for any damage done during con-
struction.)
Soil
Preserve and protect topsoil on construction site.
Topsoil is a valuable resource which can
only be replaced with expensive haling from
other sites or with years of the natural pro-
cess of soil formation. Collect and stockpile
the topsoil for future use on the site.
Have soil analyzed to help determine suitable
plants and the need for any soil amendments.
A soil test is an important first step in deter-
mining whether fertilizer is needed, and if
so, what type. The addition of fertilizers
containing potassium, for example, may be
unnecessary or even harmful, since soils in
the Austin area tend to be potassium-rich.
To reduce the need for fertilizer on estab-
lished turf, use the "Don't Bag It" program:
leave clippings in place to decomcompose
after mowing. This recycles important nu-
trients back into the soil.

1-31 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 WATER WISE LANDSCAPE
GUIDELINES, continued
Add organic matter to the soil to enhance plant
health.
This improves soil texture and moisture re-
tention. Soil rich in organic matter provides
nutrients and micro-organisms beneficial to
plants. For planting beds, spread 2 inches of
organic matter and mix it in 6 inches deep.
When planting shrubs or trees, mix 1/3 or-
ganic matter into the soil. Note that some
native plants may not require this, as they
are well adapted to poor soils. Check with
your supplier.
Compost and composted sludge products
such as ‘Dillo Dirt are excellent sources of
nutrients for ornamental landscapes. Such
products release nutrients slowly to the
plants, making frequent fertilizing unneces-
sary and minimizing the risk of fertilizer
washing out of sites to become non-point
Figure 1: Tree Root Protection Zone
source pollution. ‘Dillo Dirt is a recycled
material produced by the City of Austin at
the Hornsby Bend Sludge Treatment Plant.
Add other amendments as necessary.
Soils in the Austin area with large amounts
of clay and stones are difficult to work with.
The addition of gypsum and sand can im-
prove the workability and drainage capacity
of soil.
If little soil is available and bedrock is in ev-
idence on the site, planting holes are some-
times dug in solid rock. If this occurs, be
sure all planting holes drain thoroughly be-
fore planting. Standing water on plant roots
can be lethal.
Choose topsoil wisely.
If topsoil is imported from off-site, be sure it
is of high quality. There are many grades of
Water 1-32
 WATER WISE LANDSCAPE
GUIDELINES, continued
topsoil, and the end use will determine
what type of topsoil to use. For example,
the best material for grading and filling may
not be good for planting.
The natural clay type soils in our area are
suitable for many native plantings. Native
plants are naturally adapted to such soils,
and may not thrive on soil blends which
don't mimic the natural conditions.
Weeds and other pests such as fire ants can
easily be imported onto a site via topsoil.
Be sure to use reputable suppliers of soils
who can verify their soil source.
Appropriate Plant Selection
Select plants that require a minimal amount of
supplemental watering.
Most water wise plants will need no supple-
mental watering after an establishment pe-
riod, unless there is an extreme drought.
The establishment period after installation
may last from 18 to 24 months.
Almost any plant can be used in a water
wise landscape if grouped according to its
water needs. Annual and exotic plantings
can be located in small, easily accessible ar-
eas to make maintenance easier. Irrigation
can then be zoned according to plant water
needs to make efficient irrigation possible.
Many native plants are well adapted to the
natural soil and rainfall conditions of our
area. They have protection mechanisms
that cause them to go dormant during peri-
ods of stress. They may appear brown, but
will turn green again when temperatures
improve and it rains.
Choose a variety of plant species.
1-33 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
Diversity of plant species occurs in nature,
making more stable plant populations.
Avoid planting large numbers of only one
plant species, which can create a monocul-
ture susceptible to pest or insect problems.
The abundance of water wise plants - trees,
shrubs, perennials, groundcovers, vines and
grasses - available in the nursery industry
make it possible to choose plantings which
give color and interest (flowers, fruits,
berries, and foliage) year-round.
Buy from reputable suppliers and nurseries.
Well-established plant suppliers know the
exact sources of their plant materials. Infor-
mation on whether plants are nursery-
grown or field-dug should be available.
For field-collected specimens, check that
permission of the land owner was obtained
and that the plants are not rare or endan-
gered.
Field-dug specimens should be "heeled in,"
allowing plants to acclimate for a period of
time before replanting.
Use Texas-grown plants if possible.
This cuts down transportation costs and in-
creases the viability of plant materials. The
Texas Department of Agriculture has a con-
sumer awareness program which labels
plants "Texas Grown" with a special tag.
Look for these tags and ask for Texas
Grown plants when ordering.
Lists of plants suitable to our climatic region are
widely available. See Resource section for further
information.
Practical Turf Areas
 WATER WISE LANDSCAPE
GUIDELINES, continued
Practical turf areas are those whose size is
suited to the intended use. Huge lawns of
exotic grasses will require more mainte-
nance and care than any other type of land-
scape plant. Lawns may be needed as chil-
dren's play areas, for pets, sports, or simply
for the aesthetic appeal of turf. The mainte-
nance needs of turf can be minimized by the
shape of the area, the irrigation equipment
used, and the turf type selected.
Design turf areas in rounded, compact shapes to
water and mow more efficiently.
Curving borders of plant beds around turf
areas and the use of mowing strips can
make mowing and edging easier. Avoid
long narrow areas of turf, which are diffi-
cult to water efficiently.
Locate turf areas close to the house, and
lower-maintenance areas near the edges or
rear of the lot.
Design turf areas so they can be watered sepa-
rately from other landscape plants.
If using an automatic irrigation system, the
grass areas can be zoned to be watered ac-
cording to the needs of the grass type. For
non-automatic systems, use efficient sprin-
klers for grass areas and soaker hoses for
beds. Watering times will vary by plant
type.
Choose turf appropriate for the location.
The following turf types are listed from the
most to the least drought tolerant: Note the
chart of water requirements for each type of turf
at the end of this section.
Buffalograss is a native prairie grass which
reaches a maximum height of 6 inches and
can be left unmown. Buffalograss generally
requires full sun, but some of the newer va-
rieties such as Prairie and 609 Buffalograss
have improved shade tolerance (as little as 4
hours of sun per day). These varieties are
available as sod, and exhibit a darker green
color.
Bermuda grass is the most commonly used
drought-tolerant grass in Texas. It is avail-
able as seed or sod and requires full sun.
Tifway and Texturf 10 varieties are more
drought-tolerant.
Zoysia grass is a slow-growing grass for full
sun to partial shade. It is available as sod.
Belair or Myer Z-52 are good varieties for
residential use. Zoysia may have special
mowing needs, such as a reel-type mower.
St. Augustine grass is best for use only in
shady spots. It has poor drought and freeze
tolerance and is prone to chinch bugs. It is
available only as sod, and if grown in full
sun has the highest water needs of the
grasses listed here.
Avoid planting grass on slopes.
Sloping areas are difficult to mow (making
Buffalograss the most appropriate choice)
and difficult to water without runoff. Ter-
racing slopes can help slow down water.
Plant groundcover, shrubs, and perennials
to minimize the difficult maintenance prob-
lems of slopes. Consider leaving slopes in
their natural state.
Minimize grass areas by using alternative land-
scaping.
There are many alternatives to grass plant-
ings which are aesthetically pleasing and
low-maintenance.
Water 1-34
 WATER WISE LANDSCAPE
GUIDELINES, continued
Planting beds are a logical alternative to
grass to maintain the cool green appearance
of plants.
Wildflowers can be incorporated into native
groundcovers and grasses.
Mulch beds of bark, stone or gravel can be
used as pathways, or around driveways and
utility areas.
Figure 2: Terraced Deck on Slope
(See Outdoor Decking section in the Source-
book.)
Although commercially-made composters
are available, compost bins are easy to
build. Remember to allow for air circulation
and make the bin wide enough so that the
compost can be turned and lifted.You can
use chicken wire, woven wire, or inexpen-
sive fencing to build a bin. Try using wood
stakes, wire, or chain snaps to support and
1-35 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
Children's play areas can be covered with
sand or bark mulch to create inexpensive
"safety" zones. Paving products made of
recycled tires are available to create a
ground surface that minimizes injuries.
Decks and patios add value to homes and
increase the square footage of living space.
Use pervious paving materials if possible.
Decks can be built around existing trees,
over slopes, and allow for rain infiltration
fasten the bin. Discarded wood pallets can
be put together with wire to make an inex-
pensive rectangular bin. A portable bin can
be built of wood slats and wire mesh.
Cinder blocks or brick can be used if gaps
are left to allow air circulation. (See the
Solid Waste section of the Sourcebook for
more information on composting.)
Mow correctly.
Mow the grass when it is about 1/3 higher
 WATER WISE LANDSCAPE
GUIDELINES (continued)
than the desired height. Clippings can be
left where they fall, recycling nutrients into
the soil. If they are collected, compost
them with raked leaves and organic kitchen
waste.
Never mow lawns too short. Proper mow-
ing heights can help lawns use less water
and grass that is cut too short is stressed
and dries out quickly.
Recommended Mowing Heights:
Bermuda 1½ to 2 ½ inches
St. Augustine 2 to 3 inches
Buffalo Grass 3 to 4 inches
Zoysia 2 inches
Irrigation
Use an efficient irrigation system designed by a
licensed irrigator.
The type of watering equipment best suited
to the job depends on the landscape, design,
layout and budget. The irrigation design
should be integrated with the design of the
landscape. A simple garden hose and sprin-
kler with a few soaker hoses may be the best
way to water some landscapes. Drip or un-
derground systems may be more appropri-
ate for other landscapes or clients. (See also
Greywater and Harvested Rainwater sec-
tions of the Sourcebook.)
It is important to note that any newly-
installed landscape will require more water
during an establishment period of one to
two years. After this time, a water wise
landscape may require no irrigation unless
there is a drought. Unless there are large
expanses of non-native turf and other thirsty
plants, sprinklers in conjunction with drip
irrigation may be sufficient. However,
many homeowners prefer the convenience
of an automatic irrigation system.
A water efficient automatic irrigation system in-
cludes:
A timer that allows for scheduling every 5-7
days (14 or 15-day programming) and inde-
pendent zone programming capability.
Features such as multi-cycling (or multiple
start times) that help in watering areas
which may need several short irrigation cy-
cles to avoid runoff.
An inexpensive rain shut-off device, which
will prevent unnecessary irrigation during
rain.
A soil moisture sensor. Unlike the rain shut-
off device, the soil moisture sensor actually
measures soil moisture, and overrides pro-
grammed irrigation when the soil moisture
level is adequate.
Non-mist type low trajectory nozzles,
pressure-compensating devices or micro-spray
heads should be used for spray systems in
turf areas.
A zoned approach where plants of similar wa-
ter requirements are grouped together in the
same zone capable of independent station
programming. For example, turf areas are
separate from shrub areas, and sunny areas
are separate from shady ones.
Use low-flow irrigation equipment.
Evaporation losses can be minimized by
drip irrigation, soaker hoses, or bubblers.
Drip irrigation systems are ideal for watering
plants in beds and gardens. Drip lines re-
quire no expensive underground trenching,
and are easy to utilize in a retrofit of an ex-
Water 1-36
 WATER WISE LANDSCAPE
GUIDELINES, continued
isting landscape.
Drip irrigation uses a flexible hose system
which can be easily modified to apply water
at the ground surface to individual plants.
Emitters are punched into the supply line
where they are needed. A variety of types
and flow rates for emitters are available.
If water pressure at the source exceeds 30
psi, a pressure regulator may be necessary.
Filters to remove sediment should be in-
stalled at the water source. Flush caps
should be installed at the ends of the drip
supply lines so that the entire system can
occasionally be flushed of contaminants.
Drip lines should be secured to the soil sur-
face and covered with organic mulch to im-
prove appearance and protect them from
sunlight.
Maintain the system.
Irrigation systems need regular mainte-
nance to ensure proper working order and
to adjust irrigation scheduling.
A complete system audit should be con-
ducted annually, and irrigation schedules
adjusted quarterly. The Texas Agricultural
Extension Service offers a training program
for Irrigation Auditors.
Irrigation lines should be flushed and all
stations, heads, nozzles, and/or emitters
checked for proper functioning.
Water only when plants need it and water
deeply.
As a general rule, during the growing sea-
son most grass needs about one inch of wa-
ter per week. This will vary depending on
1-37 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
soil type and depth, sun, plant conditions,
and rainfall occurrence. Irrigation equip-
ment should be tested to determine how
long it takes to apply one inch of water.
Irrigate in the coolest part of the day (early
mornings and evenings) to avoid evapora-
tion loss and wind drift. Nighttime watering
can encourage disease.
Allow the soil to dry out between water-
ings. Homeowner can learn to recognize
the signals of a thirsty landscape. Shrubs
will begin to droop and grass will lie flat
and leave footprints when walked on.
Watering can taper off gradually as fall ar-
rives and gradually increase in spring.
Plants don't need as much water in winter,
but will still benefit from monthly irrigation
if there is no rainfall.
Mulches
Use a deep layer of mulch in planting beds to
help retain moisture, slow weed growth, and pre-
vent erosion.
Examples of organic mulch material in-
clude:
shredded bark wood chips
pine needles straw
pecan hulls cotton seed hull
shredded cedar composted leaves
The depth of mulch needed will depend on
the type used. As a general rule, the coarser
the material, the deeper it should be ap-
plied. A 3 to 4 inch layer of bark mulch
should be sufficient. Mulch needs to be
reapplied as it decomposes.
The use of mulches on sloped areas along
 WATER WISE LANDSCAPE
GUIDELINES, continued
with terracing and plantings can help pre- local Christmas tree recycling, tree trim-
vent runoff and erosion problems. ming, land clearing, or sawmills. Stone
mulches can be produced from regional
Use inorganic mulches such as pea gravel, quarries. Check with the supplier to deter-
crushed granite or pebbles in unplanted areas. mine the source of organic and inorganic
Such areas can become inexpensive path- mulches.
ways, utility areas, or decorative border
strips. Don't use stone mulches in areas im- Appropriate Maintenance
mediately adjacent to buildings, as they can Water wise landscapes require less mainte-
generate heat and cause glare. nance because of reduced demands for in-
sect control, water and fertilizer. However,
Medium colored stone, such as beige or there is no such thing as a maintenance-free
light grey, is preferable to white, which constructed landscape. In general, a prop-
causes glare, or black, which absorbs heat. erly maintained yard is hardier and better
able to withstand drought, freezing and pest
Use mulches from locally- or regionally-derived problems. Obviously, landscape mainte-
materials to decrease transportation costs and nance is up to the owner, but there are
utilize local resources. things a builder can do to make mainte-
Organic mulches can be the byproduct of nance easier.
RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:

Texas Nursery + Landscape Association Texas Board of Architectural Examiners

7730 S. IH35 P. O. Box 12337
Austin, TX 78745 Austin, Texas 78711-2337
(512) 280-5182, www.talc.org (512) 305-9000, www.tbae.state.tx.us/
(for list of certified landscape professionals) home.html
(for list of registered landscape architects)
Texas Natural Resource Conservation
Commission Xeriscape Garden Club of the Austin Area
Irrigation Certification Program Janie Bolger, president
MC-178 P.O. Box 5502
P.O. Box 13087 Austin, TX 78763
Austin, TX 78711-3087 (512) 370-9505 (info line), www.zilker-
(512) 239-6719, www.tnrcc.state.tx.us garden.org/zgc.html
(for list of licensed irrigators) (monthly meeting, programs, information)

Water 1-38
 WATER WISE LANDSCAPE
GUIDELINES, continued
GREEN BUILDING GRASS CHOICES FOR CENTRAL TEXAS:
BENEFITS OF BUFFALO BERMUDA ZOYSIA ST. AUGUSTINE
SUITABLE
GRASSES
Available as seed Common, Top Gun Common only no no
Available as sod or Prairie, 609, Stam- 419Tifway, Tifway, Cavalier, Crowne, Common, Floratam,
plugs pede (semi-dwarf) Tifway II, Tifdwarf, Emerald, El Toro, Raleigh, Palmetto
Tifgreen, Texturf 10 JaMur, Meyer, Pal-
isades, Y-2
Best planting season Seed-late Spring Sod- Seed-late Spring Sod- Spring and early Spring and early sum-
year round year round summer mer
Seed per 1000 sq. ft. 1/2 to 3/4 lb. 1/2 to 1 lb. N/A N/A
Recommended Once in Spring 5-7 day intervals 4-5 day intervals Weekly
mowing frequency Reel type mower
Mowing height 3” (Regular mowing 1-1/2” Common 1-1/2” 3 to 3-1/2”
Remove no more not suggested) 1” Hybrids
than 1/3 of blade
length

Drought tolerance Excellent Good Good Fair

Recommended irri- 1/2” per day for first 1” every other day for 1” every other day for 1” every other day for
gation during estab- week (keep moist), first week (keep first week (keep first week (keep
lishment then 1” weekly moist), then 1” weekly moist), then 1” moist), then 1”
weekly weekly
Recommended irri- 1 to 2” monthly Al- ½ ”or less weekly ½ -¾ ” weekly in sun ¾ -1” weekly in sun
gation after estab- low to go dormant in less in shade less in shade
lishment summer
Fertilizer require- Maintenance: 0 Common/Hybrid Maintenance: 2 Maintenance: 2
ments pounds N/ Maximum use: 2 Maintenance: 2-3 Maximum use: 5 Maximum use: 5
1000 sq. ft. per year Maximum use: 5-7

Insect problems Minimal Chiggers Grub worms Chinch bugs

Bermuda mites Grub worms
Weed problems Nut grass Bermuda- Nut grass Some weeds possible, Nut grass, but not
grass invades easily Broad-leaved Weeds but good cultural noticed
when mowed and Crabgrass practices discourage Broad-leaf weeds
watered! Will not Dallisgrass weeds Crabgrass
discourage weeds some others some others
until well established.
Disease problems Occasional Occasional Fungal diseases Fungal diseases
fungal diseases fungal diseases Viral diseases

1-39 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 WATER WISE LANDSCAPE
RESOURCES, continued
Soil Analysis:

Soil Testing Laboratory Texas Plant + Soil Lab

Texas Agricultural Extension Service RR7, Box 2134
Route 3, P.O. Box 219 Edinburg, TX 78539
Lubbock, TX 79401-9757 (956) 383-0739
(806) 746-6101
(also water and plant testing)
COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:

Mulches and Dillo Dirt are readily available in IFM

Austin- See "Landscaping Equipment and Sup- 333 Ohme Gardens Rd.
plies" and "Stone" in Yellow Pages Wenatchee, WA 98801
(800) 332-3179, ifm.webvalley.com/ifm
Irrigation - see "Irrigation Systems and Equip-
ment" in Yellow Pages Gempoer’s
100 Countryside Dr.
Nurseries - see "Nursery Stock Dealers" and Bellerville, WI 53508
"Nurserymen" in Yellow Pages (800) 272-7672
Ask for nurseries specializing in Xeriscape plants
and techniques. Peaceful Valley Farm Supply
PO Box 2209
Beneficial Insects: Grass Valley, CA 95945
Gardenville of Austin (916) 272-4769, www.groworganic.com
8648 Old Bee Caves Rd.
Austin, Texas 78735 Gardens Alive!
(512) 288-6113, www.gardenville.com 5100 Schenley Place
Lawrenceburg, IN 47025
Harmony Farm Supply (812) 537-8651, www.gardens-alive.com/
3244 Gravestein Hwy. North index.html
Sebastopol, CA 95472
(707) 823-9125, www.harmonyfarm.com Hydro-Gardens
PO Box 25845
Necessary Trading Co. Colorado Springs, CO 80936
P.O. Box 603 (mailing address) (888) 693-0578, www.hydro-gardens.com
New Castle, VA 24127
(703) 864-5103

Water 1-40
 WATER WISE LANDSCAPE
RESOURCES, continued
GENERAL ASSISTANCE:

City of Austin Water Conservation

Program Native Plant Society of Texas
P.O. Box 1088 P. O. Box 891
Austin, TX 78767 Georgetown, TX 78627
(512) 499-2199, www.ci.austin.tx.us/water- (512) 238-0695, lonestar.texas.net/
con ~jleblanc/npsot.html
xeriscape information, free irrigation audits for
existing systems Austin Community Gardens
4814 Sunshine Drive
WaterWise Council of Texas Austin TX 78756
7730 South IH 35 (512) 458-2009 Office
Austin, TX 78745
(512) 280-5182, www.waterwisetexas.org Bio Integral Resource Center
P. O. Box 7414
City of Austin Berkeley, CA 94707
Compost Manager (510) 524-2567, www.igc.apc.org/birc/
Hornsby Bend WWTF IPM Clearinghouse
2210 S. FM 973 “Common Sense Pest Control Quarterly”
Austin, Texas 78725 and “The IPM Practitioner” journals
(512) 929-1001, www.ci.austin.tx.us/sws/
compost.htm National Coalition Against Misuse of
Pesticides
Travis County Agricultural Extension 701 E Street, S.E.
Service Washington, DC 20003
1600 B Smith School Road (202) 543-5450
Austin, Texas 78721
(512) 473-9600 Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
4801 LaCrosse Ave.
Rad-Tec Fabrications, Inc. Austin, TX 78739
1400 E. 4th Street (512) 292-4100, www.wildflower.org
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 476-8335, radtec@swbell.net Texas Department of Agriculture
soaker hoses, “perminant mulch” from recycled Marketing Department
tires Stephen F. Austin Bldg.
17th & Congress
Eco-Wise Austin, TX 78701
110 W. Elizabeth St. (512) 463-7476, www.agr.state.tx.us
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 326-4474, www.ecowise.com Native Prairies Association of Texas
books and other info 301 Nature Center Drive
Austin, TX 78746

1-41 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 WATER WISE LANDSCAPE
RESOURCES, continued
(512) 327-8181
Texas Bamboo Society
Carol Malone
6707 Williamette Dr.
Austin, TX 78723
(512) 929-9565, www.bamboo.org/abs/
TexasChapterInfo.html
information on bamboo species and use
Natl. Pesticide Telecommunications
Network
Oregon State University
333 Weniger Hall
Corvallis, OR 97331-6502
(800) 858-7378 www.ace.orst.edu/info/
Water 1-42
 INDOOR WATER CONSERVATION
INTRODUCTION:
The amount of water available for use on the planet is finite, so as the population grows, the
available supply of water per person decreases. Many parts of the world are now experiencing
rising water costs, seasonal water shortages, and unpredictable quality and availability of sup-
plies. Efficiency and conservation in institutional, commercial, industrial and residential water
use can result in impressive savings of both water and money.

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: Products that meet and exceed the water conservation standards of the
Austin building code are readily available and most of them perform well.

SUPPLIERS: Abundant

COST: Competitively-priced in all styles

FINANCING: Available

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: Good to excellent

REGULATORY: All products must meet American National Standards Institute (ANSI) stan-
dards for flow rates. The current standards require 2.20 gallon per minute (GPM) or less for
faucet flow at 60 pounds per square inch (PSI). Shower head flow must be less than 2.50 GPM

CONSIDERATIONS:
Indoor water conservation products that
meet or exceed code requirements are read-
ily available locally and by mail order.
Some studies have indicated that there is
not a direct relationship between the price of
a water conserving fixture and its ability to
provide good service. Therefore, do not use
price as a benchmark for quality or perfor-
mance.
It is important to choose products that have
standardized replaceable components for
best long-term performance. New products
are being introduced continuously, so re-
view independent research, such as Con-
sumer Reports, for updates on their perfor-
mance.
Careful selection of appliances can save
large quantities of water. Different models
of washing machines and dishwashers vary
greatly in the quantity of water needed. The
Green Building Program recommends
horizontal-axis washing machines and wa-
ter conserving dishwashers. (See Energy Ef-
ficient Appliances in this Sourcebook.)
Devices that divert and capture water, that
is normally lost waiting for it to heat up,
can be useful if there are long pipe runs
from water heaters. However, it is best to
minimize such long pipe runs through care-
ful planning in the plumbing layout. This
saves materials as well as water.
Personal water use habits have the greatest
influence on the effectiveness of water con-
serving fixtures and appliances.

Water 1-43
 INDOOR WATER CONSERVATION/2
GUIDELINES:
Highly-conserving fixtures do not affect in-
stallation except for air-assisted or compost-
ing toilets. Infrared sensor-operated faucets
are available, but costly for home use.
Approximately 8,000 gallons per household
each year are lost while waiting for hot wa-
ter to come from the tap, so placing the wa-
ter heater as close as possible to the point(s)
of use for hot water will conserve water.
Some devices are available to divert the wa-
ter while waiting for it to heat. The diverted
water can be used for toilet flushing or out-
doors. Point-of-use water heaters reduce
water loss, as do recirculating pumps that
keep hot water on tap. A hot water demand
RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:
See "Plumbing Contractors” in the Yellow Pages
COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:
See "Plumbing Fixtures, Parts, Supplies - Retail,
Wholesale & Mfrs." and "Building Materials -
Retail" in Yellow Pages
ACT Inc. Metlund Systems
3176 Pullman Street, Suite 119
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(800) METLUND, www.metlund.com
"Hot Water Demand System" demand recircu-
lating system
Mister Miser Urinal
4901 N. 12th
Quincy, IL 62301
888-228-6900, www.adams.net/
~mwpatern/mrmiser.htm
10 ounce per flush
1-44 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
system that supplies instant hot water
through an electronically-controlled pump
in a recirculating loop also conserves water.
Strategic placement of the water heater is
the most cost- and energy-effective ap-
proach.
Toilets with a lower flush option for fluids
and a standard flush option for solids are
available. Retrofit devices of this type are
also becoming available. Check perfor-
mance reviews by consumer testing groups
and ANSI test information for the most reli-
able products. Premature or non-detected
product failure can quickly counter effect
water conservation.
Waterless Co.
1223 Camino Del Mar
Del Mar, CA 92014 USA
(888) NOFLUSH, www.waterless.com
commercial “waterless” urinal
Ecos
50 Beharrell Street
Concord, MA 01742
(978) 369-3951,
www.ecological-engineering.com/ecos
ultra-low-flow toilets, showerheads
 INDOOR WATER CONSERVATION/3
RESOURCES, continued
vacuum flow restriction valves reduce flow rate to
1.5 gpm or 1.1 gpm, works with any showerhead
Bricor Analytical Inc.
4920 Granby CRC
Colorado Springs, CO 80919
(719) 522-0442

GENERAL ASSISTANCE:

City of Austin Water Conservation Pro- WaterWiser

gram (800) 559-9855, www.waterwiser.org
P.O. Box 1088 Water efficiency clearinghouse by EPA and
Austin, TX 78701 AWWA (American Water Works Association)
(512) 499-2199,
www.ci.austin.tx.us/watercon

Water 1-45
 DUCTWORK
INTRODUCTION:
A properly designed and installed duct work system saves energy, improves comfort and pro-
tects health and safety. A good system must be correctly sized and placed, to deliver the cor-
rect air flow to each room. It must be well insulated and leak free.

(CSI Numbers: 15840 Ductwork, 15881 Filters)

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: Duct technology and installation issues are well researched and docu-
mented. However, many professionals have not read and used the research available.

SUPPLIERS: Satisfactory.

COST: No additional cost for new construction. Cost varies for retrofit.

FINANCING: Available.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: The public is generally not aware of the role ductwork plays in en-
ergy use or air quality.

REGULATORY: Sections 503.9 and 503.10 of the “Council of American Building Officials”
Model Energy Code address ductwork.

CONSIDERATIONS:
Duct leakage is a major source of energy
loss in buildings and a contributor to poor
indoor air quality. Leaks in HVAC duct-
work can account for 10 to 30 percent of
total heating and cooling costs in a build-
ing. Good system design, improved duct
and sealing materials combined with proper
installation reduce energy losses.
Depressurization and overpressurization
can occur in homes because of faulty duct
systems. As a result, air is exchanged
(through infiltration and exfiltration) with
outside air and attic air.
Depressurization can be caused by closing
interior doors, blocking air from reaching
the return air plenum (usually located in a
central area of the house). The return air
plenum will consequently be starved for air
and pull air from wherever it can. This is
how the carbon monoxide-filled flue gases
from water heaters and furnaces can be
drawn into the living space, poisoning the
occupants. In the same scenario, the rooms
receiving air from the system are overpres-
surized. The air can exfiltrate (migrate out-
doors) and cause energy losses or enter wall
cavities, possibly introducing moisture
problems.
Special consideration should be given to lo-
cate ductwork within the conditioned space
to help improve overall energy efficiency.
Many of the problems caused by leaky
ducts can be reduced or eliminated by
bringing the ducts and air-conditioning sys-
tem inside the conditioned space, so the air

Energy 2-1
 DUCTWORK
CONSIDERATIONS, continued
temperature in the ducts is not affected by
ouside or attic air temperatures; if air leaks
out it is where it is needed; and if it leaks in
it is fairly clean and safe air. If that is not
possible, the crawl space or basement is
usually preferred over the attic due to the
summertime heat buildup in the attic. Exte-
rior walls are bad locations for ducts be-
cause they displace wall insulation and can
cause condensation problems.
If ducts are located in the attic, poorly
sealed duct connections permit attic air to
enter the system on the return air side and
become an energy drain as system air is lost
into the attic. Proper techniques, materials,
and training to address these problems are
available. A growing number of regulatory
GUIDELINES:
Duct System Design Elements
Duct system design should include the fol-
lowing elements:
Load Calculation
Load calculations are based on the use of
Manual J (developed by the Air Condition-
ing Contractors Association or ACCA).
The load calculation will tell what the cool-
ing and heating requirement is for a build-
ing. An easy-to-use computer program for
Manual J is available (see Resources). With
this calculation, the system designer now
knows the air flow requirements of each
room in the building.
Air Side Design
Sizing of the ductwork is calculated using
ACCA’s Manual D.
Air duct calculator or "ductalator" sizing is
acceptable when all other guidelines are
2-2 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
and energy conservation agencies through-
out the nation are actively seeking to elimi-
nate poor ductwork systems as serious
health, safety, and energy issues.
The Green Building Program is promoting
the concept of home commissioning. This
procedure involves testing the duct system
prior to occupying the home. This test in-
volves the use of a “duct blaster” machine
to test leakage rates of the system. Air con-
ditioning contractors are beginning to pur-
chase such machines and will be available
to conduct testing for building owners and
builders. The driver for this new trend will
most likely be consumer demand for ducts
with little to no leakage.
met.
Sizing the duct must take friction loss into
consideration. Friction losses depend on the
type of duct material, the length of the duct
run, any special fittings, inlets, outlets, and
duct dimensions.
Basically, try to centralize the location of
your system and duct runs. Trunk lines
should be as short and straight as possible.
All flex connections should be short,
straight and well supported. Flex duct
should not be used for runs over10 feet.
Airflow Factors
Doors
Opening and closing doors in a home has a
significant effect on the operation of a
ducted heating and cooling system espe-
cially when the return air grill is located in a
central part of the house. In most residential
 DUCTWORK
GUIDELINES, continued
systems there are air supply registers in each
room, but no return air path or grille from
the room.
The air that is supplied to a room with
closed doors will overpressurize the room if
their is no return air path from the room.
In Central Texas the common practice is to
undercut doors to allow air flow under-
neath. Unfortunately, this space is too small
for adequate flow. The room with the cen-
tral return air grille is then "starved" for air
or depressurized. An unbalanced situation
of depressurization and overpressurization
leads to infiltration of unconditioned air
and exfiltration of conditioned air, resulting
in higher energy costs, reduced comfort,
and potential safety and health hazards.
This may be alleviated by using a vent, tran-
som, or return air path from the room.
Flex Ducts
Flex duct should have a reflective foil exte-
rior reinforced with fiber scrim or a listing
approving installation exposed to ultra-
violet light. Air flow through a flex duct is
greatly restricted because of the convoluted
interior surface. This must be accounted for
in the system design. Use duct that is insu-
lated to at least R-6.
Metal Ducts
Metal ducts are the most durable, provide
the most unrestricted airflow, and can be
cleaned. All joints and connections must be
sealed before duct is insulated on the exte-
rior. If ductwork is to be exposed in the
conditioned or living space, metal is usually
the material of choice.
Ductboard
Traditionally, ductboard contained uncov-
ered fiberglass insulation. Indoor air quality
specialists question the potential for fibers
to become airborne. Therefore, lined or
coated ductboard is now available for those
who have concerns about exposed fiberglass
in the duct. All seams must be sealed and
precise cutting tools should be used for all
penetrations in the ductboard.
Efficient Duct Design
Efficient duct design involves minimizing
the length of duct, number of turns, and
transitions in the system (the use of trunk
ducts will help address many of these con-
cerns). The use of air scoops, turning veins,
and dampers has a significant effect on im-
proving the flow of conditioned air. The
duct design should be completed and in-
cluded in the final plans of the house.
Sealing the Duct System
The proper sealing of plenums, air handlers,
and ducts is key to eliminating leaks in a
duct system. Latex duct mastic is a pre-
ferred sealant because it is flexible and can
move with the expansion, contraction, and
vibration of the duct system components. It
is often strengthened with fiberglass strands
or a mesh tape. Mastic is not a substitute
for mechanical fastening of duct system
components. Choose water-based products that
are the least toxic and easy to clean up.
If a gap exceeds ¼ inch, reinforce mastic
with fiberglass mesh tape. This tape is simi-
lar to drywall fiberglass tape but is wider
and is treated to reduce smoke develop-
ment. Conventional duct tape should not be
used in a duct system.
The application process for mastic requires
that all duct connections be mechanically
fastened with screws or rivets or, when us-
ing flex duct, with metal or plastic bands.
Energy 2-3
 DUCTWORK
GUIDELINES, continued
The area to be joined should be wiped clean
with a dry rag. The mastic is then applied
with a trowel or brush (according to its vis-
cosity) and spread one inch beyond the
opening. For ¼ to ½ inch openings use
fiberglass mesh tape under the mastic. A
larger gap needs a rigid material covering.
If tape is used for sealing ducts, it should be
U.L. 181 foil tape. The tape rating must be
stated on the tape and must meet U.L. 181
A-P (ductboard) or U.L. 181B-FX (flex
duct). However, mastic is preferred over tape.
All connections (splices, Ys, Ts, and boots)
must be sealed. Additionally, boots should
be sealed to the sheetrock (a wire can be
used to keep it from pulling loose). Penetra-
tions into the plenum must be sealed. Flex
duct inner liner requires air sealing, while
the outer jacket needs only to be secured
with a band or draw-tie (do not extend the
duct liner through the wall of the plenum to the
interior of the plenum).
RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:
See "Energy Conservation Products & Services" in Yellow Pages
Building Performance + Comfort
251 CR 264
Leander, TX 78641
(512) 259-2324
ACCA Manuals J & D, consultation, MADAIR
test
Aeroseal
115 E. ST. Elmo; Suite B
Austin, TX 78745
(512) 445-2504, www.aeroseal.com
2-4 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
The air handler closet and air handler itself
must be sealed, including sealing the air
handler to the platform. Next, the return
plenum should be lined on the interior with
duct board (foil face in), sheet rock, or OSB
and sealed. The support platform should be
sealed on all sides. Penetrations into the
plenum, such as refrigerant line chases,
must be sealed. The sealing of the equip-
ment support platform can be added to the
tasks of the insulating/sealing contractor
for the building.
Return air grills should be sealed at the
point of penetration through the walls. Any
structural cavities also must be sealed. Place
duct board (cut to fit) on all four sides with
the foil sides facing in and seal them in
place. Seal boots to sheetrock with polyseal.
A new technology which is available in
Austin is an internal aerosol duct sealing
system. This system is able to seal all air
gaps up to ½ inch in diameter. The sealing
process can be done by a trained, licensed
internal aerosol duct sealing system
Austin Energy
(512) 499-7827, www.austinenergy.com/
home/
Whole House Rebates/Loans for Homes
 DUCTWORK
RESOURCES, continued
COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:

See "Energy Conservation Products and Services," "Air Conditioning Contractors," "Air Conditioning
Equipment and Systems," and "Heating Equipment and Supplies" in Yellow Pages

GENERAL ASSISTANCE:

Air Conditioning Contractors Association duct work stadards

(ACCA) US Consumer Product Safety Commission
1712 New Hampshire Ave., NW Room 529
Washington, D.C. 20009 Washington, DC 20207
(202) 483-9370, www.acca.org (800) 638-2772, www.cpsc.gov
air conditioning and duct work sizing methods info on carbon monoxide poisoning

Air Diffusion Council (ADC) The Energy Conservatory

104 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1500 5158 Bloomington Ave. S.
Chicago, IL 60603 Minneapolis, MN 55417
(312) 201-0101, www.flexableduct.org (612) 827-1117, energyconservatory.com
flex duct duct diagnostic tools

NAIMA (National Association of Insula- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

tion Manufacturers of America)
44 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 310
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 684-0084, www.naima.org
insulation standards
Introduction to Residential Duct Systems
http://ducts.lbl.gov
very thourogh, visual explaination of residential
duct work

SMACNA (Sheet Metal & Air Condition-

ing Contractors National Association)
420 Lafayette Drive
Chantilly, VA 20151
(703) 803-2980, www.smacna.org

Energy 2-5
 EARTH-SHELTERED DESIGN
INTRODUCTION:
Earth-sheltered design employs the earth as a major component of a building's thermal control
system.

(CSI Numbers: 03300 Cast-In-Place Concrete, 03150 Formwork)

See also “Earth Materials” in the Building Materials section of this Sourcebook for a discus-
sion of construction techniques in which earth is processed and/or combined with other materi-
als to form free-standing walls. In contrast, this section addresses buildings that are dug into
hillsides, constructed below grade, or bermed in some fashion. These buildings are “earth cov-
ered” to some varying degree, with no addition of other materials, such as sand, cement, or
straw. All the earth construction methods discussed in both sections make use of thermal mass

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: Moderately developed. Additional research as well as standardization of
the terminology and measurements used by researchers is needed. However, earth-sheltered
homes and buildings have been successfully constructed throughout the world.

SUPPLIERS: Limited.

COST: Costs for an earth sheltered home can run 10% higher than conventional homes. Costs
are location-specific.

FINANCING: May require additional work with lenders. Numerous precedents exist in the
Austin area.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: There is limited interest in this type of building because there are
few examples in our area and misconceptions about the interior environment of this type of
home. The non-traditional appearance does not have mass appeal, but can be well designed and
livable.

REGULATORY: The Austin Building Code requires that the layout of the rooms allows for
direct exit from sleeping areas. This can limit the configuration of interior rooms.

CONSIDERATIONS:
Austin’s ground soil temperature of 73 de-
grees is ideal for earth shelters. Although
there are other types of “earth-tempering"
methods (such as earth tubes), they are inap-
propriate for Austin because they incorporate
moisture into the building. The earth-cooling
technique best for this area is the direct system.
In this system, the building envelope is in
contact with the earth, and conduction
through the building elements (primarily
walls and floor) regulates the interior temper-
ature.

Energy 2-6
 EARTH-SHELTERED DESIGN
GUIDELINES:
Description
Direct systems regulate indoor temperature
by using conduction through building ele-
ments. Generally speaking, the largest cli-
matic advantage of this system is in helping
cool the living space.
Buildings can be earth-covered in varying
degrees. If the structure is built on the sur-
face grade and earth is added around it, it is
considered a bermed structure. Buildings can
be constructed below grade or into hillsides
and be totally or partially covered by earth.
It is extremely important to keep moisture
(ground water, rain, or other) from entering
these structures. Various methods can be
employed, such as the use of a drain
medium.
Performance Characteristics
From the standpoint of the quality of the
energy source, earth-sheltering and solar
energy can be considered superior to fossil
fuels. The strong points of earth-sheltered
structures include noise reduction, reduced
impervious cover, storm protection, and the
capability to blend with the natural environ-
ment.
Insulation
Insulation of the roof will depend on the
structure’s design and must meet the City of
Austin energy code. If the building is
bermed, the upper portion of the building
should be insulated to the same standards
used in aboveground structures.
Earth-covering
An earth-covered roof should be limited to
no more than three feet of soil. Twelve to
24 inches (adequate for plant growth) is
typically used. This is too shallow to effec-
2-7 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
tively insulate the building and is the reason
that additional roof insulation is required.
Indoor Air Quality
High humidity in our region will require
that well-designed levels of ventilation and/
or dehumidification be incorporated in
these types of structures.
The lack of air infiltration in an earth-
sheltered structure intensifies the need to
eliminate pollutants within the house. See
the section on “Energy Recovery Ventila-
tors” in this Sourcebook for an explanation
of mechanically controlled air infiltration.
These can mitigate such concerns and
should be thoroughly considered, particu-
larly those models with humidity regulation
capabilities.
Lighting
As in passive solar structures, an earth-
sheltered home should be set on an east/
west axis. The glass area then lies predomi-
nantly on the south wall (see section on
Passive Solar Design in this Sourcebook).
Light wells are often added to bring light to
the interior of the house. Interior surfaces
can be designed to reflect light deep into in-
terior spaces. The light wells should be de-
signed to admit indirect summer light by
having a roof and open sides.
Waterproofing Options
•Polyurethane-based liquid applied waterproof-
ing systems. Application requirements and
characteristics make these difficult to use
successfully.
•Vulcanized and plastic sheets. Recommended
for this area: butyl, EPDM, neoprene and
CPE. Seams should be minimized with
 EARTH-SHELTERED DESIGN
GUIDELINES, continued
these materials. panels), to high (spray).

•Bentonite Clay Products. Available in vari-

ous forms. Spray on, trowel on, and card-
board panels are commonly used in under-
ground buildings. Interior leak repairs can
be done with bentonite. Backfilling must be
done with care, and application skill ranges
from low (trowel), to moderate (cardboard
Overall Considerations
The construction techniques required for
earth-sheltered homes are quite exacting
and should be extensively studied before
building. Site-specific techniques should be
used that account for soil characteristics,

RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:

Environment Associates Malcolm Wells

4219 Richmond Ave. Ste 250 P.O. Box 1149
Houston, TX 77027-6889 Brewster, MA 02631
(713) 528-0000 (508) 896-6850, www2.solarnet.org/Mal-
architectural services colmWells/default.html
leading underground housing architect
Solar Survival Architecture
P.O. Box 1041
Taos, NM 87571
(505) 751-0462, www.earthship.org
“Earthship” design services
COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:

R. C. Smoot Construction, Inc.

6015 Westgate Blvd.
Austin, TX 78745
(512) 288-1001
earth-sheltered home builder

GENERAL ASSISTANCE:

Solar Survival Press Oklahoma State University

P.O. Box 1041 School of Architecture
Taos, NM 87571 Stillwater, OK 74078
(505) 758-9870 (405) 744-6043, master.ceat.okstate.edu/
Earthship volumes I, II, and III arch/homearch.html

Energy 2-8
 EARTH-SHELTERED DESIGN
RESOURCES, continued
How To Build an Underground House The Complete Book of Underground Houses:
Malcolm Wells, 1991, 96pp. How to Build a Low-Cost Home
ISBN 0-9621878-3-6 Rob Roy, Sterling Publishing Co., NY, 1994,
University of Minnesota 144pp
Underground Space Center
790 Civil and Mineral Engineering Bldg. Earth Sheltered Housing Design
500 Pillsbury Dr. S.E. J. Carmody, Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1985
Minneapolis, MN 55455
(612) 339-5403, www.auca.org Earth Sheltered Residential Design Manual
Have published many books on underground hous- R. Sterling, Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1982
ing

2-9 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
INTRODUCTION:
Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are created by electric power charges. There are two types of
fields - electric fields which result from the strength (voltage) of the charge and magnetic fields
which result from the motion (amperage) of the charge.

(CSI Number: 16650 Electromagnetic Shielding)

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: The prudent avoidance strategies listed are basic approaches that reduce ex-
posure to EMFs. More sophisticated approaches are not readily available.

SUPPLIERS: Very few consultants or technicians, but many meter suppliers.

COST: These strategies are low-cost or no-cost approaches.

FINANCING: No impact.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: Few people are aware of EMF issues.

REGULATORY: None.

CONSIDERATIONS:
There is considerable scientific inquiry into
possible health impacts from electromag-
netic fields. Several studies indicate that
health risks exist, but there is little agree-
ment as to why. A study by the EPA that
reviewed 50 epidemiological studies and
hundreds of biological studies acknowl-
edges that low level electromagnetic fields
may increase the risk of cancer. A variety of
studies have presented clear evidence that
fields can produce various hormonal
changes; however, the risk of such hor-
monal changes has not been assessed. The
studies indicated the need for more research
into understanding risk components and
exposure levels.
The recommended course of action at pre-
sent is "prudent avoidance." This means it's
a good idea to pursue no-cost or minimal-
cost strategies that reduce exposure to
EMFs. Major investment in these strate-
gies is not considered "prudent" because of
the lack of adequate understanding of what
is or is not safe.
Electromagnetic fields diminish quite
rapidly with distance from the source (the
inverse cube of the distance). Thus, a pri-
mary strategy is to increase the distance be-
tween sources of EMFs and parts of the
home where people spend the most time.
Reducing the sources of EMFs can also be
accomplished to a limited extent.
EMF sources include electrical distribution
lines and common household and occupa-
tional electrical circuits and appliances.

Energy 2-10
 ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
GUIDELINES:
Guidelines to reduce EMF exposure in a
home:
Electric meters and subpanels are powerful
EMF emitters. Place these on walls of
spaces where occupants spend the least
time. Both sides of the wall should be in
low usage areas as EMFs are not blocked
by walls. An example of a suitable location
would be an outside garage wall.
Keep heater/air conditioner blowers away
from high usage areas of the house.
First floor fluorescent ceiling fixtures should
not be located under second floor areas of
high use at floor level such as children's
playrooms.
Grounding by rods into the earth near the
meter eliminates EMFs emanating from
water pipes.
Locate the overhead secondary service wire
or the underground secondary service
trench in a little-used area of the yard.
Locate the wiring in the walls, floor, and
ceiling away from high use areas of the
home. If practical, run wires under the roof
and drop them down through the walls to
reach switches and outlets.
Because of the number of appliances in a
kitchen, it is an area of high EMFs. How-
ever, it is also an area of short-term expo-
sure in most cases. Locate kitchen appli-
ances on a wall away from high use areas
that may adjoin the kitchen such as bed-
rooms or living rooms.
Turn off Video Display Units (VDUs) when
not in use.
2-11 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
Limit cell phone use, and use ground line
when available.
Avoid using electric bedding
Do not sleep right next to small electric mo-
tors, such as older clocks and fans. Use
lower field clocks such as LED, or switch to
battery-powered or mechanical wind-up
clocks.
EMF Characteristics
Electric Fields
EMFs are measured in volts or kilovolts per
meter for electric charges (V/m or kV/m).
Electric fields can be partly shielded by ob-
jects, particularly grounded objects.
Electric fields over 20 kV/m will cause a
tingling sensation.
Magnetic Fields
Magnetic fields are measured in teslas,
Gauss, and milliGauss (mG) (10,000 Gauss
equals one tesla).
Magnetic fields are not affected by objects.
Magnetic fields are not felt.
Exposure Levels
Negative health effects are suspected even
from very low fields.
Some studies indicate negative health risks
at 3 milliGauss. Common electrical equip-
met such as computer display terminals and
microwave ovens will emit this level of
EMF at a distance of up to one foot.
The International Radiation Protection As-
sociation has issued draft exposure guide-
 ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
GUIDELINES, continued
lines for power frequency electric and Fields can be measured with special meters.
magnetic fields of 5 kV/m for continuous See Resources section.
exposure to electric fields and 2 Gauss for Fields decrease rapidly over distance (the
magnetic fields. inverse square of the distance).

RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:

Leonard Hough, P. E. Information Ventures, Inc.

Austin Energy 42 South 15th Street, Suite 700
2526 Kramer Ln., Bld. E Philadelphia, PA 19102-2299
Austin, TX 78704 (215)569-2300
(512) 505-7009, www.austinenergy.com/ infoventures.com/emf/
environment/emf.html informational clearinghouse, research and con-
consultation on EMF and radio frequency inter- sultant services for biological and health effects of
ference EMF exposure

Environmental Health Services Robert S. Banks Associates, Inc.

Mary E. Oetzel 2701 University Avenue Southeast, Ste 203
3202 W. Anderson Lane, #208-249 Minneapolis, MN 55414-3236
Austin, TX 78757 (612)623-4600
(512) 288-2369 www.rsba.com/rsba.html
seminars, publications and contact names on the environmental issues management firm specializ-
impact of building systems on human health ing in EMF and RF health effects

International Inst. for Baubiologie &

Ecology
P.O. Box 387
Clearwater, FL 33757
(727) 461-4371, www.bau-biologieusa.com

COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:

Holaday Industries Safe Technologies Corp.

14825 Martin Drive 1950 NE 208 Terrace
Eden Prairie, MN 55344 Miami, FL 33179
(612)934-4920 (800) 638-9121
www.holadayinc.com/ www.safelevel.com
EMF multimeters meters

Energy 2-12
 ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
RESOURCES, continued
Ion & Light Alphalab, Inc.
2263 Sacramento St. 1280 South 300 West
San Francisco, CA 94115 Salt Lake City, UT 84101
(415) 346-1682, www.ionlight.com (800)749-3754,www.trifield.com
EMF meters EMF meters

GENERAL ASSISTANCE:
National Electromagnetic Field Testing
Association
628-B Library Place
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 475-3696, www.theramp.net/nefta/
index.html
professional association for EMF testing field
National Institute of Electro Medical Info.
P.O. Box 4633
Bay Terrace, NY 11360
(212) 410-8083
National Institute of Environmental Health
Sciences
Electric and Magnetic Fields Research and
Public Information Dissemination Program
P.O. Box 12233
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
(919)541-3345
www.niehs.nih.gov/emfrapid/
information clearinghouse for EMF exposure
measurements and issues
California Electric and Magnetic Fields
Program
1515 Clay St., 17th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
(510)622-4500, www.dnai.com/~emf/
research and technical assistance
Center for Disease Control
National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health (NIOSH)
(800)35-NIOSH
www.cdc.gov/niosh/emfpg.html
fact sheets and reports on EMFs
Dr. Granger Morgan and colleagues at
Carnegie Mellon University produced the
following three booklets on EMF
• Measuring Power-Frequency Fields, 1992
• What Can We Conclude From Measure-
ments of Power Frequency Fields? 1993
• Energy and Magnetic Fields from 60
Hertz Electric Power: What Do We
Know About Possible Health Risks? 1989
For further information, contact:
Department of Engineering and Public
Policy
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412)268-2670, www.epp.cmu.edu/
Publication:
Robert O. Becker, Cross Currents, New
York, Putnam Publishing Group,1990
Video:
Current Switch: How to Identify & Reduce or
Eliminate Electromagnetic Pollution in the
Home
The Wary Canary Bookshelf, Dept. EMF
PO 2204, Fort Collins, CO 80522
(303) 224-0083

2-13 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 ENERGY EFFICIENT APPLIANCES
INTRODUCTION:
The appliances that will be discussed in this section are refrigerators, dishwashers, and clothes
washers. Dishwashers are often provided by builders in new homes; refrigerators and washers
are usually supplied by the owners.

(CSI Numbers: 11430 Dishwashing Equipment, 11630 Laundry Equipment, 11900 Residential Equip-

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: Refrigerators could be considered a mature technology because they have
existed for a relatively long time. However, an alternative to the use of CFCs, improved insula-
tion qualities, and higher efficiencies through design are being developed. Dishwashers are un-
dergoing minor water and energy efficiency improvements. In the U.S., clothes washers are pre-
dominantly vertical axis top loaders, but this is changing rapidly.

Look for the yellow EnergyGuide Label on all appliances and use it to choose the more energy
efficient model from any manufacturer.

SUPPLIERS: The most efficient refrigerators must be special ordered from small companies.
However, major manufacturers do offer efficient models. Efficient dishwashers are made by
major U.S. and European manufacturers. U.S. manufacturers of clotheswashers started reintro-
ducing horizontal axis machines in 1992. European models are also available.

COST: The initial cost of all the energy efficient appliances may be higher than conventional
models. However, the investment can pay for itself in lower utility bills. The City of Austin also
offers some incentives for purchasing energy efficient appliances. Rebates up to $100 are avail-
able for purchasing efficient clothes washers, for example.

FINANCING: Available.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: Most horizontal axis washers are front-loading, like dryers; They
have the advantage that the tops are usable for storage, etc. Some horizontal axis machines can
be loaded from the top but may be more difficult to find. Even though the drums on front-
loading machines are slightly smaller, these types of machines can accept heavier loads. Euro-
pean machines may have smaller drums than American-made machines.

The most energy efficient refrigerators are partial automatic defrost and are small in size. This
will affect common acceptance and attract mainly the most environmentally committed con-
sumers. However, refrigerators that exceed Federal Appliance Efficiency Standards are
available from major manufacturers and are readily acceptable.

REGULATORY: None.

Energy 2-14
 ENERGY EFFICIENT APPLIANCES
CONSIDERATIONS:
There can be a significant difference in ap-
pliance energy consumption. EnergyGuide
labels are present on all major appliances to
help you select the most efficient models.
These labels compare the model bearing the
label with other similar models. However,
this information does not indicate whether
one has selected the most efficient appliance.
Check overall energy consumption as well.
A larger refrigerator could have a lower en-
ergy consumption than a smaller one. The
most efficient appliance will have certain
features that should guide the purchaser to
selecting the most efficient model with those
features.
For example, clothes washers that are front
loading horizontal axis machines are 50 per-
cent more efficient, both in water and en-
ergy use, as top loaders with a vertical axis.
When selecting a front-loading machine,
GUIDELINES:
Refrigerators
Bottom freezer models are generally the
most efficient, while side-by-side models are
the least efficient.
Manual defrost models use half the energy
of automatic defrost but must be defrosted
periodically to remain energy efficient. Au-
tomatic ice makers and through-the-door
dispensers will increase energy use some-
what. The most energy-efficient models are
in the 16-20 cubic foot sizes.
It is usually less costly to run one larger re-
frigerator than two smaller ones.
Clothes Washers
Wash and rinse cycles:
Features and options that affect the amount
2-15 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
identify the features that create the most
efficient energy consumption, such as vari-
able temperature settings, rinse cycles, and
load sizes.
Similarly, refrigerators have different effi-
ciencies according to features such as de-
frosting characteristics (manual, partial au-
tomatic, automatic), compartment loca-
tions, and size. Manual defrost with bot-
tom freezer will outperform top freezer
models with automatic defrost, for exam-
ple.
Many dishwashers offer special features
that improve energy efficiency. Booster
heaters and no-heat drying are two helpful
features. It is also important to know how
much water is required by the different
models and select those that can clean with
the least amount of water.
of hot water used play a primary role in the
overall energy efficiency of the washer since
water pumping and heating use more en-
ergy than running the washer. Select a
model with many cycle choices. Warm wa-
ter wash cycles clean very well; usually only
oily stains require hot water washes. Cold
water washing is adequate with proper de-
tergents and pre-soaking and cold rinses are
effective for all wash cycles.
"Suds-saver" (reusing slightly soiled wash
water) and pre-soaking are energy conserv-
ing options.
Water level controls and water extraction
Generally, washing a full load is most effi-
cient. The washer should have the option
of using a smaller amount of water for
 ENERGY EFFICIENT APPLIANCES
GUIDELINES, continued
small loads. Higher spin speeds will reduce machines will use under seven gallons per
drying times. load on regular cycles.
Horizontal axis machines
This type of washing machine has a faster Booster heaters conserve energy by allow-
spin speed than vertical axis machines. ing the primary water heater to operate at a
Clothes will require less drying energy as a lower temperature setting.
result. They use approximately a third of
the energy and water of the vertical axis Washing a full load is best but wash cycle
machines. options that can do smaller loads will con-
The City of Austin offers a rebate for water serve energy.
efficient clotheswashers.
A no-heat drying cycle is readily available
Dishwashers and is a good energy saver.
Water use will primarily determine the en-
ergy efficiency. Use models that require the
least amount of water. Good water-saving

RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:

Not applicable.

COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:

Refrigerators:
see "Appliances-Major Dealers" in Yellow Pages Sunelco
P.O. Box 787 (mailing address)
Sun Frost 100 Sheels St.
P. O. Box 1101 Hamilton, MT 59840
Arcata, CA 95518 (800) 338-6844
(707) 822-9095 www.sunelco.com
www.sunfrost.com energy efficient refrigerators AC , DC and
energy efficient refrigerators available in AC or propane models
DC

Amana
(800) 843-0304
www.amana.com
bottom freezer models

Energy 2-16
 ENERGY EFFICIENT APPLIANCES
RESOURCES, continued
Horizontal axis washing machines:

see "Appliances-Major Dealers" in Yellow Pages

Staber Industries, Inc.
Maytag Neptune MAH300 4411 Marketing Place
Gibson GWT445RFS Groveport, OH 43125
Frigidaire Gallery FWT445GE (800) 848-6200
Asko www.staber.com/Default.htm
Creda top loading, horizontal axis, easy to repair by
Miele homeowner
AEG
Westland Sales
PO Box 427
nd
15650 SE 102 Ave
Clackamas, OR-USA 97015
503-655-2563, www.splendide.com

Dishwashers:
see "Appliances-Major Dealers" in Yellow Pages Creda Inc.
5700 W. Touhy Ave.
European brand US distributors: Niles, IL 60714
(800) 992-7332
ASKO USA www.creda.com
1161 Executive Dr. West-
Richardson, TX 75081 McNairs Appliances
(972) 644-8595 6225 Burnet Rd.
www.askousa.com Austin, Texas 78757
(512) 454-4526
Miele Appliances, Inc. austin.citysearch.com/E/V/AUSTX/
22D World's Fair Dr. 0004/15/74/1.html
Somerset, NJ 08873 low water use washers/appliances
(732) 560-0899
www.miele.fr/E/VG_USA.html

2-17 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 ENERGY EFFICIENT APPLIANCES
RESOURCES, continued
GENERAL ASSISTANCE:

Publication: National Energy Conservation Policy Act

Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings,
Seventh Edition, 1999
American Council for an Energy Efficient
Economy (ACEEE)
1001 Connecticut Ave. N. W., Ste 801
Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 429-8873 (information line)
(202) 429-0063 (publications line)
www.aceee.org
energy ratings for all home appliances
(P. L. 95-619)) and National Appliance En-
ergy Conservation Act (P. L. 100-12)
For current standards contact:
Conservation and Renewable Energy Infor-
mation and Referral Service
(800) 363-3732
request publication EE8

Energy Star
(888) STAR-YES
www.energystar.com
lists energy effecient appliances

Energy 2-18
 ENERGY RECOVERY VENTILATOR
INTRODUCTION:
Adequate ventilation is necessary to provide a healthy and productive indoor environment. An
energy recovery ventilator (ERV) is an air to air heat exchanger or preconditioner, designed to
reduce the energy required to heat or cool required outdoor air in mechanical ventilation sys-
tems by as much as 80 percent. These products exchange temperature and moisture properties
from one airstream to another. The result is capturing the cooling or heating energy from the
exhaust air before it leaves the building.

(CSI Numbers: 15700 Heat Recovery, 15730 Heat Exchangers, 15762 Unit Ventilators 15786 Dessicant
Humidifiers)

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: The technology is well-developed.

SUPPLIERS: Commercial ERV’s are readily available in the Central Texas area, and there are
several suppliers nationally. Residential ERV’s have limited availability in the area but are read-
ily available nationally. Residential air-conditioning contractors are not well versed in this
equipment.

COST: The prices will range from $500 to $1,700 for residential sized units. There is a very
large variance in type and size of commercial equipment. The payback on energy savings is
very short when ASHRAE 62-1989 compliance ventilation rates are being maintained. The pay-
back is immediate in new construction when air-conditioning equipment sizing and installa-
tions account for the added cooling and heating capacity provided by the ERV’s. There are
large health benefits achieved from providing adequate pre-conditioned fresh air.

FINANCING: This equipment can easily tie into the HVAC system of a home or commercial
building and enhances the quality of the indoor environment. This should not be a problem for
lenders. It is unknown if appraisers will give additional value for this equipment.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: There is very little awareness of this type of equipment in the
South. In the North, many people perceive heat recovery ventilators as beneficial. When under-
stood, it is generally regarded favorably by people interested in new energy efficient homes and
indoor air quality. However, comprehension of the technical aspects required to use and main-
tain a system properly is low.

REGULATORY: ASHRAE Standard 62-1989, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality.

CONSIDERATIONS:
ASHRAE Standard 62-1989 requires a 0.35 for specific commercial building uses (these
air change per hour for residential construc- quantities vary between 15 to 50 cfm/per-
tion and per person outdoor air quantities son). It was thought that these ventilation

Energy 2-19
 ENERGY RECOVERY VENTILATOR
CONSIDERATIONS, continued
rates would be adequate to remove any con-
taminants in the space and provide accept-
able indoor air.
However, inadequately conditioned outside
air can itself be a contaminant. If the
amount of moisture introduced with the
outside air is not reduced to acceptable lev-
els, high relative space humidity can result,
which is a primary factor in the growth of
microorganisms and fungi. Molds, dust
mites and many other biological indoor pol-
lutant sources thrive in humidity levels over
60 percent, so it is essential that indoor hu-
GUIDELINES
How It Works
ERV systems are usually packaged systems
which include supply and exhaust air fans,
outdoor and return air filtration and an en-
ergy or enthalpy wheel. The wheel recovers
both sensible (temperature) and latent
(moisture) energy, it cools and dehumidifies
the outdoor air during the cooling season,
while heating and humidifying the outdoor
air in the heating season.
The wheels are either coated with a silica
gel desiccant or a non migrating adsorbent
2-20 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
midity levels be controlled below that level.
Design engineers, home builders, building
and home owners must take care to intro-
duce the required level of outside air, while
ensuring that enough moisture is removed
under all load conditions to keep the space
relative humidity below 60 percent. Energy
Recovery Ventilators will significantly re-
duce the operating cost of the HVAC sys-
tem of a building or home designed in ac-
cordance with the ASHRAE IAQ standard.
They will also improve humidity control.
ERVs pre-treat incoming fresh air to modify
its temperature and remove humidity before
introducing it into the building. The re-
moval of the humidity from the incoming
air is essential to maintaining a healthy in-
door environment in Austin. This is a major
improvement over older heat recovery ven-
tilators developed for northern climates that
only heated the incoming air by passing it
through an air to air heat exchanger.
desiccant on a molecular structure designed
to trap water vapor from a moist air stream
and loose it to a drier air stream. As the
transfer media slowly rotates between the
outdoor and exhaust air streams, the higher
temperature air gives up its sensible energy
to the mass of the wheel. This energy is
then given up to the cooler air stream dur-
ing the second half of the revolution. Just as
the temperature is captured and released, so
is the moisture. Since the opposing air
streams have different temperature and
moisture contents, they have different vapor
 ENERGY RECOVERY VENTILATOR
GUIDELINES, continued
pressures. This vapor pressure difference or exterior to the building, on roof tops. The
pr ovid systems can be coupled to packaged rooftop
es the units, located near and ducted to air han-
dri WINTER ving dling units, or de-coupled from the air con-
for ce ditioning system completely. Design or con-
th at sulting engineers have a lot of flexibility
ca uses with the systems.
th e
tra nsfer The size and configuration of these systems
of la- is almost without limit. Equipment is avail-
te nt able for flows from about 200 cfm to 30,000
en ergy. cfm. Custom systems can be designed for
larger volumes.

They require two connections to the out-

doors - one to exhaust the stale indoor air
and the other to bring in the fresh outside
air. The inlet and outlet on the building ex-
terior need to be distanced from each other
to avoid cross contamination.

Fresh air from the unit into the building in-

terior can be supplied in two ways. A sepa-
rate supply duct can carry the fresh air to a
SUMMER
central location in the building (a de-
coupled system). This supply outlet is best
located where the air will not blow on peo-
ple, since the air can be too cool or too
warm depending on the season. Otherwise,
the fresh air can be ducted into the HVAC
ductwork, typically in the return duct.
There are a few other configurations, but
these are the most common.

Installation
There are many ways to configure and in-
stall ERV’s in commercial or residential
buildings. They can be located inside the
building, above dropped ceilings in attics;
Efficiency
Energy recovery wheel efficiency ratings are
based on tests conducted in accordance
with ASHRAE 84 and ARI 1060 standards.
Published effectiveness values correspond
to total energy transfer. Sensible only effec-
tiveness will typically be slightly higher. The
efficiency of ERVs refers to the amount of
energy transferred to the cold dry air stream

Energy 2-21
 ENERGY RECOVERY VENTILATOR
RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:

see "Engineers -Professional" in Yellow Pages

COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:

Honeywell Inc.
2701 4th Ave. S Venmar Ventilation Inc., Conservation En-
Minneapolis, MN 55408 ergy Systems, Inc.
(800) 328-5111, www.honeywell.com 2525 Wentz Ave.
ERV has rotary core & desiccant moisture con- Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7K-
trol 2K9
(800) 667-3717, www.venmarvent.com
Des Champs Laboratories, Inc. vanEE, enthalpy core
Box 220
Natural Bridge, VA 24579 Stirling Technology, Inc.
(540) 291-1111, www.deschamps.com P.O. Box 2633
E-Z-Vent, has counterflow core Athens, OH 45701
(800) 535-3448, www.stirling-tech.com
Therma-Stor Products Group RecoupAerator™ , has rotary core
DEC-Sahara
P.O. Box 8050 Nutech Energy Systems, Inc.
2001 S. Stoughton Rd. 511 McCormick Blvd.
Madison, WI 53708 London, Ontario, Canada N5W 4C8
(800) 533-7533, www.thermastor.com (519) 457-1904
dehumidifiers Lifebreath™ , enthalpy core 200 ERV

Bossaire Inc. American Aldes

2901 SE 4th St. Northgate Center Business Park
Minneapolis, MN 55414 4537 Northgate Court
(612) 378-0049, www.bossaire.com Sarasota, FL 34234-2124
Bossaire BX-125, dehumidification (800) 255-7749, www.americanaldes.com
energy recovery ventilators, dehumidifiers,
Vent-Aire Systems, Inc. fans, airflow controls
4850 Northpark Dr.
Colorado Springs, CO 80918 Shelter Supply
(800) 937-9080, www.vent-aire.com 17725 Juniper Pass PATH
energy recovery ventilators Lakeville, MN 55044
(800) 762-8399, www.sheltersupply.com
home energy efficiency products

2-22 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 ENERGY RECOVERY VENTILATOR
RESOURCES, continued

Positive Energy Conservation Products Energy Federation Inc.

P.O. Box 7568 40 Washington Street, Suite 3000
Boulder, CO 80306 Westborough, MA 01581
(303) 444-4340, positive-energy.com (800) 876-0660, www.efi.org
energy conservation products VanEE Duo model includes desiccant wheel, also
many other energy conservation products
GENERAL ASSISTANCE:

American Society of Heating, Refrigera-
tion, Air Conditioning Engineers
(ASHRAE)
1791 Tullie Circle NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
(404) 636-8400, www.ashra.org
Air Movement and Control Association In-
ternational, Inc.
30 W. University Drive
Arlington Heights, IL 60004-1893
(708) 394-0150, www.amca.org

Energy 2-23
 ENERGY SAVING LANDSCAPE
INTRODUCTION:
This section deals with landscaping that reduces home energy costs during summer and winter.
Ideally, the energy-conserving landscape also conserves water.

Careful landscape planning can achieve as much as a 30% reduction in cooling and heating
costs. It can reduce the temperature of building surfaces and prevent direct heat gain through
windows. By reducing wind velocity, an energy conserving landscape slows air leakage. Trees,
grass and shrubs will also reduce air temperatures near the house and provide evaporative cool-
ing.

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: well developed but under-utilized

SUPPLIERS: available but not generally practiced

COST: costs associated with implementing an energy-conserving landscape should not be

higher than conventional landscaping.

FINANCING:Not applicable

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: Not applicable

REGULATORY: Not applicable

CONSIDERATIONS:
Careful landscape planning can reduce the
amount of sunlight heating building sur-
faces and can prevent reflected heat-causing
light from entering the home. By reducing
wind velocity, an energy conserving land-
scape slows air leakage. Trees, grass and
shrubs will also reduce air temperatures
near the house and provide evaporative
cooling.
Using dense tree and shrub plantings on the
west and northwest sides of a home will
block the summer setting sun, a most effec-
tive landscape planting strategy. Additional
options include using deciduous trees on
the south side of the house that will admit
winter sun, planting evergreens on the north
side that will slow cold winter winds, and
constructing a planted channel to funnel
cooling breezes into the house.
Carefully evaluate existing plants at the
building site to identify those that can play
a role in an energy conserving landscape.
The established plants will require less effort
to maintain and will generally be of larger
size and better-established than new plant-
ings.

Energy 2-24
 ENERGY SAVING LANDSCAPE
GUIDELINES:
Shading
Trees are the primary means of energy con-
servation in landscapes. They can have a
canopy large enough to shade roofs, reduc-
ing cooling costs and increasing comfort.
The best locations for deciduous trees are
on the south and east sides of a house.
When these trees drop their leaves in win-
ter, sunlight can reach the house to help in
heating it. Note: even without leaves, trees
can block as much as 60 percent of the sun,
making placement of trees critical to their
effectiveness.
Evergreen trees on the north and west sides
afford the best protection from the setting
summer sun and cold winter winds.
If large trees are to be planted, it is best to
select those that have a moderate growth
rate rather than fast-growing varieties.
Moderate-growth trees are sturdier against
storm damage and generally more resistant
to insects and disease.
A tree that will reach a medium to large
size should be located 15 to 20 feet from the
side of a house and 12 to 15 feet from the
corner. Smaller trees can be planted closer
to a house and shade walls and windows.
Shrubs or small trees can be used to shade
outside air conditioning or heat pump
equipment, improving its performance. For
good airflow and access, plants should be at
least three feet from the compressor.
Vines for Shading
Vines provide shading for walls and win-
dows. Some vines such as English Ivy will
cling to any wall surface and can harm
wood surfaces. Trellises placed close to the
2-25 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
walls can be used to support vine growth
without touching or marring the walls. Ev-
ergreen vines will shade walls in the sum-
mer and reduce the effects of cold winds in
winter.
Arbors
Arbors are a traditional cooling method
used worldwide. Positioned along the sides
of the house, an arbor will reduce tempera-
tures by allowing air to pass through and be
cooled by the evaporation at the plant’s
leaves. Arbors are also effective shading de-
vices.
Windbreaks
Evergreen shrubs and small trees can be
planted as a solid wall along the north side
of the house to provide a windbreak. The
most effective windbreaks have limbs that
extend to the ground. Two to three rows of
evergreens or five to six rows of deciduous
trees should be used.
The effective zone of protection for a wind-
break can be 30 times the height of the
trees. However, the maximum protection
occurs within five to seven times the tree
height. For example, if the windbreak will
be 25 feet tall, it should be placed 125 to 175
feet from the house.
Absorbent and Reflective Materials:
Groundcover and/or turf can also reduce
temperatures. The temperature above a
groundcover will be 10 to 15 degrees cooler
than above a heat-absorbent material such
as asphalt or a reflective material such as
light-colored gravel or rock. Heat-absorbent
materials will also continue to radiate heat
after the sun has set. It is best to either mini-
mize the use of such materials near the
house or shade them from direct sun.
 ENERGY SAVING LANDSCAPE
RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:
See "Landscape Architects" in Yellow Pages Texas Bamboo Society
Carol Malone
Texas Assn. of Landscape Contractors 6707 Williamette Dr.
3001 LBJ Freeway, Ste. 105 Austin, TX 78723
Dallas, TX 75234 (512) 929-9565, www.bamboo.org/abs/
(972) 241-1399, (800) 832-6934, TexasChapterInfo.html
www.talc.org information on bamboo species and use
list of certified landscape professionals
Xeriscape Garden Club of the Austin Area
Texas Board of Architectural Examiners P.O. Box 5502
P. O. Box 12337 Austin, TX 78763
Austin, TX 78711-2337 (512) 370-9505 (info line),
(512) 305-9000, www.tbae.state.tx.us www.zilker-garden.org/zgc.html
for list of registered Landscape Architects monthly meeting, programs, information

COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:

See "Nursery Stock Dealers,” "Nurserymen" "Nurserymen's Equipment & Supplies" in Yellow Pages

GENERAL ASSISTANCE:

City of Austin Water Conservation State Energy Conservation Office

Program 200 E. 10th St., Suite 206
Dick Peterson Austin, TX 78701-3047
P.O. Box 1088 (512) 463-1931, www.gsc.state.tx.us/en-
Austin, TX 78767 ergy/energy.html
(512) 499-3514, www.ci.austin.tx.us/water-
con/zeriscape.htm TreeFolks
P.O. Box 704
Travis County Agricultural Extension Austin, Texas 78767
Service (512) 443-5323, www.treefolks.org
1600 B Smith School Road
Austin, Texas 78721
(512) 473-9600

Energy 2-26
 FANS
INTRODUCTION:
The traditional method for increasing comfort in hot/humid climates is through air movement.
The modern home can use this traditional method readily with ceiling fans to move air in indi-
vidual rooms, and whole house fans to pull in cooler outside air. Many businesses have also be-
gun to include ceiling fans as part of their cooling strategy.

(CSI Numbers: 15824 Ceiling Fans, 15825 Whole House Fans)

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: Well-developed, reliable.

SUPPLIERS: Abundant.

COST: Ceiling fans: $35 - $200; whole house fans with louvers and timers: $300 and up, de-
pending on the size.

FINANCING: Not applicable.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: Ceiling fans are viewed positively by most people for their aes-
thetic appeal as much as for their comfort enhancing capabilities. Whole house fans can be loud
to some people and require the opening of windows during the night, raising security concerns.
The doors to rooms in the house should also be open to permit air movement. Grills/louvers,
adequate opening at the door bottom, or transoms also allow air movement.

REGULATORY: Standard electrical code.

CONSIDERATIONS:
Moving air with ceiling fans allows building
occupants to feel comfortable at higher tem-
peratures. As a result, mechanical cooling
equipment temperature settings can be
higher and an energy savings greater than
the energy consumption of the fans can be
realized. For a 3 ton cooling system costing
$550 to operate per season, raising the ther-
mostat from 75 degrees to 80 degrees can
reduce the annual operating cost by more
than $300. Operating a ceiling fan 10 hours
or more a day can cost less than $3 per
month.
In the heating season, ceiling fans can help
bring the warmer air that stratifies near the
ceiling down to where the occupants are
located. A low speed that does not create
significant breeze is best for this heating
season application. The most useful ceiling
fans will have variable speed settings.
A whole house fan offers energy savings
and comfort when operated in conjunction
with mechanical cooling or by itself. Whole
house fans in hot/humid climates operate
most effectively in homes containing high
mass interiors and non-moisture absorbing
materials.

Energy 2-27
 FANS
GUIDELINES:
Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans should be operated only when
the rooms are occupied. Match the fan size
to the room size. Variable speed fans are
recommended so that the lowest speed can
be used in the heating season to accomplish
destratification without causing excessive
draft. A rheostat should not be installed on
fans unless they are specifically designed for
this application, or you may damage the
fan motor.
Energy use of ceiling fans
Ceiling fans use about the same amount of
energy as a 100 watt light bulb. They permit
raising the thermostat setting on an air con-
ditioning system 4 to 6 degrees resulting in
a savings of 20 percent on A/C costs.
Selecting a ceiling fan
A good warranty indicates better durability.
Fans with metal motor housings may re-
quire annual oiling while plastic motor
housings do not. However, metal housings
may have better warrantees and be worth
the added maintenance.
Blade material will not affect performance.
Whole House Fan
Whole house fans are useful when outdoor
temperatures are within the comfort range –
below 82 degrees and with a relative humid-
ity of less than 75%. The key consideration
in our region is the typically high humidity
which, when introduced into a home, will
increase the humidity in the home. This hu-
midity will reduce the cooling effectiveness
of daytime mechanical cooling because of
the latent cooling load, reducing the net en-
ergy savings from using a whole house fan.
2-28 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
Optimum benefits from whole house fans:
A high mass interior and minimal moisture-
adsorbing materials (fabric furnishings,
draperies and carpets) increase benefits. A
high mass interior will stabilize temperature
swings in any home. (See section on Pas-
sive Solar Design).
A whole house fan should be insulated
above the fan box to prevent heat loss in the
winter. There are a variety of methods
available to accomplish this, including
some whole house fan models that can be
purchased with a built-in insulating system.
Windows should be opened in all the rooms
that are to be cooled and the air path to the
whole house fan should not be obstructed
by closed doors.
When to use a whole house fan
The most effective use of a whole house fan
is during periods when the air is cool and
dry. In the central Texas area, evening
hours of the spring and fall “swing” months
are typically the periods which meet these
criteria. In the evening or night, the whole
house fan will exhaust the hot air which has
built up indoors during the day. High
evening humidity levels in central Texas
during the summer months make use of a
whole house fan during this period undesir-
able. The introduction of high humidity
into a living space may have undesirable
consequences, including mold and bacteria
growth.
The strategic opening of windows will de-
termine where the cool air enters the home
and which rooms are cooled the quickest.
Some people also use their whole house fan
during the day to create a constant breeze
 FANS
GUIDELINES, continued
in the home. flow. (Check manufacturers recommenda-
tions).
Selecting a whole house fan
The fan should be sized to accomplish a Use a fan with variable air flow and note
minimum of one-half air change per minute that larger fans are generally quieter than
in the home. Air outlets in the attic must be smaller fans, particularly at lower speeds.
large enough to accommodate the fan air

RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:

See "Engineers - Air Conditioning, Heating, and Ventilating" in Yellow Pages

COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:

See "Fans - Household," in Yellow Pages

See "Building Materials - Retail" in Yellow Pages

Energy 2-29
 LIGHTING
INTRODUCTION:
Although daylighting is the most energy-efficient and preferred method of illuminating a build-
ing, it is not always adequate or available. See the Daylighting section for more information on
using natural light. Electric lighting should be designed to supplement daylight and provide ap-
propriate light levels for particular spaces. Residential, commercial, industrial, and retail facili-
ties each use several different electric light sources. The purpose of this section is to provide a
brief overview of some basic lighting fundamentals related to design, technology, and terminol-
ogy, with special emphasis given to energy-efficient systems and technologies.

(CSI Numbers: 16510 Interior Lighting Fixtures, 16551 Lamps, 16552 Ballasts)

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: There are presently good design approaches and materials in electric light-
ing.

SUPPLIERS: Energy efficient lighting products are readily available.

COST: Energy efficient lighting products have a slightly higher initial cost but show excellent
paybacks in areas where lights are heavily used.

FINANCING: Available

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: No resistance other than initial cost of energy efficient lighting.

REGULATORY: Standard electrical code.

CONSIDERATIONS:
When designing electric lighting for a partic-
ular space, both quantity and quality of light
need to be considered. Both if these issues
will be determined by considering many fac-
tors, including room/building layout, hours
of occupancy, type of activity in the space,
and age of occupants.
Quantity
Avoid overlighting a space. In the past, there
was a misconception that the more light in a
space, the higher the quality. Not only does
overlighting waste energy, but it can also re-
duce lighting quality. Begin by using The Il-
luminating Engineering Society of North
America procedure for determining the ap-
propriate average light levels for a particular
space. Then, select the appropriate type and
quantity of lamps and light fixtures based on
the following criteria:
• fixture efficiency
• lamp lumen output
• reflectance of surrounding surfaces
• light losses from lamp lumen deprecia-
tion and dirt accumulation
• room size and shape
• availability of natural light.
Quality
With regard to quality of illumination, there
are three issues that should be considered:
glare, uniformity of illumination, and color
rendition. Glare has become a much larger
concern than in the past due to the increased

Energy 2-30
 LIGHTING
CONSIDERATIONS, continued
use of computer display terminals in the
workplace. Glare is a visual discomfort
caused by an excessive bright light source.
A bright object in front of a dark back-
ground usually will cause glare. Too much
contrast causes glare and makes visual tasks
more difficult.
The uniformity of illuminance addresses
how evenly light is spread over a task area.
Two factors may compromise uniformity:
improper fixture placement, and fixtures
that are retrofitted with reflectors that nar-
row the light distribution.
Light sources vary dramatically in their
ability to accurately reflect the true colors of
people and objects. A measure of this abil-
ity is the color rendering index (CRI). The
color rendering index is a scale from 1-100,
where higher CRI represents better color
rendering. CRI’s in the range of 75 to 100
are considered excellent, 65-75 good, 55-65
fair, and 0-55 poor. Both daylight and in-
candescent light is considered ideal, with a
CRI of 100.
Light source selection
Selection of the appropriate electric light
source depends on installation require-
ments, life-cycle cost, color qualities, dim-
ming capability, and the effect desired.
Three types of lamps commonly used are
incandescent, fluorescent, and high inten-
sity discharge consisting of mercury vapor,
metal halide, high pressure sodium, and
low pressure sodium. Each light source has
its own unique characteristics of efficiency,
color temperature, and color rendering in-
dex, making some lamps more appropriate
for certain applications than others. This is
shown in Table 1.
2-31 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
Some lamp types are more efficient in
converting energy into visible light than oth-
ers. The efficacy of a lamp, measured in lu-
mens per watt, refers to the number of lu-
mens leaving the lamp compared to the
number of watts required by the lamp and
ballast. Sources with higher efficacy require
less electrical energy to light a space. Color
temperature (CT) is more of an architec-
tural choice and is a measurement of the
“warmth” or “coolness” produced by the
lamp. Lower CT light sources give a yel-
lowish, “warm” light, while high CT
sources produce a blueish, “cool” light.
Lower color temperatures (warmer sources)
are usually preferred in lower illuminance
environments such as dining areas and liv-
ing rooms and higher color temperatures
(cooler sources) are usually preferred in
higher illuminance environments such as
grocery stores and drug stores. Triphosphor
lamps with 3500K color temperature are
considered neutral and are usually preferred
in office and retail use.
All light sources gradually dim to some de-
gree as they are used. Lumen maintenance
refers to a lamp’s ability to produce light
well into its operating life. A lamp which
produces nearly the same amount of lumens
at the beginning and end of its life is said to
have a high lumen maintenance.
All fluorescent and HID lamps require bal-
lasts as an integral component of the light-
ing system. Fluorescent ballasts can either
be magnetic or electronic. The old standard
core-coil magnetic ballast is no longer avail-
able in the US. It has been replaced with the
high-efficiency core-coil and the cathode
cut-out or hybrid. The high-efficiency bal-
last replaces the aluminum wiring and
lower grade steel of the old standard ballast
 LIGHTING
CONSIDERATIONS, continued
Table 1: Comparison of Common Light Sources
Light Source Advantages Disadvantages Applications

Standard Incandescent Can be sharply focused Inefficient Accent

Flattering warm color High operational cost
Cozy atmosphere Short life
Low purchase cost Produce lots of heat
Easily dimmed (93% heat, 7% light)
Large variety Voltage sensitive
Good/Excellent lumen Vibration sensitive
maintenance

Halogen Incandescent All of the attributes of Hotter Tasks requiring acute

standard incandescent, Limited fixture choice vision
plus
More efficient
Longer life
Excellent lumen
maintenance
Fluorescent Diffuse Very limited beam General light for larger
Wide color range control areas
Very Efficient Less fixture choice Offices
Long life Fewer bulb choices Industrial
Less heat produced Retail
88% heat/12% light
Good lumen
maintenance

Metal Halide Crisp, white light Color shift Industrial

High efficacy Long restrike time Sports lighting
Good CRI Sensitive to burning Retail
Long Life position Architectural and
Fair/Good lumen landscape
maintenance

High Pressure Sodium High efficacy Low CRI Exterior lighting

Long Life Parking lots
Good/Excellent lumen Street lights
maintenance

Low Pressure Sodium High efficacy Lowest CRI Outdoor security

Excellent lumen
maintenance
Mercury Vapor Long life Low CRI Landscape
Very Low Efficacy
Poor lumen maintenance

Energy 2-32
 LIGHTING
CONSIDERATIONS, continued
with copper wiring and enhanced ferromag-
netic materials. The result of these material
upgrades is a 10 percent system efficiency
improvement.
Cathode cut-out or hybrid ballasts are
energy-efficient core-coil ballasts that incor-
porate electronic components. These com-
ponents cut off power to the cathodes after
the lamps are lit, resulting in an additional
2-watt savings per standard lamp. Full-
output T8 hybrid ballasts are nearly as effi-
cient as rapid-start two-lamp T8 electronic
ballasts.
Electronic ballasts improve fluorescent sys-
tem efficiency by converting the standard
60 Hertz input frequency to a higher fre-
quency, usually 25,000 to 40,000 Hz.
Lamps operating at these higher frequencies
produce about the same amount of light,
while consuming 12 to 25 percent less
GUIDELINES:
Incandescents
Incandescent lamps are one of the oldest
and least energy-efficient electric lighting
technologies available. Lamp efficacies
range from 6 to 24 lumens per watt. Lamp
life is also quite short relative to other elec-
tric light sources, as seen in Table 2. The
common household incandescent lamp,
also refereered to as an “A-lamp” in the
lighting industry, has a rated life of only 750
hours. Improvements in manufacturing
technology have led to reduced wattage
lamps, which are offered by several manu-
facturers, using approximately 15 percent
less power.
Incandescent lamps with reflectors have im-
proved light output. Ellipsoidal reflector
(ER) lamps outperform reflector (R) lamps
2-33 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
power. Other advantages of electronic bal-
lasts include less audible noise, less weight,
virtually no lamp flicker, and dimming ca-
pabilities (with specific ballast models).
Most magnetic ballasts have a ballast factor
between 0.93 – 0.95. The ballast factor is
the percentage of the lamps’total rated lu-
mens produced by the specified lamp-ballast
combination. Thus, a ballast with a ballast
factor of 0.90 will drive the lamps with
enough electric current to produce 90 per-
cent of the light they are capable of produc-
ing. Electronic ballasts are available in a
wide range of ballast factors. You can pur-
chase them with a high ballast factor (1.00 –
1.30) which overdrives the lamps to boost
light output, or you could specify a low bal-
last factor (0.47 – 0.80) to reduce light out-
put and energy consumption. Full output
electronic ballasts have ballast factors that
exceed a minimum of 0.85.
because of the way the light is reflected out
of the fixture. Parabolic aluminized reflec-
tor (PAR) lamps are available with im-
proved performance from reflector designs.
PAR lamps are suitable for exterior applica-
tions.
The tungsten-halogen lamp is the most effi-
cient type of incandescent. The presence of
halogen gas within the bulb produces more
light, with less energy use, as well as in-
creasing the rated life of the lamp (1000-
5000 hrs). A tungsten-halogen consumes
about 30 percent less power than a standard
A-lamp. Compact halogen lamps are popu-
lar for display and accent lighting. In-
creased efficiency tungsten-halogen lamps
are now available which use an infrared
coating on the quartz bulb or an advanced
 LIGHTING
GUIDELINES, continued
Table 2: Performance of Common Light Sources

Light Source Wattages System Efficacy Average Rated Color Life Cycle
(lm/W) Life (Hrs) Rendering Cost
Index
Standard Incandescent 3-1,500 24-Jun 750-2,000 98+ High

Tungsten Halogen 10-1,500 18-33 2,000-4,000 98+ High

Fluorescent 4-215 50-100 7,500-24,000 49-92 Low

Compact Fluorescent 4-40 50-80 10,000-20,000 82-86 Moderate

Mercury vapor 40-1,250 25-50 24,000+ 22-52 Moderate

Metal Halide 32-2,000 40-110 6,000-20,000 65-92 Moderate

High Pressure Sodium 35-1,000 40-130 16,000-24,000 21-80 Low

Low Pressure Sodium 18-180 120-180 12,000-18,000 0-18 Low

reflector design to redirect the infrared light
back to the filament. The filament then
glows hotter and the efficiency of the source
increases. Halogen lamps are available with
wide and narrow beam spread.
Diodes and thermisters are electronic com-
ponents that can be added to incandescent
lamps to improve their efficiency. Diodes
are wave rectifiers that cut 60-hertz AC cy-
cles in half. The results are similar to using
a dimmer. Although power consumption is
reduced by 42 percent, light output is re-
duced by 70 percent. Lamp life is typically
extended but color rendition is poor and the
economics are generally unfavorable. Ther-
misters limit the inrush current and reduce
the voltage. Power consumption is reduced
by 2-4 percent and light output is reduced
by 7-16 percent. Bulb life is increased 2-2½
times.
Whenever feasible, you should seek alterna-
tives to incandescent lamps. With recent
advances in compact fluorescents and halo-
gen lamps, the use of standard incandescent
lamps is difficult to justify.
Fluorescent Lamps
Fluorescent lamps are the most commonly
used commercial light source in North
America. Their popularity can be attributed
to their relatively high efficacy, diffuse light
distribution, and long operating life. Im-
provements in the phosphor coating of fluo-
rescent lamps have improved color render-
ing and made fluorescent lamps acceptable
in many applications previously dominated
by incandescent lamps.
Fluorescent lamps are available in several
shapes, including straight, U-shaped, and
circular configurations. One of the most
common lamp is the four-foot (F40), 1.5”
diameter (T12). More energy-efficient, 1”
diameter (T8) lamps are now the industry

Energy 2-34
 LIGHTING
GUIDELINES, continued
standard. Because the T8 lamps operate at
reduced current (256mA), they require a
compatible ballast. T8 lamps with electronic
ballasts produce from 90 to 100 lumens per
watt. The triphosphor coatings used in T8
lamps significantly improve color rendition.
Lamp flicker, commonly associated with
fluoresent lamps, is eliminated with the use
of T8 lamps and electronic ballsts. Fluores-
cent lamps are now available with reduced
mercury content. T5 lamps, 5/8” diameter,
are the newest technology but not yet con-
sidered an industry standard.
Compact Fluorescent Lamps
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are
energy-efficient, long lasting substitutes for
incandescent lamps. They are no longer
considered a new technology. They are
available in many configurations and
wattages, and can be purchased with lamp
and ballast as an all-in-one piece or two sep-
arate components. The advantage of sepa-
rate lamps and ballasts results from the dif-
ference in life expectancy of the two compo-
nents. CFL lamp life is usually rated around
10,000 hours and ballast life is typically
20,000 hours. Thus, when the lamp burns
out it can be replaced without having to re-
place the ballast as well. Several retrofit
adapters are available for convenient retrofit
in existing incandescent sockets. CFLs are
available in many choices of luminaires in-
cluding downlights, surface lights, pendant
luminaires, task lights, compact troffers,
sconces, exit lights, step lights, and flood
lights. Dimming CFLs have also appeard
on the market in the last few years, increas-
ing opportunities for incandescent replace-
ments.
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lamps
HID lamps are similar to fluorescents in
2-35 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
that an arc is generated between two elec-
trodes. Originally developed for outdoor
applications, HID lamps are also used in
office, retail, and other indoor applications.
HID lamps require time to warm up, usu-
ally from 2 to 6 minutes depending on the
lamp. HID lamps also have a fairly long re-
strike time, from 5 to 15 minutes, depend-
ing on which source is being used. There-
fore, good applications are areas where
lamps are not switched on and off intermit-
tently.
Mercury vapor lamps have the lowest effi-
cacy of the HID family, rapid lumen depre-
ciation, and a low CRI, as can be seen in
Table 2. Because of these characteristics,
mercury vapor lamps would not be a green
choice.
Metal halide lamps are similar to mercury
vapor but use metal halide additives inside
the arc tube along with mercury and argon.
The efficacy of metal halide lamps ranges
from 50 to 115 lumens per watt. Wattages
range from 32 to 2,000, offering a wide
range of indoor and outdoor applications.
Because of their good color rendition and
high lumen output, these lamps are well
suited for sports arenas and stadiums. In-
door uses include large auditoriums and
convention halls.
High pressure sodium (HPS) lamps differ
from mercury and metal halide lamps in
that they do not contain starting electrodes;
the ballast circuit includes a high voltage
electronic starter. They are filled with
xenon to help start the arc, as well as a
sodium-mercury gas mixture. HPS lamps
are widely used for outdoor and industrial
applications. The efficacy of the lamp is
very high – as much as 140 lumens per
 LIGHTING
GUIDELINES, continued
watt. Although HPS lamps are not gener-
ally recommended where color rendering is
critical, HPS color rendering properties are
being improved. Some HPS lamps are
available in “deluxe” and “white” colors
that provide higher color temperature and
improved color rendition. The efficacy of
low-wattage “white” HPS lamps is lower
than that of metal halide.
Low pressure sodium (LPS) lamps are in-
cluded in the HID family even though they
are similar to fluorescent systems because
of their low pressure. LPS lamps are the
most efficacious light sources, but they pro-
duce the poorest quality light of all the lamp
types. Since they are a monochromatic light
source, all colors appear black, white, or
shades of gray under an LPS source. LPS
lamp use is generally limited to outdoor ap-
plications such as security or street lighting
and low-wattage indoor applications such
as stairwells. Lower mounting heights will
provide better results with LPS lamps since
they are less effective in directing and con-
trolling a light beam, compared with “point
sources” like HPS and metal halide.
Lighting Controls
Reducing operating hours through auto-
matic lighting controls is a simple strategy
to maximize energy savings.
Occupancy sensors save energy by automat-
ically turning lights off in spaces that are
unoccupied. Most occupancy sensors have
adjustable settings for both sensitivity and
time delay. Some occupancy sensors pro-
vide daylight switching with their occu-
pancy sensing control. Occupancy sensors
use two motion-sensing technologies: pas-
sive infrared and ultrasonic. Many manu-
facturers combine these two technologies
into one product – a dual technology sen-
sor.
Besides occupancy sensors, scheduling con-
trols can help eliminate unnecessary use of
lighting. Timed switching controls can be
installed to ensure that lighting systems are
turned off or dimmed according to an estab-
lished schedule. These devices range from
simple timers to sophisticated pro-
grammable systems. Photocells may also be
used to automatically turn off lighting sys-
tems when sufficient daylight is available.
All outdoor lighting should be controlled
using a daylight switching system. For ap-
plications where outdoor lighting is not
needed for dusk-to-dawn illumination, a
timed-switching system can be wired in se-
ries with a photosensor.
Dimming controls can be used to vary the
intensity of lighting system output based on
ambient light levels, manual adjustments,
and occupancy. Daylight dimming systems
consist of photosensors that are wired di-
rectly to dimmable electronic ballasts. See
the Daylighting section for more informa-
tion on daylight dimming systems.
Panel-level dimming is a strategy that in-
volves installing a control system at the
electric panel to uniformly control all light
luminaires on the designated circuits.
Panel-level dimming is appropriate for dim-
ming HID systems as well as both electroni-
cally and magnetically ballasted fluorescent
systems. Continuous dimming is accom-
plished using a variable voltage transformer
that reduces the voltage to the HID or fluo-
rescent circuit. Another method of dimming
HID fixtures is with the use of occupancy
sensors in conjunction with HID bi-level
luminaires. Common applications include
Energy 2-36
 LIGHTING
GUIDELINES, continued
parking lots, athletic facilities, and ware- light falls in unintended areas, such as
house aisles. neighboring properties or up into the night
sky. Several methods of shielding, hooding,
and directing light are available, and should
Another “control” for lighting is the preven- be considered when planning outdoor light-
tion of “light trespass” from exterior light- ing. Not only is light trespass a waste of en-
ing. Light trespass is the situation where ergy, but undirected outdoor lighting can

RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:
See "Lighting Consultants" in Yellow Pages Powell Engineering
Douglas M. Powell, P.E.
P.O. Box 162661
Austin, TX 78716
(512) 263-5455
GENERAL ASSISTANCE:
Illuminating Engineering Society of North
America
120 Wall St., 17th floor.
New York, NY 10005
(212) 248-5000
www.iesna.org

LIGHTING SIMULATION SOFTWARE:

Lumen Micro 7.5 Lightscape
Lighing Technologies, Inc. Discreet
1630 Welton Street, Suite 400 10 Duke St.
Denver, CO 80202 Montreal, Quebec, H3C 2L7 Canada
(720)891-0030 (800) 964-6432
www.lighting-technologies.com www.lightscape.com
graphics oriented indoor lighting design which lightning design tool. High quality visual simu-
analyzes complex interior lighting systems, in- lation. $595 direct
cluding sidelighting, direct/indidrect lighting, Local sales:
mixed, and even aimed luminaires. User friendly Austin Business Computers, Inc.
input 3660 Stoneridge Rd., Bldg.F, Ste. 101
Austin, TX 78746
(512)328-4747
www.ausbcomp.com

2-37 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 LIGHTING
RESOURCES, continued
Radiance ADELINE
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Building Technologies Program Building Technologies Program
radsite.lbl.gov/radiance/home.html Mail Stop 90-3111
A suite of programs designed at Lawrence Berke- 1 Cyclotron Road
ley National Labs for the analysis and visualiza- Berkeley, CA 94720
tion of lighting in (510) 486-7916
design. Input files specify the scene geometry, ma- radsite.lbl.gov/adeline/HOME.html
terials, luminaires, time, date and sky conditions daylighting, electric lighting and whole building
(for daylight calculations). Calculated values in- analysis, provides 3-D CAD modeling of a space,
clude spectral radiance (ie. luminance + color), automatically generates SuperLite and Radiance
irradiance (illuminance + color) and glare in- input files, calculates interior luminance levels
dices. Simulation results may be displayed as
color images, numerical values and contour plots.
Radiance has no limitations on the geometry or
the materials that may be simulated. Radiance
predicts illumination, visual quality and appear-
ance of innovative design spaces, and can evalu-
ate new lighting and daylighting technologies
COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:
See "Light Bulbs and Tubes" in Yellow Pages Philips Lighting Company
P.O. Box 6800
Somerset, NJ 08875
(800) 326-6586, www.philipslighting.com/
nam/index.htm
the first dimmable compact fluorescent bulb on
the market

Energy 2-38
 NATURAL DAYLIGHTING
INTRODUCTION:
One of the most beneficial, free sources of energy is daylight. Daylight makes a useful contribu-
tion to interior luminance when properly utilized, and can be more comfortable than electric
lighting by providing a better quality of light. The British Standard Code of Practice for day-
lighting states that “All occupants of a building should have the opportunity for the refreshment
and relaxation afforded by a change of scene and focus… Unless an activity requires the exclu-
sion of daylight, a view out-of-doors should be provided irrespective of its quality.” Studies have
demonstrated benefits in worker productivity and health related to daylight in buildings. An-
other reason to use daylight in conjunction with appropriate lighting controls is the reduction in
building energy use.

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:

TECHNOLOGY: Many manufacturers offer glazing with high visible light transmission and
low shading coefficients (low heat transfer). Many manufacturers also produce dimming bal-
lasts and light-sensing fixture controls.

SUPPLIERS: There are several Austin-based lighting control manufacturers and many local
glazing and window manufacturers.

COST: Cost benefits are long-term; there may be additional expense for design fees and the
cost of controls.

FINANCING: Not an issue.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: People generally prefer natural daylight to fluorescent and incan-
descent lighting.

REGULATORY: In Austin, there are benefits from following the City's Energy Code-Lighting
Budget. Residents may be eligible for a 10 - 30 percent discount on total installed watts for dim-

CONSIDERATIONS:
Decisions made early in the design process
that deal with building orientation, form,
room depth and height, and the position and
size of windows have a significant impact on
the level of daylighting and the eventual en-
ergy consumption of the finished building.
Much research has been done throughout the
world on the study of natural illumination
and on the development of methods of pre-
diction, so that a variety of design systems
are available to the architect for predicting
with a reasonable degree of accuracy the
quality and quantity of natural interior light-
ing.
A view to the outdoors is an important con-
sideration when placing buildings on the site
and positioning rooms in the building. The
size of a view window should be proportional
to the depth of a room in order to provide an

Energy 2-39
 NATURAL DAYLIGHTING
CONSIDERATIONS, continued
adequate view from a deep room. Glare
from direct sunlight and the use of com-
puter terminals are common arguments for
excluding daylight from buildings. But peo-
ple who work at computers a large portion
of the day respond very positively to having
daylight and window access. Architects
need to learn how to design daylight build-
GUIDELINES:
Siting: The long axis of the building should
face north and south to maximize available
daylight and reduce glare. East and particu-
larly west facing glazing should be elimi-
nated to the extent practical. For good day-
lighting penetration, the depth of rooms
should be kept shallow.
Predicting Daylight: The amount of daylight
that can penetrate into a space depends on
many factors. The key factors are the visible
sky angle, the width and depth of the room,
the net window area, the visible transmit-
tence of the glass, and the reflectance of the
Figure 1
Light Shelf
2-40 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
ings for the benefits of those who use them.
Daylighting can be costly to retrofit into ex-
isting buildings but should be considered
when major building retrofits are in the
planning stage, mechanical system replace-
ments are necessary, and when entire roof
replacements are needed.
surfaces inside the room. The daylighting
factor (DF) is the illuminance at a point in-
doors, usually on the working plane, ex-
pressed as a percentage of the illuminance
outdoors. The average daylighting factor is
an approximate measure for assessing day-
light during the early stages in designing
windows and roof monitors. The recom-
mended average DF for ordinary visual
tasks is 1.5-2.5%. For moderately difficult
tasks, the average DF ranges from 2.5-
4.0%. The recommended average DF for
difficult, prolonged tasks is 4.0-8.0 percent.
The average daylighting factor does not
 NATURAL DAYLIGHTING
GUIDELINES, continued
take into account the shape of the room or daylighting factor is adequate.
the shape or height of the window. Deep
narrow rooms have a poorer uniformity ra- Reflected light makes a significant contribu-
tio – the ratio of the daylighting factor at tion to the quantity of light available within
the back of the room to that at the front, a building. The amount of light reflected
and can seem too dark even if the average depends on the reflectance of the surfaces.

Figure 2
Daylighting Methods That Minimize Heat Gain

A white roof surface can reflect consider-
able daylight into roof monitors and light
colored interior finishes can help reflect
daylight into the building interior. By diffus-
ing light and eliminating direct beam radia-
tion into an occupied space, potential glare
problems can be reduced.
Innovative systems: Light shelves, mirrored
louvers, and prismatic glazing are examples
of innovative systems that can assist in re-
ducing glare, increasing light levels, redi-
recting daylight further into the room, and
improving the uniformity of daylight within
the room. (See figure 1.)
Controlling sunlight: Solar control is in a deli-
cate balance with thermal control.
Obtaining balance requires an evaluation of
glazing, surfaces, heat and light transmit-
tence, and shading devices. Shading devices
include external shades or overhangs, de-
ciduous trees, internal blinds, and solar con-
trol glazing. External shading is the most
effective means of intercepting unwanted
solar heat gain before it enters the building.
(See figure 2.) A shading device is more ef-
fective than using tinted or heat-reflecting
glass. Keep in mind that all permanent
shading devices reduce sunlight, especially
during winter when skies are overcast. De-
ciduous trees are excellent shading devices
for south facing exposures. Internal blinds
are effective means of allowing diffused

Energy 2-41
 NATURAL DAYLIGHTING
GUIDELINES, continued
Figure 3
Lighting Control System
daylight into a space if they are properly ad-
justed. Their greatest weaknesses are that
they do not keep solar heat out, and if fully
closed, they exclude the availabledaylight .
Spectrally selective glazing is available in a
wide range of choices and should be se-
lected based on orientation and application.
It is designed to admit the visible portion of
the sun's electromagnetic spectrum while
severely restricting the infrared and ultravi-
olet radiation. In the Austin area, if the
glazing has no shading, select glazing with
visible light transmittence (VT) of at least
75 and a low solar heat gain or shading co-
efficient (SC) of 50 or less. VT and SC are
listed in glazing manufacturers’technical
data.
Electric lighting controls: As bright and pleas-
ant as daylighting features may be, there
can, of course, be no significant energy sav-
ings without control of the electric lighting
system. The combination of daylight with-
out heat gain and the appropriate lighting
controls is the best solution. See figure 3.)
The use of T-8 fluorescent fixtures driven by
dimmable electronic ballasts that permit
continuous dimming, can dim light output
2-42 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
down to 10 percent while saving up to 80
percent in energy. The connection in the
electronic dimming ballast is another hall-
mark in lighting innovation. The ballast
receives its operating signal via control
wiring that snaps in with a standard RJ-11
phone jack— it's that simple. A closed-loop
control system dims the fluorescent fixtures
in response to available daylight. For each
zone, a ceiling-mounted photosensor reads
the illumination level within a 60-degree
cone of vision. Each sensor connects di-
rectly to a group of several fluorescent fix-
tures by control wiring with RJ-11 connec-
tions. The sensor dims its group of fixtures
in response to the available daylight.
Lighting control strategies that employ day-
light switching can annoy occupants with
too frequent switching and lead to overrid-
ing or disarming of controls completely.
Control systems should take into account
the different patterns of occupancy and
make the best use of controls, rather than
simply aiming to minimize energy con-
sumption. The installation of a control sys-
tem which dims electric lights in a gradual
fashion will help to avoid frequent switch-
 NATURAL DAYLIGHTING
GUIDELINES, continued
ing. One important consideration is that in-
dividual occupants should have control of
their own local task lights. The ownership
of spaces has a major influence on the best
choice of control method.
Appropriate design tools: One of the fastest,
easiest, and least expensive methods of day-
lighting analysis is with a physical model. A
physical model will also enable photogra-
phy for qualitative analysis, comparative
evaluation of mathematical models, and
use in architectural renderings and presenta-
tions.
RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:
See "Lighting Consultants" in Yellow Pages
Powell Engineering
Douglas M. Powell, P.E.
P.O. Box 162661
Austin, TX 78716
(512) 263-5455
Modeling Software:
ADELINE
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Building Technologies Program
Mail Stop 90-3111
1 Cyclotron Road
Berkeley, CA 94720
(510) 486-7916
Daylighting, electric lighting and whole building
analysis, provides 3-D CAD modeling of a space,
automatically generates SuperLite and Radiance
input files, calculates interior luminance levels.
Computer tools are capable of providing
more detailed analyses than physical
models and have the potential to expand
the envelope of testing by providing yearly
analysis of daylighting performance and
control. Various daylight modeling software
programs are available for use in evaluating
the daylighting strategies. The results of the
daylighting models are then input into a
building energy simulation package in order
to compare design options and analyze en-
ergy consumption. This adds to design
Lightscape
1054 South DeAnza Blvd.
San Jose, CA 95129
(800) 859-9643
Lightning design tool. High quality visual simu-
lation. $495.
Lumen Micro 5.0
Lighting Technologies
David DiLaura
2540 Frontier Street, Suite 107
Boulder, CO 80301
(303) 449-5791
Graphics oriented indoor lighting design which
analyzes complex interior lighting systems, in-
cluding sidelighting, direct/indirect lighting
mixed and even aimed luminaires. User friendly
input.
Energy 2-43
 NATURAL DAYLIGHTING
RESOURCES, continued
Radiance
A suite of programs designed at Lawrence
Berkely National Labs for the analysis and visu-
alization of lighting in design. Input files specify
the scene geometry, materials, luminaires, time,
date and sky conditions (for daylight calcula-
tions). Calculated values include spectral radi-
ance (ie. luminance + color), irradiance
(illuminance + color) and glare indices. Simula-
tion results may be displayed as color images,
numerical values and contour plots. Radiance
has no limitations on the geometry or the materi-
als that may be simulated. Radiance predicts il-
lumination, visual quality and appearance of
innovative design spaces, and can evaluate new
lighting and daylighting technologies. Radiance
is UNIX software -- if you are interested in PC
software, use ADELINE .

COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:

See "Light Bulbs and Tubes" in Yellow Pages So-Luminaire Daylighting Systems Corp.
444 Quay Ave., #6
Sun Star Tubular Skylights Los Angeles, CA 90744
(800) SUN-STAR, (800) 676-5276, www.so-luminaire.com
www.sunstarskylights,com commercial skylights with solar tracking devices
Local Distributor: Sun Star of Austin Local Distributor: Schact Lighting
7218 McNeil Rd. Ste. 401 8407 P. Coulver Rd.
Austin, TX 78729 Austin, TX 78747
(512) 336-1104, www.flash.net/~sunstara (512) 243-3444

Sola Tube SunScope Natural Light System

2210 Oak Ridge Way P. O. Box 887
Vista, CA 92083 Bountiful, Utah 84011
(800) 966-7652, www.solatube.com (800) 299-9670, www.sunscope.com/in-
daylighting skylight product dex.htm.
daylighting skylight product
The Sun Tunnel
800-369-3664, www.suntunnel.com Southwall Technologies (Heat Mirror)
daylighting skylight product 1029 Corporation Way
Local Distributor: Sun Tunnel Systems Palo Alto, CA 94303
1100 South 8th Street (800) 365-8794
Austin, TX 78704 spectrally selective glazing
(512) 441-3344
Viracon
Leviton Lighting Division 800 Park Drive
9013 Tuscany Way, Suite 100 Owatonna, NM 55060-4935
Austin, TX 78754 (507) 451-9555
(512) 927-7711 spectrally selective glazing
daylight controls

2-44 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 NATURAL DAYLIGHTING
RESOURCES, continued
GENERAL ASSISTANCE:

Illuminating Engineering Society of North US Environmental Protection Agency

America ENERGY STAR
120 Wall St., 17th floor. www.epa.gov/energystar.html
New York, NY 10017 lists of ENERGY STAR qualified products
(212) 248-5000, www.iesna.org/

Energy 2-45
 PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN
INTRODUCTION:
Passive solar design refers to design and material choices which use or avoid the sun’s heat to
promote thermal comfort and energy conservation and obviate or reduce the need for mechani-
cal heating, cooling, and ventilation systems. It is the traditional method used throughout the
world to increase comfort.

See “Earth-Sheltered Design” in the Energy section of this Sourcebook for a discussion of pas-
sive solar techniques which employ the earth as a major component of a building’s thermal con-
trol system.
AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: Well-developed for both passive heating and passive cooling.

SUPPLIERS: Passive solar design is practiced to varying degrees by many designers and archi-
tects in Central Texas.

COST: The initial cost of passive design elements depends on the element. Some cost the same
(e.g., light exterior walls for cooling in a hot climate) or only slightly more than conventional
building costs (e.g., overhangs designed to control sun penetration in a hot climate). Some cost
considerably more (e.g., interior thermal mass materials such as stone and brick). Operating
costs are substantially lowered by these measures, however.

FINANCING: There is no financing issue with most passive design features, unless the house
does not include mechanical heating or cooling. Lenders typically believe that the resale value
of a home is reduced if mechanical heating and cooling are not installed.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: There is a basic understanding and acceptance of passive heating

among people who have relocated to Central Texas from colder regions. Passive cooling ap-
proaches are less well understood but are not controversial.

REGULATORY: Allowable glass area is contingent on window type (e.g., single-pane or insu-
lated, frame material) and insulation levels, according to the Energy Code. It typically is not
necessary to exceed the allowed amount of glass to accomplish passive solar heating in Austin.
An approved analytic tool (such as that provided by the Passive Solar Industries Council)
should be used to establish amount and placement of glazing, overhang size, etc. The City of
Austin Energy Code does have shading requirements, which can be met in a variety of ways
(properly sized overhangs, solar screens or southern low-e glass with a minimum shading coeffi-

CONSIDERATIONS:
Optimum design features and material
choices depend on the conditions to be miti-
gated in the area in which the building is
located. It is critical to select elements
appropriate for both the macro-climate of
the area and the micro-climate of the build-
ing site.

Energy 2-46
 PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN
CONSIDERATIONS, continued
A measure which works well in one place
may not work well in another. For exam-
ple, sunrooms, trombe walls, and skylights
are effective means of heating in cold cli-
mates, but they are likely to result in over-
heating in Central Texas. Central Texas has
fairly consistent cooling breezes from the
Gulf of Mexico, but if a building site is on
the west side of a hill, it will be cut off from
this breeze.
It should be easy to provide all heating
needed in Central Texas with passive solar
means. In fact, care must be taken to avoid
overheating.
GUIDELINES:
Whether for passive heating or cooling in
Central Texas, the following design features
are suggested. The optimum building shape
is long and narrow, with the longest sides
facing south and north. There is minimal
glazing on east and west, because the sun
strikes those surfaces at least half the day
and cannot be easily controlled. A moder-
ate amount of glazing may be placed on the
north side without a major energy and com-
fort penalty. The most glazing should be on
the south side. Overhangs on the south side
can be easily sized to shade in the summer,
when the sun path is high in the sky, and
allow sun in the winter, when the sun path
is low.
Passive Solar Heating
Two primary elements are required: south
facing glass and thermal mass to absorb,
store, and distribute heat.
There are three approaches to passive
systems-- direct gain, indirect gain, and isolated
gain. Only direct gain is applicable in
2-47 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
Cooling measures are much more impor-
tant than heating in this region. Passive
cooling is difficult due to frequent high hu-
midity, however, especially in the spring
and fall and at night in summer. Because
of nighttime cloud cover, heat does not dis-
sipate well to the night sky. Evaporative
cooling does not work well under these con-
ditions. A whole-house fan may be effective
at flushing out hot air in dry periods, but
will simply bring in too much moisture for
comfort in humid periods. Carpets, drapes,
and over-stuffed furniture should be
avoided as much as possible, because they
Central Texas, unless the system is very
well engineered.
The goal of all passive solar heating systems
is to capture the sun's heat within the build-
ing and release that heat during periods
when the sun is not shining. At the same
time that the building is absorbing heat for
later use, solar heat is available for keeping
the space comfortable, but not overheated.
Direct Gain
In this system, the actual living space is a
solar collector, heat absorber, and distribu-
tion system. South-facing glass admits solar
energy into the house where it directly and
indirectly strikes thermal mass materials,
such as masonry floors and walls. The di-
rect gain system utilizes 60 - 75 percent of
the sun's energy striking the windows.
In a direct gain system, the thermal mass
floors and walls are functional parts of the
house. It is also possible to use water con-
tainers inside the house to store heat.
 PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN
GUIDELINES, continued
However, it is more difficult to integrate
water storage containers in the design of the
house.
The thermal mass tempers the intensity of
the heat during the day by absorbing the
heat. At night, the thermal mass radiates
heat back to the living space.
Direct gain system rules of thumb for Central
Texas:
• Conduct a heat load analysis of the
house.
• Do not exceed 6 inches of thickness in
thermal mass materials.
• Do not cover thermal mass floors with
wall to wall carpeting. Keep floors as
bare as functionally and aesthetically
possible.
• Use a medium dark color for masonry
floors and use light colors for low-mass
walls. Thermal mass walls may be any
color.
• For every square foot of south glass, use
150 pounds of masonry or 4 gallons of
water for thermal mass.
• Fill the cavities of concrete block used
for thermal storage with concrete.
• It’s better to have thermal mass spread
throughout the living space rather than
concentrated in one place .
• The surface area of mass exposed to di-
rect sunlight should be 9 times the area
of the glazing/windows.
Sun tempering is the use of direct gain with-
out added thermal mass. For most homes,
multiply the house square footage by 0.08
to determine the amount of south facing
glass for sun tempering.
Passive Solar Cooling
1. Thermal mass
To promote passive cooling in a climate
that is both hot and humid, a low mass or a
high mass structure may be used:
• low thermal mass— the use of materials
that don’t heat well and cool quickly
when the sun is not striking them. This
includes such materials as a light metal
or wood frame and a metal roof.
• high thermal mass— the use of materials
that hold heat well and change tempera-
ture slowly. This includes such materi-
als as masonry and stone for floors,
walls, and roofs.
Low thermal mass structures have typically
been built in the hot, humid south, which
also has high nighttime temperatures. High
thermal mass structures have typically been
built in the dry southwest, where the night-
time temperatures are cool, and occupants
benefit from lag time between the heating
and cooling of the building. However, re-
cent studies show that high thermal mass
structures provide at least a small comfort
benefit in any cooling climate (a climate in
which cooling in needed).
2. Reflectance
A large amount of the sun’s heat can be re-
flected away from a building by the use of
highly reflective exterior surfaces, especially
for roofing. Reflectance depends on such
elements as color and texture. The closer to
white, and the smoother and shinier, the
more reflectant the surface and the cooler
the building will be.
3. Shading
The most important passive cooling strat-
egy, regardless of mass, is shading. The
more of a building that can be shaded,
Energy 2-48
 PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN
GUIDELINES, continued
especially the roof and windows, the better.
• The most effective shading is accom-
plished outside the building by trees
(which also cool by transpiration), or
even a hill, or other buildings. One part
of a building may also serve to shade
another.
• Further exterior shading of windows
and walls can be accomplished by over-
hangs, arbors, and awnings.
To shade in summer (and allow sun
penetration in winter) use the following
formula: kx = d. Where k = the multi-
plier for a given orientation at a given
latitude; x = width of the overhang in
feet; d = depth of shade on the wall/
window
Latitude multipliers for Central
Texas (30 degrees):
0.83 = glass facing east or west
1.63 = glass facing southeast or
southwest
2.89 = glass facing north, north-
west, or northeast
5.40 = glass facing south
Note that an overhang only two feet
wide shades an entire 8’or 9’high
south wall in summer.
• Solar screens or southern-type low-
window glass (spectrally selective) fur-
ther reduce heat gain. (Note that any
screen, whether solar or insect, de-
creases the velocity of slow breezes, but
screening a porch will not reduce air
speeds as much as screening windows.)
• Interior shading of windows by blinds
or drapes is helpful, but not as effective
as exterior shading, since heat has
already penetrated the building.

8’wall faces South 8’wall faces Southeast 8’wall faces Southeast

Overhang is 2’wide.
Multiplier = 5.4
2(5.4) = 10.8’of shade.
3’x 5’window at 6’-8’:
window is fully shaded.
Overhang is 2’wide.
Multiplier = 1.63
2(1.63) = 3.26’of shade.
3’x 5’window at 6’-8’:
window only partially shaded.
Overhang is 3’wide.
Multiplier = 1.63
2(1.63) = 4.89’of shade.
3’x 5’window at 6’-8’:
one-foot wider overhang gives
almost full shade.

FIGURE 1: CALCULATING SHADE FROM OVERHANGS

2-49 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN
GUIDELINES, continued
4. Natural ventilation
In Central Texas, prevailing summer
breezes come from the south and southeast
off the Gulf of Mexico. This fortunately
matches well with the increased glazing on
the south side needed for passive heating,
making it possible to achieve both winter
solar gain and good ventilation whenever
needed with the following strategies:
• Place operable windows on the south
and north sides. Casement windows
work best because they can be opened
100 percent and can be selected to
swing right or left, whichever directs
airflow best in a given space.
FIGURE 2: WING WALL
• If possible, place windows on more
than one side of a room. If a room can
have windows on one side only, ventila-
tion will work best if they are placed as
far apart as possible.
• For best effect, make outlet openings
slightly larger than inlet openings.
Place the inlets at low to medium
heights to provide airflow at occupant
levels in the room. Inlets close to a wall
result in air "washing" along the wall.
• Wing walls can be added next to win-
dows on the windward side of the build-
ing to direct the breeze into the win-
dow. Pressure differences are created by
wing walls that accelerate the natural
Energy 2-50
 PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN
GUIDELINES, continued
wind speed.
• An open interior plan (as few interior
walls as possible) promotes cross venti-
lation across the entire building, not just
within rooms.
• A thermal chimney is a building design
feature which enables convective cur-
rents to draw air out of a building. By
creating a warm or hot zone with an
exterior exhaust outlet, air can be
drawn into, up, and out of the building,
ventilating the structure.
Thermal chimney effects can be inte-
grated into the building design with
open stairwells and atria.
FIGURE 2: THERMAL CHIMNEY EFFECT
2-51 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
5. Materials and landscaping
Passive heating and cooling also rely on the
incorporation of materials which affect heat
flow. See the Energy Section of this Source-
book for further information on landscap-
ing, radiant barrier and ridge and soffit
venting. See the Material Section for more
information on insulation, windows and
doors, roofing, and more.
6. Systems and lifestyle
The ability of passive designs to provide
comfort depends on internal heat and mois-
ture loads as well as external effects from
the climate and site. Appliances and electric
lights (especially incandescent) add a great
deal of heat and/or humidity to the living
 PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN
RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:

L. M. Holder III
4202 Spicewood Springs Rd. #214 Barley & Pfieffer Architects
Austin, TX 78759 1800 W. 6th St.
(512) 345-8817, mac@holder3.com Austin, TX 78703
(512) 476-8580, greenarchs@aol.com
Robert James Architecture
4601 Ave. B Stanley Architects
Austin, Texas 78751 P.O. Box 3095
(512) 450-0589, rhjarchitect@juno.com Austin, Texas 78764
(512) 445-0444, stanarch@io.com
Kinney and Associates
P.O. Box 6456 Stewardship, Inc.
Austin, Texas 78762-6456 2313 W. 8th St.
(512) 472-5572, gkinney@texnet.com Austin, TX 78703
(512) 478-9033,
Benjamin C. Obregon, Architect gayle_borst@greenbuilder.com
13429 Overland Pass
Austin, TX 78736 Michael Garrison
(512) 263-0177 2605 Enfield
bobregon@bga.com Austin, TX 78703
(512) 474-2866
Center for Maximum Potential Building
Systems Hatch Partnership
8604 FM 969 702 San Antonio Street
Austin, TX 78724 Austin, TX 78701
(512)928-4786, www2.cmpbs.org (512) 474-8548

G. W. Crow Francisco Arumi

7604 Hemingway Dr. School of Architecture
Austin, TX 78752 UT Austin
(512) 458-1547 Austin, TX 78712
(512) 471-1922
Architecture + Plus
1907 N. Lamar, Suite 260 Venture Four Architects
Austin, TX. 78705 P. O. Box 163494
(512) 328-3424 Austin, TX 78716
(512) 481-1881, www.jumpnet.com/
Christopher J. Allen ~architect
1406 W. 39 1/2 St.
Austin, TX 78756 Environment Associates
(512) 467-2888 4219 Richmond Ave. Ste 250

Energy 2-52
 PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN
RESOURCES, continued
COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:
See "Greenhouse and Solarium Builders"
in Yellow Pages
Plans:
Affordable Passive Solar Homes
by Richard Crowther
American Solar Energy Society
2400 Central Ave., G-1
Boulder, Co 80301
(303) 443-3130, www.ases.com
Designs for Affordable Housing
by Steven Winter Associates
HUD USER
P. O. Box 6091
Rockville, MD 20849
(800) 245-2691, www.huduser.org
Integrated Energy House Design Book
Passive Solar Environments
821 West Main St.
Kent, OH 44240
Affordable Passive Solar Homes
by Richard Crowther
American Solar Energy Society
2400 Central Ave., G-1
Boulder, Co 80301
(303) 443-3130, www.ases.com
Designs for Affordable Housing
by Steven Winter Associates
HUD USER
P. O. Box 6091
Rockville, MD 20849
(800) 245-2691, www.huduser.org
Integrated Energy House Design Book
Passive Solar Environments
821 West Main St.
2-53 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
Kent, OH 44240
Solar Homes Design Portfolio
Tennessee Valley authority
Communications Dept..
400 West Summit Hill Dr.
Knoxville, TN 37902
Solplan 5: Energy-conserving Passive Solar
Houses
Drawing-Room Graphic Services, Ltd.
P. O. Box 88627
North Vancouver, BC V7L 4L2
Canada
Building Value Into Housing Awards
Program
HUD USER
P. O. Box 6091
Rockville, MD 20849
(800) 245-2691, www.huduser.org
Home Designs for Energy Efficient Living
HomeStyles Publishing and Marketing
213 East 4th Street
St. Paus, MN 55401
(6120 302-5000
Passive Retrofit Handbook
Southern Solar Energy Ctr. and USDOE
1980, available from Green Building Prog.
Operation Solar
Northeast Utilities
P. O. Box 270
Hartford, CT 06141-0270
(860) 665-2719, www.nu.com/aboutNU/
clp/doc/ech/hdp/index.html
 PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN
RESOURCES, continued
18250 Tanner Rd.
Citronell, AL 36522
Solar Homes for North Carolina Passive Solar House Plans
North Carolina Solar Center Solstice Designs, Inc.
Jane S. McKimmon Center Box 2043
Box 7401 Evergreen, CO 80439
North Carolina State University (303) 674-7700
Raleigh, NC 27695-7401
(800) 33-NCSUN

Sun-Inspired Home Plans

Energetic Design Inc.
Debra Rucker Coleman

GENERAL ASSISTANCE:

Texas Solar Energy Society

P. O. Box 1447 American Solar Energy Society, Inc.
Austin, TX 78767-1447 (ASES)
(512) 326-3391, (800) 465-5049 2400 Central Ave., G-1
www.txses.org Boulder, CO 80301
(303) 443-3130, www.ases.org
American Solar Energy Society, Inc.
(ASES) Solar Energy Industries Assoc.
2400 Central Ave., G-1 122 C Street NW, 4th Floor
Boulder, CO 80301 Washington, DC 20001-2109
(303) 443-3130, www.ases.org (202) 383-2600, www.seia.org

Solar Energy Industries Assoc. National Renewable Energy Laboratory

122 C Street NW, 4th Floor 1617 Cole Blvd.
Washington, DC 20001-2109 Golden, CO 80401-3393
(202) 383-2600, www.seia.org (303) 275-3000, www.nrel.gov/

National Renewable Energy Laboratory Solar Energy International

1617 Cole Blvd. P.O. Box 715
Golden, CO 80401-3393 Carbondale, CO 81623-0715
(303) 275-3000, www.nrel.gov/ (970) 963-8855, www.solarenergy.org
workshops, education
Texas Solar Energy Society
P. O. Box 1447 State Energy Conservation Office
Austin, TX 78767-1447 200 E. 10th St., Suite 206
(512) 326-3391, (800) 465-5049 Austin, TX 78701
www.txses.org (512) 463-1931, www.gsc.state.tx.us/en-

Energy 2-54
 PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN
RESOURCES, continued
ergy/energy.html Washington, DC 20005
(202) 628-7400, www.sbicouncil.org
Sustainable Buildings Industry Council
(SBIC) Florida Solar Energy Center
(formerly Passive Solar Industries Council) 1679 Clearlake Rd.
1331 H Street, N.W., Suite 1000 Cocoa, FL 32922

2-55 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS
INTRODUCTION:
The word "photovoltaic" combines two terms - "photo" means light and "voltaic" means volt-
age. A photovoltaic system in this discussion uses photovoltaic cells to directly convert sunlight
into electricity.

(CSI Numbers: 16621 Storage Batteries, 16200 Power Generation, 16300 Power Transmission, 16500

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: Reliable and well tested. PV components have improved. Installation and
equipment selection generally requires the services of a licensed engineer or reputable solar
dealer for each application.

SUPPLIERS: There are several local suppliers and installers and mail order companies offering
PVs. Pricing is competitive; phone consultation and engineering services are also offered by
many of the suppliers and dealers.

COST: Overall system costs are greatly influenced by installation and subsystem costs. Phasing
or staging of systems can help spread financial impact.

FINANCIAL: Lenders will be reluctant to finance a PV system when grid-connected power is

available. A "stand alone" PV system will have a better chance for financing if backed up with a
generator. Building integrated PV will not present a problem for lenders.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: People generally accept the idea of PVs as nonpolluting, "free"
electric power from the sun. However, many people consider PVs futuristic and feel that there
may be more technical developments needed other than price reductions. General understand-
ing of PV systems is practically nonexistent.

REGULATORY: National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements apply to PV systems. Article

690 of the NEC specifically addresses PV systems. There are other sections that also apply to
PVs but when there is a conflict Article 690 takes precedence. Articles 480 and 690 deal with
battery safety. The Photovoltaic Systems Assistance Center (see Resources) produces a docu-
ment entitled “Photovoltaic Power Systems and the National Electric Code: Suggested Prac-
tices.”

The City of Austin’s electric utility (Austin Energy) regulates PV systems in the following areas
(see Resources, General Assistance):

(1) Compliance with Laws - This refers to applicable NEC and National Electric Safety
Code rules and any other applicable laws and ordinances.
(2) Compliance with Installation Rules - Compliance with Standards for Electric Ser-
vice for the City of Austin service area is needed.
(3) Applicability - Safety requirements apply to all PV systems (or any private power

Energy 2-56
 PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS
AT-A-GLANCE NOTES, continued
producing systems) whether the system is connected to the City of Austin's grid or
not.
CONSIDERATIONS:
The technology employed in PV systems is
well-developed and there are improvements
and modifications occurring regularly, pri-
marily in production processes. The sys-
tems are quite reliable and have been well
tested.
Electric power generation options are now
starting to be compared on a basis that in-
cludes "externalities." Externalities are the
hidden costs associated with a power
source that are not accounted for in the
price of the power produced. These hidden
costs include damage to the environment
caused by the sourcing, processing, trans-
porting, using, and disposal aspects of
power sources such as coal, oil, nuclear,
and natural gas. PVs are much less polluting
than other fuels.
The primary obstacle to increased use of
photovoltaic systems is their high initial
cost, although price reductions are continu-
ing. In some off-grid locations as short as
one quarter mile from an electric power
line, photovoltaic systems can be more cost
effective than connecting to the grid when
the costs of power line installation and
monthly electric bills are considered.
Some utilities, including Austin's, have es-
tablished centralized PV power stations.
The City of Austin’s electric utility (Austin
Energy) has recently established a “Solar
Explorer Program” which allows customers
to pay a small fee on their monthly utility
bill to construct additional PV panels to add
more renewable energy generation to the
2-57 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
City’s overall energy production base.
PV can serve many power requirements. PV
can provide for specific individual power
requirements such as water pumping needs;
power for irrigation systems and controls;
power to help ventilate outlying buildings or
animal stables; power for entry gates or
communication devices such as emergency
phones or lighting; and the list goes on.
However, the focus in this document will be
on PV for a building or home.
Of greater interest to building and home-
owners is the potential of decentralized PV
systems located at commercial buildings or
residences, providing power directly to the
user and to the centralized power grid when
PV power exceeds the user’s requirements.
The grid provides power to the building
when the PVs are not producing power.
To reduce the initial costs for PV system,
there should be an initial focus on reducing
the electric energy requirements of the
building. Electric appliances such as, refrig-
erators, air conditioners, water heaters,
ranges, electric dryers, and clothes washers
are all large users of electricity. Alternative
energy sources such as gas or solar appli-
ance must be investigated. Any electric ap-
pliances must be energy efficient. The build-
ing envelope should be designed to mini-
mize HVAC requirements as well.
 PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS
GUIDELINES:
Introduction
Specific guidelines for PVs or private power
producing systems are available in a report
by Austin Energy called City of Austin Stan-
dard Interconnection Guidelines for Customer
Power Production Interface. This report in-
cludes information relevant to all PV sys-
tems - - stand-alone or grid-connected.
The following information is very basic to
understanding photovoltaic systems. There
are several excellent and highly-
recommended guides and sourcebooks
listed in the Resources section.
Two approaches for using PVs
Stand-alone system
Does not use electric utility power. Provides
direct DC power when sun light is avail-
able. If power is needed when sunlight is
not available, batteries will be required to
store power for the times when the sun is
not shining.
The stand-alone system is termed a
"separate system" by Austin Energy. How-
ever, a "separate system" in the Utility's ter-
minology can exist in a home that also has
utility power as long as they are completely
separated.
Grid-interface system
Uses power from the central utility when
needed and supplies surplus home-
generated power back to the utility. It is
termed a "parallel" system by Austin En-
ergy.
The following information presents a partial
overview of the guidelines for interface with
Austin Energy:
(a) Technical data and information must be
supplied to the Utility. This includes
physical layout drawings, equipment speci-
fications and characteristics, coordination
data (this pertains to the parts that will
achieve the link to the utility system), test
data on the equipment, synchronizing
methods, operating and instruction manu-
als, and maintenance schedule and records.
(b) Interconnection equipment is installed
and maintained by the customer.
(c) Maintenance records must be provided
to the Utility if requested. Protective equip-
ment must be checked by the customer ev-
ery 2 years or as required by the Utility.
(d) Customer must provide their own pro-
tective devices for their system.
(e) Extra costs incurred by Austin Energy in
the interface arrangement must be borne by
the customer.
(f) The PV system can operate only after
written approval is received from Austin
Energy.
(g) The customer and Austin Energy must
agree upon safety procedures.
The power produced can be metered so that
when power is produced by the PVs and
sent into the grid the meter will run back-
wards, thus allowing for a discount in con-
sumption costs.
Either a grid-interface or a stand-alone sys-
tem can be used to partially power the
building.
Steps in designing a PV system
Calculate the electrical load
Energy 2-58
 PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS
GUIDELINES, continued
Examine the building’s energy usage in the
areas of lighting, heating, cooling, cooking
and refrigeration. Conservation opportuni-
ties can then be isolated in each category
that can affect overall electrical consump-
tion.
Thermal energy requirement for heating living
spaces, water, and cooking:
Best accomplished by non-electrical fuels
such as solar, gas, and wood. Electric space
heating, water heating, and cooking require
an enormous amount of electricity. It is not
practical to use photovoltaics to create elec-
tricity for these purposes. Solar energy can
be used more efficiently in other forms such
as passive and active solar space heating
and solar water heating. For thermal loads,

TABLE 1: HOW TO CALCULATE THE SIZE OF A RESIDENTIAL PV SYSTEM

Qty. Appliance Hours of Wattage* Total Daily Watt Hours Used

Daily Use
x1.1
x1.1
x1.1
x1.1
x1.1
Daily Energy Use

*Wattage is usually listed. If not, multiply the voltage times the amperage to obtain wattage.
See the labels for the applicance/equipment to get this information.
Steps: (1) List the appliances, lighting, equipment that will be operated.
(2) Circle the appliances that will operate on DC.
(3) Enter the quantity of appliances, estimated hours of daily use and their respective
wattage.
(4) Multiply “Qty” (quantity) times “Hours of Daily Use” times “Wattage” and enter
into the “Total Daily Watt Hours Used” column for each appliance. For each appli
ance that is not circled, multiply the “Total Daily Watt Hours Used” amount by 1.1
and enter that amount in the column.
(5) Add the “Total Daily Watt Hours Used” to get a total “Daily Energy Use.”
If batteries are used to store the PV generated power, multiply the “Daily Energy Use” total by
1.25 to account for battery inefficiencies. The final total is the amount of power that PV’s need
to provide to accomplish operation of the listed appliances for one day.

2-59 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS
GUIDELINES, continued
Lighting, appliance, and equipment operation:
Use the most efficient lighting, appliances,
and operating strategies. Consider incorpo-
rating daylighting strategies. Highly effi-
cient lighting products are readily available
and the energy efficiency of appliances can
be easily compared for the best choices.
Refrigeration:
Refrigeration consumes a proportionally
large amount of electrical energy making
PV power very costly.
There are gas refrigerators and two manu-
facturers of very high efficiency electrical
refrigerators and freezers (see solar friendly
products in the Resources listed at the end
of this section).
Air conditioning:
Air conditioning systems account for a ma-
jor portions of the electric bill in both
homes and businesses. High efficiency units
are available for all types of buildings at
cost-effective prices. As an alternative to
electric, natural gas powered air condition-
ing is also commercially available. (See AC
section for further discussion of energy effi-
cient air conditioning.
Size of the PV System:
Different sized PV panels will produce dif-
ferent amounts of power. The rated output
wattage of a panel is the amount of watts
the panel will create in one hour of direct
sunlight.
For our area, multiply the rated wattage by
5.1 to get the average wh (watt hours)
amount produced in one day. The 5.1 factor
equals the viable operating hours per day
and accounts for the fact that there will be
more sun available in the summer and less
in the winter.
Photovoltaic Cells
Description
Semiconductor material, typically silicon, is
used in thin wafers or ribbons in most com-
mercially available cells. One side of the
semiconductor material has a positive
charge and the other side is negative. Sun-
light hitting the positive side activates the
negative side electrons and produce an elec-
trical current.
Crystalline silicon
Crystalline cells have been in service the
longest and exhibit outstanding longevity.
Cells developed almost 40 years ago are still
operating and most manufacturers offer 10-
year or longer warranties on them.
There are two categories of crystalline cells,
single crystal and polycrystalline. They per-
form similarly, and their efficiency is
around 13 percent.
Amorphous silicon
Amorphous silicon is a recent technology
for solar cells. They are cheaper to produce
and offer greater flexibility, but their effi-
ciency is half of that of crystalline cells and
they will degrade with use. This type of cell
will produce power in low light situations.
This technology is expected to improve ap-
plication possibilities far exceeding crys-
talline technology.
Currently, the best choice for solar cells is the
crystalline variety.
PV Subsystems - Inverters, Controllers,
and Wiring
Energy 2-60
 PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS
GUIDELINES, continued
Inverters
Conventional appliances and equipment
and utility-supplied power use alternating
current (AC) power. PV systems produce
direct current (DC) power.
Inverters are required to convert the power
from the PVs from DC to AC. Recently-
produced inverters are reliable and efficient.
They are also a major cost for the project.
For practical reasons, including electrical
code compliance and financing, it is best to
have a conventional (AC) electrical distri-
bution system in the house. This will permit
the use of appliances, equipment, and
lighting that is commonly available.
Charge controllers
Charge controllers prevent overcharging of
batteries by regulating voltage. They also
prevent losses of power back through the
panels at night. All components must be
sized properly to match the system.
Wiring
Some direct current (DC) equipment may
be desirable in a home. DC appliances and
equipment, although initially more costly
than their AC counterparts, will use less
power to operate. In some cases, such as
pumps, the DC motors are much more effi-
cient.
When DC wiring is going to be used in a
home, a heavier wire is required. Generally,
#10 wire is best for direct current applica-
tions but larger wire may be necessary if the
wire runs are long. Tables for determining
wire size are available in the manuals of-
fered by companies listed in the Resources
section.
2-61 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
Electrical code requirements will apply to
PV installations regarding fused discon-
nects, load centers, and proper grounding.
Inverted power (AC) is wired normally as
per code.
Mounting PV panels
PV arrays must be placed where they will
receive the most sunlight. At our latitude, a
45-degree slope to the panels with a south
orientation is best. The 45-degree slope will
help offset the shorter winter day by bring-
ing the panels closer to perpendicular to the
lower winter sun.
There are several ways to mount the panels
– fixed, fixed with adjustable tilt angles,
manual tracking, passive tracking, and
active tracking. All of these mounting ap-
proaches can be placed on the ground or on
a roof, except for some active trackers
which are pole mounted and thus more
suited for a ground installation.
Fixed mounts are the least costly and lowest
energy producing mounting systems. A
metal frame suited for outdoor conditions is
best, as wood racks degrade much more
quickly.
The fixed mount with adjustable tilt angles and
manual tracking mounts will require changing
the angle of the PV panels either several
times a day (manual tracking) and/or sea-
sonal adjustments to keep the panels as
close to perpendicular as possible to the sun
(tilt angle adjustments).
Trackers are useful if the site is appropriate.
There must be no obstacles to the east and
west that will block the sun since the track-
ers will orient the PV panels to face the sun
from early morning to late afternoon. Pas-
sive trackers are typically freon-activated to
 PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS
GUIDELINES, continued
track the sun from east to west only (there is
no automatic tilt angle change). Active track-
ers draw a very small amount of power from
the PV panels (as low as one watt) and
mechanically track from east to west and
adjust to the proper tilt angle. The passive
trackers will increase panel output from 40-
50 percent. Active trackers will improve
panel output by as much as 60 percent.
However, it is important to realize that the
largest gains for the trackers occurs during
the longest days of summer. There are not
large gains in the winter.
Batteries
Batteries are the best method of storing en-
ergy from a PV system for the periods when
the sun is not shining. (This is for stand-alone
or non -grid connected systems.) A deep cycle
battery is needed for PV applications. This
type of battery can be discharged almost
completely and recharged to full capacity.
Daily load information will be needed for
determining the battery sizing.
Steps for sizing the battery bank:
(a) Divide the "Daily Energy Use" by the
voltage of the battery (typically 12 volts).
The result is amp-hours, the common man-
ner of measuring battery capacity. For ex-
ample, if the "Daily Energy Use" is 2,000
(watt-hours), divide 2,000 by 12 (167 amp-
hours).
(b) Multiply the daily amp-hours by the
number of days that you want to have
power in storage in case the sun is not shin-
ing adequately. Three to five days is recom-
mended. For this example, we will choose
four days. Multiply 167 amp-hours per day
times 4 days (668 amp-hours).
Batteries should not be completely dis-
charged. A deep cycle lead-acid battery (the
main battery option) will last longest if it is
discharged only 50 percent. By dividing the
total amp-hours from Step 2 (668) by .50,
the optimal battery capacity is determined:
668/.50 = 1336 amp-hours at 12 volts.
Selecting batteries:
Car batteries are not suitable for PV applica-
tions as they cannot handle the deep cycling
that can occur.
"RV" or "marine" batteries can handle a
deeper discharge than car or starter batteries
and can be used in a beginning system.
They will last 2 to 3 years.
Gel cell sealed batteries can be used in lim-
ited conditions, but also will not handle
deep discharges. Because they are sealed,
they are suited to marine applications.
Deep cycle batteries are available for golf
carts, and include Industrial Chloride bat-
teries. These batteries are the best choice
for PV systems as they can be discharged 80
percent. The golf cart batteries will last 3-5
years. There are some larger capacity deep
cycle batteries that will last 7-10 years.
Industrial Chloride batteries will last 15-20
years.
Non lead-based batteries such as nickel-
cadmiums are costly but can last a very long
time if they are not completely discharged.
A new type of nickel-cadmium battery, fiber
nickel cadmium, has outstanding longevity at
a 25 percent discharge rate. Nickel-
cadmium (NiCad) batteries have different
operating and maintenance characteristics
than lead-acid batteries that must be consid-
ered. For example, it is difficult to measure
the depth of discharge that is occurring with
Energy 2-62
 PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS
GUIDELINES, continued
a NiCad battery since its output is constant tion and maintenance characteristics of the
up to the last moments before it is com- NiCad batteries they offer.
pletely discharged. Check with the suppliers For large systems, the best battery choices
in the Resources section about the opera- will be the "true" deep cycle types. Caution

RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:

Solar Design Associates, Inc.

P.O. Box 242 Osborne Solar
Harvard, MA 01451 909 W. 23rd Street
(978) 456-6855 Austin, TX 78705
http://www.solardesign.com/~sda (512) 476-3511
Consultant, Wind, Photovoltaics, Solar Thermal
Mike Sloan
906-1/2 Congress Ave. Solar Energy International
Austin, TX 78701 P.O. Box 715
(512) 476-9899, www.vera.com Carbondale, CO 81623
PV, Solar Water, Solar Thermal Electric, Wind, (970) 963-8855, www.solarenergy.org
Passive Solar Architecture, Engineering, BioEn- workshops, education
ergy, Hydroelectric, Geothermal, Marketing,
Conustant, Research, Education

COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:

some listed here may also offer equipment sales Southwest PV Systems & Supply
and engineering assistance 212 E. Main St.
Tomball, TX 77375
Southern Sol-Air Power (281) 351-0031, www.southwestpv.com
P. O. Box 2096 PV supplier/installer serving Austin area
Cedar Park, TX 78630
(512) 250-5414, www.eden.com/~solar Eco-Wise
design, sales and installation of PV equipment, 110 W. Elizabeth
consultant, solar ovens Austin, TX 78704
(512) 326-4474, www.ecowise.com
Tampa Systems solar outdoor lighting
12113 Roxie Dr., Ste 202
Austin, TX 78729 Jade Mountain Inc.
(512) 336-7664, tampasys@aol.com P.O. Box 4616
Uni-Solar PV Integrated Roofing Systems Boulder, CO 80306
(800) 442-1972, www.jademountain.com
retail PV system supplier

2-63 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS
RESOURCES, continued
Texas Solar Power Company Photovoltaics, Wind, Solar Water Heating
1703 West Koenig Lane Entech, Inc.
Austin, TX 78756 1077 Chishom Trail
(512) 459-9494, Keller, TX 76248
www.txsolarpowercompany.com (817) 379-0100, www.entechsolar.com/
design, sales, and installation of photovoltaic Photovoltaics, Manufacture, Installer/Service
equipment
Photocomm Inc. of Texas
Alternative Energy Engineering 13130 Stafford Road
P.O. Box 339 Stafford, TX 77477
Redway, CA 95560 (281) 933-1578
(800) 777-6609, www.alt-energy.com Photovoltaics, Installer/Service
retail PV, hydro, wind systems supplier
Solar System Installations
Real Goods Trading Co. P. O. Box 736
555 Leslie St. Coppell, TX 75019
Ukiah, CA 95482-5576 (214) 462-0626
(800) 919-2400, www.realgoods.com Solar Water Heating, Photovoltaics
retail PV, wind systems supplier
Solarcraft
Sunelco P. O. Box 950
100 Sheels St. Stafford TX 77497-0950
Hamilton, MT 59840 (281) 495-0438
(406) 363-6924, www.sunelco.com Photovoltaics
retail PV, wind, hydro systems supplier
MERIDIAN Energy Systems, Inc.
Solarex P.O. Box 5810
630 Solarex Court Austin, TX 78763
Frederick, Maryland 21703 USA (512) 477-3050, www.meridiansolar.com
(301) 698-4200, www.solarex.com Solar-Electric System Design, Sales, Installation
manufacturer of solar panels/products & Service

BP Solar Inc Sun Electric

2300 N. Watney Way P. O. Box 92221
Fairfield, CA 94533 Austin, TX 78709
(707) 428-7800, www.bp.com/bpsolar/in- (512) 288-4813
dex.html Photovoltaic system counsulting, installation and
manufacturer of solar panels service, inculding utility scale

DayBreak Energy Systems Texas Solar Power Company

Rt. 3, Gregg Co. Airport 1703 West Koenig Lane
Longview, TX 75603 Austin, TX 78756
(903) 643-9567 (512) 459-9494

Energy 2-64
 PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS
RESOURCES, continued
Design, sales, and installation of PV equipment (800) 843-3892, www.ovonic.com/unisolar
Building integrated PV systems
United Solar Systems Corp. Solar Utility Inc.
1100 West Maple Road 6160 Bristol Parkway
Troy, MI 48084 Culver City, CA 90230
GENERAL ASSISTANCE:

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy American Solar Energy Society, Inc.
Clearinghouse (ASES)
PO Box 3048 2400 Central Ave., G-1
Merryfield, VA 22116 Boulder, CO 80301
(800) 363-3732, www.eren.doe.gov/con- (303) 443-3130, www.ases.org
sumerinfo/erec.html
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Austin Energy 1617 Cole Blvd.
Solar Explorer Program Golden, CO 80401-3393
721 Barton Springs Rd. (303) 275-3000, www.nrel.gov/pv
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 494-9400, www.electric.austin.tx.us/ State Energy Conservation Office
solar-explorer/index.html 200 E. 10th St., Suite 206
Austin, TX 78701
Texas Solar Energy Society (512) 463-1931, www.gsc.state.tx.us/en-
P. O. Box 1447 ergy/energy.html
Austin, TX 78767-1447
(512) 326-3391, (800) 465-5049 Solar Energy Industries Association
www.txses.org (directory of SRCC ratings)
122 C St. NW, 4th floor
PV Network News Washington, DC 20001
2303 Cedros Circle (202) 383-2600, www.seia.org
Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 473-1067 Council for Photovoltaic Research
"Solar Electricity Today" directory of periodicals, Institute of Energy Conversion
catalogs, organizations, dealers, distributors, University of Delaware
manufacturers, etc. Newark, DE 19716
(302) 831-6220, www.udel.edu/iec
Florida Solar Energy Center
1679 Clearlake Rd. Alternative Energy Institute
Cocoa, FL 32922 Box 248, WTAMU
(407) 638-1000, www.fsec.ucf.edu Canyon, TX 79016
(806) 656-2296
Photovoltaic Systems Assistance Center Wind, Solar, Research, Education, Consultant
(505) 844-3698, www.sandia.gov/pv

2-65 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS
RESOURCES, continued
Books:

Photovoltaics: A Manual of Design and In-

stallation for Practitioners Interior Design for Passive Solar Homes
Solar Energy International by Jill C. Brees
P. O. Box 715
Carbondale, CO 81623 The Passive Solar House: Using Solar De-
sign to Heat and Cool Your Home
Home Power: The Hands-On Journal of by James Kachadorian
Home Made Power
Home Power Magazine Stand-Alone Photovoltaic Systems - A
P. O. Box 520 Handbook of Recommended Design Prac-
Ashland, OR 97520 tices
(800) 707-6585, www.homepower.com Sandia National Laboratories

The Passive Solar Energy Book

by Edward Mazria

Internet Information Sites:

Center for Renewable Energy and Sustain- Department of Energy

able Technology (CREST) www.eren.doe.gov/erec/factsheets/fact-
www.solstice.crest.org sheets.html
This site provides an array of PV education tools Web pages on everything from cooling your
including PV system sizing software. house to selecting a new hot water heater.

Home Power
www.homepower.com
A practical site dedicated to all forms of alterna-
tive energy.

Federal and State Financial Programs:

Million Solar Roofs Initiative 10% Investment Credit on Business Federal

www.eren.doe.gov/millionroofs/ Income Taxes
Federal program to help dendorse solar See IRS Form 3468 (line 2a)
electricity, implemented at state level
Federal Accelerated Depriciation (60
Country Property Tax Exemption for Solar months) for solar energy devises installed.
and Wind-Powered Energy Devices
contact your local county appraisal district
office for the form. — (Property Tax Code
Section 11.27)

Energy 2-66
 PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS
RESOURCES, continued
Texas Franchise Tax Law Exemptions:
Section 171.056 - exemption for business
interest in solar energy devices.
Section 171.107 - accelerated amortization
for the cost of solar energy devices that are
place in service in Texas.

SOLAR FRIENDLY PRODUCTS:

Refrigerators (Propane)
Air Conditioning (Natural Gas)
Danby Products Inc.
1995 Tiffin Avenue, Suite 310 Triathlon by York
Findlay, OH 45840 York Heating and Air Conditioning
(419) 425-8627, www.danby.com Local dealer:
Lumpkin Service Company, Inc.
Refrigerators (Electric) 700 North Park Circle
Cedar Park, TX 78613
Sunfrost Refrigerators
P. O. Box 1101 Air Conditioning (Electric)
Arcata, CA 95518-1101
(707) 822-9095, www.sunfrost.com AC2 by Refrigeration Technology
Refrigeration Technology, Inc.
Amana Refrigeration Inc. Sunland Park, New Mexico
Amana, Iowa 52204 review at www.pge.com/pec/inftoc/
www.amana.com ac2inv1.html

Air Conditioning, Hot Water Heating

(Micro-cogeneration)

Polar Power, Inc.

www.polarpowerinc.com

2-67 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 RADIANT BARRIER AND RIDGE-AND-
SOFFIT VENTING
INTRODUCTION:
Preventing the sun’s radiation from entering through the roof can make a significant contribu-
tion to comfort and reduction in cooling bills/needs. A radiant barrier is a metallic foil material
that, when properly installed next to an airspace, reduces the transmission of radiated heat. To
get the best energy savings from a roof radiant barrier system, it should be combined with good
attic ventilation — for example, a ridge-and-soffit attic venting system. This system is com-
prised of a continuous, weather-shielded opening at the peak of the roof in combination with
continuous screened openings along the eaves of the building where the rafters meet the wall.

(CSI Numbers: 7194 Radiant Barrier, 07800 Roof Accessories, 07840 Gravity Ventilators)

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: Well-developed.
SUPPLIERS: Readily available.
COST: Varies according to the type of radiant barrier material selected. Standard residential
radiant barriers cost 12 to 35¢/sf.
FINANCING: Satisfactory.
PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: There is moderate interest in radiant barriers and continuous ridge-
and-soffit vents among energy conscious buyers.
REGULATORY: Not applicable.

CONSIDERATIONS:
Buildings gain heat in three ways - conduc-
tion, convection, and radiation. Unlike con-
duction and convection, heat transfer by radi-
ation requires no medium: it can occur in a
vacuum. It simply requires two surfaces of
differing temperatures that “see” each other
— for instance, the sun and a roof. Without a
radiant barrier, the roof then radiates the so-
lar generated heat into the insulation below
it, or to the attic floor. In hot weather, almost
¾ of heat gain in buildings is from radiation,
and most of this is from radiation striking the
roof. This heat is absorbed by the attic insula-
tion and eventually moves through the ceiling
into the occupied space. A roof radiant bar-
rier system keeps the attic up to 30 degrees
cooler, and reduces heat transfer into the oc-
cupied space up to 40 percent in the hottest
part of the day.
A radiant barrier is a material that is good at
blocking the transfer of radiation across a
space. First, it reflects thermal radiation very
well. Second, it emits (gives off) very little
heat. In other words, it is a good heat reflec-
tor and a bad heat radiator. A good radiant
barrier has a high reflectivity and a low emis-
sivity. Reflectivity and emissivity are mea-
sured on a scale of zero to one. Most building
materials, such as wood, concrete, and glass,
have emissivity ratings close to 0.9-1.0 and
are not good at reducing heat transfer from
radiation, even though they may have high
R-values and be good at reducing heat trans-
fer by conduction.

Energy 2-68
 RADIANT BARRIER AND RIDGE-AND-
SOFFIT VENTING
CONSIDERATIONS, continued
Aluminum foil, on the other hand, has a
very high reflectivity (about 0.95) and a
very low emissivity rating (about 0.05).
When installed correctly, it blocks up to 95
percent of the radiant heat transfer. Alu-
minum foil conducts heat very well to any
material it touches, so it is a poor insulator.
If it is next to an air space, however, it ef-
fectively eliminates radiant heat energy ex-
change across the space. Using a radiant
barrier can expand the use of space in a
home; for instance, uninsulated and uncon-
ditioned spaces such as garages, porches,
and workrooms can be more comfortable
with radiant barriers. And because radiant
barriers keep attics cooler, the space is more
useable for storage.
One final benefit: a cooler attic transfers
less heat into air conditioner ducts and air
conditioning equipment located in the attic,
so the cooling system operates more effi-
ciently.
A radiant barrier can cause an increase in
shingle temperature between 2-5 degrees on
a hot summer day. Given that shingle tem-
perature at that time is in the range of 160-
190 degrees, this increase is negligible and
does not accelerate shingle degradation. Al-
though roofing manufacturers were con-
cerned about shingle failure in the years
GUIDELINES:
Radiant Barriers
There must be an airspace adjacent to the
radiant barrier for it to work. This is true for
all radiant barrier applications. The shiny
side of the radiant barrier faces the air
space. Unlike insulation or an air barrier
system, air tightness does not affect radiant
2-69 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
when radiant barriers were first used, it is
no longer an issue.
Proper attic venting is important to obtain
the best performance of the radiant barrier.
A continuous ridge-and-soffit vent system is
the most effective means to ventilate an at-
tic. As the roof heats air in the attic, the
hot air rises and exits out the ridge vent.
This air is then replaced by cooler, fresh
outside air which evenly enters the attic
space through the soffit vents under the en-
tire eave, regardless of wind currents. This
is an example of the thermal chimney effect
(see Passive Solar Design section of this
Sourcebook).
Ridge-and-soffit venting is a passive system
which outperforms mechanical ventilation
(fans). If a gas furnace or water heater is
located in the attic, passive ventilation is
much safer than mechanical. It will not
cause backdrafting of the gas flame or of
the products of combustion (such as carbon
monoxide) which may get sucked into the
living space through leaks in attic ducts in-
stead of going out of the vent pipes.
An added advantage of ridge vents is that
most of them can be shingled over with
composition shingles and do not require the
penetrations needed for gravity vents.
barrier performance. It works wherever it is
installed. Seams do not have to be sealed,
and gaps, which are likely in retrofits, do
not seriously compromise the system. The
material should be 99 percent aluminum
and the emissivity value should be 2-5 per-
cent. Radiant barriers should be installed in
 RADIANT BARRIER AND RIDGE-AND-
SOFFIT VENTING
GUIDELINES, continued
such a manner as to minimize the collec-
tion of dust, which will seriously reduce
their effectiveness.
Radiant barriers are available in several
configurations.
Applied to OSB or plywood roof decking: the
reflective surface is factory-applied to one
side of the sheathing, which is installed fac-
ing downward toward the attic air space.
This is the preferred form for new construc-
tion because there is no added installation
process.
Reinforced sheet radiant barrier material: with
one or both reflective surfaces and with and
without perforations. It may be run over the
top of the roof rafters and draped down
about 2 inches between every two rafters. In
a retrofit situation it can be tacked to the
underside of the rafters. In this location, an
airspace will be present on both sides of the
material.
Other considerations:
Radiant barrier material should not be ap-
plied over the top of the attic insulation. It
would touch the insulation and conduct
heat to it. Secondly, dust would settle on
the upward facing radiant barrier surface
causing it to lose effectiveness.
There is no point in using more than one
layer of radiant barrier. Although there is an
added R-value because of dead air spaces
between two layers, one layer will block
about 95 percent of heat gain.
Continuous Ridge-and-Soffit Venting:
This is a passive system that is considered
the most effective means of ventilating an
attic. It can operate effectively regardless of
wind direction and velocity. Airflow in an
attic created by this type of venting will be a
continuous wash of air directly under the
roof moving upward from the eaves (soffits)
to the roof’s ridge.
Soffit vents are made in long perforated
plastic or metal strips, typically 8 feet long
and 3 inches wide, shaped to fit between
sections of soffit material. They are in-
stalled in a continuous run on the underside
of the eaves where the rafters meet the wall.
They should be located as far out on the
eave as possible, closest to the facia. Care
should be taken to ensure good air flow
over the top of attic insulation located at
the eave, as well as insuring that attic insu-
lation does not block the soffit vents. Insula-
tion baffles are available for this very pur-
pose.
There are several types of ridge vents:
Panel vents are made of plastic, some in a
corrugated form, and come in 4 foot lengths
which can be connected end to end. Pieces
to cap off the ends are available.
Roll-out vents are made in a long continuous
roll of fibrous plastic. No waste is generated
in installation.
Both of these types of vents are very low-
profile and can be shingled over with com-
position shingles. Metal ridge vents for
metal roofs come in 8 foot lengths and also
connect end to end.
Baffles (vertical flanges at the vent open-
Energy 2-70
 RADIANT BARRIER AND RIDGE-AND-
SOFFIT VENTING
GUIDELINES, continued
ings) prevent rain from entering the attic.
Some ridge vents are better adapted to a
very steep pitch than others, so it is
important to select the right type for the
roof.
Ridge vent installation:
A gap or space must be maintained between
the sections of roof decking on either side of
the ridge so attic air can reach the roof vent.
This space is typically about 2 inches wide
on each side, but manufacturer’s instruc-
tions should be followed. They should also
be followed in regard to final section instal-
lation at the ends of the ridges, and in re-
gard to fasteners (nails, staples, screws,
etc.). “Architectural” shingles may need to
be stripped back since they are thicker than
standard shingles and could push the vent
up. Shingles installed at the peak over the
vent may need to be trimmed. The joint
between the vent and the roofing should be
caulked.
If a vent does not have alignment tabs, an
inch-wide space needs to be allotted be-
tween sections to allow for expansion.
Additional attic ventilation (such as gable ,
turbine or gravity vents) should not be used
because they upset the natural (and ideal)
air path of the ridge and soffit system.

RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:

Florida Solar Energy Center

1679 Clearlake Rd.
Cocoa, FL 32922
(407) 638-1000, www.fsec.ucf.edu

COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:

see "Building Materials - Retail" in Yellow Pages

Radiant Barriers:
Radiant barriers are now readily available in Louisiana-Pacific Corp.
most lumberyards & home improvement stores. 111 S. W. Fifth Avenue
Portland, OR 97204
Innovative Insulation Inc. (800) 597-6331, www.lpcorp.com
6200 W. Pioneer Parkway “TechShield” radiant barrier structural roof
Arlington, TX 76013 sheathing (formerly Kool-Ply)
(800) 825-0123, www.radiantbarrier.com (available at most building supply outlets)
full line of radiant barriers and reflective bubble
foil products

2-71 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 RADIANT BARRIER AND RIDGE-AND-
SOFFIT VENTING
RESOURCES, continued
International Paper Solar Energy Corporation
Panel Product Sales Box 3065
P.O. Box 809024 Princeton, NJ 08543-3065
Dallas, Texas 75380-9024 (609) 883-7700
(800) 527-5907 “LO/MIT I & II” radiant barrier paints
“Solar Board” radiant thermal barrier sheathing

Ridge Vents:

Ridge vents are now readily available in most lumberyards and home improvement stores.
Berger Bros Co.
805 Pennsylvania Blvd.
Feasterville, PA 19053
(800) 523-8852, bergerbros.com
Cobra Ridge Vent
Roll-out vent 12 sq. in./L.F. net free vent area.
Polyester matrix acts as filter, no baffles, 5/8-
inch height , 20 and 50 foot rolls
Benjamin Obdyke Inc.
65 Steamboat Drive
Warminster, PA 18974
(800) 346-7655, www.obdyke.com
Roll Vent, Roll Vent2
Roll out vent, 18 sq. in./L.F. net free vent area,
nylon material, no baffles. Nylon polyester fabric
filter, 3/4-inch height , 20 and 50 foot rolls
Northwest Building Products Inc.
7915 Highway 35
Big Fork, MT 59911
(800) 521-9920,
www.northwestbldgproducts.com
Highpoint Vent, Panel-Type Vent
18 sq. in./L.F. net free vent area, polypropylene
material, ext. & int. baffles, no filter, 7/8 in.
height, slot-and-tab alignment tabs
Builder’s Edge
P.O. Box 7739
Pittsburgh, PA 15215-9982
(800) 969-7245, www.buildersedge.com
Ridgevent Plus and Hipvent Plus
Panel-type vent, high density polyethylene
foam filter, 1-inch height, self-aligning, interlock-
ing, sealed ends
Greenstreak Plastic Products
3400 Tree Court Industrial Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63122
(800) 325-9504, www.greenstreak.com/in-
dex.htm
Top Cat
Panel-type vent,15 sq. in./L.F. net free area,
polypropylene, int. baffle type, no filter, 3/4 inch
height, slot-and-tab alignment tabs
Air Vent Inc. (a CertainTeed Corp.)
7700 Harker Drive, Suite B
Peoria, IL 61615-1852
(800) AIR-VENT, www.airvent.com
ShingleVentII, FilterVent and others
Panel-type vent, 18 sq. in./L.F. net free area,
high density polyethylene, external baffles, woven
filter, 1-inch height, no alignment tabs

Energy 2-72
 RADIANT BARRIER AND RIDGE-AND-
SOFFIT VENTING
RESOURCES, continued
3/4-in. height, interlocking alignment tabs

Ridglass Shingle Manufacturing Co.

3441 S. Willow Avenue American Wick and Drain Corp.
Fresno, CA 93725 1209 Airport Road
(209) 433-2222 Monroe, NC 28110
fiberglass/asphalt shingle ridge & hip caps (800) 242-9425, www.americanwick.com
“Amervent” ridge vent
The Solar Group Roll-Type Vent, 18 sq. in./L.F. net free vent
P. O. Box 525 area, polypropylene material, fabric filter, 1 in.
Taylorsville, MS 39168-0525 height
(800) 647-7063
Shingle Over Ridge Vent Cor-A-Vent
Panel-type vent,17 sq. in. /L.F. net free area, PO Box 428
polypropylene, ext. & int. baffles, no filter, 1- Mishawaka, IN 46546-0428
1/16 in. height, slot-and-tab alignment tabs (800) 837-8368, www.cor-a-vent.com
full line of ridge vents, hip vents, soffit vents for
Mid-America Building Products asphalt tile, clay tile and metal roofs
45657 Port St.
Plymouth, MI 48170
(800) 521-8486, www.tapco.com/MA/in-
dex.htm
Panel-type vent, 12.2 sq. in./L.F. net free area,
thermoplastic olefin, int. baffle type, foam filter,

2-73 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 SOLAR WATER HEATING AND SPACE
HEATING
INTRODUCTION:
Thermal Solar Energy is a free, non-polluting energy source that is easily captured. The solar
systems discussed in this section use solar heat to provide for hot water and space heating.

(CSI Numbers: 15424 Domestic Water Heaters,15050 Basic Materials & Methods, 15175 Tanks, 15180
Insulation)

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: Active and passive solar space heating and water heating are well-
developed technologies.

SUPPLIERS: There are adequate suppliers on a local and national basis for all solar systems.

COST: Although solar domestic water heaters are fairly expensive ($1,000-$4,000), they can
show pay backs of four to eight years. The systems can have a 15-40 year life span. Space heat-
ing systems can vary from $800 for wall heaters to $4,000+ for large central systems.

FINANCING: If you are building a new home or refinancing your present home to do a major
renovation, the economics are attractive. The cost of including the price of a solar water heater
in a new 30-year mortgage is usually between $13 and $20 per month. The portion of the federal
income tax deduction for mortgage interest attributable to the solar system reduces that amount
by about $3 to $5 per month. If your fuel savings are more than $15 per month, the investment
in the solar water hater is profitable immediately.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: There is wide public acceptance of solar as a water heating energy
source. Solar space heating is seldom considered in Central Texas.

REGULATORY: City Ordinance 900104-J adopted the 1988 Uniform Solar Energy Code of
the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials. This code presents equip-
ment and installation standards in Chapter 13-8-500 of the Land Development Code, Article
VII. Building, plumbing, and mechanical permits are required for space conditioning. Local
zoning laws or covenants may restrict where you can place your collectors. Check with your
city, county, and homeowners association to find out about any restrictions.

CONSIDERATIONS:
Solar Water Heating
Solar water heaters, sometimes called solar
domestic hot water systems, may be a good
investment for you, your family or your
business. Solar water heaters are cost com-
petitive in many applications when you
account for the total energy costs over the
life of the system. Although the initial cost
of solar water heaters is higher than that of
conventional water heaters, the fuel
(sunshine) is free, and they are environmen-
tally friendly. To take advantage of these

Energy 2-74
 SOLAR WATER HEATING AND SPACE
HEATING
CONSIDERATIONS, continued
heaters, you must have an unshaded, south-
facing location (a roof, for example) on
your property.
These systems use the sun to heat either wa-
ter or a heat-transfer fluid, such as a water-
glycol antifreeze mixture, in collectors gen-
erally mounted on a roof. The heated water
is then stored in a tank similar to a conven-
tional gas or electric water tank. Some sys-
tems use an electric pump to circulate the
fluid through the collectors.
Solar water heaters can operate in any cli-
mate. Performance varies, depending in
part on how much solar energy is available
at the site, but also on how cold the water
coming into the system is. In almost all cli-
mates, you will need a conventional system
as a backup . The solar system should be
sized to optimize the performance of the
system throughout the year, not for worst
case extremes. This strategy will avoid un-
necessary initial expenses associated with
oversized equipment.
First Things First
Before investing in any solar energy system,
it is more cost effective to invest in making
your home more energy efficient. Taking
steps to use less hot water and to lower the
temperature of the hot water you use re-
duces the size and cost of your solar water
heater. If considering solar space heating,
building envelope improvements and
weatherization strategies should be incorpo-
rated for the same reasons. The largest up-
front cost is associated with the size of the
solar collectors required to serve the loads.
Good first steps are installing low-flow
2-75 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
showerheads or flow restrictors in shower
heads and faucets, insulating your current
water heater, and insulating any hot water
pipes that pass through unheated areas. If
you do not have a dishwasher, or your dish-
washer is equipped with its own automatic
water heater, lower the thermostat on your
water heater to 120ºF.
You will also want to make sure your site
has enough available sunshine to meet your
needs efficiently and economically. Your
local solar equipment dealer can perform a
solar site analysis for you or show you how
to do your own.
Benefits of Solar Water Heaters
There are many benefits to owning a solar
water heater, and number one is eco-
nomics. Solar water heater economics com-
pare quite favorably with those of electric
water heaters, while the economics aren’t
quite so attractive when compared with
those of gas water heaters. Heating water
with the sun also means long-term benefits,
such as being cushioned from future fuel
shortages and price increases, and environ-
mental benefits.
Economic Benefits
Many home builders choose electric water
heaters because they are easy to install and
relatively inexpensive to purchase. How-
ever, research shows that an average house-
hold with an electric water heater spends
about 25% of its home energy costs on heat-
ing water. Austin’s residential energy code
does not allow electric resistance heat as the
primary source of water heat in new
construction.
 SOLAR WATER HEATING AND SPACE
HEATING
CONSIDERATIONS, continued
It makes economic sense to think beyond
the initial purchase price and consider
lifetime energy costs, or how much you will
spend on energy to use the appliance over
its lifetime. The Florida Solar Energy Cen-
ter (FSEC-see Resource List) studied the
potential savings to Florida homeowners of
common water-heating systems compared
with electric water heaters. It found that so-
lar water heaters offered the largest poten-
tial savings, with solar water-heater owners
saving as much as 50 to 85 percent annually
on their utility bills over the cost of electric
water heating.
However, at the current low prices of natu-
ral gas, solar water heaters cannot compete
with natural gas water heaters in most parts
of the country except in new home con-
struction. Although you will still save en-
ergy costs with a solar water heater because
you won’t be buying natural gas, it won’t be
economical on a dollar-for-dollar basis.
Paybacks vary widely, but you can expect a
simple payback of 4 to 8 years on a well-
designed and properly installed solar water
heater. (Simple payback is the length of
time required to recover your investment
through reduced or avoided energy costs.)
You can expect shorter paybacks in areas
with higher energy costs. After the payback
period, you accrue the savings over the life
of the system, which ranges from 15 to 40
years, depending on the system and how
well it is maintained.
If you are building a new home or refinanc-
ing your present home to do a major reno-
vation, the economics are even more attrac-
tive. The cost of including the price of a so-
lar water heater in a new 30-year mortgage
is usually between $13 and $20 per month.
The portion of the federal income tax
deduction for mortgage interest attributable
to the solar system reduces that amount by
about $3 to $5 per month. If your fuel sav-
ings are more than $15 per month, the in-
vestment in the solar water heater is prof-
itable immediately.
Tax Incentives and Rebates
Some local or state governments offer tax
incentives to encourage residents to invest
in solar energy technologies. Currently
there are no tax incentives available in
Texas to assist in the initial costs of solar
energy systems. However, solar systems are
exempted from property taxes. Some
electric utilities offer rebates to customers
who install solar energy equipment because
these installations help utilities reduce peak
loads. (Peak loads are periods when the util-
ity must generate extra power to meet a
high demand.)
Long-Term Benefits
Solar water heaters offer long-term benefits
that go beyond simple economics. In addi-
tion to having free hot water after the sys-
tem has paid for itself in reduced utility
bills, you and your family will be cushioned
from future fuel shortages and price in-
creases. You will also be doing your part to
reduce this country's dependence on foreign
oil. The National Remodelers Association
reports that adding a solar water heater to
an existing home raises the resale value of
the home by the entire cost of the system.
Environmental Benefits
Solar water heaters do not pollute. By in-
Energy 2-76
 SOLAR WATER HEATING AND SPACE
HEATING
CONSIDERATIONS, continued
vesting in one, you will be avoiding carbon
dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide,
and the other air pollution and wastes cre-
ated when your utility generates power or
you burn fuel to heat your household water.
GUIDELINES:
Solar Water Heater Basics
Solar water heaters are made up of collec-
tors; storage tanks; and, depending on the
system, electric pumps.
There are basically three types of collectors:
flatplate, evacuated-tube, and concentrat-
ing. A flatplate collector, the most com-
mon type, is an insulated, weather-proofed
box containing a dark absorber plate under
one or more transparent or translucent cov-
ers.
Evacuated-tube collectors are made up of
rows of parallel, transparent glass tubes.
Each tube consists of a glass outer tube and
an inner tube, or absorber, covered with a
selective coating that absorbs solar energy
well, but inhibits radiative heat loss. The air
is withdrawn (evacuated) from the space
between the tubes to form a vacuum, which
eliminates conductive and convective heat
loss.
Concentrating collectors for residential
applications are usually parabolic troughs
that use mirrored surfaces to concentrate
the sun's energy on an absorber tube (called
a receiver) containing a heat-transfer fluid.
Most commercially available solar water
heaters require a well-insulated storage
tank. Many systems use converted
2-77 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
When a solar water heater replaces an elec-
tric water heater, the electricity displaced
over 20 years represents more than 50 tons
of avoided carbon dioxide emissions alone.
Carbon dioxide traps heat in the upper at-
conventional electric or gas water heater
tanks or the solar storage tank is plumbed
in series with the conventional water heater.
In this arrangement, the solar water heater
preheats water before it enters the conven-
tional water heater.
Some solar water heaters use pumps to re-
circulate warm water from storage tanks
through collectors and exposed piping. This
is done to protect the pipes from freezing
when outside temperatures drop to freezing
or below.
Types of Solar Water Heaters
Solar water heaters can be either active or
passive. An active system uses an electric
pump to circulate the heat-transfer fluid; a
passive system has no pump. The amount
of hot water a solar water heater produces
depends on the type and size of the system,
the amount of sun available at the site,
proper installation, and the tilt angle and
orientation of the collectors.
Solar water heaters are also characterized
as open loop (also called "direct") or closed
loop (also called "indirect"). An open-loop
system circulates household (potable) water
through the collector. A closed-loop system
uses a heat-transfer fluid (water or diluted
antifreeze, for example) to collect heat and
a heat exchanger to transfer the heat to
 SOLAR WATER HEATING AND SPACE
HEATING
GUIDELINES, continued
potable water. An indirect or direct system
can be used for heating swimming pools
and spas. Lower cost unglazed (no glass
cover) collectors are available for this pur-
pose.
Active Systems
Active systems use electric pumps, valves,
and controllers to circulate water or other
heat-transfer fluids through the collectors.
They are usually more expensive than pas-
sive systems but are also more efficient. Ac-
tive systems are usually easier to retrofit
than passive systems because their storage
tanks do not need to be installed above or
close to the collectors. However, because
active systems use electricity, they will not
function in a power outage. Active systems
range in price from about $2,000 to $4,000
installed.
Open-Loop Active Systems
Open-loop active systems use pumps to cir-
culate potable water through the collectors.
This design is efficient and lowers operating
costs but is not appropriate if your water is
hard or acidic, because scale and corrosion
quickly disable the system.
These open-loop systems are popular in
nonfreezing climates such as Hawaii. They
should never be installed in climates that
experience freezing temperatures for sus-
tained periods. You can install them in mild
but occasionally freezing climates, but you
must consider freeze protection.
Recirculation systems are a specific type of
open-loop system that provides freeze
protection. They use the system pump to
circulate warm water from storage tanks
through collectors and exposed piping when
temperatures approach freezing. Consider
recirculation systems only where mild
freezes occur once or twice a year at most.
Activating the freeze protection more fre-
quently wastes electricity and stored heat.
Of course, if the power goes out, the pump
will not work and the system will freeze. To
guard against this, a freeze valve can be in-
stalled to provide additional protection in
the event the pump doesn’t operate. In
freezing weather, the valve dribbles warmer
water through the collector to prevent freez-
ing.
Closed-Loop Active Systems
These systems pump heat-transfer fluids
(usually tap water or a glycol-water an-
tifreeze mixture) through collectors. Heat
exchangers transfer the heat from the fluid
to the potable water stored in the tanks.
Double-walled heat exchangers prevent
contamination of potable water. Some
codes require double walls when the heat-
transfer fluid is anything other than potable
water.
Closed-loop glycol systems are popular in
areas subject to extended freezing tempera-
tures because they offer good freeze protec-
tion. However, glycol antifreeze systems are
a bit more expensive to buy and install, and
the glycol must be checked each year and
changed every 3 to 10 years, depending on
glycol quality and system temperatures.
Drainback systems (see figure 1) use water
as the heat-transfer fluid in the collector
loop. A pump circulates the water through
Energy 2-78
 SOLAR WATER HEATING AND SPACE
HEATING
GUIDELINES, continued
FIGURE 1: DRAINBACK HOT WATER SYSTEM
the collectors. The water drains by gravity
to the storage tank and heat exchanger;
there are no valves to fail. When the pumps
are off, the collectors are empty, which as-
sures freeze protection and also allows the
system to turn off if the water in the storage
tank becomes too hot.
Pumps in Active Systems
The pumps in solar water heaters have low
power requirements, and some companies
now include direct current (DC) pumps
powered by small solar-electric
(photovoltaic, or PV) panels. PV panels
convert sunlight into DC electricity. Such
systems cost nothing to operate and con-
tinue to function during power outages.
2-79 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
Passive Systems
Passive systems move potable water or a
heat-transfer fluid through the system
without pumps. Passive systems have no
electric components to break. This makes
them generally more reliable, easier to
maintain, and possibly longer lasting than
active systems.
Passive systems can be less expensive than
active systems, but they can also be less
efficient. Installed costs for passive systems
range from about $1,000 to $3,000, depend-
ing on whether it is a simple batch heater or
a sophisticated thermosiphon system.
Batch Heaters
Batch heaters (also known as "bread box"
 SOLAR WATER HEATING AND SPACE
HEATING
GUIDELINES, continued
or integral collector storage systems) are
simple passive systems consisting of one or
more storage tanks placed in an insulated
box that has a glazed side facing the sun.
Batch heaters are inexpensive and have few
components, in other words, less mainte-
nance and fewer failures. A batch heater is
mounted on the ground or on the roof
(make sure your roof structure is strong
enough to support it). Some batch heaters
use selective surfaces on the tank(s). These
surfaces absorb sun well but inhibit radia-
tive loss.
In climates where freezing occurs, batch
heaters must either be protected from freez-
ing or drained for the winter. In well-
designed systems, the most vulnerable com-
ponents for freezing are the pipes that lead
to the solar water heater, if they are located
in uninsulated areas. If these pipes are well
insulated, the warmth from the tank will
prevent freezing. Certified systems clearly
state the temperature level that can cause
damage. In addition, you can install heat
tape (electrical plug-in tape to wrap around
the pipes to keep them from freezing), insu-
late exposed pipes, or both. Remember,
heat tape requires electricity, so the combi-
nation of freezing weather and a power out-
age can lead to burst pipes. If you live in an
area where freezing is infrequent, you can
use plastic pipe that does not crack or burst
when it freezes. Keep in mind, though, that
some of these pipes can’t withstand unlim-
ited freeze/thaw cycles without breaking.
Thermosiphon Systems
A thermosiphon system relies on warm wa-
ter rising, a phenomenon known as natural
convection, to circulate water through the
collectors and to the tank. In this type of
installation, the tank must be above the col-
lector. As water in the collector heats, it be-
comes lighter and rises naturally into the
tank above. Meanwhile, cooler water in the
tank flows down pipes to the bottom of the
collector, causing circulation throughout
the system. The storage tank is attached to
the top of the collector so that thermosi-
phoning can occur. These systems are reli-
able and relatively inexpensive but require
careful planning in new construction be-
cause the water tanks are heavy. They can
be freeze-proofed by circulating an an-
tifreeze solution through a heat exchanger
in a closed loop to heat the potable water.
Sizing Your System
Sizing a solar water heater involves deter-
mining the total collector area and the stor-
age volume required to provide 100 percent
of your household’s hot water during the
summer. Solar-equipment experts use work-
sheets or special computer programs to de-
termine what size system is needed.
Solar storage tanks are usually 50-, 60-, 80-,
or 120-gallon capacity. A small (50 to 60
gallon) system is sufficient for 1 to 3 people,
a medium (80-gallon) system is adequate
for a 3- or 4-person household, and a large
(120-gallon) system is appropriate for 4 to 6
people. Consult with a solar dealer to size
equipment for commercial use.
Here is a rule of thumb for sizing collectors
for households in Central Texas: allow
about 20 square feet of collector area for
each of the first two family members and 8
square feet for each additional family mem-
ber.
Energy 2-80
 SOLAR WATER HEATING AND SPACE
HEATING
GUIDELINES, continued
A ratio of at least 2.0 gallons of storage ca-
pacity to 1 square foot of collector area pre-
vents the system from overheating when the
demand for hot water is low in Central
Texas. For example, a family of four in
Central Texas would need 56 square feet of
collector area and a 112-gallon storage tank.
(This assumes 20 square feet of collector
area for the first person, 20 for the second
person, 8 each for the third and the fourth
person. (56 square feet, multiplied by 2 gal-
lons of storage capacity equals 112 gallons
of storage.) Because you might not be able
to find a 112-gallon tank, you may want to
get a 120-gallon tank to be sure to meet
FIGURE 2: SPACE HEATING SYSTEM
2-81 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
your hot water needs.
Solar Space Heating
Solar space heating systems (see figure 2)
are not very cost effective in Central Texas,
since winter heating requirements are
marginal, and sporadic in this region. Nev-
ertheless, some people prefer to take advan-
tage of renewable energy as much as possi-
ble. The active solar space heating system
can use the same operational components
as the domestic water heating systems, but
ties into a heating distribution system that
can use heated fluids as a heat source. The
possible distribution systems include hy-
dronic baseboard radiators, floor radiant
 SOLAR WATER HEATING AND SPACE
HEATING
GUIDELINES, continued
heat systems, and hydronic heat forced air
systems.
The tilt of space heating solar collectors is
the latitude plus 15 degrees (a total of 45
degrees in Austin). The purpose of the tilt is
to align the collectors perpendicular to the
sun's rays in the heating season when the
optimal performance is needed. The num-
ber of collectors used in a space heating ap-
plication is based on the heat load of the
house:
Average heat load ÷ collector rated heat
output = number of collectors needed.
Basing the size of the collectors only on the
average heat load of the building during the
heating season will not provide enough heat
during the colder part of the heating season.
Since the heat load of the building is depen-
dent upon the extent of its energy conserv-
ing features, the greater the energy effi-
ciency of the building, the smaller the sys-
tem can be.
The space heating system, like the domestic
water heating system, must be backed up by
an auxiliary heating system. It is not practi-
cal to size a solar system to provide all of a
home's heat requirement under the worst
conditions because the system would be-
come too large and too costly. The solar
loop pump is controlled in much the same
way as the water heating solar system.
When solar heat is available to heat the
storage water, the pump comes on.
The hot water storage system should be
sized to approximately 2.5 gallons of stor-
age for each square foot of collector area.
The fluid that is heated and stored (typically
water) can be distributed into the house in
one of the methods discussed below.
Air distribution system – whenever the
thermostat calls for heat, the heated water
in the storage tank is pumped into a coil
located in the return air duct. Most solar
water heating systems include an auxiliary
heater. These heaters add heat to the solar
storage tank to maintain a minimum oper-
ating temperature in the storage tank at all
times.
Hydronic system with radiators - the
heated water is circulated in series with a
boiler into radiators located in the living
spaces. Modern baseboard radiators oper-
ate effectively at 140 degrees. Using the so-
lar system's heated water as the source of
water for the boiler will reduce the boiler's
energy use.
Radiant floor hydronic systems - the solar
heated water is pumped through distribu-
tion piping located in the floor of the build-
ing. Lower temperatures are used in this
type of system -- the slab is not heated
above 80 degrees in most cases. The auxil-
iary heat can be connected in series with the
solar system's heated output water or it can
be connected to the solar tank to provide a
minimum temperature.
In the Austin area, most buildings use an
air distribution system that can provide air
conditioning as well as heating. The radiant
hydronic systems are much less common
but are considered highly effective in terms
of comfort, efficiency, and health impacts
(no blowing air to stir up dust). The air
Energy 2-82
 SOLAR WATER HEATING AND SPACE
HEATING
GUIDELINES, continued
distribution method described above can
work quite well with a conventional gas wa-
ter heater as a backup. (See the Water
Heating section of this Sourcebook.)
Another form of solar space heating uses air
collectors, but this is more practical in
climates with longer and colder winters
than Austin’s. The investment in storage
systems for air collectors is substantial in
time, money, and materials. In Central
Texas, the use of air collectors to put heat
directly into the house can be readily
achieved with properly-oriented windows.
Daytime temperatures in the winter can be
relatively high; the additional hot air from
an air collector can overheat a home that
does not have extra thermal mass to absorb
the heat.
Be a Smart Consumer
Take the same care in choosing a solar wa-
ter heater that you would in the purchase of
any major appliance. Your best protection
is to consider only certified and labeled sys-
tems. One such label is put on by the Solar
Rating & Certification Corporation
(SRCC), a nonprofit, independent third-
party organization formed by the solar in-
RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:
see "Solar Research and Development" in Yellow
Pages
Florida Solar Energy Center
1679 Clearlake Rd.
Cocoa, FL 32922
(407) 638-1000, www.fsec.ucf.edu
2-83 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
dustry, state energy officials, and consumer
advocates to certify and rate solar water
heaters.
A national standard (OG-300) addresses a
variety of concerns, including safety and
health, durability and reliability,
installation, performance, and operation
and maintenance. To meet this standard, a
system is rigorously tested. A certified solar
water heater carries the SRCC OG-300 la-
bel, and the system performance is listed in
a published directory. A similar program
has been established for Florida by FSEC.
Both SRCC and FSEC provide collector
testing and rating programs.
Find out if the manufacturer offers a war-
ranty, and, if so, what the warranty covers
and for how long. If the dealer you are buy-
ing the equipment from goes out of busi-
ness, can you get support and parts from
the manufacturer, or from a local plumbing
contractor?
Make sure that the installers are qualified to
do the work. Ask the installation contractor
for references and check them. When the
job is finished, have the contractor walk
Solar Energy International
P.O. Box 715
Carbondale, CO 81623-0715
(970) 963-8855, www.solarenergy.org
 SOLAR WATER HEATING AND SPACE
HEATING
RESOURCES, continued
Alternative Energy Institute
Vaughn Nelson
Box 248, WTUMA
Canyon, TX 79016
(806) 656-2296
wind, solar, research, education, consultant

COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:
see "Solar Energy Equip. & Systems - Dealers",
"Solar Energy Equip. & Systems - Manuf’s & Sunrise Solar
Distributors" in Yellow Pages 5114 Balcones Woods Drive, Ste.307
Austin, TX 78759
American Energy Technologies, Inc. (AET) (512) 243-0628
1057 N. Ellis Rd. Unit 4 solar water heaters for pools
Jacksonville, Fl. 32254
(800)874-2190, www.AETSOLAR.com Osborne Solar
solar products and systems Michael Osborne
rd
909 W. 23 St.
Solar System Installations Austin, TX 78705
Phillip Fisher (512)476-3511
P.O. Box 736 consultant, wind, photovoltaics, solar thermal
Coppell, TX 75019
(214)462-0626 Real Goods Trading Co.
(214)393-1960 FAX 555 Leslie St.
solar water heating, photovoltaics Ukiah, CA 95482-5576
(800) 762-7325
Solahart Solar Water Heating www.realgoods.com
P. O. Box 42 complete systems
Dripping Springs, TX 78620
(512) 606-2366 Thermal Conversion Technology
complete systems P. O. Box 3887
Sarasota, FL 34230-3887
Sun Trapper Solar Manufacturing (813) 953-2177
12118 Radium Drive passive water heater
San Antonio, TX 78216
(210) 341-2001, www.suntrapper.com SunQuest, Inc.
complete systems 1555 Rankin Ave.
Newton, NC 28658
(704) 465-6805
complete systems

Energy 2-84
 SOLAR WATER HEATING AND SPACE
HEATING
RESOURCES, continued
(800) 442-1972, www.jademountain.com
complete systems
Jade Mountain Inc.
P.O. Box 4616
Boulder, CO 80306

GENERAL ASSISTANCE:
Texas Solar Energy Society
P. O. Box 1447 Florida Solar Energy Center
Austin, TX 78767-1447 1679 Clearlake Rd.
(512) 326-3391, (800) 465-5049 Cocoa, FL 32922
www.txses.org (407) 638-1000, www.fsec.ucf.edu

State Energy Conservation Office Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

200 E. 10th St., Suite 206 Clearinghouse
Austin, TX 78701 PO Box 3048
(512) 463-1931, www.gsc.state.tx.us/en- Merryfield, VA 22116
ergy/energy.html (800) 363-3732, www.eren.doe.gov

Solar Energy Industries Association Passive Solar Industries Council (PSIC)

(directory of SRCC ratings)
122 C St. NW, 4th floor
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 383-2600, www.seia.org
American Solar Energy Society, Inc.
(ASES)
2400 Central Ave., G-1
Boulder, CO 80301
(303) 443-3130, www.ases.org
1331 H Street, NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 628-7400, www.psic.org
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
1617 Cole Blvd.
Golden, CO 80401-3393
(303) 275-3000, www.nrel.gov/

2-85 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 WATER HEATING
INTRODUCTION:
A variety of methods for domestic hot water heating are now available for homes and busi-
nesses alike. Storage units and demand heaters are the most common type of systems, however
alternatives such as heat pump water heaters and solar water heaters are now commercially
available options. Gas water heating can be engineered to provide space heating as well as wa-
ter heating. Known as a combination (or combo) system, a single appliance can perform both
functions and no furnace is needed.

The use of gas water heaters is generally considered a positive (although not perfect)
environmentally-based choice. The pollutant levels created by natural gas combustion are lower
than other conventional water heating options except solar. Natural gas is also far less expen-
sive than electricity - usually 50% lower for water heating and 33% lower for space heating.

(CSI Numbers: 15424 Domestic Water Heaters, 15700 Liquid Heat Transfer)

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: Well-developed for all types of systems.

SUPPLIERS: Plentiful.

COST: Alternatives to electric storage heaters will have an initally higher cost, but lower en-
ergy costs make them a good investment. Combination heaters have proven cost effective when
compared to separate gas water heater and furnace systems, as well as electric systems. Rebates
are also available from Southern Union Gas for the installation of these systems.

FINANCING: OK

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: Generally accepted because of low operating costs.

CONSIDERATIONS:
Storage water heaters
The most common type of water heating
system, the storage unit, is also the least ef-
ficient. Twenty to eighty gallons of water
are kept at a constant temperature using
natural gas, electricity, oil, or propane to
provide heating to the water as it is used or
heat is lost to the environment. Heat lost
through the walls of the tank is known as
standby heat loss and occurs whether or not
water is being used, resulting in wasteful
energy usage. Although it can be reduced
through the use of insulation around the
tank, energy waste can not be eliminated in
this type of system. The highest efficiency
gas-fired storage tank units show recovery
efficiencies of 85 percent and Energy Fac-
tors as high as 0.72 (reference GAMA di-
rectory – see Resources).
Demand (or instantaneous) heaters
Standby heat losses can be eliminated
through the use of demand water heaters.
This type of heater is designed to heat water
on demand near the point of use instead of
storing hot water. This can reduce energy

Energy 2-86
 WATER HEATING
CONSIDERATIONS, continued
consumption by 20 to 30 percent. These sys-
tems are available with either electric heat-
ing elements or gas burners; however the
gas will be less costly to operate and is
preferable from an environmental stand-
point.
Another potential drawback to an electric
demand heater is limited flow rate. At a
typical flow rate of 2 gallons per minute,
simultaneous draws of hot water may not
be possible. Additional heaters can be in-
stalled in parallel to meet demand when
multiple faucets are being used. The gas
units have the advantage of providing
greater hot water flow rates than electric
models, up to 5 gpm.
A typical medium-sized gas unit will raise
the incoming water temperatures 65 degrees
at a rate of 4.5 gallons per minute (125,000
BTU input). Some units can sense the in-
coming water temperature, and if the in-
coming water is already adequately heated
these units will not turn on. This is useful
for solar interconnections or circulating sys-
tems.
Natural gas demand heaters require a mini-
mum of 10 to 15 psi, are most often wall
mounted, and use vertical venting. Limited
horizontal venting can also be used. Elec-
tronic pilots are now widely available and
should be utilized in order to eliminate
wasteful energy use.
Heat pump water heaters
In situations where electricity is the only
option available for water heating, heat
pump water heaters are preferable to elec-
tric resistance. The same technology that is
commonly used to heat/cool living areas
can also be used to generate hot water.
Heat pump water heaters use electricity to
2-87 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
move heat from one location to another in-
stead of direct heating. The unit will extract
heat from the air and use it to heat the wa-
ter in the storage tank. This method is
much more efficient than direct heating;
however, the initial cost is higher. These
units work best when placed in warmer ar-
eas, such as furnace rooms or unheated
garages. In the winter, they will not work
well in temperatures below 40 degrees
Fahrenheit. Units can be purchased either
in integral units with storage tanks or as a
retrofit to an existing storage tank.
Desuperheaters
Another method of hot water heating uti-
lizes excess heat from an air conditioning
unit. The heat which is removed from the
living space by the air conditioner is trans-
ferred to the hot water.
When refrigerant reaches a condenser coil,
it is said to be “superheated” because its
temperature is well above its boiling point.
A desuperheater removes heat from the re-
frigerant and brings the temperature down
to its boiling point before it enters the con-
denser coil. This heat is then transferred to
the water in the hot water tank through the
use of a heat exchanger. Heat exchangers
are available in many different configura-
tions, including plates which fit under the
storage tank, units which are installed on
top of the storage tank, and units which are
mounted along side the storage tank.
Sizing is the most important consideration
in the design of this type of system. The wa-
ter tank should be large enough to accom-
modate the waste heat from the air condi-
tioner. Systems relying on thermosiphoning
should have a tempering valve installed
which can automatically mix cold water
 WATER HEATING
CONSIDERATIONS, continued
when necessary to prevent the hot water
from reaching too high a temperature.
Systems using pumps and controls can limit
the amount of desuperheating when the wa-
ter is getting too hot; however, this will add
cost and additional energy usage.
Benefits from a desuperheater are twofold.
On the water heating side, the entire de-
mand for hot water heating can be met
through the use of this technology while the
air conditioning unit is operating. Thus the
cost and energy use to provide hot water is
completely eliminated at these times. On
the air conditioning side, the lower temper-
ature and pressure of the refrigerant allows
the compressor and condenser to expend
less energy.
Circulating systems
The average American household wastes
more than 10,000 gallons of water per year
with the practice of allowing water to run
down the drain while waiting for the hot
water to reach the faucet. This waste can be
eliminated by the installation of hot water
circulating systems. A pump in the hot wa-
ter line continuously circulates hot water
through the tank and the pipes, making it
instantly available at any faucet. The
penalty for this type of system has always
been the heat lost through the pipes as the
water is circulated. This heat loss is sub-
stantial enough to question the environmen-
tal impact of such a system unless addi-
tional controls are installed to limit the en-
ergy waste.
Timers and temperature sensors can limit
the amount of circulation time, but a new
type of system can effectively eliminate
these losses altogether. Hot water remains
contained in the storage tank and is only
circulated when needed. Buttons near each
tap activate the circulation pump, bringing
hot water to all taps before the taps are
opened. The cooler water in the lines is sent
back to the hot water tank for reheating. A
temperature sensor deactivates the pump
when a certain temperature is reached. This
type of system can be configured to work
with either conventionally plumbed houses
or houses with dedicated hot-water-return
piping.
Graywater heat recovery systems
A low technology system which reclaims
the heat from hot water as it travels down
the drain can be a cost effective method of
improving the overall efficiency of a water
heating system. As water flows down a ver-
tical drain pipe it clings to the walls of the
pipe and raises the temperature of the pipe
wall. This heat is transferred to cold water
circulating in a coil of copper tubing
wrapped around the drain. The preheated
water is then fed into the hot water heater,
which reduces the amount of heat the water
heater must produce to raise the tempera-
ture of the water. In addition to saving en-
ergy, this type of system has the added ben-
efit of increasing the capacity of an existing
hot water system by as much as three times
its current capacity. In homes, a shower
drain proves to be the most effective appli-
cation, while almost any industrial process
would benefit from this technology.
Combination heaters
A gas combination heating system (combo
or hydronic heat) uses the hot water from
the water heater to heat the air in a build-
ing. The water heater operates like any con-
ventional water heater. When space heat is
needed, the thermostat energizes a small
pump that circulates hot water from the wa-
Energy 2-88
 WATER HEATING
CONSIDERATIONS, continued
ter heater through a coil in the air handler.
The fan in the air handler comes on and
blows air over the coil where it absorbs the
heat. The warm air (105-110 degrees
Fahrenheit) is then circulated through the
ductwork and into the building. The hot
water loses only 15-25 degrees and is re-
turned to the water heater to be reheated.
This technology has been in use for more
than 25 years in the United States. Major
manufacturers such as Lennox and Rheem,
as well as several smaller companies, pro-
duce combo heating systems. At least one
manufacturer produces a combo heat sys-
tem with cooling coils which, when coupled
with a condensing unit, makes the unit an
air conditioner. Combo heating systems are
most commonly used on apartments and
small homes but can work just as well in
large homes and buildings.
A combo heating system eliminates the
need for a separate furnace. This can save
money on the up front costs of installation,
as well as space, compared to separate
space- and water-heating systems. The air
handler and the ductwork needed for heat
distribution is the same system used for air
conditioning. Though the water heater can
GUIDELINES:
System selection for combination sys-
tems
The selection of a combination system is
based on sizing the system to the heat de-
mand of the building using the following
method:
Conduct an Air Conditioning Contractor’s
Association (ACCA) Manual J calculation
or comparable analysis to determine the de-
sign heat loss of the building.
2-89 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
be located away from the air handler for
convenience, it should be located as close
as possible to avoid heat loss.
Energy costs are lower for a combo heating
system. Since gas combo heaters involve
only one cost for two heating jobs, overall
energy costs are reduced by more than one-
third over electricity. Smaller, but still sub-
stantial savings can be expected over using
separate gas water heaters and gas furnaces.
Maintenance costs are also lower for a
combo heating system. Water heaters are
fairly simple appliances to maintain and re-
pair and no furnace is required for this sys-
tem. Sediment build up in the water heater
is reduced because of the greater frequency
of water circulation. This will increase the
life of the water heater.
The combo heating system needs only 120v
electrical supply. This can reduce electrical
installation costs and the size of the electri-
cal panel. The cost of installing a combo
heat system in conjunction with air condi-
tioning is usually only a $300 or $400 more
than installing a conventional system. The
additional cost will be repaid in two or
three years by the energy savings resulting
Select an air handler and its coil with a
capacity that is equal to or greater than the
design heat loss.
The water heater output must equal or ex-
ceed the rated output of the coil and air
handler.
Water heaters are rated by their energy in-
put (in BTUH). Thus, select the water
heater by matching the air handler/coil
 WATER HEATING
GUIDELINES, continued
heating capacity to the recovery efficiency
of the water heater. Recovery Efficiencies
and Energy Factors are found in the Gas
Appliances Manufacturers Association’s
(GAMA) directory listed in the Resources
Section.
The minimum tank size for the system
should be 40 gallons.
The design heat gain for the building is de-
termined using ACCA Manual J.
The cooling coil capacity and air condi-
tioner must meet or exceed the design heat
gain.
Unless special hot water demand such as a
Jacuzzi exists in a home, the water heater
sized to meet the space heating demand will
meet the domestic hot water needs of the
household. No extra tank or heat capacity
is needed. A heat load calculation needs to
be performed for proper sizing.
All gas combustion units must meet basic
safety installation requirements.
Solar hot water heaters
See Solar Water Heating and Space Heating
section for a discussion of solar water heating
technology.

RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:

See "Heating Contractors" in Yellow Pages

Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association

1901 North Moore Street, Suite 1100
Arlington, Virginia 22209
(703) 525-9565, www.gamanet.org
COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:

see "Heating Contractors" in Yellow Pages

Real Goods Trading Co.
Jade Mountain Inc. 555 Leslie St.
P.O. Box 4616 Ukiah, CA 95482-5576
Boulder, CO 80306 (800) 762-7325, www.realgoods.com
(800) 442-1972, www.jademountain.com demand heaters
demand heaters, heat recovery systems
Controlled Energy Corporation
Vaughn Manufacturing Corporation Fiddler's Green
P.O. Box 5431 Waitsfield, VT 05673
26 Old Elm Street (800) 642-3111, www.cechot.com
Salisbury, MA 01952 instantaneous gas water heater
(800) 282-8446, www.vaughncorp.com
GFX water heat recovery system

Energy 2-90
 WATER HEATING
RESOURCES, continued
www.doucetteindustries.com
graywater heat recovery systems
Low Energy Systems, Inc.
2916 S. Fox St. ACT Inc. Metlund Systems
Englewood, CO 80110 3176 Pullman Street, Suite 119
(303) 781-9437, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
www.palomawaterheaters.com (800) METLUND, www.metlund.com
instantaneous natural gas and propane water "Hot Water Demand System" demand recircu-
heaters lating system

Doucette Industries, Inc.

701 Grantley Road
York, PA 17403-3525
(800) 445-7511,

GENERAL ASSISTANCE:

Southern Union Gas Co. Publication:

Marketing Dept.
504 Lavaca St. , 8th Floor "Directory of Certified Efficiency Ratings
Austin, TX 78701 for Residential Heating and Water Heating
(512) 477-5852 Equipment"
Martha Ezell
US Consumer Product Safety Commission GAMA Efficiency Certification Program
Room 529 Intertek Testing Services
Washington, DC 20207 3933 U.S. Route 11
(800) 638-2772, www.cpsc.gov Cortland, NY 13045-0950
info on carbon monoxide poisoning Phone: (607) 758-6331
www.gamanet.org/publist/ratingsordr.htm
$5, updated bi-annually

2-91 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 CABINETS
INTRODUCTION:
Interior storage cabinets are usually made of hardwood plywood, laminated or painted particle
board, or medium density fiberboard. Faceframes, edge trim, and drawer and door fronts may
be made of these same materials or can be made of domestic hard, soft woods, or tropical hard-
woods. This section discusses the structural materials and adhesives used in cabinet making.

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: Well-developed for solid wood cabinetry. Formaldehyde-free materials are
readily available.

SUPPLIERS: Kitchen cabinet suppliers and architectural mill shops supply solid cabinetry.
Formaldehyde-free cabinet material is available in the area but must be made into custom built
cabinets.

COST: Costs for solid cabinetry exceed conventional cabinet costs in varying amounts accord-
ing to wood type.

FINANCING: Available.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: Solid wood cabinets can be considered a "healthy home" issue and
have broad-based appeal. Solid wood cabinets are highly valued for their quality and aesthetic
appeal.

REGULATORY: None.

CONSIDERATIONS:
Most conventional cabinets are made of
hardwood plywood, laminated or painted
particle board or medium density fiberboard,
all of which may off gas formaldehyde and
other noxious or toxic gasses. All hardwood
plywood and particle board and most
medium density fiberboard is manufactured
using urea formaldehyde glue. Urea
formaldehyde adhesives will off gas
formaldehyde. The lamination process for
attaching a wood grain or other veneer to
particle board or medium density fiberboard
may (usually) involve the use of solvent
based adhesive. These solvent based adhe-
sives may off gas toluene, benzene or other
VOC’s.
To reduce VOC off gassing, cabinet materials
that do not contain urea formaldehyde adhe-
sives should be specified when purchasing
custom made cabinets. There are several
medium density fiberboard products avail-
able that are not made with urea formalde-
hyde adhesives. The best known of these is
Medite II. Non-solvent based adhesives can
also be specified when the cabinet materials
will be laminated. These non-solvent based
adhesives are as effective as their solvent
based counterparts and are also comparable
in cost.
When off-the-shelf cabinets must be pur-

Materials 3-1
 CABINETS
CONSIDERATIONS, continued
chased all interior and exterior surfaces, es- fronts domestic hardwoods or certified, sus-
pecially unfinished edges, must be sealed tainably harvested tropical hardwoods are
with a water borne, non-off gassing sealer the most environmentally sound choice. Ve-
such as a water borne polyurethane. neer grade domestic softwoods are often
harvested from old growth timber and non-
When specifying wood species for veneers certified tropical hardwoods are too often
or solid wood trim and door and drawer harvested in a manner that is devastating to

GUIDELINES:
Standard practices apply to installing solid
cabinetry. If sealing particleboard or other urea
formaldehyde-containing components, be
Medium density fiberboard without urea certain to cover all surfaces. This is best
formaldehyde can be used as part of the done before the cabinets are installed. No
cabinets to help offset high costs of solid VOC sealers are available and should be
lumber. preferred (see “Finishes and Adhesives”).

RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:

Environmental Health Services Healthy House Institute

Mary E. Oetzel 430 North Sewell
3202 W. Anderson Lane, #208-249 Bloomington, IN 47408
Austin, TX 78757 (812) 332-5073, www.hhinst.com
(512) 288-2369
Canadian Housing Information Centre
Clint Good 700 Montreal Road,
Box 143 Ottawa, ON K1A 0P7
Lincoln, VA 22078 (613) 748-2367,
(703) 478-1352 www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/cmhc.html

COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:

see "Kitchen Cabinets & Equipment - Texas Woods Incorproated

Household," "Cabinet Makers," "Cabinets" 1192 HWY 304
in Yellow Pages Bastrop, TX 78602
(800) 687-1779, www.texaswoods.com
Texas hardwoods and others

3-2 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 CABINETS
RESOURCES, continued
Austin Hardwoods, Inc.
2119 Goodrich Ave. Fine Lumber and Plywood
Austin, TX 78704 9407 Brown Lane
(512) 442-4001 Austin, TX 78754
Hardwood (512) 836-8990,
www.austin.citysearch.com/E/V/
Frank Paxton Lumber Co. AUSTX/0002/43/62/
600 S. Industrial Dr., Suite 100 Medex formaldehyde free MDF,
Austin, TX 78745 Hardwood
(512) 443-0777,
www.paxton-woodsource.com Sierra Pine Ltd., Medite Division
Medex formaldehyde free MDF, P O Box 4040
Hardwood Medford, OR 97501-1670

GENERAL ASSISTANCE:

Composite Panel Association

18928 Premiere Court
Gaithersburg, MD 20879
(301) 670-0604, www.pbmdf.com

Materials 3-3
 DIMENSIONAL LUMBER
INTRODUCTION:
Dimensional lumber is the lumber commonly used to frame the walls, floor, and roof of a build-
ing. It ranges in size from 1”x2” furring strips to 8”x12” beams. Large dimension lumber, larger
than nominal 2x6, must be sawn from older, larger trees. The supply of these older trees is di-
minishing at an alarming rate. Lumber smaller than nominal 2x6 can often be sawn from trees
harvested from managed forests with neutral or positive growth/removal rates.

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: The ability to identify old growth wood in lumber is not standardized. Cer-
tified wood is just beginning to be available on a national basis. The use of southern softwoods
and smaller dimensional wood is standard practice.

SUPPLIERS: Suppliers of yellow pine wood and smaller dimensioned lumber are common.
Certified wood must be special ordered and shipped from limited out of state sources.

COST: Yellow pine is competitively priced. Unless ordered in large volume, the costs for certi-
fied wood will be higher than standard lumber.

FINANCING: Available, as long as code requirements are met.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: Wood resource issues are not well known by the general public.

REGULATORY: Structural lumber must be graded and applied according to design values
established by ASTM standards or, in some jurisdictions, approved by a licensed architect or
engineer. Most engineered lumber manufacturers have spent the efforts necessary to attain all

CONSIDERATIONS:
Most U.S. homes are constructed with
wood framing. Although wood is a renew-
able resource, the amount of wood required
for construction purposes is taxing its regen-
erative capabilities as well as depleting a
critical component of ecological balance.
Trees affect water quality, rainfall, and air
quality, both in the immediate region and
on a global scale.
Although the status of the wood resource is
hotly debated, its longterm viability is
clearly impacted by the expanding demand
created from population growth. The reduc-
tion of primary forest cover has spurred fur-
ther debate on the management of the
forests as balanced ecosystems. Some new
management approaches are based upon
sustainable principles. The principles of sus-
tainability which underpin the Green Build-
ing Program favors forest management
practices that retain natural forest ecosys-
tems.
Some of the options associated with this
approach are difficult to implement. There
are few "certified" sustainably managed
wood sources.
The active certifying organizations, listed in

Materials 3-4
 DIMENSIONAL LUMBER
CONSIDERATIONS, continued
the Resources section, have developed
strong ecologically-based criteria. Third
party wood certification programs should
be associated with the Forest Stewardship
Council, an international coalition promot-
ing a common set of principles and guide-
lines used to evaluate certifying organiza-
tions. "Certified" wood products from these
sources are monitored to ensure that basic
ecosystem benefits, functions and regional
viability are maintained.
Wood from old growth forests is not identi-
fied in final products, making the option of
avoiding it very difficult. Most of the old
growth trees are in Redwood and Douglas
Fir regions; however, wood of these species
exists that is not from old growth areas.
Southern wood species such as yellow pine
are harvested in Texas. Using a regional
species can provide an economic benefit to
the state and to our area. The growth/re-
moval rate for yellow pine looks positive for
GUIDELINES:
The framing materials discussed in this sec-
tion have standard installation and con-
struction requirements.
"Certified" wood will become more avail-
able over time. Certification organizations
should indicate an association with the For-
est Stewardship Council, as mentioned
above.
Recycled and salvaged wood from demoli-
tion projects may also be used for structural
purposes and is becoming increasingly pop-
ular. Quality and integrity of beams,
columns, and studs should be determined
by the buyer as well as an architect, engi-
neer, or building official to ensure that the
3-5 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
the future, although increased demand
could cause problems.
Another option is the use of engineered
lumber. These reconstituted wood materials
use laminated wood chips/strands/veneers
and finger-joining (gluing large pieces to-
gether) to reduce waste. Use of engineered
wood from all species offers many benefits
such as a reduction of waste of lumber at
the forest and sawmill (by using small di-
ameter trees and more of the tree) as well as
the jobsite (by being consistent in quality
and not requiring culling or cutoffs caused
by knots, checks, wanes, twists, etc.). Addi-
tionally, using smaller dimensional wood
(smaller than 2x10) allows smaller trees to
be used which can be helpful in tree farming
rotations (common with yellow pine).
material is appropriate for the intended use.
Because of the fluctuating prices of lumber,
an increasing number of builders have
switched to alternative framing materials
such as steel and concrete which offer very
good structural alternatives to wood fram-
ing. These materials are also not susceptible
to many of the traditional downfalls of lum-
ber such as rot, fire, and termites. Investiga-
tion of more durable alternatives in any
building material is always encouraged by
the Green Building Program.
 DIMENSIONAL LUMBER
RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:

See "Engineers - Structural" in Yellow Pages

COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:

Precision Woodworks Big Creek Lumber

507 E. Jackson St. 3564 Highway 1
Burnet, TX 78611 Davenport, CA 95017
(512) 756-6950, (831) 457-5206
www.precisionwoodworks.com sustainable wood producer
recycled wood supplier
Menominee Tribal Enterprises
Delta Lumber Company Hwy 47 N., P. O. Box 10
4701 E. 5th St. Neopit, WI 54150
Austin, TX 78702 (715) 756-2311, www.menominee.com/
(512) 385-1812 mte/MTEHOME.HTML
recycled wood supplier sustainable wood producer

Discovery’s “From the Past” Long Lost Lumber

409 St. Francis 108 Quartz Lane
Gonzales, TX 78629 Elgin, TX 78621
(888) 686-2966 (512) 332-0819
antique doors, windows, beams, flooring, trim & recycled wood supplier
architectural elements
Remanufactured Hardwoods of Texas
Texas Woods, Inc. 2630 Loop 35 S.
Rural Route 1 Box 66 Alvin, TX 77511
Bastrop, TX 78502 (281) 331-7838
(800) 687-1779, www.texaswoods.com recycled wood supplier
flooring, lumber, beams, mantles, doors from na-
tive woods and some reclaimed wood EcoTimber International
1020 Heinz Ave.
What It’s Worth Berkeley, CA 94710
P.O. Box 162135 (510) 549-3000, www.ecotimber.com
Austin, TX 78716 sustainable wood supplier
(512) 328-8837, wiwpine@aol.com
recycled wood supplier Keweenaw Land Association, Limited
1801 E. Cloverland Dr.
Collins Pine Co. P.O. Box 188
1618 S. W. 1st Ave., Suite 300 Ironwood, MI 49938
Portland, OR 97201 (906) 932-3410, www.keweenaw.com
(800) 329-1219, www.CollinsWood.com sustainable wood producer
sustainable wood produces

Materials 3-6
 DIMENSIONAL LUMBER
RESOURCES, continued
Seven Islands Land Management Co. Sylvania Certified, LLC.
112 Broadway 6709 Forest Road
P.O. Box 1168 Land O' Lakes, WI 54540
Bangor, ME 04402-1168 800-468-6139, www.certifiedwood.com
(207) 947-0541 importer and distributor of FSC - certified hard-
sustainable wood producer wood decking and outdoor furniture

Plaza Harwood, Inc,

219 West Manhattan
Santa Fe, NM 87501
800-662-6306, www.plzfloor.com
distributor of FSC - certified hardwood flooring

GENERAL ASSISTANCE:

Institute for Sustainable Forestry The Wood Use Reduction Guide

P. O. Box 1580 Rainforest Action Network
Redway, CA 95560 221 Pine St., Suite 500
(707) 247-1101, www.isf-sw.org San Francisco, CA 94104
certifying organization (415) 398-4404, www.ran.org
guide to tropical hardwoods & alternatives
Scientific Certification Systems
The Ordway Building Certification Monitoring Network
One Kaiser Plaza, Suite 901 Pierre Hauselmann, CMN Coordinator
Oakland, CA 94612 Av. S.-Reymondin 30
(510) 832-1415 CH 1009 Pully Switzerland
certifying organization www.cmnet.org
monitor certification uses in advertising
Certified Forest Products Council
14780 SW Osprey Drive, #285 Rogue Institute for Ecology and Economy
Beaverton, OR 97007 762 A Street
(503) 590-6600, www.certifiedwood.org Ashland, OR 97520
certifying organization (541) 482-6031, www.rogueinstitute.org
certifying organization
Southern Forest Products Association
Treated and Residential Markets Manager Forest Stewardship Council
P. O. Box 641700 P. O. Box 10
Kenner, LA 70064-1700 Waterbury, VT 05676
(504) 443-4464, www.sfpa.org (802) 244-6257, www.fscoaz.org
FSCUS@together.net
certifier’s certifying organization

3-7 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 DIMENSIONAL LUMBER
RESOURCES, continued
Rainforest Alliance The Southern Cypress Manufacturers Assn.
Smart Wood Program 400 Penn Center Blvd., Suite 530
65 Bleecker St., 6th Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15235
New York, NY 10012-2420 (412) 829-0770
(212) 677-1900, www.smartwood.com
certifying organization

Materials 3-8
 EARTH CONSTRUCTION
INTRODUCTION:
Humans have been building homes out of earth for thousands of years. In fact, about half of us
still live in some type of earth shelter. For this reason, there are many beautiful examples of en-
during earth construction techniques throughout the world. There are as many kinds of earth
buildings as there are variations in soil, climate, and cultural conditions.

“Earth materials” may also refer to stone, brick, caliche, rammed earth, adobe, compressed soil
block, cob, superadobe, pisé, and a variety of other materials and/or methods. What they all
have in common is that they are all made from raw materials naturally occurring in the earth.
No matter which method is used, it is usually best to work with indigenous, or locally obtained,
materials.

Construction techniques discussed in this section process or combine earth material in some
way to form freestanding walls. See “Earth-Sheltered Design” in the Energy section of this
Sourcebook for information on buildings that are dug into hillsides, constructed below grade,
or bermed in some fashion. These buildings are “earth covered” to varying degrees. All of these
earth construction methods make use of thermal mass to passively regulate heating and cooling
of interior spaces.

Technical innovations and some plain old “learning from past experience” are bringing earth
building back into popular demand for the industrialized world. Increasingly, it is being recog-
nized for it’s “green building” aspects. Earth is a non-toxic material and usually readily avail-
able – often directly from the site. The thermal mass of thick walls can lower heating and cool-
ing needs, as well as provide sound insulation, structural integrity, good fire and pest protec-
tion, durability, and natural beauty. Earth materials can also be used for footings, floors, and
various surface applications.

(CSI Numbers: 04200 Masonry, 04210 Brick Masonry, 04212 Adobe Masonry, 04220 Concrete Unit Ma-
sonry, 04235 Pre-assembled Masonry Panels, 04400 Stone, 03150 Formwork)

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: Stone cutting, brick production, and masonry techniques are mature tech-
nologies. Rammed earth, caliche block, adobe, cob, superadobe, compressed soil block and pisé
construction methods are not well known by most builders and architects today, although there
are some who are experienced with these materials. Most of these technologies are available in
Austin.

SUPPLIERS: There are numerous suppliers of indigenous stone and local brick in the central
Texas region. Caliche block, rammed earth, cob, and superadobe are not available commer-
cially, but can be created on site. Superadobe bags and house plans can be ordered from Cal
Earth Institute (see Resources). There are contractors who can provide machinery for manufac-
turing caliche or compressed soil block and there is limited commercial availability.

Materials 3-9
 EARTH CONSTRUCTION
AT-A-GLANCE NOTES, continued
COST: Brick is usually sold by the square foot, which is about 4.5 bricks (typically four inches
thick, but can be thinner or thicker). Stone costs can vary widely in price per square foot
(material) depending on type. Compressed soil block costs about the same per square foot as
traditional brick, but is usually about nine inches thick, about twice the volume of material for
about the same price. Earth block (caliche or soil), adobe, cob, and superadobe are made from
labor intensive methods and can cost significantly less than rammed earth or pisé (if you do not
pay for labor).

FINANCING: Stone and brick materials do not pose a problem for lending institutions, and
are often valued positively for increased property value and fire rating. Rammed earth, com-
pressed soil block, caliche block, cob, and superadobe may pose problems for traditional financ-
ing. Proper testing and building code compliance will assist lenders in accepting these methods.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: Stone and brick construction are considered desirable, although
their use for interior thermal mass is not common in our area. Rammed earth, caliche block,
compressed soil block, cob, and superadobe are little known, and may not receive wide public
acceptance.

REGULATORY: In structural applications, materials must be rated for appropriate load re-
quirements. Unfired caliche blocks can easily pass Uniform Building Code (UBC) standards for
compression with an average of 960 psi. Rammed earth, caliche block, compressed soil block,
cob, and superadobe construction will require a building code review if used structurally. Regu-
latory acceptance will be based on precedents for the material as accepted in other jurisdictions
and/or upon independent tests that demonstrate methods and performance required by code for

CONSIDERATIONS:
The use of locally-available and indigenous
earth materials has several advantages in
terms of sustainability. They typically are
not hauled great distances, thus reducing
transport costs, fossil fuel use and resulting
pollution.
Other advantages include the facts that nat-
ural and non-toxic materials have no active
chemical offgassing concerns and usually
do not require any additional surface fin-
ishing procedures or materials. These ma-
terials can also easily be recycled and
safely returned to the earth after their use is
no longer required. Finally, using them
supports local businesses and resource
bases.
Before making a decision to build with
earth, give careful consideration to the
building site and it’s special characteristics.
Different methods are relatively more or
less suited to different conditions or soil
types.
Indigenous stone is stone from central Texas
such as limestone, marble, granite, and
sandstone. It may be cut in quarries or re-

3-10 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 EARTH CONSTRUCTION
CONSIDERATIONS:
moved from the surface of the ground (flag
and fieldstone). Ideally, stone from the
building site can be utilized. Depending on
the stone type, it can be used for structural
block, facing block, pavers, and crushed
stone.
Local brick is brick manufactured in Central
Texas. Most brick plants are located near
the clay source they use to make brick.
Bricks are molded and baked blocks of
clay. Brick products come in many forms,
including structural brick, face brick, roof
tile, structural tile, paving brick and floor
tile.
Caliche is a soft limestone material which is
mined from areas with calcium-carbonate
soils and limestone bedrock. It is best
known as a road bed material, but it can be
processed into an unfired building block,
and is sometimes stabilized with an addi-
tive such as cement.
Rammed earth (called Pisé de Terre in
French) consists of walls made from moist,
sandy soil or stabilized soil, which is
tamped into form work. Walls are a mini-
mum of 12 inches thick. Soils should con-
tain about 15 percent dimensionally stable
clay, 50 percent sand (with coarse and fine
aggregate), and 35 percent silt.
Adobe is the most common earth building
method. Mud bricks are made with earth,
straw, and water. This is usually manually
mixed, placed into wooden forms, and
dried in the sun (not oven-baked). Clayey
soils are best for this use. Most soil around
Austin is not suitable for adobe use due to
its expansive characteristics. For this rea-
son, it will not be discussed in depth here.
This beautiful and durable building system
has many historic and contemporary ex-
amples in the American Southwest and
elsewhere. A broad knowledge base exists
on adobe. See Resources section.
Compressed soil blocks are usually made with
earth from the site. They are sometimes
stabilized with a cement additive and pro-
duced with forms or compressed with a hy-
draulic press. Weatherproofing, such as a
stucco finish, of exterior walls is necessary
for unstabilized blocks.
Cob (sometimes called Clay Lump) is made
from earth, sand, and straw formed by
hand into lumps and stacked in layers and
dried in place. Curves and variations in
form are easily achieved. Exterior walls
must be weatherproofed, usually with
stucco.
Superadobe is made by mixing screened
earth, sand, water, and sometimes small
amounts of cement. This is stuffed by hand
or pumped into sandbags. Standard bags
can be laid up like bricks or very long bags
can be coiled up, with barbed wire be-
tween. Exteriors can be stucco and interi-
ors are often simple mud plasters.
Straw / Clay (also known as Leichtlehm)
construction is an ancient European
method and used by few in the U.S. Clay
(important to use appropriate type) is made
into a “soup”, mixed with straw, and
rammed into forms to make thick walls. It
must be used in combination with another
structural system, such as post and beam,
to carry the roof weight. Stucco, plaster, or
other weatherproofing must be used on the
exterior.
Care must be taken to ensure that non-
Materials 3-11
 EARTH CONSTRUCTION
CONSIDERATIONS, continued
renewable earth materials are not over-
extracted. Ecological balance within the re-
gion needs to be maintained while efficiently
utilizing its resources. Many local suppliers
carry materials that have been shipped in
from outside of the Austin area, so it is im-
portant to ask for locally produced/quarried/
finished materials.
Both brick and stone materials are aestheti-
cally pleasing, durable, and low-
maintenance. Exterior walls weather well,
eliminating the need for constant refinishing
and sealing. Interior use of brick and stone
can also provide excellent thermal mass, or
be used as a component in a radiant heat sys-
tem.
Some stone and brick can be used as flooring
or exterior paving material. It is cool in sum-
mer if not in direct sun, and possesses good
thermal properties for passive solar heating.
Caliche block has been produced for applica-
tions similar to stone and brick mentioned
above. Caliche or earth material block has
special structural and finishing characteris-
GUIDELINES:
Stone
Stone construction practices are fairly stan-
dard. Attention needs to be paid to the load
capacity of foundations and footings be-
cause of the weight of the material. Veneers
need non-combustible support such as con-
crete grade beams or footings. Pay particu-
lar attention to grade beams when design-
ing interior stone wall applications. Anchor-
ing of veneers must follow Uniform Build-
ing Code (UBC) guidelines.
Indigenous stone:
Limestone: A rock that is formed chiefly by
3-12 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
tics.
Rammed earth, caliche block, cob, and su-
peradobe can be used for structural walls,
and offer great potential as low-cost material
alternatives with low embodied energy. In
addition, such materials are fireproof.
Caliche block, compressed soil block,
rammed earth, cob, and superadobe can be
produced on-site. It is very important to have
soils tested for construction material use.
Some soils, such as highly expansive or ben-
tonite soils, are not suitable for structural use.
Testing labs are available in Austin to deter-
mine material suitability for structural use
and code compliance.
Soils for traditional adobe construction are
not found in our area, but other soils for
earth building options are available. Travis
County and surrounding areas have a high
percentage of soils suitable for ramming, ap-
proximately 19,610 acres, according to the
US. Department of Agriculture. Caliche is
also abundant in Austin, covering 14 percent
the accumulation of organic remains (shells
or coral) that consist mainly of calcium car-
bonate.
Marble: Crystallized limestone, ranging from
granular to compact in texture.
Granite: A very hard, indigenous rock for-
mation of visibly crystalline texture formed
essentially of quartz and orthoclase or mi-
crocline.
Sandstone: A sedimentary rock consisting
usually of quartz sand combined with some
 EARTH CONSTRUCTION
GUIDELINES, continued
binding elements such as silica or calcium
carbonate.
Flagstone: A hard, evenly stratified stone
that splits into flat pieces suitable for
paving.
Fieldstone: Stone in its unaltered form.
Brick
The same guidelines apply to brick ma-
sonry as those for stone. Brick has value
as a recyclable material. Used brick,
available through local salvage compa-
nies, is often desired for its weathered, an-
tique appearance. In addition, brick sec-
onds or brick that is damaged can be
crushed and recycled and either returned
to the manufacturing process to make
more brick, or used as a landscaping ma-
terial in its crushed form.
Some American brick manufacturers are
making brick with sewage sludge. Sludge
material is mixed with clay normally used
in the manufacturing process. The result-
ing brick is equally attractive and strong.
Another alternative material for brick pro-
duction is petroleum contaminated soils.
Such soils, when combined with clay and
fired at very high temperatures, yield brick
which is free from hydrocarbon contami-
nation. These techniques are not currently
being used in the Austin area.
Soils for Rammed Earth, Caliche Block,
Compressed Soil Block, Cob, Super-
adobe, or any Soil Material Construction
Soil for rammed earth, compressed earth
blocks, cob, and superadobe construction is
abundant in the Austin area. However, soils
that are bentonitic or highly expansive are
unsuitable for earth construction because of
their capacity to shrink and swell. Soil that
cracks after rainfall may indicate expansive-
ness. Soil must be tested to determine its
suitability as a building material. For in-
stance, soil intended for use as flooring will
not need the same strength as that used to
construct a load-bearing wall.
Desirable qualities for soil construction ma-
terials include strength, low moisture ab-
sorption, limited shrink/swell reaction, and
high resistance to erosion and chemical at-
tack.
Soil testing
Soil testing is done in three phases: labora-
tory testing, construction mix testing, and
quality control testing. Laboratory testing
should always be done early in the design
process, using representative samples of soil
intended for use. (See Resources section for
laboratories.) Engineering properties for
which soils are tested include permeability,
stability, plasticity and cohesion, com-
pactibility, durability, and abrasiveness.
Shrinkage, swelling, and compressive
strength are important aspects of soil suit-
ability.
It is possible to alter soils to make them
suitable for construction by stabilizing
them. Stabilizing soil helps to inhibit the
shrink and swell potential and aids in the
binding of soil components. Soil can be sta-
bilized through chemical or mechanical
means or both. For information on mechan-
ical methods, see the section below on
rammed earth.
Chemical soil stabilization
Lime, cement, and pozzolan mineral ad-
mixtures (high silica volcanic ash) can be
used as chemical additives. Lime is most
Materials 3-13
 EARTH CONSTRUCTION
GUIDELINES, continued
effective on clay soils, and can be used in
combination with cement and pozzolan.
Hydrated lime, as opposed to quick lime,
should be used. Lime is inexpensive, but
care must be taken to protect workers
from breathing in lime dust.
Cement is relatively inexpensive, but re-
quires large energy inputs in its produc-
tion process. However, cement produces
the stronger block than lime. Pozzolan
exists in plentiful supply in Texas, but is
not readily available commercially. The
Center for Maximum Potential Building
Systems (CMPBS) in Austin is experi-
menting pozzolan additives and offers
considerable expertise in earth materials
use. (See the Resources section.)
What are pozzolans?
“Finely ground mineral substances that,
when water is added react with calcium
hydroxide (the primary ingredient in ce-
ment) to form compounds with cement-
like properties. Pozzolans include indus-
trial byproducts, such as flyash, ground
granulated blast furnace slag, and silica
fume. Other types come from natural ma-
terials, such as volcanic glass and tuff, di-
atomaceous earth, and calcinated clay.”
Strength of tested earth and caliche block
Unfired caliche block with 5-10 percent
cement added can easily pass the Uniform
Building Code standards for compression
with an average of 960 psi.
Rammed earth walls have been tested
with a compressive strength of 30 to 90
psi immediately after forming. Ultimate
compressive strength should reach 450-
800 psi. If cement is added, compressive
strength will increase significantly.
3-14 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
The Uniform Building Code for single and
two story buildings requires block bearing
capacity of 300 psi bearing strength. Blocks
manufactured with a hydraulic press have
been tested with a bearing capacity immedi-
ately after production of 700 psi. Such soil
block continues to cure, until blocks reach a
typical bearing capacity of 1000 psi, far ex-
ceeding requirements of the Uniform Build-
ing Code and HUD standards. Cement can
be added to the soil block mixture to reach
a bearing capacity of 2500-3900 psi.
Soil handling
The use of soil and caliche as building ma-
terials is inexpensive for materials costs.
However, the right equipment and coordi-
nated labor are important in the soil mate-
rial construction process. Even a small
structure may require at least 15 tons of
earth. This material must be moved and
handled several times. A bulldozer, front
end loader, or tractor equipped with a
shovel or back hoe will be necessary for on-
site extraction of soil materials. A large, flat
area with good drainage is necessary for
hand molding of blocks, making the clay
lumps for cob, or mixing superadobe. The
building footprint should be accessible by
truck for rammed earth construction.
Caliche and Soil Block Construction
Materials
Caliche is used in our area as a road base
material, and in the production of cement
and lime. Although not commonly used as
a building material, there are historical as
well as current examples of caliche for con-
struction. For an in-depth treatment of the
subject, see The Caliche Report (see Re-
sources).
 EARTH CONSTRUCTION
GUIDELINES, continued
Caliche occurs in abundance in the Austin
area, where it is often found at the construc-
tion site. It can also be purchased from area
suppliers. Be sure to test the source for the
correct clay-to-sand ratio. The use of soil as
the basic block material is also possible, but
will have slightly different stabilization de-
mands. The same methods described here
can be used with soil block.
Block production methods
A bulldozer or front-end loader is needed
to extract caliche or soil on-site. Between
5 and 10 percent cement must be added to
caliche, depending on the quality of the
caliche. For mixing, caliche must be dried
and screened. Some soil may not require
this step. The soil components are mixed
in a mortar or concrete mixer.
Molding techniques may be in the form of
monolithic walls (see the following sec-
tion on Rammed Earth) or molded into
blocks or bricks. For the latter, the mix is
poured into molds, or pressure molded
using special machinery. These methods
provide for a variety of standard and cus-
tom size and shapes of block. With the
hand mold technique, the prepared mix is
poured into damp or oiled molds, spread
evenly, and the molds are shaken slightly
to ensure even filling of the forms. The
blocks are then removed and allowed to
cure before stacking.
Air curing must occur for 10-14 days before the
block can be used in construction. Protect the
blocks from direct sunlight for 5 days and from
rain throughout the curing process. Drying
bricks may be temporarily covered with
tarps or plastic sheeting, but these must be
removed for curing to continue. Once
bricks are sufficiently cured, they can be
set on end to continue drying.
With a wheelbarrow and gang forms, a
crew of two can produce 300 to 400 bricks
per day. With the addition of a plaster
mixer and gang forms for 500 bricks, this
production can be doubled. The addition
of a front end loader with a driver will ad-
ditionally increase production.
Compressed caliche or soil block can be
manufactured on site with a variety of
block-making machines, including hy-
draulic presses, mechanical presses, and
various combinations. Some mechanical
presses are small enough to be operated by
hand (Cinva-Ram, for instance). With a
mobile industrial block machine powered
by a diesel engine, 800 blocks can be pro-
duced per hour. Compressed soil blocks can
be used immediately. They continue to cure
and gain strength after they are installed.
When green (before they are cured), they
can be readily shaped or nailed with hand
tools.
Mortaring
Mortar for blocks must be applied to the en-
tire surface of the block, as opposed to rib-
bon mortar beds often used with conven-
tional brick. Full surface mortaring allows
for maximum compressive strength. The
same soil used in block making, mixed with
water to form a slurry, is usually used as a
mortar for binding blocks together into
floors and walls. Cement can be added to
the mortar mix, but this increases the cost.
The main advantage of cement mortar is its
quick drying speed.
Design methods
Block size can be varied easily to accommo-
date a variety of designs. Walls can be
Materials 3-15
 EARTH CONSTRUCTION
GUIDELINES, continued
sculptured, rounded, or formed into key-
stone arches to create custom effects. Rela-
tively unskilled labor can be used in con-
struction with compressed earth and caliche
block.
Design of structural walls using caliche or
soil material block must take into account
wall height and thickness, size of block,
insulation value, and the desired style and
finish. Wall height-to-thickness ratio must
be adequate for stability to meet energy
standards. For more information on struc-
tural design, see Buildings of Earth and
Straw, listed in Resources.
The relatively low insulation value of soil
or caliche block may make additional in-
sulation necessary. In Central Texas, a 12
inch wide block provides an appropriate
mass / insulation value.
Soil or caliche block structures need not
have the "pueblo" style if this is not de-
sired. Many architectural styles are possi-
ble.
A bond or collar beam is necessary if the
roof is supported by the walls. This will
serve to spread the loads over the entire
wall, and stabilize the tops of the walls
from horizontal movement.
Vertical reinforcement is difficult with
solid block walls, but can be accommo-
dated with the use of reinforced concrete
columns at corners, wall openings, and at
intervals in the wall. In this case, the soil
block becomes an infill panel. Alterna-
tively, walls made more than one block
thick may have internal reinforcing be-
tween blocks, and have additional insula-
tion between panels. With this method,
3-16 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
care must be taken to ensure that the
lower block courses are completely dry
before additional courses are added.
Soil blocks are typically stuccoed to pre-
vent them from getting wet. Clear finishes
or a variety of plasters may be applied on
the interior.
Rammed Earth Construction
Rammed earth, an ancient building tech-
nique, may have originally been developed
in climates where higher humidity and rain-
fall did not permit the production of soil
block. For soil block to cure uncovered,
there must be at least 10 straight days that
are rain-free. Soil mixtures for rammed
earth are similar to those for soil block.
Soils with high clay content may be more
suitable for ramming, as they tend to crack
when being cured as blocks.
Preparation and transport of soil
Rammed earth soil mixes must be carefully
prepared by screening, pulverizing, and
mixing. Pulverizing is important to ensure a
uniform mix and to break up any clumps.
Transporting the soil mix to the forms is a
demanding task. Large quantities of soil
must be moved and transported vertically
for placement in the forms. This process is
not the same as pouring concrete, because
the material is not liquid. Traditionally,
workers passed baskets or buckets of earth
up to where it was needed. Hoists or a fron-
tend loader can also be used effectively for
this task.
Form work
Form work for rammed earth must be sta-
ble and well built in order to resist pressure
and vibration resulting from ramming.
 EARTH CONSTRUCTION
GUIDELINES, continued
Small, simply designed forms that are easy
to manage are most effective. Ease of as-
sembly and dismantling should be consid-
ered when designing forms. A variety of
materials can be used for forms, including
wood, aluminum, steel, or fiberglass.
Systems for keeping form work in position
vary. Small clamps adapted from concrete
form work techniques work well, although
small holes are left when the clamps are
removed. Other methods include locking
hydraulic jacks, or form work built on
steel posts. Steel I-beams and plywood are
sometimes used. For more discussion of
form work design, organization, and mov-
ing, see the Earth Construction Primer and
Adobe and Rammed Earth Buildings listed in
Resources.
The ramming process
Once a soil "lift" of 6 to 8 inches in thick-
ness is in place, the soil is rammed. Ram-
ming can be accomplished manually or
mechanically. Manual ramming is an an-
cient technique using a large, specially
shaped tool with a long handle called a
rammer. Rammers weigh around 18
pounds, and have heads of wood or
metal. Differently shaped heads are de-
signed to perform ramming for various
form shapes, especially for corners.
Mechanical impact ramming uses pneu-
matic ramming machines. Only rammers
specifically designed for soil are effective
(rammers which are too powerful or too
heavy will not work). Such equipment is
quite expensive, but impact ramming is
highly effective, and if the soil mixture is
good, creates high quality rammed earth.
Rammed earth will begin to cure immedi-
ately. Curing can take from several
months to several years, depending on
weather and humidity.
Design methods
Rammed earth walls have low tensile
strength, and should be reinforced by pro-
viding a bond or collar beam. Beams can
be constructed of concrete, wood, or steel.
Vertical reinforcing may also be done,
and may be required by some building of-
ficials.
All openings in rammed earth walls, such
as windows and doors, must have lintels to
span the opening width. A helpful hint is to
put windows and doors immediately below
the bond beams because it is difficult to
shore up the concrete lintel and then ram on
top of it. Water flow and moisture control
is critical to protect structural walls. Special
detailing for manufactured windows may
be necessary to accommodate wall thick-
ness. All openings for doors and windows
will require a frame. Wood, as opposed to
metal, is recommended because of the cor-
rosive action of moisture from the soil ma-
terial. Lintels can be concrete, stone, or
wood. Careful attention to roof and any
opening details is necessary to protect the
structure from water damage. The addition
of a small percentage of cement can in-
crease the strength and the longevity of the
rammed earth walls.
Foundations required by most codes are
concrete reinforced with steel. Soil block
may be used as a filler material between
piers of a reinforced concrete pier and beam
foundation. Historically, many structures
built with earth materials had no founda-
tion, or used sand and gravel foundations.
The latter are excavated trenches filled with
two parts sand to three parts gravel. Trench
Materials 3-17
 EARTH CONSTRUCTION
GUIDELINES, continued
bottoms should be graded to provide good
drainage. Soil material block should not be
used in below grade walls unless supported
on both sides. Natural moisture from the
ground may infiltrate the block, resulting in
reduced compressive strength.
Cob Construction
Cob or cobb is a very old method of build-
ing thick walls out of hand-formed lumps of
earth and straw. It has been most widely
used in the United Kingdom and other
parts of Western Europe. The lumps or
“cobs” are stacked or packed together to
create walls which take on any shape or
form. This method lends itself to using cre-
ative sculptural efforts to achieve unique
walls, curves, doorways, built-in furniture,
arches, window forms. etc. This method is
very time and labor consuming, yet offers
the opportunity for unique wall forms. Cob
walls are usually covered with a natural
plaster and can be naturally pigmented.
Superadobe Construction
This relatively new method combines ele-
ments of rammed earth technique and an-
cient building forms, such as domes and
vaults. Cal Earth Institute has done engi-
neering testing and successfully obtained
permits for this type of construction in Cali-
fornia where seismic concerns have resulted
in the strictest structural codes.
Superadobe buildings can be designed and
built with sand bags ranging from standard
sizes to very long (continuous) bags that are
coiled up from the foundation base to form
domes. Vaulted forms and other variations
are also possible.
Earth (usually from site), sand, cement
(relatively small quantities), straw, and wa-
3-18 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
ter are combined and stuffed by hand or
pumped with standard concrete equipment
into sandbags. The bags are layered to
achieve the designed form. The layers are
held together by compression and 4 point
barbed wire, which is available from most
building suppliers. No mortar is used be-
tween bags. Proper engineering is critical to
insure structural stability.
The use of the sandbag allows a wider vari-
ety of soil types to be used than in many
other earth methods. Because the bags are
laid up wet, it is a faster method than adobe
or formed blocks which must dry before
use. The forms used for rammed earth con-
struction are not necessary.
Exterior walls can receive traditional stucco
or a variety of finishes. Interior walls can
receive simple earth plasters or even
sheetrock. Standard doors and windows
can be incorporated. Concerns regarding
their details are similar to rammed earth.
Some structures incorporate chimneylike
“windcatchers” for natural cooling.
Thermal characteristics are similar to
rammed earth and straw bale structures.
Embodied energy is relatively low. Fly ash
can be used in the mud mixture to reduce
the amount of cement and to increase
strength. See Resource section for more in-
formation on publications, workshops and
training, house plans, and supplies.
Soil Materials Flooring
Earth floors are most often used in out-
buildings and sheds, but if properly installed
they can also be used in interior spaces. For
interior use, earth floors must be properly
insulated and moisture-sealed. Earth floors
 EARTH CONSTRUCTION
GUIDELINES, continued
must be protected from capillary action of
water by sealing with a water tight mem-
brane underlayment.
Construction preparation includes removal
of any vegetation under the floor area fol-
lowed by ramming of the area. The ground
must be dry before installation of the floor.
After the surface is moisture-proofed (see
Finishes), a foundation of stone, gravel, or
sand is installed, 20 to 25 cm. deep. Then
an insulating layer is installed, such as a
straw clay mixture.
An appropriate soil stabilized mixture for
the load-bearing layer of the floor is then
installed. The load-bearing layer should be
4 cm. thick. The floor can be finished with
a thin layer of cement grout mixed with
sand. Sawdust can also be added as a filler,
in proportion of one part sawdust, one part
sand, and one part cement. Sawdust
should be treated first with lime and dried.
The final stage of floor finishing is waxing
or sealing. Color can be integral or topical
(just on the surface).
Other construction options include mono-
lithic earth floors which are poured in lay-
ers within guide forms. Each layer must
have curing cracks filled, be treated with a
mixture of linseed oil and turpentine, and
allowed to dry for a week before the next
layer is applied. The final floor surface can
be waxed and polished.
Soil material flooring can also be installed
using stabilized bricks or tiles. Such materi-
als should be from six to nine cm thick,
and can be set on a two cm layer of mor-
tar.
Soil Material Durability and Finishes
The outer or finished soil materials may be
vulnerable to weather unless they are stabi-
lized with cement and have adequate roof
overhangs. Normally, the clay content of
the finished material is naturally somewhat
moisture resistant.
Structures made of soil materials are
durable and can last from 50 to hundreds of
years. The U.S. government has
documented over 350,000 currently existing
houses and commercial structures of
earthen construction in the US. Many of
these have been in existence with minimal
maintenance for the past 100 years. Some
were built as long ago as the 1600s.
Two basic approaches for finishing soil-
based construction materials exist: stabi-
lized or natural finishes. Stabilized finishes
such as cement stucco are more permanent
and more expensive initially. Natural finishes
such as mud plaster are less expensive for
materials and less durable and will require
ongoing maintenance to ensure a high qual-
ity finish.
Breathability is a quality with which to be
concerned. Generally, natural plasters are
much more breathable than cement-based
stuccos. A masonry stucco or lime plaster
are often good compromises between
breathability and durability. Rammed earth
walls may be sealed with a breathable
water-based sealer alone, leaving the attrac-
tive soil walls visible with no need for plas-
ter or stucco.
Investigate qualities and claims of products
before purchasing. If possible, test wall fin-
ishes before purchasing large quantities of
materials.
Materials 3-19
 EARTH CONSTRUCTION
GUIDELINES, continued
Plaster
Mud plaster is usually applied in two coats
for both exterior and interior surfaces. The
addition of straw is recommended in the
mud plaster mix. This will help to reinforce
the plaster, allowing for thicker coats and
surface leveling. In addition, this will de-
crease the tendency for cracking of the plas-
ter as it dries. High clay content soils in
mud plaster may result in a poor bond of
the plaster to the wall.
The finish coat is made of screened, fine
materials. This layer is applied as thinly as
possible while achieving full coverage.
Plaster can be troweled, floated, or tinted
to achieve a variety of textures and color
variations, and reapplied as many times as
necessary to achieve the desired affect or
to make repairs. When dry, the mud plas-
ter surface will take on a firm finished sur-
face similar in hardness and texture to con-
ventional plaster.
The same stabilizers used in the prepara-
tion of the structural soil mix may be used
to stabilize the plaster. Thorough mixing of
the plaster mix is necessary to avoid an un-
even finish.
Stucco
Traditional cement stucco may be used on
walls for a low-maintenance finish. How-
ever, cement stucco has a different expan-
sion coefficient than the wall material.
This may eventually lead to separation
from the wall, and may conceal structural
erosion problems which may result from
leaky pipes or roofs. Stucco netting is rec-
ommended to accommodate any settling
and cracking of the stucco. Exterior stucco
walls should not be painted with tradi-
tional exterior paints, because they may
3-20 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
increase moisture impermeability. A final
colored coat of stucco or texture finishes
may be used decoratively. For more infor-
mation on both interior and exterior ce-
ment stucco preparation and application,
see Adobe and Rammed Earth Buildings in
the Resources section.
Interior walls
Interior earth walls may be painted more
successfully, and may also be treated with
sealing compounds to reduce the tendency
for dust to develop and rub off on furniture
and clothing. Oil-based varnishes and
resinous liquids can be diluted for such use.
If paint is to be used, a sealing or sizing
coat should be applied first. Whitewash can
be prepared with equal parts of lime and
white cement mixed with water. Natural
earth pigments may be added to this mix-
ture.
In addition to stucco or plaster, interior
walls may also be treated with a variety of
non-traditional and traditional interior ve-
neers including gypsum wallboard
(drywall).
Soil Material and Energy
Thermal Characteristics
The American Society of Heating, Refrig-
eration and Air Conditioning Engineers
(ASHRAE) laboratory tests give a 10 inch
thick adobe wall with ¾ inch of stucco on
the exterior and ½ inch of gypsum plaster
on the interior an R-value of 3.8. A 14 inch
thick earth wall with similar construction is
assigned an R value of 4.9. In spite of these
fairly low values in laboratory conditions,
earth materials do have good thermal mass
characteristics.
Some dynamic testing of high mass walls
 EARTH CONSTRUCTION
GUIDELINES, continued
has indicated that their “performance” is ac-
tually much better than these low R-values
might suggest because they “keep the
weather out”.
K-value is much more important than R-
values for earth walls. K-value refers to the
heat capacity of the wall’s mass. Earth walls
do not actually “resist” the movement of
temperature changes through them like an
insulated stud wall does. Instead, their wall
thickness, combined with it’s density and the
low conductivity characteristics of earth ma-
terials, greatly slows down the heat exchange
process between the inside and outside.
A wall thickness from 12 to 14 inches is gen-
erally considered optimum for thermal mass
performance in Central Texas. In colder re-
gions, insulation may need to be added.
Keeping a thermal mass wall shaded during
the heat of the summer is an important de-
sign consideration in Central Texas.
Double wall construction can greatly en-
hance insulation value. Applied insulation
can be in the form of rigid material or spray-
on insulation. Spray-on insulation must be
covered with stucco to protect it. Although
the addition of insulation will increase con-

Figure 1

EMBODIED ENERGY IN BTUs

portland cement 94 lb sk 381,624 BTU

hydrated lime 100 lb sk 440,619 BTU
common brick 1 block 13,570 BTU
concrete block 1 block 29,018 BTU
earth/adobe block 1 block (10x4x14) 2,500 BTU

RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:

See "Engineers-Structural," "Engineers-

Foundation" and "Mason Contractors" in the Cob Cottage Company
Yellow pages. Box 123
Cottage Grove, OR 97424
See "Laboratories-Testing" in the Yellow Pages. (541) 942-2005, www.deatech.com/cobcot-
tage
Center for Maximum Potential Building cob construction information, workshops
Systems, Inc.
8604 FM 969 Southwest Solar Adobe School
Austin, TX 78724 P.O. Box 153
(512) 928-4786, www2.cmpbs.org Bosque, NM 87006
design and testing, information, equipment leas- (505) 861-1255, adobebuilder.com
ing educational information and workshops

Materials 3-21
 EARTH CONSTRUCTION
RESOURCES, continued
Cal Earth Institute
10376 Shangri La Avenue
Hesperia, CA 92345
(760) 244-0614, www.calearth.org
pubications, workshops and training, information,
testing, house plans, and supplies

ARCHITECTS & BUILDERS:

Thomas Trutna, Architect
1017 RR 620 South #214 Eco-Earth Construction
Austin, TX 78734 P.O. Box 635
(512) 402-0646, TATrutna@aol.com Mason, TX 76856
rammed earth/ compressed soil block architecture (800) 334-4406
firm rammed earth construction company

Steve Gerdes, Architect Nader Khalili

1714 Summit View #8 Cal Earth Institute
Austin, TX 78703 10376 Shangri La Ave.
(512) 474-6416, sgerdes9d@aol.com Hesperia, CA 92345
sustainable design/build firm specializing in (760) 244-0614
rammed earth www.calearth.org

TESTING LABORATORIES:

TETCO Jack Holt & Associates

3601 Manor Rd 2220 Barton Skyway
Austin, TX 78723 Austin, TX 78704
(512) 926-6650 (512) 447-8166

COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:
See "Stone-Natural" ,”Limestone”, ”Brick”,
”Granite”, “Sand & Gravel” in the Austin area The Barefoot Boy
Yellow Pages Spike Baldwin
5126 Village Crest
A.E.C.T. San Antonio, TX 78218
11595 Hwy. 181 South (210) 590-1543
San Antonio, TX 78223 compressed soil blocks made at your site
(210) 633-3224, fax (210) 633-3231
compressed soil block machines

3-22 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 EARTH CONSTRUCTION
RESOURCES, continued
adobe bricks

Hill Country Adobe Jim's Rent-All

1122 CR 108 612 Melody Way
Burnet, TX 78611-1065 Wimberley, TX 78676
(512) 756-4641 (512) 847-3106
GENERAL ASSISTANCE:
Brick:
University of Texas
Southwestern Brick Institute Bureau of Economic Geology
314 Highland Mall Blvd. Austin TX 78712
Austin, TX 78752 information and maps
(512) 451-4668, (800) 733-1813
http://swbrick.com Bill Curra
technical information Texas Highway Department
Division of Environmental Affairs
Soil Materials: (512) 475-0707
materials testing engineer
Wayne Dunlap
Texas A & M University Texas Aggregates and Concrete Association
Offshore Technology Research Center 6633 Highway 290 E., Suite 204
1200 Mariner Drive Austin, TX 78723
College Station TX 77845 (512) 451-5100
(409) 845-6000, wad2094@acs.tamu.edu

PUBLICATIONS:

Publications: (505) 243-7801

Architecture for the Poor
Call the Green Building Program at By Hassan Fathy, 1973
(512) 499-7827 for a longer list of earth construc- University of Chicago Press
tion books.
Building with Stone
Adobe and Rammed Earth Buildings: De- by Charles McRaven, 1989
sign and Construction A Garden Way Publishing Book
Paul Grahm McHenry, Jr., 1984
John Wiley and Sons Buildings of Earth and Straw
By Bruce King, P.E., 1996
Adobe Journal Ecological Design Press
by Michael Moquin, P.O. Box 7725 Albu- Chelsea Green Publishing
querque, NM 87102

Materials 3-23
 EARTH CONSTRUCTION
RESOURCES, continued

The Caliche Report The Earthbuilder’s Encyclopedia

Published by the Center for Maximum Po- by Joseph M. Tibbets, 1989
tential Building Systems Southwest Solaradobe School

Ceramic Houses and Earth Architecture Handbook for Building Homes of Earth
by Nader Khalili,, 1990 ASTM Book of Standards
Harper & Row, Publishers
Manual of Testing Procedures
Earth Construction Primer Texas Highway Department
CRATerre
Brie et Angonnes The Rammed Earth House
38320 France by David Easton, 1996
Tel (78) 89.61.67 Chelsea Green Publishing

3-24 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 ENGINEERED SHEET MATERIALS
INTRODUCTION:
Engineered sheet lumber materials are products such as medium density fiberboard (MDF) and
oriented strand board (OSB) that are produced from recycled-content or reconstituted materials.
Engineered sheet lumber materials replace dimensional lumber and plywood used for sheathing,
subflooring, cabinetry, and other applications. This reduces the need to cut larger trees.

Recycled content sheet goods include any percentage of recycled material. Products that use recy-
cled newsprint, agricultural byproducts, or wood waste are considered recycled-content materi-
als.

Reconstituted materials use chipped or stranded small-diameter trees as their wood source. This
material is then bound together into forms suitable for use in construction.

Engineered sheet materials are those made of reconstituted wood or other cellulose fibers, recy-
cled content metals or other raw materials such as vinyl, silica or concrete. These products pro-
vide a more resource efficient alternative to using solid wood siding.

Fiber-cement materials are made from cement, silica and sawdust.

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: Many of these technologies are relatively simple: newsprint recycling and
oriented strand board are mature technologies. Most of these products are derived from manu-
facturing processes which are more material-efficient than past processes.

SUPPLIERS: Many of these products, such as OSB, laminated wastepaper sheathing, fiber-
cement products, and formaldehyde-free MDF are available locally, although some of the more
obscure products must be ordered from the factory directly.

COST: Many of these sheet materials currently cost more then traditional sheet materials;
however, the oriented strand board and laminated wastepaper sheathing are price competitive
or cheaper. Shipping costs for small quantities can be prohibitively expensive.

FINANCING: Available.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: Acceptance of these products is good. They are comparable in ap-
pearance with the ones they replace, and since they are covered in places where they are used,
their appearance ceases to be an issue. There is a high appreciation and an increasing demand
for lesser-toxic products. The recycled-content of these materials enhances their appeal.

REGULATORY: Meets code requirements.

Materials 3-25
 ENGINEERED SHEET MATERIALS
CONSIDERATIONS:
Engineered sheet materials can contain re-
cycled post-consumer paper, by-product
gypsum and recovered gypsum, wood
waste, wood chips from "non-commercial"
trees, and annually-renewable agricultural
fibers.
Products include: hardboard made from
waste wood, recycled post-consumer
newsprint, 100 percent recycled newsprint
fiberboard, and fiberboard made from
straw.
All of these materials need to be kept dry
during the construction process. It is best to
avoid materials made with binders that con-
tain urea formaldehyde because it may out-
gas. Phenol formaldehyde is predominantly
used in materials for exterior applications.
Its lower outgassing qualities are not con-
sidered as health threatening.
Most of these materials are installed/ap-
plied in the same manner as the traditional
products (plywood and oriented strand
board), therefore labor estimates are compa-
rable. At least one U.S. manufacturer pro-
duces MDF (medium density fiberboard)
which contains neither phenol nor urea
formaldehyde. This product may be a good
option for interior use for people sensitive
to formaldehyde emissions from standard

GUIDELINES:
Most of these materials come in standard
dimensions (4’x8’), are applied with stan-
dard fasteners, and can be worked with reg-
ular carpentry tools.
Some products might require specific struc-
tural spacing and support. This informa-
tion is supplied by the manufacturer.
Look for the recycled symbol on these prod-
ucts and ask for post-consumer recycled
content.
100 percent recycled content is available in
some foil-backed materials.
See Resources for comments regarding specific
products.

RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:
see "Engineers - Structural" in Yellow Pages Center for Resourceful Building
Technology
P. O. Box 100
Missoula, MT 59806
(406) 549-7678, www.montana.com/crbt/
index.htm

3-26 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 ENGINEERED SHEET MATERIALS
RESOURCES, continued
COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:
See also: "Engineered Structural Products" and
"Engineered Siding and Trim" sections of Homasote Company
Sourcebook Box 7240
W. Trenton, NJ 08628-0240
Isobord Enterprises Inc. (609) 883-3300
1300 SW Fifth Ave., Suite 3030 Regional distributors:
Portland, OR 97201 William Cameron & Co.
(503) 242-7345, www.isobord.com San Antonio, TX
Isobord MDF engineered strawboard is made (512) 226-4050
from straw fibers and offgas less during use. Wholesale only;
is available locally at Furrows Building Supply,
Weyerhaeuser Co. (only 440 Homasote®, will special order others).
Box 2999 Sheathing, carpet underlayment, and decking
Tacoma, WA 98477-2999 products made from 100% recycled newsprint.
(253) 924-2345 Homasote FP is a fireproof product. All products
Structurwood® oriented strand board (OSB). have sound-deadening and insulative properties.
Applications: Walls, floors, I-joist webs, and
roofs. Evanite Fiber Corporation
OSB is readily available from all local suppliers. P.O. Box E
Much of it originates in Texas. Corvallis, OR 97333
(541) 753-1211, www.evanite.com/html/
Advanced Wood Resource hardboard.html
34363 Lake Creek Dr. This product is currently not available in this
Brownsville, OR 97327 area; consult manufacturer for further distribu-
(541) 466-5177 tion information.
COMPLY® composite plywood Hardboard made from waste wood; Applica-
Currently not available in this area. tions: Furniture, cabinets, interior wall panels,
Three veneers of Douglas Fir and two thick inner and underlayment; available base coat printed to
layers of reconstituted wood fiber, Applica- simulate wood finishes.
tions: Walls, floors, roofs. Also available as sid-
ing; more expensive than OSB, sold as a top
value, solid core product.

Materials 3-27
 ENGINEERED SHEET MATERIALS
RESOURCES, continued
USG Corporation
125 S. Franklin Street
Chicago, IL 60606
(800) 874-7968, www.usg.com
FIBERROCK™ fiber-reinforced gypsum panels.
Made from gypsum, perlite, and cellulose from
recycled newsprint and telephone directories; for
interior use on ceilings and walls.
Louisiana Pacific
P.O. Box 10266
Portland, OR 97296-9936
(800) 648-6893, www.lpcorp.com
SmartSystem borate treated engineered wood
siding and exterior products.
Simplex Products Division
P. O. Box 10
Adrian, MI 49221-0010
(517) 263-8881, www.simplex-products.com
Thermo-ply insulated sheathing ;
This product is available locally.
Made from several continuous plies of wood fiber,
rated for water resistance; white polyethylene
coating on one side, aluminum radiant barrier on
other, a thin roof and wall sheathing; for struc-
tural applications; cheaper to install than ply-
wood; stronger than foam or fiberboard sheath-
ings.
The CanFibreGroup Ltd.
8 King Street East, Suite 1501
Toronto, Ontario M5C 1B5 Canada
(888) 355-4733, www.canfibre.com
ALLGREEN 100% recycled medium density
fiberboard, urea formaldehyde-free
Goldboard
4990 42nd Ave., Suite 103
Edmonton, Alberta, T6B 2V4 Canada
(780) 440-3320, www.goldboard.com
medium density strawboard, formaldehyde-free
3-28 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
Pierce International, Inc.
6746 S. Revere Parkway, Suite 130
Englewood, CO 80112
(303) 792-0719
Stramit/Easiboard interior, non-load-bearing
compressed straw wall panels
Made from wheat straw - an agricultural by-
product. Applications: Is used as an interior
wall panel (2.5” thick) finished with typical dry-
wall paper on both sides. It accepts electrical out-
let boxes and has channels to route wiring.
James Hardie Building Products, Inc.
26300 La Alameda, Suite 250
Mission Viejo, California 92691
(888) 542-7343, www.hardie.com/usa-
home.htm
Most lumber retailers in the area supply this
Fiber-cement exterior panel materials for siding,
roofing, trim and soffits in various textures.
Meadowood Industries, Inc.
33242 Red Bridge Rd, S.E.
Albany, OR 97321
(541) 259-1303
Meadowood wall and ceiling board.
Can be ordered factory-direct.
1/4” sheet made from ryegrass straw . Uses a
resin that does not outgass during use. .
Primeboard Inc.
2111 N. 3M Drive
Wahpeton, ND 58075
(701) 642-1152, primeboard.com
Primeboard “Wheatboard” medium density
strawboard, formaldehyde-free
Naturall Fibre Board, LC
P.O.Box 175
Minneapolis, KS 67467
(785) 392-9922
 ENGINEERED SHEET MATERIALS
RESOURCES, continued
medium density strawboard, formaldehyde-free
PanTERRE America, Inc.
2700 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 247-3160
PanTERRE panel
This product is currently not available in this
area; consult manufacturer for further distribu-
tion information.
Made from equal amounts of mixed waste paper
and agricultural fibers such as straw, rice hulls,
or peanut shells; finish coated with recycled kraft-
board (or sent raw to manufacture cabinets and
flooring). Applications: Many, including exte-
rior sidewall sheathing, roof sheathing, false ceil-
ings, cabinetry; easy to handle, saw, glue, and
nail; can be finished with a variety of materials
such as wood veneers, paperboard, or plastic lam-
inates; can be manufactured using indigenous
GENERAL ASSISTANCE:
National Association of Home Builders
Research Center
400 Prince George's Blvd.
Upper Marlboro, MD 20774-8731
(301) 249-4000, www.nahbrc.org
Southern Forest Products Association
P. O. Box 641700
Kenner, LA 70064-1700
(504) 443-4464, www.sfpa.org
American Wood Council
1111 - 19th St. NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 463-2769, www.awc.org
Composite Panel Association USA
18928 Premiere Court
Gaithersburg, MD 20879-1569
(301) 670-0604, www.pbmdf.com
waste material. Class C flame spread
Sierra Pine Ltd., Medite Division
P.O. Box 4040
Medford, OR 97501
(541) 773-2522
Medex and Medite II formaldehyde-free,
medium-density fiberboard
Local supplier:
Fine Lumber and Plywood (512) 836-8990,
www.austin.citysearch.com/E/V/
AUSTX/0002/43/62/
Made from pre-consumer wood waste and using
formaldehyde-free resins in their binder. Appli-
cations: Medex is used for exterior applications
while Medite II is used for interior applications.
For interiors it is commonly used in cabinetry
and molding. The panels generally come in
1/4”, 1/2”, 3/4” thick and 4’x8’sheets, but
APA-The Engineered Wood Association
P.O. Box 11700
7011 S. 19th St.
Tacoma, WA 98466
(253) 565-6600, www.apawood.org
(ask for publications desk)
Western Wood Products Association
522 SW Fifth Ave., Suite 500
Yeon Building
Portland, OR 97204-2122
(503) 224-3930, www.wwpa.org
Materials 3-29
 ENGINEERED SIDING AND TRIM
INTRODUCTION:
Engineered wood products use wood or other cellulose fibers bonded together to manufacture
finishing materials. These materials allow more efficient use of forest products by using mill
waste or wood fibers from smaller trees to manufacture materials that were previously sawn
from larger trees. Materials covered in this section include exterior siding, interior and exterior
trim and cornice materials, and domestic and tropical hardwoods.

Recycled and reconstituted materials include substances that are salvaged from the waste stream,
such as sawdust and other cellulose.

Recycled trim refers to the reuse of trim salvaged from building demolition.

Tropical hardwood refers to wood harvested from tropical rain forests. Most tropical hardwoods
are harvested by clear cutting large sections of forest to obtain a few usable trees, though some
tropical hardwoods are now certified as sustainably harvested. Most domestic hardwoods cur-
rently have a positive growth/removal rate.

Metal siding usually contains some recycled material. Vinyl siding is produced from polyvinyl
chloride (PVC).

Finger-jointed material is lumber that is made of short lengths (16 - 48 inches) of off-cuts from
truss and other manufacturing processes that is finger-jointed and glued together to make usable
lengths of lumber. Finger-joint lumber may only be used for vertical structural applications such
as studs or as non-structural trim material.

Fiber-cement materials are made from cement, silica and sawdust.

(CSI Numbers: 06200 Finish Carpentry, 07410 Preformed Wall & Roof Panels, 07460 Cladding & Sid-

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: The technology involved with these items is well-developed and reconsti-
tuted/recycled content materials continue to enter the market.

SUPPLIERS: Recycled-content materials are available primarily in aluminum and steel. Re-
constituted materials are available primarily in hardboards. All trim options are available, in-
cluding recycled trim. Fiber-cement siding is available.

COST: Competitive.

FINANCING: There is not a financing issue.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: Highly durable engineered siding products are desirable.

Materials 3-30
 ENGINEERED SIDING AND TRIM
AT-A-GLANCE NOTES, continued
REGULATORY: Exterior wall coverings code regulations are presented in the 1992 Confer-
ence of American Building Officials (CABO) code Section R-503. Products purchased for sid-
CONSIDERATIONS:
Over 50 percent of residential siding bought
today consists of wood or wood compos-
ites. Most solid wood siding materials re-
quire considerable maintenance to be long
lasting.
Reconstituted and recycled-content
(engineered) siding materials can offer supe-
rior longevity over solid wood siding. The
increased density of the materials resists
cracking and other deterioration. Fiber-
cement materials, for example, offer very
long warranties and have zero flamespread.
They are cost effective and used exten-
sively. This material combines wood fiber
with cement and its manufacture is less
energy-intensive than that of steel and vinyl
siding.
Steel and aluminum siding materials are
made using 10-15 percent recycled content
materials. Although the embodied energy is
high when the materials are originally
made, they require much less energy in a
recycled form. They can also be recycled
again after use in a building.
Vinyl siding is a low maintenance material
and some manufacturers may add a small
amount of post-industrial scrap. However,
several environmental groups have targeted
GUIDELINES
Fiber-cement materials can be worked with
woodworking tools.
3-31 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
the PVC that is its principal component as a
major contributor to environmental pollu-
tion.
The use of domestic hardwoods for mold-
ings and trim is listed since domestic hard-
wood trees are maturing at a faster rate
than they are being removed (positive
growth removal rate).
Using recycled trim reuses trim in its same
form, achieving the most resourceful recy-
cling. Since trim is not structural, it is ac-
ceptable for use in new construction. This
will require going to different sources for
material, such as salvage businesses. Find-
ing a large enough quantity of the same
style can be challenging.
A very small percentage of tropical wood is
sustainably managed and most of that is
being used in furniture. The Resources sec-
tion notes tropical species that are being
sustainably managed. It is recommended to
look for a commonly recognized certifying
label on the wood such as the Forest Stew-
ardship Council (FSC).
There is not a problem with weak points in
quality fingerjointed trim materials. For
aesthetic reasons, fingerjointed material
Alkaline resistant primer is recommended
for unprimed fiber-cement products (see Re-
sources).
 ENGINEERED SIDING AND TRIM
RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:

Center for Maximum Potential Building Center for Resourceful Building

Systems Technology
8604 FM 969 P. O. Box 100
Austin TX 78724 Missoula, MT 59806
(512) 928-4786, www2.cmpbs.org (406) 549-7678, www.montana.com/crbt/
index.htm
COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:
See "Building Materials - Retail", "Building
Materials - Used", "Siding Contractors", "Siding FibreCem Corporation
Materials" in Yellow Pages. 11000-1 S. Commerce Blvd.. Box 411368
Charlotte, NC 28241
Habitat for Humanity REStore (800) 447-2882
310 Comal Ann Faust sales rep., Houston
Austin, TX 78702 (713)465-4499
(512) 478-2165 fiber-cement lapped wall siding, fascia, soffit,
recycled or overstock building materials gable materials; non-combustible, 50 year war-
ranty
ABTco.
10115 Kincey Ave. Georgia Pacific
Huntersville, NC 28078 133 Peachtree St. NE
(800) 566-2282, www.abtco.com Atlanta, GA 30303
hardboard trim, panel, lap, and board siding, (800) BUILD-GP, (800) 284-5347
also fiber-cement products PrimeTrim™ wood fiber composite interior and
exterior trim
FCP
Excelsior Industrial Park, P. O. Box 99 Masonite Corporation
Blandon, PA 19510-0099 1 South Wacker Dr.
(877) CEMPLANK, www.fcpinc.com Chicago, IL 60606
fiber-cement products for wall panels, siding, fas- (312) 750-0900
cias; soffits, 0 flame spread, impact resistant, 50 Hardboard siding
year warranty
locally: James Hardie Building Products, Inc.
DW Distribution, Hutto 512-846-2955 26300 La Alameda, Suite 250
Mission Viejo, California 92691
Temple-Inland Forest Products (888) 542-7343,
303 S. Temple Drive www.hardie.com/usahome.htm
Diboll, TX 75941 fiber-cement Hardiplank™ Lap siding, Hardi-
(800) 231-6060, www.templeinland.com panel™ vertical siding, Hardisoffit soffit, Hardis-
Trim Craft™ bonded wood chip trim material, late/Hardishake™ roofing tiles, Class A fire rat-
non-structural, 10 year warranty ing, available at most local lumber and roofing

Materials 3-32
 ENGINEERED SIDING AND TRIM
RESOURCES, continued
suppliers with Composibor™ rather than ACC

Wolverine Technologies Advanced Wood Resource

17199 Laurel Park Dr. 34363 Lake Creek Dr.
Livonia, MI 48152-2679 Brownsville, OR 97327
(800) 521-9020 (541) 466-5177
Weathestone™ solid vinyl siding uses reprocessed COMPLY™ and Versatile V-Groove lap siding,
materials, 100% recyclable according to manu- OSB laminated material eliminates need for
facturer, limited 50 year warranty sheathing, can be installed with 2-0 framing
spacing
Louisiana Pacific
P.O. Box 10266 BMS
Portland, OR 97296-9936 P.O. Box 631247
(800) 648-6893, www.lpcorp.com Nacadoches, TX 75963-1247
(409) 546-0541 Houston sales office (800) 657-2239, www.bmslp.com
bonded wood fiber Inner-Seal lap siding, Rick Hagel (409) 569-8211
SmartStart™ trim and fascia products treated Framesaver™ finger-jointed wood door frame

GENERAL ASSISTANCE:
American Hardboard Association (AHA) Western Wood Products Association
1210 W. Northwest HWY 522 SW Fifth Ave., Suite 500
Palatine, IL 60067 Yeon Building
(847) 934-8800 Portland, OR 97204-2122
standards for hardboard siding (503) 224-3930, www.wwpa.org
technical information on wood products
American Society for Testing and Materials
(ASTM) Southern Forest Products Association
100 Barr Harbor Dr. P. O. Box 641700
Conshohocken, PA 19428 Kenner, LA 70064-1700
(610) 832-9500, www.astm.org (504) 443-4464, www.sfpa.org
standards for cement based materials technical information on lumber products

American Architectural Manufacturers As- International Hardwood Products Associa-

sociation tion
1827 Walden Square, Suite 104 4214 King Street, West
Schaumburg, IL 60173-4628 Alexandria, VA 22302
(847) 303-5664 (703) 820-6696, www.ihpa.org
standards for aluminum information on sustainably managed tropical
forests

3-33 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 ENGINEERED SIDING AND TRIM
RESOURCES, continued
APA-The Engineered Wood Association Publications:
P.O. Box 11700
7011 S. 19th St. The Wood Use Reduction Guide
Tacoma, WA 98466 by Pamela Wellner & Eugene Dickey
(253) 565-6600, www.apawood.org Rainforest Action Network
221 Pine St., Suite 500
Composite Panel Association USA San Francisco, CA 94104
18928 Premiere Court (415) 398-4404, http://www.ran.org
Gaithersburg, MD 20879-1569
(301) 670-0604, www.pbmdf.com

American Wood Council

1111 - 19th St. NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 463-2769, www.awc.org
consumer information, codes, and standards for
wood engineering

Materials 3-34
 ENGINEERED STRUCTURAL PRODUCTS
INTRODUCTION:
Engineered Structural Lumber is made up of five main categories of products, Laminated Ve-
neer Lumber (LVL), manufactured wood I-beams, fingerjoint lumber, glulams, and manufac-
tured trusses. Using Engineered Structural Lumber products reduces demand on forests by us-
ing wood waste or small dimensional lumber in place of larger lumber.

Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) is dimensional lumber that is composed of thin layers or veneers
of wood glued together and sawn to make dimensional lumber in sizes ranging from 2x4’s to
4x18’s or larger by special order. This class of lumber is used as studs, headers, rim joists,
beams, columns, and girders in floor framing and as rafters in roof framing.

Manufactured wood I-beams are composed of a center web of plywood or oriented strand board
(OSB) and top and bottom flanges made of LVL or solid wood. Wood I-beams are used as floor
joists and as rafters in roof framing.

Fingerjoint lumber is lumber made by finger jointing short pieces that would normally be scrap
into usable lengths. Finger jointed lumber may only be used in vertical applications such as
studs in wall framing or in non-structural applications. Fingerjoint lumber is most commonly
manufactured as 2x4’s and 2x6’s.

Glulams are large dimensional lumber or beams made by gluing 2x4’s or 2x6’s together to make
beams that range in size from 4x8 up to 6x20 and larger.

Manufactured trusses are structural elements that have been engineered and manufactured to meet
high design loads using small dimension lumber held together by metal plaes. Using manufac-
tured trusses allows the engineered use of 2x4’s or 2x6’s in place of large dimensional lumber in
floor and roof framing applications.

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: Well developed.

SUPPLIERS: Engineered structural lumber products are readily available from several manu-
facturers and suppliers. All of these products except fingerjoint lumber must be engineered to
meet the load specifications of each project and so must be special ordered. Sufficient lead time
should be allowed for engineering and preparation of these products.

COST: Mostly equal to solid sawn wood. When labor savings and reduced job site waste are
considered, the cost is highly competitive. Engineered wood products should be more stable in
price than dimensional lumber. Finger-jointed studs are generally the same price as standard
solid studs.

FINANCING: Available.

Materials 3-35
 ENGINEERED STRUCTURAL PRODUCTS
AT-A-GLANCE NOTES, continued

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: Environmentally aware and /or quality conscious individuals may
prefer these materials. Floor systems using LVL and manufactured wood I-beams are popular
as floor systems because they have been marketed as a squeak free, “silent floor system”.

CONSIDERATIONS:
These materials fall into the general category
of engineered wood. This means that the tol-
erances in stability, consistency, and strength
are more precise than solid dimensional lum-
ber. In joist and rafter applications, the engi-
neered products are particularly useful for
long spans because they are consistently
straight, creating a flatter floor or roof.
These materials drastically reduce the
amount of waste created in processing the
raw materials and in their end-use installa-
tion. Waste wood and entire trees, regardless
of species, shape, and age can be used in
making some of these products. Other prod-
ucts in this group, such as glulams and
trusses, use small dimensional lumber in con-

GUIDELINES:
Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) is used as
rim joists and girders in floor framing; as
headers, studs, and beams in wall framing;
and as rafters and beams in roof framing.
LVL can be manufactured in sizes to meet
almost all structural needs. Because this is
an engineered and manufactured product
there is little or no dimensional difference
or loading capacity between pieces. If LVL
is stored and handled properly it will be
straight and true without the crowns and
bows found in large dimensional natural
lumber.
bow as does solid lumber.
Fingerjoint lumber can be used to replace
standard 2x4’s and 2x6’s as studs and in
non-structural applications. This reduces
waste and the burden on forests by using
short pieces of lumber that would normally
be landfilled to replace newly sawn lumber.
Glulams can be used as beams and girders
where standard construction practices
would require large dimension timber that
probably would be cut from old growth
trees.

Manufactured wood I-beams are typically used Manufactured trusses are used as floor joists,
as floor joists and as rafters. I-beams can be beams, or roof trusses. They allow small
manufactured to span longer distances than dimentsional lumber (2x4, 2x6) to replace
solid lumber and can be purchased in larger members used for rafters and joists.
lengths up to 40 feet. I-beams weigh much
less than solid wood lumber and can be in-
stalled quickly. Because they are an engi-
neered and manufactured product they are
dimensionally stable and do not crown or

3-36 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 ENGINEERED STRUCTURAL PRODUCTS
RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:
see "Engineers - Structural" in Yellow Pages
COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:
see "Building Materials - Retail" in Yellow
Pages. Most engineered structural products are Natural Forest Products, Inc.
sold by local lumber suppliers P. O. Box 426
Burlington, VT 05402
Boisie Cascade Corporation (800) 858-6230
P.O. Box 50
Boise, ID 83728-0001 Georgia Pacific
(800) 232-0788, www.bc.com 133 Peachtree St. NE
laminated and I-beams Atlanta, GA 30303
(800) BUILD-GP, www.gp.com/build/lam-
Superior Wood Systems inated and I-beams
P.O. Box 1208
1301 Garfield Ave. Louisiana Pacific Corporation
Superior , WI 54880 111 S. Fifth Avenue
(800) 375-9992, www.fwi-joist.com Portland, OR 97204
I-beams, including insulated I-beams (800) 648-6593, www.lpcorp.com/index.asp
laminated and I-beams
Hart Lumber Co. Local Wholesaler: Alamo Forest Products
559 North W. W. White Road San Antonio, (800) 653-6610
San Antonio, TX 78220-0033
(512) 337-6464 Willamette Industries
laminated and I-beams P. O. Drawer 1100
Ruston, LA 71273-1100
Champion International Corp (318) 254-0571, www.wii.com
7785 Baymeadow Way, Suite 302 laminated and I-beams
Jacksonville, FL 32256 Locally: Stripling-Blake (512) 465-4200
(800) 874-3240
fingerjointed lumber Unadilla Laminated Products
32 Clifton St.
Trus Joist MacMillan Unadilla, NY 13849
200 E. Mallard Dr. (607) 369-9341
Boise, ID 83707 laminated materials
(800) 338-0515, www.tjm.com/ builder/
products/guide/TJM Standard Structures
laminated and I-beams P. O. Box K
Local Rep: Steve Sellers (830) 980-2242 Santa Rosa, CA 95402
Distributors: (707) 544-2982, www.standard struc-
Calcasieu Lumber (512) 444-3172 tures.com
Stripling-Blake (512) 465-4200 laminated, fingerjointed, and I-beams

Materials 3-37
 ENGINEERED STRUCTURAL PRODUCTS
RESOURCES, continued
Distributor: (409) 273-1131
Building Components Manufacturing
P.O. Box 9328
Minneapolis, MN 55440-9328
(800) 475-9304
Easy Riser engineered stair stringer system
(exterior product uses ACQ and not ACC)

GENERAL ASSISTANCE:
NAHB Research Center Southern Forest Products Association
400 Prince George's Blvd. P. O. Box 641700
Upper Marlboro, MD 20774-8731 Kenner, LA 70064-1700
(301) 249-4000, www.nabrc.org (504) 443-4464, www.sfpa.org
technical information on lumber products
Center for Resourceful Building
Technology Western Wood Products Association
Box 100 522 SW Fifth Ave., Suite 500
Missoula, MT 59806 Yeon Building
(406) 549-7678, www.montana.com/crbt/ Portland, OR 97204-2122
index.htm (503) 224-3930, www.wwpa.org
technical information on lumber products
American Society for Testing and Materials
(ASTM) APA-The Engineered Wood Association
100 Barr Harbor Dr. P.O. Box 11700
Conshohocken, PA 19428 7011 S. 19th St.
(610) 832-9500, www.astm.org Tacoma, WA 98466
standards organization (253) 565-6600, www.apawood.org
(ask for publications desk)
American Institute of Timber Construction technical information on wood products
140, 7012 S. Revere Parkway
Englewood, CO 80112 Wood Truss Council of America
(303) 792-0669 6425 Normandy Lane
technical information on glulam beams Madison, WI 53719
(608) 274-4849, www.woodtruss.com
American Wood Council
1111 - 19th St. NW, Suite 800 Southern Pine Inspection Bureau
Washington, DC 20036 4709 Scenic Highway
(202) 463-2769, www.awc.org Pensacola, FL 32504-9094
consumer information, codes and standards for (850) 434-5011, www.spib.org
wood engineering

3-38 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 ENGINEERED STRUCTURAL PRODUCTS
RESOURCES, continued
Building Officials and Code Administrators American Lumber Standards Committee
International Inc. (BOCA) P.O. Box 210
4051 West Flossmoor Rd. Germantown, MD 20875-0201
Country Club Hills, IL 60478 (301) 972-1700
(708) 799-2300, www.bocai.org
code issues and standards National Fire Protection Association
1 Batterymarch Park
International Conference of Building Offi- Quincy, MA 02269
cials (ICBO) (617) 770-3000, www.ufpa.org
5360 Workman Mill Rd. standards and codes
Whittier, CA 90601
(562) 699-0541, www.icbo.org Publication:
code issues and standards Efficient Wood Use in Residential Loca-
tion: A Practical Guide to Saving Wood,
Southern Building Code Congress Interna- Money and Forrests
tional (SBCCI) Natural Resources Defense Council, 1998
900 Montclair Rd. www.nrdc.org
Birmingham, AL 35213
(205) 591-1853, www.sbcci.org
code issues and standards

Materials 3-39
 FINISHES AND ADHESIVES
INTRODUCTION:
This section addresses finishes such as paints, stains or varnishes and adhesives that can be ap-
plied to a building’s surfaces on-site. Most finishes and adhesives contain volatile organic com-
pounds (VOC’s) which outgas and adversely affect indoor air quality. VOC’s are readily re-
leased vapors (usually at room temperature), or a form of evaporation of the compounds found
in gases, liquids, or solids from various common materials. Most of these outgassing materials
are synthetic and are made from petrochemicals such as oil, natural gas, and coal. These in-
clude benzene, xylene, propane, butane, paraffins, toluene, and styrene. Acetone, formalde-
hyde, phenols, isopropanol, and acetaldehyde are derived from these and are commonly found
in construction materials.

Some VOC’s can be released from natural materials, such as terpenes from various woods. The
naturally occurring VOC’s are usually not of concern, except to very chemically sensitive peo-
ple. These individuals should test reactions to any materials before use in their home and/or
work environment.

Nearly 100,000 synthetic organic compounds are available to the building industry (all of these
produce VOC’s). When airborne, they can be inhaled and enter the bloodstream through the
lungs or they can be absorbed through the skin directly into blood vessels. Liquids that contain
VOC’s, such as finishes and adhesives, have an even easier time entering our bodies than
VOC’s from solids. Once in the bloodstream, these toxins (from the VOC’s) can affect every
organ in the human body, particularly the nervous system. Symptoms resulting from exposure
can include, but are not limited to, headaches, eye and throat irritation, rashes, muscle and joint
pain, concentration and memory impairment, various allergies, fatigue, anxiety, and depres-
sion. Symptoms can be chronic or acute depending on length and level of exposure and indi-
vidual tolerances.

The long-term affect on human health is not well understood, however an increasing number of
people (particularly children) are experiencing a much higher incidence of asthma and other
allergic-like reactions. Even less is known about the effects of exposures (long or short-term) to
various mixtures of these substances.

A primary goal in the creation of healthy buildings is to generally reduce the overall amount of
VOC’s. See, also in this Sourcebook, sections on Floor Coverings, Structural Wall Panels, In-
sulation, and Cabinets for other common sources of VOC's.

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: The finishes and adhesives discussed in this section perform satisfactorily.

SUPPLIERS: Low and no-VOC paints are readily available from major paint manufacturers
and can be obtained locally. Water-based adhesives are also locally available. Low biocide and
natural paints frequently must be ordered. There are several local sources for natural finishes

Materials 3-40
 FINISHES AND ADHESIVES
AT-A-GLANCE NOTES, continued
and adhesives.

COST: Water-based and solvent-free adhesives and low VOC paints are competitively priced.
Low biocide paints and natural finishes are significantly more expensive.

FINANCING: Available.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: Materials that are considered more healthful have a broad-based
appeal. Some people may feel that mildew problems could occur in paints that do not have a
mildewcide such as a low-biocide paint. This is only of concern if a long shelf-life is needed
and in this case very low levels are needed. Biocides and mildewcides do not improve applica-
tion or performance of products. Chemically sensitive and other concerned individuals may
consider using products that do not contain these preservatives.

REGULATORY: None in Texas, though some products will disclose their parts per million of
VOC’s on labels. Though less is always better, chemicals such as dioxin are not safe in any

CONSIDERATIONS:
Most finishes and adhesives contain volatile
organic compounds (VOCs) which outgas
and adversely affect indoor air quality.
However, lower VOC and no-VOC prod-
ucts are now readily available from many
companies.
™
The Environmental Choice Program in
Canada has established minimal VOC stan-
dards for finishes to receive their Eco
Logo™ . The Environmental Choice™ pro-
gram recognizes negative impacts on the
environment and people from VOCs. Cali-
fornia and a number of other states have
now adopted and sometimes improved
upon those Canadian standards. The Green
Building Program strives to follow these
high standards.
Low biocide paints avoid the fungicides and
mildewcides that are typically added to la-
tex paint to purportedly extend shelf life.
These additives are considered harmful to
indoor air quality and human health and
are specifically avoided by environmentally
sensitive persons.
Natural plant/mineral-based finishes and
adhesives are now available from various
companies. Low biocide paints may spoil if
not used quickly.

GUIDELINES:
Water-based paints
Not formulated or manufactured with
formaldehyde, halogenated solvents, mer-
cury or mercury compounds or aromatic
hydrocarbons.
Not tinted with pigments of lead, cadmium,
chromium VI and their oxides.

3-41 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 FINISHES AND ADHESIVES
GUIDELINES, continued
The Green Building Program recommends
no VOC paints, and at a minimum VOC
content should not exceed 150 grams per
liter (gm/ltr).
Certain manufacturers offer no-VOC fin-
ishes (<10 gms/ltr)
Solvent-based paints
Not formulated or manufactured with
formaldehyde, mercury or mercury com-
pounds or aromatic hydrocarbons in excess
of 10% by weight.
Not tinted with pigments of lead, cadmium,
chromium VI and their oxides.
VOC content does not exceed 380 gm/ltr or
3.04 lbs/gal.
Do not contain any halogenated solvent.
Low biocide finishes
Pesticides and preservatives are typically
RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:
Environmental Health Services
Mary E. Oetzel
3202 W. Anderson Lane, #208-249
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 288-2369
indoor air/healthy house consulting
Environment Associates
4219 Richmond Ave. Ste 250
Houston, TX 77027-6889
(713) 528-0000
indoor air/healthy house consulting
added to water based paints and should be
in very low levels. Levels as low as 0.01 to
0.025% can be effective in preventing
spoilage and not be adverse to health. No
biocide finishes are available.
Avoid formulations with formaldehyde.
Natural Finishes
Typically require thinning.
May require that colors be added by the
person applying the finish. Note that pig-
ments, depending on the type used, can add
VOC’s and other potentially harmful sub-
stances.
Adhesives
Select water-based adhesives.
Companies supplying natural finishes often
offer natural adhesives.
Certain manufacturers offer no-VOC adhe-
sives (<10 gms/ltr).
Clint Good
P.O. Box 143
Lincoln, VA 20160
(800) 541-9185, healthyhouses.com
indoor air/healthy house consulting
Ecologically Safe Homes/Healthy House
Institute
430 North Sewell
Bloomington, IN 47408
(812) 332-5073, www.hhinst.comindoor air/
healthy house consulting, books
Materials 3-42
 FINISHES AND ADHESIVES
RESOURCES, continued
Safe Environments Canadian Housing Information Centre
2512 9th St. #17 700 Montreal Road
Berkeley, CA 94710 Ottowa, ON K1A 0P7
(510) 549-9693 (613) 748-2367,
resources/publications www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/cmhc.html

H. E. Solutions
Sue Pittman
(512) 338-1108
consulting

COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:
Paints/Sealers:
For low or no-VOC paints contact businesses Miller Paint Co.
under "Paint - Retail" in Yellow Pages and re- 317 SE Grand Ave.
quest VOC information on specific brands Portland, OR 97214-1191
(503) 233-4491
Eco-Wise low biocide, no-VOC paints
110 W. Elizabeth
Austin, TX 78704 BonaKemi USA Inc.
(512) 326-4474, www.ecowise.com 14805 East Moncrieff Place
retail store carrying Livos and non-toxic, natural Aurora, CO 8011-1207
finishes and adhesives (800) 574-4674, www.bonakemi.com
low-VOC wood finishes
“Old Paint”, City of Austin
Scott Wiedeman, 326-5789 Benjamin-Moore & Co.
Primer from recycled latex, Montvale, NJ 07645
(only available to Green Building members, low- “Ecospec” and “Crayola” no-VOC paints
income housing projects, non-profits. Locally:
Central Texas Decorating (512) 444-6869
Basic Coatings Clement’s Paint & Decorating 480-8466
P.O. Box 677 Arrow Paint & Supply 452-6202 (Arrow
Des Moines, IA 50303 also carries a Pristine mix without biocides
(800) 247-5471 for chemically-sensitive clients)
water-based urethane
Local: Trinity Hardwood (512) 451-8889 Compliant Spray Systems
Enduro Wat –R-Base
Sutherland Welles Ltd. San Clemente, CA
P.O. Box 1387 (800) 696-0615
Morrisville, VT 05661 254 gm/ltr
(800) 322-1245, www.sutherlandwells.com
low-toxic line of wood finishes

3-43 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 FINISHES AND ADHESIVES
RESOURCES, continued
Devoe Paint
“Wonderpure” no-VOC paint The Old Fashioned Milk Paint Co.
AWC Paint & Decorating, 436 Main St.
(512) 467-7777, www.devoepaint.com Groton, MA 01450-1232
(508) 448-6336, www.milkpaint.com
Sherwin-Williams milk based with lime in a powder
Cleveland, OH 44115
(800) 4-SHERWIN Eco Design Co.
www.sherwin.com/productsservices 1365 Rufina Circle
“HealthSpec” low-VOC paint Santa Fe, NM 87505
(5 Austin Sherwin-Williams locations) (800) 621-2591, www.bioshieldpaint.com
BioShield brands natural finishes & products &
Kelly-Moore Paint Co. paints
“Enviro-Cote” no-VOC paint
9525 Burnet Rd., Austin (512) 836-9121 Chem-Safe Products
4107 Victory Dr., Austin 442-2864 P. O. Box 33023
400 W. Whitestone, Cedar Park 249-7831 San Antonio, TX 78265
(in California, Kelly-Moore also produces and (210) 657-5321
sells “E-Coat” a recycled paint product) "non-toxic" latex paint

Republic Paints LIVOS Phytochemistry of America, Inc.

1128 N. Highland Ave. 800 Falmouth Rd, Unit 108D
Hollywood, CA 90038 PO Box 1740
(323) 957-3060 Mashpee, MA 02649
extensive line of no-VOC paints (508) 477-7955, www.livos.com
Livos natural finishes & products & paints
AFM Enterprises
350 West Ash St., Suite 700 The Living Source
San Diego, CA 92101 7005 Woodway Drive
(800) 239-0321 Waco, TX 76712-6169
least toxic paints, finishes and products (254) 776-4878, www.livingsource.com
retail store carrying non-toxic finishes and adhe-
ICI/Glidden sives. Also carries no-voc paints. open
925 Euclid Ave
Cleveland, OH 44115 MAB Paints
(800) 221-4100 (Glidden) M.A.Bruder & Sons Inc.
1-800-984-5444 (ICI) 600 Reed Rd., Broomall, PA 19008
no VOC paint Lifemaster 2000 800-MAB-1899
Local Supplier: ICI/Dulux “Enviro-Pure” no-VOC paint
9535 N IH-35 (512) 837-5871
1707 W. Anderson Lane Dutch Boy Paints
(512) 454-2741 (800) 642-8468
“Low-Odor Ceiling Paint”, “Kid’s Room Paint”

Materials 3-44
 FINISHES AND ADHESIVES
RESOURCES, continued
Adhesives:
Eco-Wise
110 W. Elizabeth Franklin International
Austin, TX 78704 2020 Bruck St
(512) 326-4474, www.ecowise.com Colombus, Ohio 43207
sells Livos, OS, Velvet Oil, BioShield (800) 669-4583
Titebond® Solvent -Free™ construction adhesive
Designer Floors of Texas (no VOCs)
2400 Braker Lane West, Suite D
Austin, TX 78758 OSI Sealants Inc.
(512) 263-0990 7405 Production Dr.
Mentor, OH 44060
Hendricksen Naturlich Flooring (800) 321-3578, www.osisealants.com
7120 Keating Ave. PL/OSI lines of low-VOC adhesives including
Sebastopol, CA 95472 SF-565 VOC compliant construction adhesive
(707) 829-3959
United McGill
Environmental Home Center 2400 Fairwood Ave.
1724 4th Avenue S. P. O. Box 820
Seattle, WA 98134 Columbus, OH 43216-0820
(800) 281-9785, www.enviresource.com (800) 624-5535, (614) 443-5520,
www.mcgillairseal.com
AFM Enterprises water-based mastic,
350 West Ash St., Suite 700
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 269-0321
makes a sealant that blocks toxic fumes from car-
pets and adhesives

Strippers/Solvents:
3M Construction & Home Im Division Dumond Chemicals Inc.
3M Center 1501 Broadway
St. Paul, MN 55144-1000 New York, NY 10036
(800) 364-3577, www.3m.com (212) 869-6350
safest stripper, paints, and varnish removal peel away paint removal system, includes lead
paint removal system
Bix Man S. Co.
108 Cude Lane. Interchem Environmental, Inc.
Madison, TN 37115 9135 Barton St.
(615) 792-3260 Overland Park, KS
stripper (913) 599-0800
“Soy Chem” organic based, biodegradable solvent

3-45 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 FINISHES AND ADHESIVES
RESOURCES, continued
Other Products:
Palmer Industries
10611 Old Annapolis Rd.
Frederick, MD 21701
(800) 545-7383
no-VOC vapor retarder coating
GENERAL ASSISTANCE:

EPA - Indoor Air Quality Hotline Environmental Health Center of the Na-
Washington, DC 20460 tional Safety Council
(800) 438-4318, www.epa.gov (800) 424-5323, www.epa.gov/lead
Information on substances that can reduce qual- information on lead paint
ity of indoor air.
EPA Toxics Hotline-(800) 424-9346 Canadian Mortgage Housing Corporation
(CMHC)
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commis- www.cmhc-scho.gc.ca/cmhc.html
sion
Room 529
Washington, DC 20207
(800) 638-2772

Materials 3-46
 FLOOR COVERINGS
INTRODUCTION:
The floor coverings addressed in this section are made from or contain natural or recycled ma-
terials. They include non-wood flooring such as carpeting and its padding, tile products, and
linoleum (distinctly different than vinyl). These are coverings that might be used in any primary
area of a building. Wood flooring is addressed separately in this Sourcebook.

Recycled-content carpet padding is widely available and comes in two primary types; one made
from old carpet padding and another from reclaimed carpet fibers.

Recycled-content carpeting can be made from recycled PET, derived primarily from post-consumer
plastic soft drink containers. It makes for a durable, high-quality and attractive floor covering
suitable for residential applications. PET carpet is not durable enough for most commercial ap-
plications. However, Collins & Aikman and Interface (see Resources this section) both carry
lines of commercial carpet with a high recycled content (much of it carpet fiber). The use of
these materials strengthens recycling efforts and helps conserve resources and energy.

Natural linoleum can be made from various combinations of natural materials, including soft-
wood powder or sawdust, linseed oil, pine tree resins, cork, and chalk. Linoleum usually has a
jute backing.

Natural cork is made from the bark of the cork tree. Sustainable forestry practices should be em-
ployed, as with trees in general, in the harvesting of cork.

Recycled-content tile is made from a high percentage of waste glass such as lightbulbs and auto
windshields. Another type of recycled-content tile is made from a byproduct of feldspar mining.

Natural carpets are those made from plants, including grasses and cotton, or animal products
such as wool. How and if they have been treated is of concern. See Considerations in this Sec-
tion.

(CSI Numbers: 09680 Carpeting, 09681 Carpet Cushion, 09690 Carpet Tile, 09300 Tile,

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: Adequately developed.

SUPPLIERS: Available locally.

COST: Recycled-content padding and carpeting are priced similarly to those typically used.
Recycled-content tile (those with very high percentages) can be higher priced than average tile
products. Recycled–content carpet is available in a variety of qualities and is competitively
priced. Least toxic adhesives for use with ceramic and recycled tile are locally available at com-
petitive prices. Linoleum will cost about the same as high quality vinyl flooring, but more than
the least expensive vinyls. Natural carpet materials are more costly than common carpet

Materials 3-47
 FLOOR COVERINGS
AT-A-GLANCE NOTES, continued
materials, but competitively priced with standard high quality synthetic carpeting.

FINANCING: Available.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: Healthy home issues are among the highest environmental appeals
to homebuyers. Buyers may be wary of recycled-content floor coverings, but they will find that
they are indistinguishable from non recycled-content products. Natural materials are not as
common to many homebuyers, but are finding increasing appeal.

REGULATORY: None. The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) does publish suggested guide-

CONSIDERATIONS:
Common floor coverings are most often
cited as primary contributors to indoor air
contamination. This is because of the
VOCs (volatile organic compounds) in the
binders used in making carpet padding and
carpeting. VOC’s can also come from the
adhesives used to apply carpets or their
padding, tile, and vinyl flooring.
Since homes are now constructed tightly in
order to conserve energy, chemicals out-
gassing from building materials are more
potent and harmful. Formaldehyde out-
gassing is a primary threat from commonly-
used floor coverings.
Airing a building before it is occupied will
dilute the chemicals during their most po-
tent initial stage. It is also possible to re-
quire that the carpet be aired before it is de-
livered. However, VOCs can outgas for
months and in many cases for years. Re-
ducing the amount of VOCs in the home
can be achieved through alternatives -
mainly associated with flooring choices.
The issue of molds and other allergy-
irritating airborne pollutants such as dust
mites, pollen and pet dander has been in-
creasingly researched. Results indicate that
these pollutants cause half of all indoor air
quality problems, with the other half com-
ing from building materials. Choosing hard-
surface flooring can reduce the areas in
which these pollutants can live and grow.
This section identifies recycled-content ma-
terials which are durable, high quality, and
attractive floor coverings. The use of these
materials strengthens the viability of our re-
cycling efforts and greatly benefits our re-
source and energy impacts.
Linoleum and natural carpets use renew-
able resources and offer durability without
compromising aesthetics. The cork used in
linoleum can be harvested from the cork
tree on an ongoing basis without harming
the tree. Along with cotton and wool, other
natural carpet-type floor coverings made
from grasses and reeds are available.
The linseed oil used in linoleum offers an
anti-bacterial characteristic which makes
this flooring especially desirable in medical
and other highly hygienic applications.
Wood flour (or sawdust) used in this mate-
rial often comes from a wood production

3-48 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 FLOOR COVERINGS
CONSIDERATIONS, continued
by-product as well. Linoleum costs more
than most vinyl flooring products, but it is
far more durable. Those individuals who
are extremely chemically sensitive may not
want to utilize linoleum due to some
(natural) outgassing from the linseed oil.
Ceramic tile offers outstanding durability
and maintainability. It also has high aes-
thetic value.
Wool (100% is best) is the most durable
type of carpet or rug. It is available in
GUIDELINES:
Types of recycled padding.
Rubber-based recycled padding is quite
common. It can outgas. Environmentally-
sensitive individuals should check a sample
of the padding material for any adverse re-
actions.
Recycled padding from jute (a plant mate-
rial) and carpet fibers is also available and
may be more suitable for environmentally
sensitive persons.
Adhesives
As mentioned above, the glues often used
to install carpet, tile or resilient flooring can
outgas VOCs. These compounds have been
linked to headaches, allergies, nausea and
dizziness. In order to reduce or eliminate
VOCs during carpet installation:
· use only water-based glues, a least-toxic
alternative now common in the flooring in-
dustry (look for no-VOC brands <0gm/ltr).
Or don’t use any glue at all.
many natural colors and without toxic dy-
ing or other processes. It is naturally low in
static electricity and does not need static
guard chemicals or metals. It is recom-
mended to use unbacked or stretched wool
because it will not have the toxic 4PC adhe-
sive. A non-toxic moth treatment is also a
recommended measure.
· use mechanical fasteners such as tack
strips or double-sided tape for carpet when
possible and cement mortar instead of glue
for tile.
Linoleum and Cork
These materials are installed similarly to
vinyl flooring. If the backing material is
jute, the cuts for seams need to be beveled
away from the seam. The jute backing
"relaxes" with use and will spread out.
Select installers who have received factory
installation training.
Recycled-content tile is handled like ceramic
tile. From an indoor air quality standpoint,
tile set into a cement mortar bed with a ce-
ment grout is a better choice than using
glue-down tiles and latex grout. Cement
mortar produces fewer fumes than latex
grouts and most other adhesives.
Products listed in the Resources section are
suitable for high traffic commercial applica-
tions, as well as homes.
Materials 3-49
 FLOOR COVERINGS
RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:

Environmental Education & Health Clint Good

Services P. O. Box 143
Mary E. Oetzel Lincoln, VA 20160
3202 W. Anderson Lane, #208-249 (703) 478-1352
Austin, TX 78757 architects experienced in healthy materials
(512) 288-2369
indoor air quality consultation Safe Environments
1611 Merritt
Environment Associates Novato, CA 94949
4219 Richmond Ave. Ste 250 (510) 549-9693
Houston, TX 77027-6889 resources/publications
(713) 528-0000
architects experienced in healthy materials

Healthy House Institute

430 North Sewell
Bloomington, IN 47408
(812) 332-5073, www.hhinst.com
resources/publications

COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:

Natural Linoleum and Cork Flooring:

Re:Source Texas linoleum & cork; supplier and installer

8816 Schoal Creek Blvd. Intertech Flooring
Austin, TX 78757 7303 Burleson Rd.
(512) 454-9695 Austin, TX 78744
linoleum; supplier & installer (512) 385-4574, www.intertechflooring.com
linoleum; supplier & installer
CDC Carpets & Interiors
3425 Bee Caves Rd., Ste. A-2 Austin Fine Floors
Austin, TX 78746 1934 Rutland Dr., Ste. 700
(512) 327-8326, Austin, TX 78758
www.citysearch.com/aus/cdc (512) 339-9590
cork; supplier & installer austinfinefloors.citysearch.com
cork; supplier and installer
Designer Floors of Texas
3841 RR 620 South
Austin, TX 78734
(512) 263-3333

3-50 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 FLOOR COVERINGS
RESOURCES, continued
www.monitor.net./~nathome/
cork and linoleum flooring
Forbo Industries
P.O. Box 667, Humboldt Industrial Park We Cork, Inc.
Hazelton, PA 18201 P.O. Box 276
(800) 842-7839, www.forbo-industries.com Exeter, NH 03833
manufacturer - linoleum (800) 666-CORK (2675), www.wecork.com
local: Kenmark Inc. cork flooring and underlayment
2502 Freedom Street
San Antonio, TX 78217-4425 Bangor Cork
(800) 292-1230 William & D St., Box 125
PenArgyl, PA 18072
Innovative Interiors (610) 863-9041
9027 Northgate Blvd., Suite 130 cork flooring
Austin, TX 78758-6453
(512) 835-1184 Dodge-Regupol
Linoleum; Supplier and installer 715 Fountain Ave.
Lancaster, PA 17601
Natural Home (800) 322-1923, www.regupol.com
P O Box 1677 manufacturer - cork
Sebastopol, CA 95473-1677
707-824-0914

Recycled Content Padding:

Designer Floors of Texas Dodge-Regupol

3841 RR 620 South 715 Fountain Ave.
Austin, TX 78734 Lancaster, PA 17601
(512) 263-3333 (800) 322-1923, www.regupol.com
supplier/installer of recycled foam padding manufacturer made from recycled tire rubber

Southwest Fibers Homasote Company

1100 South McKinney P. O. Box 7240
Mexia, TX 76667 West Trenton, NJ 08628-0240
(254) 562-2814 (800) 257-9491, www.homasote.com
manufacturer made from recycled carpet fibers, manufacturer, made from recycled paper
formaldehyde free

Innovative Interiors
9027 Northgate Blvd., Suite 130
Austin, TX 78758-6453
(512) 835-1184
supplier and installer

Materials 3-51
 FLOOR COVERINGS
RESOURCES, continued
RB Rubber Products
904 E. 10th Ave. Dura Undercushions Ltd.
McMinnville, OR 97128 8525 Delmeade Rd.
(800) 525-5530, www.rb-rubber.com Montreal, Quebec H4T 1M1
manufacturer, made from recycled tire rubber (514) 737-6561, grn.com/home/dura/
local: Tractor Supply Company manufacturer made from recycled tire rubber
800 South IH 35
Georgetown, TX 78626
(512) 863-6969

Dixie Manufacturing Corporation

110 Colley Avenue
Norfolk, VI 23510
(800) 868-3494, www.carpet-coushion.com

Recycled Content Carpeting:

Innovative Interiors Collins & Aikman

9027 Northgate Blvd., Suite 130 1119 Blue Fox Drive
Austin, TX 78758-6453 Austin, TX 78753
(512) 835-1184 (512) 252-0258
supplier and installer 100% recycled content backing

Mill Direct Carpet Designer Floors of Texas

9505 Burnet Rd. #B 3841 RR 620 South
Austin, TX 78758 Austin, TX 78734
(512) 835-4111 (512) 263-3333
supplier and installer supplier and installer

Re:Source Texas Image Industries, Inc.

8816 Schoal Creek Blvd. P. O. Box 5555
Austin, TX 78757 Armuchee, GA 30105
(512) 454-9695, www.interfaceinc.com (800) 722-2504, www.imageind.com
solenium; supplier and installer manufacturer; supplies throughout US

High-Tech Carpets Carpets by Conrad

9204 Brown Lane 9009 Cullen Lane
Austin, TX 78754 Austin, TX 78748-3702
(512) 834-0110, www.high-techcarpets.com (512) 280-6210

Interface Carpet
Local rep. Steven Morgan
(512) 301-1777

3-52 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 FLOOR COVERINGS
RESOURCES, continued
Natural Carpets (Wool, sisal, seagreass, jute, etc):

Eco-Wise
110 W. Elizabeth Natural Home
Austin, TX 78704 P O Box 1677
(512) 326-4474, www.ecowise.com Sebastopol, CA 95473-1677
707-824-0914
CDC Carpets & Interiors www.monitor.net./~nathome/
3425 Bee Caves Rd.
Austin, TX 78746 Carousel Carpet Mills
(512) 327-8326 1 Carousel Lane
Ukiah, CA 95482
Designer Floors of Texas (707) 485-0333
3841 RR 620 South
Austin, TX 78734 Austin Fine Floors
(512) 263-3333 1934 Rutland Dr., Ste. 700
Austin, TX 78758
(512) 339-9590

Adhesives: (water based adhesives are now prevalent)

Eco-Wise
110 W. Elizabeth Franklin International
Austin, TX 78704 2020 Bruck St.
(512) 326-4474, www.ecowise.com Columbus, Ohio 43207
(800) 347-4583, www.titebond.com
Designer Floors of Texas Titebond® Solvent -Free™ construction adhesive
3841 RR 620 South (very low VOCs, 5 gm/ltr)
Austin, TX 78734
(512) 263-3333 OSI Sealiants, Inc.
7405 Production Drive
Natural Home Mentor, OH 44060
P O Box 1677 (800) 321-3578, www.osisealants.com
Sebastopol, CA 95473-1677 “PL Premium” construction adhesive (no VOCs)
707-824-0914
www.monitor.net./~nathome/

AFM Enterprises, Inc.

350 West Ash St., Suite 700
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 239-0321
makes a sealant that blocks toxic fumes from car-
pets and adhesives.

Materials 3-53
 FLOOR COVERINGS
RESOURCES, continued
Recycled Content Tile:
Summitville Tiles Inc.
Summitville, OH 43962 Terra Green Ceramics, Inc.
(330) 223-1511, www.summitville.com 1650 Progress Drive
Locally: American Tile Supply Richmond, IN 47374
2020G Rutland Drive (765) 935-4760
Austin, TX 78758 www.terragreenceramics.com
(512) 837-2843 Locally: American Tile Supply
tile from feldspar byproduct 2020G Rutland Drive
Austin, TX 78758
Syndesis Studio (512) 837-2843
2908 Colorado Ave. tile from recycled windshields
Santa Monica, CA 90404-3616
(310) 829-9932, www.syndesisinc.com Manchester and Associates
concrete tiles with a variety of recycled aggregate Dallas, TX
material, also does countertops and wall panels, (214) 357-3978
material can be worked with wood working tools ceramic carpet

General Polymer Corp.

145 Caldwell Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45216
(800) 543-7694

GENERAL ASSISTANCE:
US EPA Indoor Air Quality Information The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI)
Clearinghouse P.O. Box 2048
P.O. Box 37133 Dalton, GA 30722-2048
Washington, D.C., 20013-7133 (800) 882-8846
(800) 438-4318, www.epa.gov/iaq
EPA Toxics Hotline (800) 424-5323

3-54 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 FLYASH CONCRETE
INTRODUCTION:
Flyash is the finely divided residue resulting from the combustion of ground or powdered coal,
which is transported from the firebox through the boiler by flue gases. Flyash is a by-product of
coal-fired electric generating plants.

There are two classifications of flyash, depending on the type of coal used. Anthracite and bitu-
minous coal produces flyash classified as Class F. Class C flyash is produced by burning lignite
or subbituminous coal. Class C flyash is the main type offered for residential applications from
ready-mix suppliers.

(CSI Numbers: Division 3 - Concrete, 04230 Reinforced Unit Masonry, 03153 Prefabricated Forms)

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: Flyash used in concrete is a mature technology. On average, thirty percent
of the flyash produced in the United States is recycled into concrete mixes. The use of flyash
concrete in structural applications such as wall-forms is standard technology.

SUPPLIERS: Sixty to seventy percent of central Texas ready-mix suppliers offer flyash con-
crete. Some suppliers provide it automatically, others give a choice. A survey of Austin ready-
mix suppliers found that all suppliers surveyed substituted 18 percent to 24 percent flyash for ce-
ment automatically. A number of buyers request 30 percent or more substitution. Concrete ma-
sonry units (concrete block) are manufactured locally containing flyash.

COST: Flyash concrete is the same price as concrete without flyash.

FINANCING: Available.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: There is a small segment of the population that is fearful of flyash
being inferior or unhealthful. U.S. EPA information indicates there is not a health threat, espe-
cially in the portions found in ready-mix products and products made with western coal (which
is the primary source of local flyash).

REGULATORY: Flyash concrete meets applicable codes. Products making use of flyash con-
crete must indicate having met applicable ASTM test requirements. This information will be
provided by the supplier.
CONSIDERATIONS:
Flyash is a coal combustion byproduct. The Thirteen million tons of coal ash are pro-
use of this byproduct offers environmental duced in Texas each year. Eleven percent of
advantages by diverting the material from this ash is used, well below the national av-
the waste stream, reducing the energy in- erage of 30%. Over 60% of central Texas
vestment in processing virgin materials, suppliers offer flyash in ready-mix products.
conserving virgin materials, and allaying A survey of ready-mix suppliers in Austin
pollution. indicated that, on average, 18-23 percent of

Materials 3-55
 FLYASH CONCRETE
CONSIDERATIONS:
cement is automatically substituted for fly of a job.
ash in the standard mixes. Customers who Flyash concrete may also be used for a fin-
have specific requirements will specify from ished floor. Coloring, scoring, and texturing
0-40 percent substitution. techniques are very attractive and are be-
coming increasingly popular. Appearance is
Although flyash offers environmental ad- as conventional or unconventional as the
vantages, it also improves the performance designer creates.
and quality of concrete. Flyash affects the
plastic properties of concrete by improving
workability, reducing water demand, reduc-
ing segregation and bleeding, and lowering
hydration heat. Flyash increases strength,
reduces permeability, reduces corrosion of
reinforcing steel, increases sulphate resis-
tance, and reduces alkali-aggregate reac-
tion. It reaches its maximum strength
slower than concrete made with only port-
land cement. The techniques for working
with this type of concrete are standard for
the industry and will not impact the budget

GUIDELINES:
Specification for flyash
Flyash for use in Portland Cement concrete
shall conform to the requirements of ASTM
C 618, Standard Specification for Flyash
and Raw or Calcined Natural Pozzolan
Class C Flyash for use as a Mineral Admix-
ture in Portland Cement concrete.
The concrete supplier shall furnish a nota-
rized certificate from the flyash marketer at
the time of submittal of concrete mix de-
signs for approval indicating conformance
with these requirements. Also, a copy of the
most recent chemical analysis shall be pro-
vided.
For sulfate environments, only Class F fly-
ash will be permitted and under no circum-
stances will Class C flyash be used.
Flyash use
Class F flyash will typically require the ad-
dition of a foaming agent and is approved
only for limited use, such as in pavers.
Class C flyash does not require an entrain-
ing or foaming agent.
Standard concrete procedures can be em-
ployed.

At no time during the course of the project

will a change of flyash source (plant) be per-
mitted without the prior written consent of
the Engineer or Architect.

3-56 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 FLYASH CONCRETE
RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:

see "Structural Engineers" in Yellow Pages Center for Maximum Potential Building
Systems
Ramone L. Carrasquillo, Ph.D., P.E. 8604 FM 969
Construction Materials Research Group Austin, TX 78724
Pickle Research Center (512) 928-4786, www2.cmpbs.org
10100 Burnet Rd., Bldg. 18B consulting and testing
Mail Code 79100
Austin, TX 78758 Boral Material Technologies
(512) 471-4585 Gary Shelton
fly ash consulting and research 45 N.E. Loop 410, Ste. 445
San Antonio, TX 78218
Don Callaway & Associates (800) 531-5841
P.O. Box 152 www.boralmti.com/default.htm
La Grange, TX 78945 flyash marketing company, wholesale
(409) 968-4032
callaway@fais.net
fly ash consulting
COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:

See "Contractor's Equipment and Supplies, Con- Featherlite Building Products/Blocks

crete Additives, Concrete Construction Forms & 508 McNeil Road
Accessories, Concrete Contractors, Concrete Round Rock, TX
Equipment and Supplies, Concrete - Ready (512)255-2573
Mixed, and Concrete Reinforcements”, in Yellow concrete block made with flyash
Pages

GENERAL ASSISTANCE:

Cement and Concrete Promotion Council

of Texas Portland Cement Association
6633 Highway 290 E., Suite 204 5420 Old Orchard Rd.
Austin, TX 78723 Skokie, IL 60077-1083
(512) 451-5127, www.ccpc-texas.org (847) 966-6200

JTM State Dept. of Highways & Public Transp.

Bill Getirman "Department Materials Specification:
(713) 240-4082 D-9-8900 Fly Ash"
flyash marketing company, wholesale Joe Raska (512) 465-7469

Materials 3-57
 FLYASH CONCRETE
RESOURCES, continued
Flyash marketing company, wholesale

National Concrete Masonry Association Texas Coal Ash Utilization Group

2302 Horse Pen Road
Herndon, VA 20171-3499
(703) 713-1900, www.ncma.org
Boral Material Technologies
Gary Shelton
45 N.E. Loop 410, Ste. 445
San Antonio, TX 78218
(800) 531-5843
www.boralmti.com/default.htm
Jacob Gonzales
TU Electric & Gas
1001 Bryan Street, Sutie 16090
Dallas, TX 75201-3411
(214) 812-8328,
jake.gonzales@tuelectric.com
Federal Register
Friday, January 28, 1983
Part IV, Environmental Protection Agency

3-58 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 INSULATED CONCRETE FORMS
INTRODUCTION:
Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) are a family of exterior wall systems that provide the strength
of structural concrete walls with the thermal performance of integral insulation and high ther-
mal mass.

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: Wall-forms are standard technology.

SUPPLIERS: All systems have local suppliers or representatives and are readily available.

COST: Insulated wall form products have a higher initial material cost than 2x4 construction
but provide a superior product. Labor costs can be reduced because these products can be in-
stalled by less skilled crews and are less time consuming.

FINANCING: Available.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: Wall form products are gaining in popularity in the Austin market.
Production builders are experimenting with these products. If a major production builder adopts
one of these systems, prices could become competitive with 2x4 framing.

REGULATORY: Structures have been built in Austin using all of these systems. Engineered
plans may be required for permitting.

CONSIDERATIONS:
ICFs can be divided into three categories,
fibercement block systems, plank or panel
wall forms, and precast Autoclaved Aerated
Concrete (AAC). All of these systems offer
good thermal performance due to their inte-
gral insulation and high mass. They also
provide excellent acoustical insulation and
a minimum two hour fire rating. Pests such
as termites may not eat any of these prod-
ucts but they will burrow into the foam
based panel and plank forms and travel to
areas like window and door jambs or bucks
and roof framing where wood is available
as a food source. Care should be taken to
raise foam panels at least one foot above
grade to prevent this infestation.
Fiber-cement block systems are systems that
use individual blocks or large panels that
use some elements common to block sys-
tems or CMU’s (Concrete Masonry Units).
These common elements are an exterior
shell made of an insulating material, and
interior and end webs that tie the shells to-
gether.
Fiber-cement block systems are manufac-
tured using a small amount of concrete,
usually about 10 percent, as the structural
element and a high percentage of either
mineralized wood fiber or expanded
polystyrene pellets to provide insulating
properties. One environmental advantage of
these systems is that the wood fiber and the
polystyrene can be, and usually are, recy-
cled materials.
The fiber-cement block systems have a

Materials 3-59
 INSULATED CONCRETE FORMS
CONSIDERATIONS, continued
higher material cost than 2x4 framing, but
some of this higher cost is offset by the use
of less skilled labor to stack the block, place
the structural steel, and pour the concrete
fill. These units combine the traditional
steps of framing, insulating and sheathing
the wall into the process of placing the
block and pouring the concrete. The most
common and most efficient exterior finish
for these systems is stucco, though siding,
brick, or stone can also be easily used. The
interiors can be plastered or hung with dry-
wall. These block systems are usually im-
pervious to termites because the wood has
been mineralized to make it unattractive as
a food source and where foam is used, it is
in units too small for termites to burrow
into.
Plank or panel forms are large sheets or
planks of polystyrene that are placed on the
interior and exterior of the perimeter wall.
The forms are held a constant distance
apart and the individual elements tied to-
GUIDELINES:
Specification for wall forms
Conventional construction methods.
Wall forms use
Use of these systems eliminates the need for
conventional exterior wall framing.
Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)
Most systems stack like blocks and erect
easily. Some are in rigid panels on interior
and exterior walls connected by metal or
plastic ties. Some manufacturers also use
expanded polystyrene (EPS) pellets or
shredded wood mixed with cement to cre-
ate the block rather than pure EPS.
3-60 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
gether by plastic or steel ties. Structural steel
and concrete are then placed in the form to
complete the wall. Most of these systems
have fastening surfaces embedded in the
foam to allow attachment of drywall, sid-
ing, or other materials. These systems can
be finished in the same way as 2x4 framing
except that screws are used as fasteners
rather than nails. Care should be taken to
ensure that the exterior foam shell is at least
one foot above grade to prevent termites
from burrowing into the forms and travel-
ing to wood sources.
Precast autoclaved aerated concrete is avail-
able in the form of blocks, wall, floor and
roof panels, stair treads, and as lentils.
AAC block and panel systems offer numer-
ous advantages over standard loadbearing
wall and floor systems. As an integrated
structural system, often erected by a single
trade, construction time can be reduced. Be-
ing one-fifth the weight of concrete, the sys-
tem brings far less load to the foundation
ICF blocks are typically stacked as exterior
walls. Rebar is placed in the cores vertically
and horizontally. The cores are poured full
of concrete from the top. Manufacturers
claim R-values of R-30 or greater when
thermal mass is included.
Specify that the foam be protected from in-
sects physically and possibly with a borate
treatment in the foam. Insects will not eat
the foam but may nest in it otherwise.
Urethane block wall-forms and extruded
polystyrene sheets/panel products are also
available. These contain CFCs/HCFCs.
 INSULATED CONCRETE FORMS
GUIDELINES, continued
Autoclaved aerated concrete blocks can be finished in a variety of methods. Use
The blocks are composed of cement, sand, of these systems eliminates the need for
lime, and an aerating agent, which is baked conventional exterior wall framing.
in an autoclave. The result is a very light-
weight, insulative, and strong cement block.
Blocks are stacked as bricks and held to-
gether with a mortar. Interiors and exteriors

RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:

see "Structural Engineers" in Yellow Pages

COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:

see "Contractor's Equipment and Supplies, Concrete Additives,, Concrete Construction Forms & Acces-
sories, Concrete Contractors, Concrete Equipment and Supplies, Concrete - Ready Mixed, Concrete Rein-
forcements, in Yellow Pages
Applied Concrete Technology Inc. Texas Contec Inc.
P.O. Box 4015 12087 Starcrest
Arlington Heights, IL 60006-4015 San Antonio, TX 78247
(800) 228-6694, www.protecrete.com (210) 402-3223
manufactuer of “Protecrete” earth-friendly con- aerated autoclaved blocks and panels
crete enhancement/protection products
Ytong Florida Ltd
Hebel South Central 1930 Lars Sjoborg Blvd.
4550 Sunbelt Drive Haines City, FL 33844
Addison, TX 75001 (800) 986-6435, www.ytong-usa.com
(888) 88HEBEL, www.hebel.com autoclaved aerated concrete blocks and loadbear-
Hebel aerated autoclaved blocks and panels ing and non-loadbearing pannels

Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)

AAB Building Systems American ConForm Industries

840 Division St. 1820 S Santa Fe St.
Cobourg, Ontario, Canada K9A 4J9 Santa Anna, CA 92705
(800) 293-3210, www.bluemaxxaab.com (800) CONFORM, www.smartblock.com
“BlueMaxx” EPS wall-form SmartBlock EPS wall-form

Materials 3-61
 INSULATED CONCRETE FORMS
RESOURCES, continued
American Polysteel Forms Inc. Poly-Form International
5150-F Edith NE 722 West Euless Blvd.
Albuquerque, NM 87107 Euless, TX 76040
(800) 9PS-FORM, www.polysteel.com Phone: 817-283-8916
“Polysteel” EPS block wall-form EPS panel wall-form
Local: Gary Simmons (512) 869-1175
QUAD-LOCK Building Systems
GreenBlock WorldWide Corp. 7398 132nd Street
P.O. Box 749 Surrey, BC Canada V3W 4M7
Woodland Park, CO 80866 (888) 711-5625, www.quadlock.com
(800) 216-1820, www.greenblock.com EPS panel wall-form
Local: Ian Giesler (254) 546-0202
Insulform Building Systems Inc.
1001 E. Highway 20 RASTRA Building System
Lockhart, TX 78644 local distributor:
(512) 376-9955 3E Industries
EPS block wall-form 5014 Bee Creek road
Spicewood, TX 78669
I. C. E. Block Building Systems (512) 264-3462
P O Box 3089 ian@onr.com
Odessa, TX 78760 recycled EPS/cement block
(800) ICE-BLOC, www.oikos.com/ice-
block Reward Wall Systems
“ICE Block” EPS block wall-form 4115 South 87th St.
Local: Sumpter Services (512) 847-1411 Omaha, NE 68127-1601
(800) 468-6344, www.rwsinc.com
K-X Industries Faswall “3-10” EPS wall-forms
P.O. Box 180 Local: Larry Nelson Co. (512) 306-0030
Windsor, SC 29856
(803) 642-9346, www.faswall.com Reddi-Form, Inc.
recycled fiber-cement wall-form comes in stan- P.O. Box 165
dard cmu sizes Oakland, NJ 07436
(800) 334-4303, www.reddi-form.com
Lite-Form, Inc. “Reddi-Form” EPS block wall-form
1210 Steuben St., P. O. Box 774 Local: Michael Beck (512) 259-8836
Sioux City, IA 51102-0774
(800) 551-3313, www.liteform.com Therma Foam Inc.
“Fold-Form” panel wall-form 2324 Franklin Drive
Ft. Worth, TX 76106
(800) 333-3626
EPS foam manufacturer and supplier of
“Diamond-Snap Form” ICF system

3-62 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 INSULATED CONCRETE FORMS
RESOURCES, continued
ThermoFormed Block Corp. Wall Technologies LLC
P.O. Box 2454 P.O. Box 208
Ft. Collins, CO 80522-2454 501 E. Plaza Circle, Suite #4
(800) 821-0855, www.thermoformed.com Litchfield Park, AZ 85340
“ThermoFormed” EPS block wall-form (888) 404-7878
“Strate Block” EPS wall form
GENERAL ASSISTANCE:

Cement and Concrete Promotion Council National Concrete Masonry Association

of Texas 2302 Horse Pen Road
P. O. Box 937 Herndon, VA 20171-3499
Euless, TX 76039 (703) 713-1900, www.ncma.org
(817) 540-4437, www.ccpc-texas.org

Materials 3-63
 INSULATION
INTRODUCTION:
The primary role of insulation is to achieve high energy efficiency in a building throughout its
life by maintaining comfort within the space. This section deals with several types of insulation
that can be used in walls, floors, and ceilings and the environmental characteristics of each. De-
cisions concerning the environmental characteristics of insulation are complex and often not
well understood, making selection of one material over another difficult. There has been con-
cern over the health impacts of the material constituents of insulation ever since the problems
associated with asbestos became apparent, followed by the banning of urea formaldehyde-based
insulation. The health concerns have currently spread to fiberglass and cellulose insulation.

Recycled content is one of the most recognized environmental features of building products. In-
sulation materials with recycled content have the advantages of requiring less natural resources,
diverting materials from the landfills, and using less energy during manufacturing.

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: All of the insulation technologies are well developed and changing. More
recycled-content types and those with less environmental impact are being developed on a con-
stant basis.

SUPPLIERS: There are adequate suppliers for cellulose, perlite, and mineral wool insulation.
Cementitious foam and non-CFC/HCFC polyurethane/polyicynene installers are available in
central Texas. Cotton insulation is temporarily off the market.

COST: Prices can vary according to installer. Fiberglass is the cheapest followed by mineral
wool, cellulose, polyurethane/polyicynene, and cementitious foams. Investigate all choices as
they offer different R-values and environmental and health benefits. This is not an ‘apples to ap-
ples’decision.

FINANCING: Available.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: The general public is mostly unaware that CFCs, HCFCs and
formaldehyde can exist in insulation. Cellulose insulation is commonly accepted. Perlite insula-
tion is relatively unknown to the general public. Perlite is likely to be positively perceived. Min-
eral wool is relatively unknown as a modern insulation option. Cementitious and polyicynene
foams are relatively unknown to most consumers.

REGULATORY: Must meet flame spread and smoke density requirements, listed in Section
R-217 of the Conference of American Building Officials' One and Two Family Dwelling Code and
Section 2603 of the Uniform Building Code for commercial construction.

Materials 3-64
 INSULATION
CONSIDERATIONS:
Cellulose insulation is the best example of
recycled material used in insulation. It is
made from approximately 80 percent post-
consumer recycled newspaper and treated
with fire retardants and insect protection.
Borates, derived from the mineral boron,
are natural materials that can be used as fire
retardants and insect repellents in cellulose
insulation. Recycled newsprint that con-
tains printer’s inks can possibly outgas
formaldehyde into a home. If there is any
outgassing from inks, it should fall well be-
low levels irritating most persons. However,
a person with acute chemical sensitivity
should be careful in selecting all building
materials including insulation. Cellulose in-
sulation made from non-inked paper is
available to eliminate any outgassing from
inks. There are also chemical additives of-
ten used to treat cellulose that are not thor-
oughly understood from an indoor air qual-
ity standpoint. Cellulose insulation that is
treated with borates is preferred. Cellulose
insulation can also be bound together as a
wet spray and installed in open wall cavities
where it effectively seals the entire wall. A
long-term performance concern is possible
loss of fire-retardant chemicals.
Mineral Wool insulation is making a come-
back after losing its market share to fiber-
glass in the 1960s and 1970s. “Mineral
wool” actually refers to two different mate-
rials: slag wool and rock wool. Slag wool is
an industrial waste product produced from
iron ore blast furnace slag. Rock wool is
produced from natural rocks of basalt and
diabase. Slag wool accounts for approxi-
mately 80 percent of the mineral wool insu-
lation industry and contains about 75 per-
cent post-industrial recycled content. It is
available as blow-on wall insulation (a
starch binder is used), as loose blow-in attic
3-65 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
insulation, and as batts. It offers very good
energy performance, will not burn, and is
chemically inert. Mineral wool fibers are
similar to fiberglass in their ability to be-
come airborne and be inhaled.
Fiberglass insulation is available as loose-fill
and in batts. Traditional fiberglass is con-
sidered a risk by some because of the insula-
tion fiber's ability to become airborne and
be inhaled, similar to asbestos. There are
also some concerns about the glues used to
hold together the fiberglass. Most fiberglass
insulation is produced using a phenol
formaldehyde (PF) binder to hold the fibers
together. Most of the binder dissipates dur-
ing the manufacturing processand is cap-
tured with pollution prevention equipment.
The remaining binder is slowly released
into the building cavity in which the insula-
tion is installed and may effect persons with
chemical sensitivity. Several new fiberglass
products have been introduced which use
either an acrylic binder or no binder at all.
All of the major fiberglass insulation manu-
facturers use at least 20 percent recycled
glass cullet in their products. Newer forms
of fiberglass insulation which are fused and
spun to create a “steel wool” type of form
are considered less harmful than traditional
fiberglass because of the reduced tendency
to stay airborne, reduced amount of glue
required to hold the material together, and
reduced skin irritation. Owens Corning Mi-
raflex fiberglass is a new product introduced
to address health concerns about glass
fibers. The fibers are stronger and less brittle
and contain no chemical binders or dyes, so
there should be no offgassing. Schuller In-
ternational, Inc. Grid-SHIELD Rx is a new
commercial fiberglass batt insulation prod-
uct that is produced with an acrylic binder
and does not offgass formaldehyde either
 INSULATION
CONSIDERATIONS, continued
during manufacturer or in use. Grid-
SHIELD Rx is encapsulated with polyethy-
lene, which keeps the fibers out of the
airstream, and makes it easier to install
with no itching.
Rigid Foam Insulation Boards are manufac-
tured using chlorine-based chemicals that
destroy the earth’s protective ozone layer.
Depending on the manufacturer and type of
insulation board produced, recycled content
can range from 0 to 50 percent. Until re-
cently, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were
used as the blowing agent in manufacturing
extruded polystyrene (XPS), polyurethane,
polyisocyanurate, and phenolic foam insu-
lation boards. Extruded polystyrene and
polyisocyanurate foam insulation boards
are currently made with CFC or hydrochlo-
rofluorocarbon (HCFC) blowing agents.
HCFCs are far less destructive to the ozone
layer than CFCs, but damaging nonethe-
less. The severity of the ozone depletion sit-
uation has led to the recommendation to
avoid both types of insulation blowing
agents.
Alternatives in rigid board insulation are
available that do not use CFCs or HCFCs.
Expanded polystyrene (EPS), polyicynene
and a few polyurethane foam insulations do
not use CFCs or HCFCs.
(See Engineered Sheet Products section of
GUIDELINES:
Cellulose
Wet-spray cellulose insulation can be effec-
tively used in wall cavities in new construc-
tion. However, as a dry loose-fill wall insu-
lation it could settle.
Wet-blown insulation offers superior
this Sourcebook). EPS is made by expanding
the polystyrene beads with pentane, a hy-
drocarbon that contributes to smog but is
not implicated in ozone depletion or global
warming. Several manufacturers now re-
claim up to 95 percent of the pentane used
in production and burn it. Polyicynene
foam insulation is an open-cell, spray-on
insulation which does not use CFCs or
HCFCs. It is available from two manufac-
turers who both have installers in Texas and
throughout the country.
Cementitious Foam insulation is made from
magnesium oxide derived from sea water
and blown in place with air. No CFCs or
HCFCs are used. Because of its inorganic
composition, it has very low VOC emis-
sions, is totally inert, and non-combustable.
Cementitious foam insulation is available
commercially in one product: Air-Krete.
There is one installer of this type of insula-
tion in our region. This type of insulation is
considered the most benign from an indoor
air quality standpoint; it is also more costly.
Perlite insulation is made from a naturally
occurring volcanic mineral and is often
used as loose fill insulation in concrete
block cavities. Perlite can be bound into
other materials and used in sheet form. It is
commonly used in commercial roofing ma-
terial and can be used as an aggregate in
insulating qualities and can be trimmed by
hand on walls before installing drywall.
Moisture control is critical with wet-blown
insulation as overly-moist insulation re-
quires a longer drying period before a wall
can be closed up. Wet blown insulation of-
fers excellent performance.
Materials 3-66
 INSULATION
GUIDELINES, continued
Loose-fill insulation
Install baffles to keep the material from
blocking soffit vents. The baffles will also
prevent wind from blowing through the in-
sulation. Don't cover recessed light fixtures
unless the fixtures are certified to accept in-
sulation and are the “sealed” type. Other
concerns with loose-fill fiber insulation are
settling, displacement as a result of wind,
and infestations of rodents. It is also possi-
ble that, over many decades, dust and dirt
accumulation could reduce the R-value ei-
ther by compressing the insulation or by fill-
ing air pockets.
Mineral Wool
Blow-on application will seal wall cavities
similarly to wet-blown cellulose, offering
superior insulating service compared to
batts.
Mineral wool weighs more than fiberglass
(mineral wool is 1.2 pounds per square foot
for R-30 versus 0.5 pounds for fiberglass). It
is less likely to become airborne.
Fiberglass
Grid-SHIELD Rx does not offer quite the
same level of fire resistance as foil-scrim-
kraft-faced (FSK) fiberglass, but it offers
better performance than standard kraft-
faced fiberglass and carries a 25/50 rating
for flame spread and smoke development.
This rating permits it to be used above sus-
pended ceilings where it will be exposed to
a moving air stream. It is more expensive
than kraft-faced but less expensive than
FSK. Thermal performance is identical to
conventional 6” R-19 fiberglass.
Rigid Foam Insulation Boards
Insulation boards that were produced using
CFCs and HCFCs are prone to R-value
3-67 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
drift as the blowing agents leak out of the
cell structure and air leaks in. Polyisocya-
nurate foam comes from the factory with an
insulating value of over R-8 per inch of
thickness; however, over time that may
drop to as low as R-5.6 according to some
estimates. The reduction might take from
several years to a century or more depend-
ing on the material facing, the application,
and the installation practices.
Expanded polystyrene rigid insulation at a
3
higher density of 2 lb./ft (normal density is
3
1.0 lb./ft ) performs similarly to extruded
polystyrene without damaging the environ-
ment.
In central Texas, foam insulation materials
are also prone to infestation of wood-boring
insects, such as carpenter ants. Tunnels
and nesting cavities will reduce thermal per-
formance and, with foam-core panels, may
affect structural performance as well. EPS
foam-core panels now incorporate a borate
additive to address this concern.
In commercial roofing applications with
built-up roofing systems, consider installing
a layer of sheathing between the insulation
and the roofing surface so that re-roofing is
possible without destroying the insulation.
Low density non CFC/HCFC spray-on foam
Spray-on foam insulation is fire proof, in-
sect proof, and non-toxic. The expansion of
the foam during installation creates a supe-
rior air barrier by completely filling every
void in the foamed area. This product is es-
pecially well-suited to applications where
batt insulations fail to work effectively, such
as in cavities which are filled with pipes,
wiring, or ducts. Installers must be licensed
in its application.
 INSULATION
GUIDELINES, continued
Cementitious foam
This insulation is fire proof, insect proof,
and non-toxic. The material contains a lot
of water and will need a drying period be-
fore a wall can be closed up. Installers must
be licensed in its application. The material
is friable (easily crumbled) when dry.
make an insulating, lighter-weight concrete.
It is predominantly poured in as a loose fill
in cores of concrete block.
It must be installed in sealed spaces: the
cores of exterior (and interior) hollow core
block, the cavity between exterior (and inte-
rior) masonry walls, or between exterior
masonry walls and interior furring.

Perlite Perlite will pour easily and quickly directly

This insulation can be used in concrete to into cavities or into hoppers slid along the

RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:

see "Insulation Contractors - Cold and Heat" in Yellow Pages

COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:

See "Insulation Contractors-Cold and Heat", Cotton

"Insulation Contractors Equipment & Supplies", Greenwood Cotton Insulation
"Insulation Materials - Cold and Heat", 555 Sun Valley Drive, Suite J4
"Building Materials - Retail" in Yellow Pages. Roswell, GA 30076
(770) 998-6888
Cellulose Cotton insulation (presently out of the market
International Cellulose Corp. and reevaluating their product line)
12315 Robin Blvd.
Houston, TX 77045 Fiberglass
(713) 433-6701 Certain Teed
“Celbar” cellulose blow on insulation P.O. Box 860
Valley Forge, PA 19482
Tascon Inc. (610) 341-7000, www.certainteed.com/con-
P.O. Box 41846 sumer/insulate/html/i-frmst.htm
Houston, TX 77241 “Insulsafe® 4” loose-fill fiberglass insulation
(800) 937-0900, www.tascon.com Owens-Corning
Cellulose loose-fill and spray-on insulation One Owens Corning Parkway
Toledo, OH 43659
Insul - Tray, Inc. 800-GET-PINK, www.owenscorning.com
®
E. 1881 Crestview Dr. poly-wrapped Miraflex fiberglass
Shelton, WA 98584
(360) 427-5930
Story Jig for installing cellulose in new construc-
tion

Materials 3-68
 INSULATION
RESOURCES, continued
Perlite
Eagle Concrete Spray-foam Insulations
4216 Felter Ln. Palmer Industries Inc.
Austin, TX 78744 10611 Old Annapolis Rd.
(512) 385-1717, Frederick, MD 21701
www.eagleconcreteproducts.com (301) 898-7848
Perlite in 4 cu. ft. bags cementitious foam insulation, Air Krete®
Local Suppliers:
Filter-Media Co. Eco-Earth Construction, Box 635
P. O. Box 19546 Mason, TX 76856, (800) 334-4406 or
Houston, TX 77224-9156 Thomas R. Willson (915) 347-6599
(713) 780-9000
Perlite Icynene
5805 Whittle Rd., Suite 110
Rockwool Mississauga, ON Canada L4Z 2J1
American Rockwool (800) 946-7325, www.icynene.com
1 Jackrabbit Rd.Nolanville, TX 76559 non-CFC/HCFC spray insulation
(254) 698-2233 TX, www.amerrock.com/ Local: Thermal Seal
default.htm 1412 Butler Rd.
(800) 762-9665 (outside TX) Austin, TX 78704
(512) 479-8074

Demilec USA
1122 W. N. Carrier Parkway
Grand Prairie, TX 75050

GENERAL ASSISTANCE:

Insulation Contractors Association of

America Cellulose Insulation Manufacturer’s Assoc.
1321 Duke St., Suite 303 136 South Keowee Street
Alexandria, VA 22314 Dayton, OH 45402-2241
(703) 739-0356 (513) 222-2462, www.cellulose.org

North American Insulation Manufacturers Perlite Institute

Association (NAIMA)
44 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 310
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 684-0084, www.naima.org
88 NewDorp Plaza
Staten Island, NY 10306
(718) 351-5723, www.perlite.org
Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturing
Association (PIMA)
1331 F Street, NW, Suite 975

3-69 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
INTRODUCTION:
Pests are those plants and creatures which are found where people don’t want them. These in-
clude weeds, roaches, rats, mice, ants, birds, bats, spiders, scorpions, snakes, termites, and sil-
verfish to name a few. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a common-sense approach that
achieves effective pest control with the least risk to people, pets, and the environment. An IPM
Program includes integration of least-toxic treatment methods and materials, monitoring, and
detection and identification. IPM is usually applied to the maintenance of gardens and a build-
ing’s interior. But proper building design and construction can also be part of an Integrated
Pest Management Program.

This section includes methods of preventing all pests, but has an emphasis on termite preven-
tion techniques. Many building specifications still call for poisoning of the soil to prevent ter-
mites; however, the specifier may not be aware that there are no longer pesticides on the market
which kill insects for longer than 6 months in soil. Before the building is even completed, the
pesticide will no longer be effective. The owner has then paid for a treatment which threatens
groundwater and human health but will not be present to protect the building. Chemical con-
trols also destroy beneficial insects as well as harmful ones.

A Green Building strategy is to avoid building techniques and materials which attract insects
and termites. Materials other than wood can be used for the structure and cladding. We already
have subterranean termites in Texas, and Formosa termites are gradually working themselves
into Texas from Louisiana, just as the fire ant did years ago. These fierce termites have riddled
wood structures in New Orleans and threaten to do the same in Texas; prevention is the most
prudent solution here.

Non-toxic termite control does not use chemicals. Instead, physical controls such as sand barriers or
metal shields are installed during construction. If termite infestation occurs, the least toxic
methods of treatment are used.

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: The USDA Southern Forest Experiment Station in Gulfport, Mississippi,
and the University of Hawaii are testing the effectiveness of non-toxic termite prevention tech-
niques. Successful laboratory results have been obtained with the use of properly designed sand
barriers. Pest control professionals in California have adapted and tested sand barriers with
good results. Some studies in California have found some physical barriers to be 15 percent
more effective than chemical treatments.

SUPPLIERS: There are nurseries, exterminating companies, architects and pest management
companies in Austin that can provide expertise and services in integrated pest management.
However, not all professionals currently have knowledge or experience with these controls.

COST: General IPM should be the same costs as better building practices. Initial costs of non-

Materials 3-70
 INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
AT-A-GLANCE NOTES, continued
toxic termite prevention may be 25 percent higher than an initial chemical controls. However,
these costs may be offset because of the long term nature of structural solutions. In addition,
cost offsets can occur if traditional fill material is replaced with sand or cinder barriers, prevent-
ing the need for termiticides. Over time, IPM is less expensive due to fewer chemical costs.

FINANCING: Lenders will typically look for traditional methods for the prevention of ter-
mites, such as the use of treated wood. Educating lenders about the effectiveness of non-toxic
prevention measures and encouraging financing incentives for their use is a goal of the Green
Builder Program.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: Increased monitoring after construction will be necessary. This re-
quires participation by occupants. For successful termite prevention using non-toxic methods,
education and cooperation between the professional and the resident/owner will be necessary.

REGULATORY: Building codes (such as Section R-310 of the Conference of American Build-
ing Operators' One and Two Family Dwelling Code) call for protection by chemical soil treatment,
pressure-treated wood, naturally termite-resistant wood (such as heartwood of redwood and
eastern red cedar), or physical barriers approved by the building official in areas with subter-
ranean termites. Approved combinations of methods may be used.

The Honolulu building code was rewritten in 1991 to include the use of sand barriers and stain-
less steel mesh instead of chemical controls. No method of termite treatment can be assumed to
be 100 percent effective. In buildings with wood as a structural material, regular inspections

CONSIDERATIONS:
Basic knowledge of pests and their biology is
necessary to avoid use of toxic methods of
control. The “bible” of IPM is
Common Sense Pest Control by William
Olkowski, Sheila Daar, Helga Olkowski pub-
lished by The Taunton Press, 1991.
Old-fashioned methods such as installing a
birdhouse for Purple Martins can help en-
courage natural insect control. Organic pest
control such as insecticidal soaps and manual
methods such as pulling weeds or using sand
barriers are time-tested and non-polluting.
Beneficial insects such as ladybugs and bee-
tles can be introduced into the landscape.
Difficult problems such as fire ants can be
tackled with compost tea treatments and
growth regulators containing fenoxycarb.
To properly implement IPM after your build-
ing is built, an IPM plan should be written
and included in the operations manual for a
building or owner’s manual for a house. The
City of Austin has an IPM expert with tem-
plates for what these plans should include.
Call John Gleason at 499-3543 for mire infor-
mation.
Considerations for Termites
Most areas of Texas have termites, including
subterranean termites that live in the soil and
drywood termites that attack dry wood. Ac-
cording to the Texas Agricultural Extension

3-71 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
CONSIDERATIONS, continued
Service, there is a greater than 70 percent
probability that a wooden structure in Texas
will be attacked by termites within 10 to 20
years. Termite problems within one year after
construction have been reported.
When wood is used as a building material,
termite prevention in the form of treated
wood or naturally resistant wood will be re-
quired by building codes. Typically, chro-
mated copper arsenate (CCA) pressure-
treated wood is used. Two alternative chemi-
cal substances have gained popularity since
more toxic substances such as chlordane
have been banned for soil treatment. These
include organophosphates and pyrethroids.
However, these chemicals are toxic to people
as well as termites, and can offgas and leach
into the soil and water table. They can be
absorbed through the skin, lungs and through
ingestion. Small children, workers,
chemically-sensitive individuals and animals
can experience serious health problems when
exposed to them.
Less toxic wood treatments are available.
However, alternatives to wood treatment and
chemical treatment can be quite effective.
Least-toxic strategies must be used in combi-
nation to achieve maximum effectiveness.
Few pest control managers expect non-toxic
methods to completely replace chemical use.
However, they allow for the reduction of
chemical use, and may prevent such use in all
but extreme situations.
Termite Prevention
The only sure prevention of termite problems
is the use of building materials other than
wood. However, if wood is used, there are
preventative measures available to the builder
other than chemical treatments and treated
wood products.
A common tree in Austin known to resist ter-
mites is the familiar mountain cedar (actually
a member of the juniper family). Although
not commercially lumbered, old growth natu-
ral cedar posts have traditionally been used
as foundation piers on old structures, for
fences, and for furniture. The use of juniper
wood has some potential for application as a
termite and insect resistant wood.
Eliminating sources of chronic moisture in
the home is one of the most important factors
in managing subterranean termites, carpenter
ants, and some wood boring beetles. Moist
soil is necessary for termites to survive. Ter-
mites travel back and forth between soil and
food sources because they must obtain mois-
ture from the soil. In addition, capillary ac-
tion and water vapor buildup can result in
excessive dampness which can actually wick
through a concrete slab or masonry founda-
tion to the wood framing above it, thus at-
tracting termites.
In above-ground foundations, moisture bar-
rier films such as 6 mil polyethylene can be
used to cover the area under the structure.
This will help decrease moisture buildup in
sub-flooring. Foundation wall vents should
be placed to provide cross ventilation for
homes with crawl spaces. Some experts also
recommend the use of moisture barriers un-
der slab foundations.
Soil should always be from 6 to 18 inches be-
low any wood member. The greater the dis-
tance, the better. Good siting and drainage
design will help prevent moisture buildup in
and around the structure. All exterior grades
should slope away from the structure to pro-
vide drainage. Porches and features such as
Materials 3-72
 INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
CONSIDERATIONS, continued
planter boxes should be constructed and
sealed to prevent moisture and soil contact
with the structure.
Exterior landscaping should not cause mois-
ture build-up around the foundation. A small
air space should be retained between plant
leaves and walls to prevent moisture and
mold build-up. Automatic irrigation heads
should be properly aligned or shielded to pre-
vent direct spray onto the building.
Areas subject to moisture build-up, such as
bathrooms, should be given special attention
since they are likely to be attack areas. Areas
under tubs and drains leading to the exterior
(such as air conditioner drains) should be
considered vulnerable spots.
All wood-to-soil and wood-to-concrete con-
tacts should be eliminated for fence and deck
posts, rail supports, trellises etc. Posts should
be placed in metal holders (commercially
available). Even treated deck piers may not
deter termites since they may bypass the
treated piers to reach untreated decking
above.
All wood subject to moisture, especially exte-
rior wood, should be properly sealed. Exte-
rior windows, even if under an overhang
such as a porch, should be completely mois-
ture sealed. Exterior siding, especially along
the bottom wall edges, should be completely
moisture sealed on all exposed surfaces.
All lumber scraps, wood debris and stumps
should be removed from the site after con-
struction is complete. Backfill under a foun-
dation should never contain wood scraps,
and scrap should never be left in crawl-spaces
or under foundations. Such scraps are invita-
tions to termites to eat the scrap and then
3-73 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
move on to the main structure.
Sand Barriers
Sand barriers for subterranean termites are a
physical deterrent because the termites can-
not tunnel through them. Sand barriers can
be applied in crawl spaces under pier and
beam foundations, under slab foundations,
and between the foundation and concrete
porches, terraces, patios and steps. Other pos-
sible locations include under fence posts, un-
derground electrical cables, water and gas
lines, telephone and electrical poles, inside
hollow tile cells and against retaining walls.
Sixteen grit sand or cinder is placed in a 20-
inch band on the soil surface or in trenches
next to foundation walls. The sand layer
should be 4 inches thick at the foundation,
and feathered out to meet grade at the outer
edge of the 20-inch band. For trench installa-
tions, trenches should be 4 inches deep and 6
inches wide.
Some integrated pest management experts
have developed a machine called a sand
pump that blows sand under the house. For
sand barriers around the outside perimeter of
a foundation, they recommend a sand trench
in order to avoid disturbance of the sand. In
addition, a cap made of masonry or other
materials may be recommended to protect
the barrier from gardening or animal distur-
bance. Tamping of sand increases imperme-
ability to termite attack.
Slab Barriers
Termites can easily pass through cracks, as
small as 1/32 inch, which may occur in slab
foundations. For sand barriers in conjunction
with slab foundations, the sand or cinder
must be applied before the foundation is
 INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
CONSIDERATIONS, continued
poured. Installing the sand layer of the appro-
priate mesh size followed by a layer of
coarser gravel for grading to the desired level
works well. To cut costs, sand treatments
may be installed in particularly vulnerable
areas of the slab, such as around pipe pene-
trations, as opposed to under the entire slab.
Costs for cinder fill under a slab can often be
competitive with the costs of standard fill and
the initial chemical termite treatment.
Sand Selection
The size of sand particles is critical to the success of
sand barriers. Sand or grit size should be
siftable through a 16-mesh screen. Sand
smaller than 16-grit can be carried away by
termites and larger sand can support their
tunnels. If the sand to be used has some parti-
cles smaller than 16-mesh size, it should be
screened with mesh of the appropriate size.
Certain grades of sandblasting sand may be
suitable for barriers. Crushed volcanic cinder
of the appropriate size can also be used.
Performance
Sand barriers can also be used to repair bro-
ken seals between foundations and other
building elements such as porches. Such set-
tling and breaking of "cold" joint seals can be
caused by subsidence and temperature ex-
tremes. In laboratory tests, sand was shown
to retain its "seal" against structural members
after movement similar to earthquakes. Al-
though earthquakes are not a problem in our
area, soil movement and settling because of
expansive soils is often a problem.
Use of sand barriers is still experimental, and
must be followed with post-installation and
regular subsequent inspections.
Metal Termite Shields
Metal termite shields are physical barriers
which prevent termites from building invisi-
ble tunnels. In reality, metal shields function
as a helpful termite detection device, forcing
them to build tunnels which can be easily
seen on the outside of the shields. Metal
termite shields also help prevent dampness
from wicking to adjoining wood members
which can result in rot, making the material
more attractive to termites and other pests.
Metal shields are used in conjunction with
concrete or solid masonry walls, and are fab-
ricated of sheet metal which is unrolled and
attached over the foundation walls. The
edges are then bent at a 45 degree angle.
Metal shields must be very tightly con-
structed, and all joints must be completely sealed.
Any gaps in the seals will allow an entry
point for termites. Joints may be sealed by
soldering, or with a tar-like bituminous com-
pound.
Metal flashing and metal plates can also be
used as a barrier between piers and beams of
structures such as decks, which are particu-
larly vulnerable to termite attack.
Stainless Steel Barriers
Stainless steel barriers incorporate finely wo-
ven, marine grade, stainless steel mesh which
can be used in the same manner as the tradi-
tional metal shield. The mesh is placed under
the entire concrete slab as a partial barrier
around the perimeter of the building or
around individual penetrations (the partial
penetration systems need to be used with
other systems to provide complete protec-
tion.)
The grid pattern of the mesh is fine enough to
not allow termites through, but is strong
enough to prevent them from chewing
through it. Being stainless steel, it is unlikely
Materials 3-74
 INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
CONSIDERATIONS, continued
to be affected by the corrosive nature of some
concrete and ground conditions. A stainless
steel mesh termite barrier system is now
available in Texas.
Monitoring, Detection and Identification
The Bio-Integral Resource Center (see Re-
sources, General Assistance) recommends
the following steps:
1) Monitor the building at least once per
year
2) Identify the species of termite
3) Correct structural conditions that led
to the infestation
4) Apply physical or biological controls
5) Spot treat with chemicals if necessary
6) Check for effectiveness and repeat if
required
Regular annual or biannual termite monitor-
ing should be done with a plan of the struc-
ture in hand. This will help to identify areas
that may be hard to spot with a visual inspec-
tion.
Subterranean termites build characteristic
mud tubes for movement between nests. The
appearance of these tubes are often the first
sign of infestation. Detection can become dif-
ficult if such tubes are hidden inside walls, or
termites are entering in cracks
occurring in concrete slabs or foundations.
Dogs trained to detect termites and other
wood damaging insects are being used to aid
in termite inspection. Their keen sense of
smell coupled with their ability to wriggle
into areas too small for human access can
make the dog-assisted inspection a valuable
tool.
3-75 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
Termite Treatment
The first step in any termite treatment is to
accurately identify the species. Then locate
nests. And, select a combination of least
toxic strategies and tactics.
When selecting a pest management com-
pany, be sure to choose a reliable firm. Texas
law requires commercial pesticide applicators
to be certified. Check for certification docu-
mentation, references, and work experience,
or check with the Structural Pest Control
Board of Texas. Ask if the company practices
integrated pest management techniques, or
has an experimental license which may be
necessary for some alternative techniques.
Non-toxic treatments include use of nema-
todes (microscopic worms), especially for
chemically-sensitive individuals or
environmentally-sensitive areas. Nematodes
are pumped into the infested area, where they
will kill the insects. Boric acid bait blocks can
be placed around the structure, where they
will attract the pests to consume termiticides
without broad application of chemicals.
Drywood termites can be treated with ther-
mal, freezing, or electrical eradication tech-
niques. Desiccating dusts, non-toxic sub-
stances resulting in pest dehydration and
death, have also been used successfully on
drywood termites.
These treatments can be combined with oth-
ers, such as installing metal shields (if they
have not been used previously), sealing bro-
ken seals or open areas, and re-grading soil
outside the foundation to improve drainage
or create a gap between soil and wood areas
 INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
GUIDELINES:
IPM tips for the Building Designer:
Remove wood or cardboard form work from
pipes, drains, and vents in foundation.
Include vapor barriers under slab. These as-
sist in keeping slab area dry.
Plumbing and other penetrations in slab must
be sealed. Consider using graded sharp stone,
such as granite, in substrate around perimeter
and plumbing penetrations to prevent ter-
mites, or using a stainless steel mesh around
perimeter and where plumbing penetrates
slab.
Plan plumbing for easy maintenance so that
leaks can easily be found and repaired.
Remove excess soil from foundations and ex-
terior walls and make sure water drains away
from foundation.
Direct drain pipe water several feet away
from the building.
Caulk, caulk, caulk, and seal-this not only
prevents pest infiltration but is a good energy
conservation strategy.
Use secure weather stripping on windows
and doors.
Tightly screen operable windows.
Double doors must be hung with minimal
gap in the middle and weather-strip door at
threshold.
Screen all air vents.
Remove all construction debris.
Equip floor drains with sturdy metal grates.
Seal ducts and the return air closet. Duct
sealing prevents the ducts from being used as
highways for roaches and rats. As we know,
duct sealing also ensures more efficient deliv-
ery of cleaner conditioned air.
Avoid interior atrium planting. Such plant-
ings attract mites and invasiond of insects,
and increase humidity levels inside the build-
ing.
Avoid tight clearances where pests can reside
undetected.
Avoid facade surfaces that birds could perch
on.
Use insect resistant cladding such as stone,
fiber cement, ceramic tile, glass, or metal.
Again, flashing and sealing are crucial.
Bear in mind that fire ants are attracted to
electrical fields and boxes, as any local elec-
trician knows. Locate for ease of monitoring.
Plan bat houses on the property, one bat can
eat 500 flying insects an hour and about 100
bats can live in one bat house.
Another unconventional strategy is to have
chickens on the property because they can
easily be monitored for certain dangerous dis-
eases carried by mosquitoes. Chickens are
also a technique to maintain healthy soil.
Guidelines for the Landscape Designer:
Locate plants and trees so that they do not
contact building.
Leave perimeter of building clear to facilitate
easy inspection.
Select low water-use native plants for plants
closest to building.
Materials 3-76
 INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
GUIDELINES, continued
Use compost to enhance soil. Compost is season to attract beneficial insects.
known to assist in keeping beneficial insects
on plants. Intersperse a few marigolds and aromatic
herbs to trap or repel insects.
Use larvacides and growth-regulating hor-
mones for pools of water. Certain plants in parsley and sunflower fami-
lies encourage more beneficial insects than
Plant a diverse landscape- monocultures are others. Some examples are:
prone to out-of-control pest populations.

Plan landscape with blooming plants in every

Parsley (Umbelliferae) Sunflowers(Compositae)

-anise -marigold
-dill -yarrow
-parsley -daisies
-cilantro -cosmos
-fennel -coreopsis
-caraway -sunflowers

RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:

See "Pest Control Services" in the Yellow Pages Natural, environmentally safe pest control
Live Oak Structural Inc.
Term Trol Exterminating Company 801 Camelia St. Suite B
8908 Georgian Dr. Berkeley, CA 94710
Austin TX 78753 (510) 524-7101
(512) 836-3309 Information on Terma-Barrier™ sand barrier
Natural, environmentally safe pest control process

Environment Sensitive Pest Control Aztec Pest Service

726 Oakwood Loop 3100 Fontane
San Marcos, TX 78666 Austin, TX 78704
(512) 754-7774 (512) 443-0123
Natural, environmentally safe pest control Natural, environmentally safe pest control

Chem-Free Organic Pest & Lawn Services Termi Mesh USA, Inc.
9519 N IH 35 3200 SW Fwy. #3300
Austin, TX 787 Houston, TX 77027
(512) 837-9681 (713) 402-6105

3-77 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
RESOURCES, continued
COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:

See "Wood Treatment" section (Resources) for Solar Charmer

borate products Heitman Laboratories
2000 N. Central Expwy.,
National Bugmobiles Plano, TX 75074
Lester Meis (800) 472-5024, www.antcharmer.com
2305 N. Laurent St. Solar treatment for fire ants
Victoria, TX 77901
(512) 575-6401
Electrical treatment distributor

N-Viro Products Ltd.

610 Walnut Ave.
Bohemia, NY 11716
(516) 567-2628
Nematodes
Beneficial Insects:
Gardenville of Austin Peaceful Valley Farm Supply
8648 Old Bee Caves Rd. PO Box 2209
Austin, Texas 78735 Grass Valley, CA 95945
(512) 288-6113, www.gardenville.com (916) 272-4769, www.groworganic.com

Harmony Farm Supply Gardens Alive!

3244 Gravestein Hwy. North 5100 Schenley Place
Sebastopol, CA 95472 Lawrenceburg, IN 47025
(707) 823-9125, www.harmonyfarm.com (812) 537-8651, www.gardens-alive.com/in-
dex.html
Necessary Trading Co.
P.O. Box 603 (mailing address) Hydro-Gardens
New Castle, VA 24127 PO Box 25845
(703) 864-5103 Colorado Springs, CO 80936
(888) 693-0578, www.hydro-gardens.com
IFM
333 Ohme Gardens Rd. Natural Farm Store
Wenatchee, WA 98801 4360 Spencer Rd. SE
(800) 332-3179, ifm.webvalley.com/ifm Kalkaska, MI 49646
(616) 369-2465
Gempoer’s
100 Countryside Dr.
Bellerville, WI 53508
(800) 272-7672

Materials 3-78
 INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
RESOURCES, continued
GENERAL ASSISTANCE

Texas Pest Control Association

100 East Anderson Lane, Suite 325
Austin, TX 78752
(215) 835-2801, www.texaspest.org/
Texas Agricultural Extension Service
Texas A & M University
College Station TX
(409) 845-7800 general number
(409) 845-7026 entomology section
(409) 845-5855 Dr. Gold, entomology dir.
Bio Integral Resource Center
P.O. Box 7414
Berkeley, CA 94707
(510) 524-2567, www.igc.apc.org/birc/
Non-profit education organization
Publications, newsletters, handbooks
National Pesticide
Telecommunications Network
Oregon State University
333 Wenger
Corvallis. OR 97331-6502(800) 858-7378,
http://ace.orst.edu/info/nptn
Pesticide information clearinghouse
Books:
Common Sense Pest Control: Least toxic solu-
tions for your home, garden, pets, and community
by Olkowski, Daar and Olkowski, 1991,
Taunton Press
Directory of Least Toxic Pest Control Prod-
ucts (updated annually)

Structural Pest Control Board of Texas Publications:

1106 Clayton Ln, Suite 100 LW
Austin, TX 78723 The IPM Practitioner (monthly issues)
(512) 451-7200, www.spcb.state.tx.us Common Sense Pest Control Quarterly
List of certified applicators
(The listed books and publications as well as many
Texas Dept of Agriculture others are available from the Bio-Integral Resource
Pesticide Division Center at (510) 524-2567, www.igc.apc.org/birc/)
P.O. Box 12847
Austin, TX 78711
(512) 463-7476, www.agr.state.tx.us

National Pest Control Association

8100 Oak Street
Dunn Loring, VA 22027
(703) 573-8330, www.pestworld.org

3-79 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 OUTDOOR DECKING MATERIALS
INTRODUCTION:
This section includes information on types of outdoor deck lumber, which are alternatives to
standard treated lumber, redwood and western cedar. These alternatives (plastic and wood/
plastic composite lumber) conserve natural resources (by using mostly recycled inputs), require
no maintenanceor treatment for pests or rot, and pose fewer environmental risks than tradi-
tional wood decks.

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: well-developed

SUPPLIERS: numerous in the Austin area

COST: initially more expensive than traditional wood materials but paybacks are in saved time
and increased durability.

FINANCING: available

ACCEPTANCE: good to excellent

REGULATORY: n/a

CONSIDERATIONS:
Traditionally, most backyard decks have
been constructed of treated yellow pine. A
smaller percentage have also been built of
untreated cedar or redwood, which are usu-
ally chosen to due to their natural decay re-
sistance.
Environmental Issues
The major problems with all solid wood
decks is that (1) they require annual mainte-
nance (cleaning and a good application of a
high quality sealer) to keep them attractive
and structurally sound, and (2) they have
problems such as cracking, splitting, warp-
ing and the growth of mold and mildew
and (3) they use virgin wood, which is usu-
ally not grown in a long-term sustainable
fashion, especially, redwood and western
cedar, which are generally cut from old-
growth forests. In addition, treated wood
(which is usually southern yellow pine
treated with CCA, chromated copper arsen-
ate) has environmental and health issues
associated with its production, use, and dis-
posal (see the “wood treatment” chapter for
further information).
Product Properties
The alternative materials described herein
usually are made of 90-100% recycled mate-
rials, which reduces our landfill space and
the need to extract and process virgin
wood. They also do not require any use of
sealers or paints and are thereby considered
to be maintenance-free. They do not suffer
from any of the traditional issues with
wood, such as cracking, splitting, or warp-
ing.
Austin suppliers have a number of types of
alternative deck materials ready for pur-
chase. All offer attractive, durable and

Materials 3-80
 OUTDOOR DECKING MATERIALS
CONSIDERATIONS, continued
maintenance-free decks, porches,
walkways, docks, etc. Regarding installa-
tion, they can be cut, routed, nailed, drilled,
and screwed in the same fashion as wood.
Their only difference is that they usually
have a lower structural value than their
wood counterparts, and so, usually require
narrower spacing between their support
beams or joists. A typical 2x6 piece of solid
lumber will span up to 24” on center,
whereas a typical piece of 2x6 piece of com-
posite lumber will span up to 16” on center.
It is important to check with each manufac-
turer, though, because they will have their
recommended spacing specified.
The two most common types are wood/
plastic composite lumber and 100% plastic
lumber. Composite Lumber is usually a com-
posite of wood waste/recycled plastic. Vari-
ous products are available at local retail
outlets. They also look very similar to regu-
lar wood and usually weather to a grey
color. Plastic Lumber is 100% recycled plas-
tic lumber usually from PET, HDPE or
LDPE and is available in a number of non-
fading colors. It has a similar workability to
wood, but may tend to expand more in high
GUIDELINES:
Austin suppliers have three types of alterna-
tive decking materials ready for purchase.
All offer attractive, durable and main-
tenance-free decks or porches.
Composite Lumber: there are a number of 50-
50 wood waste/recycled plastic lumber
products that are very durable, and are in-
stalled in the same manner as regular lum-
ber. They also look very similar to regular
wood.
Plastic Lumber: a 100% recycled plastic
3-81 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
temperatures. There are no local retailers of
this material at this time. Orders from na-
tional suppliers are available.
Costs
No-maintenance deck materials are more
expensive than traditional ones on a first-
cost basis. The first-cost of alternatives are
different for each manufacturer, but they
are generally 40-150% more than treated
pine, 0-100% more than western cedar, and
20% less than to 60% more than redwood.
Although these percentages may seem like a
large difference, the total dollar amount is
for most decks, not that great. When one
considers the avoided annual maintenance
activities and costs, these materials quickly
pay for themselves in a couple of years. An-
nual applications of waterproofing will cost
a do-it-yourselfer at least 20¢ per square
foot for materials and hours of labor on pur-
chasing the materials, applying deck
cleaner, scrubbing, rinsing, and applying the
sealer. A professional will charge $1 per
square foot to clean and reseal a typical,
simple deck. Some of the alternative materi-
als cost $1 per square foot more than the
treated pine, so in one year, the extra cost is
lumber is available in a number of non-
fading colors. It has a similar workability to
wood.
Sustainably-Harvested Lumber: Deck lumber,
when harvested in a sustainable fashion is
also a green option.
No-maintenance deck materials are more
expensive than traditional ones, but they
pay for themselves in a couple of years of
avoiding traditional maintenance activities
and costs.
 OUTDOOR DECKING MATERIALS
RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:
see "Engineers - Structural" in Yellow Pages
COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:
See "Building Materials - Retail" in Yellow Pages .Most engineered structural products are sold by local
lumber suppliers
Recycled wood/plastic decking:
PlasTEAK
A.E.R.T. 3563 Copley Rd., P O Box 4290
HC 10 Box 116 Akron, Ohio 44321-0390
Junction, TX 76849 (800)320-1841, www.plasteak.com
(800) 951-5117, www.choiceDek.com 100% recycled plastic lumber, all sizes, structrual
“ChoiceDek” recycled plastic & cedar chips grade available
Local retailers:
Texas Redwood (512) 385-5334 Composite Technology Resources
AusTex Fence and Deck (512) 258-5000 7655 Newman, Suite 308
Austin Wholesale Decking (512) 834-1200 LaSalle, Quebec Canada H8N 1X7
(888) 7NEXWOOD, www.nexwood.com
Trex Co. LLC manufacturer of Nexwood, made from wood
20 S. Cameron St. fibers and 100% recycled polyethylene plastic,
Winchester, VA 22601 can accommodate 24” centers
(800) BUY-TREX, http://trex.com
“Trex” recycled wood/plastic SmartDeck Systems
Local retailers: 2600 Roosevelt Rd.
Austin Wholesale Decking (512) 834-1200 Chicago, IL 60608
Stripling-Blake (512) 892-6700 (888) 7DECKING, www.smartdeck.com
Furrow (512) 836-9662 Durawood PE 100% recycled plastic and Dura-
McCoy’s Building Supply wood EX 60% waste sawdust/40% recycled
AusTex Fence and Deck (512) 258-5000 plastic, complete system with rails, trim fascia,
Texas Redwwod (512) 385-5334 posts, stairs, etc.
Local retailer:
TimberTech Limited Stripling-Blake (512) 465-4200
P. O. Box 182880 Austin Wholesale Decking (512) 834-1200
Columbus, OH 43218-2880
(800) 307-7780, www.TimberTech.com StranDEK
“TimberTech” recycled wood/plastic 420 W. Franklin
Local retailer: Meridan, OH 83642
Austin Wholesale Decking (512) 834-1200 (208) 888-6798, www.strandek.com
“StranDEK” recycled wood/plastic, spans 24”

Materials 3-82
 OUTDOOR DECKING MATERIALS
RESOURCES, continued
Recycled plastic/rubber decking materials:
Pheoniz Recycled Plastic Lumber Co.
225 Washington Street
Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428
(610) 940-1590,
www.plasticlumberyard.com
100% recycled plastic lumber
U. S. Plastic Lumber, LTD.
2300 Glades Road - Suite 440W
Boca Raton, FL 33431
(800) 65-EARTH,
www.usplasticlumber.com
100% recycled plastic “Carefree Decking,” and
GENERAL ASSISTANCE:
NAHB Research Center
400 Prince George's Blvd.
Upper Marlboro, MD 20774-8731
(301) 249-4000, www.nahbrc.org
Center for Resourceful Building
Technology
Box 100
Missoula, MT 59806
(406) 549-7678, www.montana.com/crbt/
American Society for Testing and Materials
100 Barr Harbor Drive
Conshohocken, PA 19428
(610) 832-9500, www.astm.org
Western Wood Products Association
522 SW Fifth Ave., Suite 500
Yeon Building
Portland, OR 97204-2122
(503) 224-3930, www.wwpa.org
information on lumber products
3-83 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
“Trimax” structural
The Plastic Lumber Company Inc.
590 S. Main Street, Building 7
Akron, OH 44311
(800) 886-8990, www.plasticlumber.com
100% recycled plastic lumber
Outwater Plastics Industries
4 Passaic St.
Woodbridge, NJ 07075
(888) 688-9283, www.outwater.com
“Phoenix” 100% recycled plastic lumber, struc-
tural grade also available
Plastic Lumber Unlimited
American Institute of Timber Construction
7012 S. Revere Parkway, Suite 140
Englewood, CO 80112
(303) 792-9559
information on glulam beams
Plastic Lumber Trade Association
540 S. Main Street, Building 7
Akron, OH 44311
(800) 886-8990, www.recycle.net/recycle
American Wood Council
1111 - 19th St. NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 463-2769, www.awc.org
consumer information, codes and standards for
wood engineering
Southern Pine Association
P. O. Box 641700
Kenner, LA 70064-1700
 OUTDOOR DECKING MATERIALS
RESOURCES, continued
(504) 443-4464, www.southernpine.com
information on lumber products
APA-The Engineered Wood Association
P.O. Box 11700
7011 S. 19th St.
Tacoma, WA 98411-0700
(253) 565-6600, www.apawood.org
(ask for publications desk)
Wood Truss Council of America
6425 Normandy Lane
Madison, WI 53719
(608) 274-4849, www.woodtruss.com
Southern Pine Inspection Bureau
4709 Scenic Highway
Pensacola, FL 32504-9094
(850) 434-5011, www.spib.org
Building Officials and Code Administrators
International Inc.
4051 West Flossmoor Rd.
Country Club Hills, IL 60478
(708) 799-2300, www.bocai.org
International Conference of Building
Officials
5360 Workman Mill Rd.
Whittier, CA 90601
(800) 284-4406, www.icbo.org
Southern Building Code Congress
International (SBCCI)
900 Montclair Rd.
Birmingham, AL 35213
(205) 591-1853, www.sbcci.org
American Lumber Standards Committee
P.O. Box 210
Germantown, MD 20875-0201
(301) 972-1700
Wood I-Joist Manufacturing Association
200 East Mallard Drive
Boise, ID 83706
(208) 364-1200
Materials 3-84
3784 Arnold Ave.
Naples, FL 34104
(941) 435-9393
100% recycled plastic lumber, many colors

3-85 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 ROOFING
INTRODUCTION:
This section deals with roof covering materials such as shingles, tile, roof panels, and mem-
branes. In selecting material for roof covering, take into account its weight (heavier material re-
quires larger support members) and heat-holding qualities (does it heat up and stay hot into the
night?), color (in our hot climate, a white material will reflect most of the heat away from the
building), as well as cost, fire rating, maintainability, installation characteristics, and its durabil-
ity (how well can it tolerate high and low temperatures and for how long?). Of all the building
components, roofing materials receive the most direct exposure to the elements. Least-costly
roof materials typically offer the least durability. Making a sustainable choice in roofing will
probably cost more initially but will prevent frequent replacement costs and frequent trips to the
landfill.

CSI Numbers: 07300 Shingles & Roofing Tile, 07410 Preformed Roof Panels, 07500 Membrane Roofing,
07610 Sheet Metal Roofing, 07620 Flashing & Trim, 07316 Metal Shingles, 07320 Roofing Tiles, 07321

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: Well-developed; more recycled-content roofing materials can be antici-
pated.

SUPPLIERS: Adequate.

COST: Clay roof materials are costly; metal and fiber-cement roof materials are competitive
with the higher-end asphalt shingles. White color is usually not more costly than other colors.

FINANCING: Available.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: Most people prefer shingle, tile, or slate roof materials. Metal shin-
gles are available as an option to metal sheet materials. Color is usually a matter of current fash-
ion.

REGULATORY: Roofing materials will meet standards established by the appropriate testing
groups and must be installed according to the manufacturers instructions.

CONSIDERATIONS:
When considering a roof, keeping the
weather out is the priority. In Green Building
several additional issues must be considered,
Such as:
• appropriateness for rainwater collection
and photovoltaic equipment, or provides
several functions;
• Minimization of material consumption,
i.e., how long will it last? Does it require
more structure, layers, or insulation?
The following describes product considera-
tions in further detail.
Slate, clay, and cementitious roof materials
offer excellent durability but are heavy. Fiber-
cement composite roof materials are some-

Materials 3-85
 ROOFING
CONSIDERATIONS, continued
what lighter and use fiber materials re-
sourcefully. Some use waste paper as well
as wood fiber. Many have 60-year war-
ranties.
Metal roof materials (steel, copper and alu-
minum) contain high percentages of recy-
cled content, up to 100 percent in many alu-
minum products. Metal may be easily
coated with a white reflective coating and is
lightweight and durable. An additional ad-
vantage is that these materials are easily re-
cycled in their post-use.
GUIDELINES:
Certain asphalt or composition shingles use re-
cycled, mixed paper in their base, and some
use reclaimed minerals in the surface aggre-
gate. This type of roofing material does not
last as long as others mentioned in this sec-
tion, and it is not recyclable, taking up land-
fill space. More frequent replacement
makes them cost more over the life of the
building, both financially and environmen-
tally. Light-colored composition shingles
provide much less heat reflectance than
other light colored roofing materials be-
cause the base to which the light colored
granules is applied is black, causing heat
absorbtion.
Recycled rubber roofing is beginning to be
manufactured. This product does not have
a long track record, but it should prove
quite durable, and puts recycled tires to
good use. For those interested in capturing
rainwater from roofs for drinking purposes,
it is not known at this time if there is a taste
or purity impact from using rubber roof ma-
terial.
3-86 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
Asphalt shingles use recycled, mixed paper
in their base and some use reclaimed miner-
als in the surface aggregate. This type of
material does not last as long as the others
mentioned above. And, this material does
not block heat from the building.
Recycled plastic roof materials have been
introduced as a lightweight, environmental
and durable option.
White membrane roofs offer a high degree
of solar heat reflectance and are fabricated
from strong, flexible waterproof materials.
Metal roof materials
Steel and aluminum can contain high per-
centages of recycled content, up to 100 per-
cent in some aluminum products. In addi-
tion to being lightweight and durable, these
materials are easily recycled. All metal roof-
ing is energy-intensive to produce, but an
advantage is that they reflect heat (reducing
the energy needs for hot summers) and
metal is a good surface for rainwater catch-
ment.
Metal coatings
Zinc (galvanized) coatings oxidize to pro-
tect the steel. Protection is lost when the ox-
idation process uses up the zinc, and the
steel underneath can rust. On low-sloped
roofs in wet climates, coating loss and rust
can show up in as little as five years.
Aluminum coatings are superior to zinc,
carrying warranties up to 20 years. They are
inert, and do not degrade over time.
 ROOFING
GUIDELINES, continued
Aluminum-zinc alloys, or Galvalume, will
outperform aluminized coatings and exceed
20 warrantees.
Paint
Only use factory-applied paint. Polyester
resin finishes offer least durability. Fading
will occur in 5 to 7 years.
Silicone-modified polyester finishes are su-
perior (the more silicone, the better the per-
formance). Twenty year warranties are
available.
Fluoropolymer resins provide a state of the
art finish. Seven paint companies produce
this paint under the brand names of Kynar,
Hylar, Duranar, Nubelar, Fluropon, Trinar,
and Visulure.
Bare aluminized or Galvalume panel can
last 40 years without maintenance and is a
better choice than polyester resin finishes.
Panel thermal movement
Metal panels respond to temperature
change by expanding and contracting. This
Figure 1
Galvanic Scale
Anodic
Zinc Aluminum Steel Cast Iron Lead Tin Brasses Copper Stainless (nonreactive) Graphite
Material Choices for Sloped Roofs
Slate shingles are durable, attractive, environ-
mentally benign, and can be easily recycled.
On the negative side, slate's costs are high
because it is not naturally found in Texas,
and it has heat-absorbing characteristics be-
cause of its dark color.
can cause the fastener hole size to increase,
resulting in leaks. Newer fasteners have rub-
ber washers which can withstand heat and
UV rays and cover holes.
Dark colors will experience the largest ther-
mal movement. (And cost more in air con-
ditioning bills.)
Panels installed over purlins will not harm
the roof system with thermal movement.
If installing over a solid deck, use Z-shaped
metal sleepers over the decking. The sleep-
ers will move with the panels and eliminate
fatigue where the screws penetrate the pan-
els (the screw hole will become elongated
causing leaks) or the screws will lose grip
on the decking.
Solid aluminum panels have a higher coeffi-
cient of expansion than steel and will strain
fasteners with the increased movement
from temperature change.
Galvanic reactions
Protect metal panels on the anodic end of
the galvanic scale from fasteners and flash-
ings on the cathodic end to prevent corro-
Cathodic
Clay tiles are made by the shaping and firing
of clay. The quality of the tile depends on
the quality of the clay. The lower-end tiles
are susceptible to freeze-thaw damage,
meaning that the clay's expansion and con-
traction from large temperature changes
can cause deterioration. Locally-produced
clay tiles are available, but imported tiles
Materials 3-87
 ROOFING
GUIDELINES, continued
are also readily accessible. Inquire about
production location, favoring the shortest
distances which will also be more favorable
to the local economy and lower transporta-
tion costs. Clay tiles are a good choice for
rainwater collection. White glazed clay tiles
have an additional contribution to reflecting
heat from the building.
Concrete tiles offer excellent durability but
are heavy and require stronger structure.
They are a cost-effective alternative to clay
but retain heat longer. Environmentally,
concrete tile is more energy-intensive to
produce.
Fiber-cement composite slates and shakes are
long-lasting, typically having 60-year war-
ranties, and are fireproof. They are some-
what lighter than concrete tiles and use fiber
materials, waste paper and wood fiber, re-
sourcefully. However, they are not com-
monly found in light colors, so they absorb
heat. Certain brands may not serve well in
climates with severe temperature variations,
but this has not been an issue for the central
Texas area.
Material choices for “Low-slope” Roofs
Choices for low-slope roofing, often re-
ferred to as flat roofing, consist of built-up
roofing, modified bitumen, single-Ply mem-
branes, and low-slope metal. Conventional
low-slope roofing absorbs a lot of sunlight.
Preference should be given to roofs with a
high reflectivity and a low emissivity mea-
sured through the solar reflectance index
(SRI). The Green Building Program recom-
mends selection of roofing materials with
an SRI of 90 or higher.
Built-up Bituminous Roofing
Look for manufacturers that use recovered
3-88 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
material in their product or that use process
post-consumer roofing material into other
products. Give preference to coal tar BUR
as opposed to asphalt BUR because of its
added durability. With insulated roof as-
semblies, BUR is generally adhered to the
insulation. During re-roofing, both insula-
tion and BUR membrane are typically land-
filled.
Modified Bitumen
The low life expectancy of 15 years and the
difficulty in recycling of modified bitumi-
nous roofing create great waste problems
and make it a poor choice from a life-cycle
perspective.
Give preference to heat welding to adhere
membranes instead of hot asphalt or cold
adhesives. If adhesive is necessary for mod-
ified bituminous roofing, choose adhesive
products that are water-based and/or are
low-VOC. Give preference to reinforcing
carriers of amorphous polypropylene (APP)
over styrene butadiene styrene (SBS) and
polyalphaolefin (PAO).
Avoid the use of bituminous roofing ap-
plied with cold adhesive. Cold adhesives
are volatile chemicals that also pose health
and safety risks. They are combustible,
harmful or fatal if swallowed, and danger-
ous to inhale or be exposed to for any
length of time. Some ingredients latent
within cold adhesives are certifiably "toxic"
and must be disposed of in unconventional
ways. Furthermore, use of cold adhesives
also requires the use of volatile solvents and
other chemicals for installation.
Single-Ply Membranes
Single-ply membranes consist of ethylene
propylene diene monomer (EPDM),
 ROOFING
GUIDELINES, continued
polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyolefin, and
chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSPE or
Hypalon).
EPDM Membranes
EPDM is a type of synthetic rubber that is
thermoset. As with other thermoset plas-
tics, EPDM is not recyclable into new
membrane. When designing a single-ply
elastomeric roofing system, such as EPDM,
consider mechanical fastening in high-wind
areas or ballasting in low-wind areas, unless
the roof design is so complex that a fully
adhered system is the only practical solu-
tion. If full adhesion of the roofing mem-
brane is necessary, choose adhesive prod-
ucts that are low-VOC (<250 g/l if possible,
or if not, <400 g/l). If using a solvent-based
adhesive is necessary to anchor an EPDM
roof, all air intakes near the work area
should be shut to prevent solvent fumes
from entering the building. Choose light-
colored coatings on EPDM roofing in all
cases where the building has a net cooling
load to reduce heat gain. Look for elas-
tomeric membrane roofing containing re-
covered content.
PVC Membranes
PVC is a thermoplastic, making it fully
weldable both during installation and for
any necessary repairs. Flexibility is pro-
vided by adding plasticizers to the mem-
brane. Loss of the membrane’s plasticizers
can result in premature failure. Some of the
strongest opposition to PVC roofing comes
from those concerned about fire.
Polyolefin Membranes
Due in part to environmental and health
concerns about PVC, a number of manufac-
turers have begun producing non-chlorine-
based, thermoplastic roofing membranes.
Generally, this type of membrane is referred
to as flexible polyolefin (FPO) or
thermoplastic olefin (TPO). When using
polyolefinated materials, consider a bal-
lasted application that will protect the roof-
ing membrane from UV degradation.
Choose light-colored thermoplastic roofing
in all cases where the building has a net
cooling load to reduce heat gain.
CSPE or Hypalon Membranes
Chlorosulfonated polyethylene, more com-
monly known by the tradename Hypalon, is
a white polymer that is often marketed for
its energy-saving reflectivity. When Hy-
palon is installed, it goes down as an un-
cured elastomer. Upon exposure to heat
and moisture, the plastic converts into a
fully cured thermoset elastomer. Hypalon
has excellent weather resistance, even in the
typical high-reflectivity white. Some envi-
ronmental concern does exist over the chlo-
rine in the plastic.
Low-Slope Metal Roofing
Some manufacturers of metal roofing now
offer low-slope systems that work with
pitches as low as 2% (1/4” in one foot). To
remain watertight at this low pitch, the
standing seam for the roofing has to be spe-
cially designed to prevent water penetra-
tion.
Materials 3-89
 ROOFING
RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:

See "Building Construction Consultants" and ""Roofing Services Consultants" in Yellow Pages.

COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:

See "Roofing Contractors", "Roofing Equipment and Supplies", and "Roofing Materials" in Yellow Pages.
Slate/Select, Inc.
3162 Miller Park Drive North Di Bendetto Tile Co., Inc.
Garland, TX 75042-7759 515 Southwest Blvd.
(972) 276-2000, www.stone-slate.com/in- Kansas City, MO 64108
dex.html (800) 338-2088
slate-like, fiber-cement roofing shingles Elagante′Tile, concrete tile with EPS undercar-
riage creates a lighter tile system with insulation
American Cemwood value of R-4.5
P. O. Box C Master dealer: Mid America supply
Albany, OR 97321 P.O. Box 7772
(800) 367-3471, Amarillo, TX 79114
"Cascade and Royal Shakes™ " and "Pacific Local: Tileworks of Texas, Mark Slowley
Slate™ " fiber -cement roofing tiles, 30 year war- (512) 835-8453
ranty, 480-620 pounds per square, Class A fire
rating. Celadon Ceramic Slate
11519 US Route 250 North
Eternit Inc. Milan, OH 43705
Berks Corporate Center, 210 Corporate Dr. (800) 699-9988
Reading, PA 19605 ceramic slate
(800) 233-3155, www.EternitUSA.com
fiber-cement slates, average 430 pounds per Scandinavian Profiling Systems
square, Class A rating, 30 year non-prorated 5449 Maule Way
warranty Mangonia Park, FL 33407
(800) 248-6955
Classic Products, Inc. “Nordman Tile” metal panel systems with the
8510 Industry Park Drive, P. O. Box 701 look of european tile
Piqua, OH 45356
(800) 543-8938, www.classicroof.com Crowe Building Products Ltd.
Rustic Shingle recycled aluminum shingles re- 116 Burris Street
semble wood shakes. 98% postconsumer recycled Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8M2J5
content. Lifetime limited warranty, KYNAR (905) 529-6818, www.authentic-roof.com
finish approved for drinking water catchment. Authentic Roof has slate look but is made from
100% recycled and reengineered polymers and
rubber materials and are completely recyclable

3-90 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 ROOFING
RESOURCES, continued
Dura-Loc
P.O. Box 220 Metal Sales Manufacturing Corp.
Courtland, Ontario 3838 North General Bruce Drive
Canada NOJ 1E0 Temple, TX 76501
(800) 265-9357 (800) 543-4415, www.mtlsales.com
metal panels with look of shake, tile, slate Stile™ metal tile, 100 pounds per square, Class
A rating, 20 year limited warranty, Simulated
Gerard Roofing Technologies clay tile appearance.
955 Columbia St. Locally: Central Texas Metal Roofing
Brea, CA 32821-2923 (512) 452-1515
(800) 23-ROOFS, gerardusa.com/
home.htm MonierLifetile
Galvalume or pre-painted galvanized roofing tiles (800) 571-8453, www. monierlifetile.com
and shakes coated with graded stone granules, CedarLite™ , DuraLite™ and DeckLite™
140 pounds per square, Class A rating, 40 year lightweight tile simulates wood shingles and
warranty. shakes, Class A rating, limited lifetime warranty.

Ludowici Roof Tile, Inc. Nailite International

P.O. Box 69 1251 Northwest 165th St.
New Lexington, Ohio 43764 Miami, FL 33169
(800) 945-8453, www.ludowici.com (305) 620-6200, www.nailite.com/in-
premium clay tile dex.htm
recycled-content plastic panels, 80 pounds per
James Hardie Building Products square, Class C rating.
26300 La Alameda Suite 400
Mission Viejo, CA 92691 D'Hanis Brick and Tile Co.
(800) 9-HARDIE, www.jameshardie.com 11931 Radium
Hardishake® & Hardishingle® fiber cement San Antonio, TX 78216-2714
tiles, 380 lbs per square, Class A rating, 50 year (800) 299-9399
warranty. Clay tile

Maxitile, Inc. UStile

17141 S. Kingview Ave. 909 West Railroad Street
Carson, CA 90746 Corona, CA 91720
(800) 338-8453 (909) 737-0200, www.ustile.com
Fiber-cement tile, 340 pounds per square, Class ClayMax , Claylite , and ProShake ceramic
A rating, 50 year warranty, simulate mission tile and clay tile
appearance.
Elgin-Butler Brick
P. O. Box 1947
Austin, TX 78767
(512) 453-7366
clay tile

Materials 3-91
 ROOFING
RESOURCES, continued
(800) 300-3245, www.eagleroofing.com
standard weight and lightweight concrete roofing
Vail Metal Systems tiles
P.O. Box 230 Perfect Choice Building Products
Edwards, CO 81632 1618 Lynch Rd.
(888) 245-6385, www.vailmetal.com Evansville, IN 47711-2800
copper and Kynar 500 galvalume panels (800) 776-8060, www.americansheet.com
interlocking thermoplastic shingles with cedar
GAF Corp. shake appearance, Class A flame protection, 62
1361 Alps Rd lbs per square
Wayne, NJ 07040
(800) 223-1948 California Shake Corp.
Fiber-cement shingles, slates, shakes, 240-500 5355 N. Vincent Ave.
pounds per square, Class A and B ratings, 40 Irwindale, CA 91706
year non-prorated warranty (818) 812-9085
fiber-cement shake-like and slate-like roofing tiles,
MetalWorks 25 year warranty
1005 Beaver Grade Road
Moon Township, PA 15108-2944 Protective Coatings of Austin
(800) 320-0101, www.metalworksroof.com 2210 S. 1st St., Suite G1
Aston Wood Steel shingles, 63 pounds per Austin, TX 78704
square, 5 Kynar 500 colors available, Simulate (512) 462-1094
wood shake appearance reflective, insulating, ceramic roof coating
Local Distributor:
Pan Am Distributing, (512) 836-1531 Vincent Metal Goods
P.O. Box 360
ATAS International Minneapolis, MN 55440
6612 Snowdrift Road (800) 328-7800,
Allentown, PA 18106 www.vincentmetalgoods.com/home.htm
(800) 468-1441 or “ColorKlad” and “AlumaKlad” standing seam
4559 Federal Blvd. metal roofing panels
San Diego, CA 92113
(800) 879-8382, www.atas.com Re-New Wood, Inc.
Steel and Aluminum shingles, 35-60 lbs. per sq. P.O. Box 1093
for aluminum, 80-140 lbs per sq. for steel, Class Wagoner, OK 74467
A rating, 25 yr. warranty, the look of shake, (800) 420-7576
slate, or tile, (4) Kynar 500 colors Eco-Shake™ 100% recycled plastic/wood shin-
Local Dealer: gle, 250 lbs/sq, 50 yr warranty, 4 colors , Class
Pan Am Distributing, (512) 836-1531 A fire rating
Local Distributor:
Eagle Roofing Products Polston Sales & Marketing
3546 North Riverside Avenue (972) 258-6255
Rialto, CA 92377

3-92 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 ROOFING
RESOURCES, continued
(888) 578-7663
Sim-Tile®Rapide complete metal roofing system
looks like tile

Custom Built Metals Perma Tile Roofing Inc.

9845 Joe Vargas Way 60 Don Westbrook Ave. N.
So. El Monte, CA 91733 Jasper, GA 30143
(800) 826-7813 (800) 701-2982
mettal tile, standing seam, and snap lock pannels color coated metal tile system

Tasman Roofing Inc. Montopolis Supply Co.

827 Avenue H East #211 255 Bastrop Hwy
Arlington, TX 76011 Austin, TX 78741
(800) 258-9740, www.decraroofing.com (512) 385-3270
“Decra” stone chip coated steel panels, tile and metal roofing supplier
shake patterns
Gethleham Steel Corp.
Simulated Metal Roofs 1170 Eighth Ave.
P. O. Box 454 Bethlehem, PA 18016-7699
Portmouth, NH 03802-0454 (800) 352-5700 ext. 400
Membrane Roofing Materials
Carlisle Syntec Systems Manville Corporation
PO Box 7000 Rte 2 Box 363
Carlisle, PA 17013-0925 Edinburg, VA 22824
(800)233-0551 (703)984-6264
EDPM EPDM, insulated roofing, modified bitumen

Firestone Building Products Company Versico

525 Congressional Blvd PO Box 6424
Carmel, IN 46032-5607 Akron, OH 44312
(800)428-4442 (800)992-7663
EDPM EDPM

Genflex Roofing Systems Conklin Company Inc

2150 Parklake Dr NE Suite 240 551 Valley Park Dr.
Atlanta , GA 30345 PO Box 155
(404)934-8904 Shakopee, MN 55379
EDPM (800)888-8838
Hypalon

Materials 3-93
 ROOFING
RESOURCES, continued
EI Dupont De Nemours & Co. Inc Sarnafil Roofing Systems
1007 Market St Canton Commerce Center
Wilmington, DE 19898 100 Dan Rd
(800)441-7515 Canton, MA 20201
Hypalon (800)451-2504
Hypalon roofing membrane (PVC)
Duro-Last Inc
525 Morley Dr Seal Dry
Saginaw, MI 48601 3300 S Woodrow
(800)248-0280 Little Rock, AR 72204
roofing membrane (PVC) Hypalon (800)732-5379
Hypalon roofing membrane (PVC)
Insulated Dry Roof System
152 S.E. 5th Avenue Stevens Roofing Systems
Hillsboro, OR 97123-4125 Nine Sullivan Road
(800)779-1357 Holyoke, MA 01040-2800
(800)621-7663
Hypalon Hypalon, TPO's (thermoplastic polyolefins)
Mule Hide Products White Hypalon since the mid 1980's, and white
834 Broad St Stevens EP brand of TPO (thermoplastic poly-
PO Box 1057 olefin) since 1994.
Beloit, WI 53512-1057
(800)786-1492 Trocal Roofing System
EPDM, hypalon, roofing membrane (PVC) 2262-H Northwest Parkway
Marietta, GA 30067
Roofmart International, Inc. EPDM, roofing membrane (PVC)
2020 Industrial Road
CHAPMAN, KS 67431
(800)766-3764
Hypalon roofing membrane

GENERAL ASSISTANCE:

Florida Solar Energy Center
Building Design Assistance Center
(407) 638-1000, www.fsec.ucf.edu
Underwriters Laboratory
333 Pfingsten Road
Northbrook, IL 60062
(708) 272-8800
Standards for fire ratings
American Society for Testing and Materials
100 Barr Harbor Drive
West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959
(610) 832-9585, astm.org
Standards for aluminum, slate, asphalt, steel
Lawerence Berkley Labs
www.eetd.lbl.gov/CoolRoof

3-94 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 STRAW BALE CONSTRUCTION
INTRODUCTION:
Straw bale construction uses baled straw from wheat, oats, barley, rye, rice and other grains in
walls covered by stucco. Stucco-covered straw bales offer a thick wall system, which is energy-
efficient, durable, natural, healthy, and fire-and pest-resistant. Straw is traditionally a waste
product, which farmers do not till under the soil, but sell as animal bedding or landscape supply
because of its durable nature. It is important to recognize that straw is the dry plant material or
stalk left in the field after a plant has matured, been harvested for seed, and is no longer alive.
Hay bales are made from short species of livestock feed grass that is green/alive and are not
suitable for this application. Hay is also typically twice the price of straw.

In many areas of the country, straw is also burned in the field, causing severe air quality prob-
lems. Building with straw offers environmental benefits in that it (1) avoids the damage caused
by burning straw and (2) creates an energy-efficient, healthy and durable wall system.

Two hundred million tons of straw are burned annually in the US. The stability and lack of
weathering in straw is not desirable in agriculture but quite desirable in construction. Approxi-
mately 10,000 acres of wheat and oats are harvested in the Travis County region each year.
Eight to ten acres can supply sufficient straw to build a small house. The best time to obtain
straw is at harvest time, May through June, in the Austin area. There are a number of straw
bale buildings now located in the Austin area and local expert consultation and construction is
readily available. Straw bale construction exhibits R values of roughly R-34. The bale walls
achieve a high degree of fire resistance due dense packing of bales and to the cover of cement
mortar/stucco. Straw in straw bale structures has not shown evidence of insect or vermin infes-
tations. More details are becoming available for working with straw bales. (See the General In-
terest section of Resources.) Thorough research is recommended prior to using straw bales for

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: Experimentation with straw bale construction continues. A good deal of
standardization and refinement in regard to techniques, tools, and associated materials is now
appearing.

SUPPLIERS: Straw is plentiful in Texas and many parts of the country. However, distribution
systems are not very developed for straw to be used in construction. An informal network ex-
ists in our area which usually is able to supply people with needed straw.

COST: Straw walls are generally the same cost as any other wall system. They can be made
cheaper or more expensive, based upon level of finish and level of free labor input from the
owner-builder.

FINANCING: There are, nowadays, a number of financial institutions, which have financed
straw buildings. It will usually require some investigation to find an institution open to the
idea, but after checking with local straw bale organizations and resources, it should bring quick
success in finding financiers. FHA and VA also finance straw bale homes.

Materials 3-95
 STRAW BALE CONSTRUCTION
AT-A-GLANCE NOTES, continued
PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: The appearance of a completed straw bale structure is similar to a
southwestern adobe style building. This look is generally viewed positively. There will be hesi-
tation among mainstream buyers to this technique at first since it is new and unusual. Signifi-
cant interest in this type of construction exists in our region, although the adobe style is not typ-
ical for this area.

REGULATORY: Any unusual building technology must be evaluated by the code enforce-
ment authorities before approval can be granted. This is typically done by review of another
code agency's approval or position on the technology or by review of test data supplied by a rep-
utable independent laboratory. There are straw bale building codes adopted in parts of Arizona
(the City of Tucson, Pima County, Pinal County, the Town of Guadalupe), California (State
Guidelines and adopted codes in several counties and municipalities), Boulder, Colorado, the
State of New Mexico, and our own Austin, Texas. Anyone wishing to receive approval in
Austin should follow the local straw bale construction code. The inspections department in
other areas can refer to the Green Building Program or the Straw Bale Association of Texas for
locations of precedents from building inspection departments.

There are numerous examples of this construction in the Austin regulatory jurisdiction and in
the greater Austin area at this time. Building inspection officials will indicate what if any test
data is needed. Testing is currently being done in Arizona, California and New Mexico. At this
time, there are also a number of insurance companies and lending institutions in the Austin
area that have given their approval to straw bale construction. Straw bale construction is appro-
priate for most regions of the country, but good principles of climatic design and construction
must always be considered and correctly applied.

CONSIDERATIONS:
History
This technique has been recently revived as
an alternative to standard stick-frame con-
struction in order to build highly insulating
walls (R-34). The technique was practiced
in the plains states in the latter 1800s and
early 1900s (mostly in Nebraska). Many of
the early structures are still standing and
being used. The technique has been applied
to homes, farm buildings, schools, commer-
cial buildings, churches, community cen-
ters, government buildings, airplane
hangars, well houses and more.
Straw is also being used as a building mate-
rial in sheet materials such as medium-
density fiberboard. However, the approach
of using bales directly, despite its history, is
a new technique from a regulatory stand-
point. The City of Austin recently passed a
straw bale construction building code which
is the fifth code enacted by a governmental
body in the United States.
Costs
Building walls with straw bales can some-
what be accomplished with the assistance
of unskilled labor, aiding in the possibility
of reducing the costs of this technique. The
cost of straw bales will differ depending on
what time of year they are bought. They are
cheapest at harvest time versus after the

3-96 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 STRAW BALE CONSTRUCTION
CONSIDERATIONS, continued
harvest, when they have been stored in a
barn. Transportation and handling costs
also need to be considered. A rough esti-
mate to consider is $3.50-$4.75 per bale, de-
livered. Bales must also be protected from
getting wet.
It is important to be wary about the market-
ing of straw bale construction as a very in-
expensive method of building. It is roughly
similar in costs to standard construction. It
is also only the wall system (usually 5-15
percent of the cost of a home), and any
building still requires a foundation, plumb-
ing, electrical, roofing, interior walls, floor-
ing, cabinets, landscaping, etc.
Costs also rise when one considers the type
of stucco and its application. A mud plaster
taken from site soil, applied by the owner/
builder, and maintained by the owner is
quite inexpensive, but may take a long time
to apply and will require yearly mainte-
nance. A cement stucco applied by a con-
tractor is accomplished quickly and lasts a
very long time without any maintenance,
but also has significant costs. As with any
style of construction, the more labor input
by the owner and the less by the contractor,
the less costly it will be.
GUIDELINES:
Stacking Bales
Dry bales should be used. Moisture levels in
use and in storage should be below 14%.
The bales should also be kept dry after con-
struction. Bales are typically stacked in a
running bond (similar to bricks) set on a
typical slab or on the wood floor of a pier-
and-beam foundation. Usually the first
Basic Wall System Types
Two basic styles of straw bale construction
have been used; post-and-beam construc-
tion with straw bale infill, and structural
straw bale construction or "Nebraska" style
(the weight of the roof is supported by the
bales).
A post-and-beam style uses the bales as infill
within a timber or steel frame structure.
The frame adds to the expense in materials
and in labor for working around the frame.
However, this approach may be desirable as
it offers a roof under which to work during
construction and it will be more readily ac-
cepted by building officials.
A load-bearing or “Nebraska” style uses the
bales as the structural wall system and usu-
ally uses a wood plate (or concrete bond
beam) placed on top of the wall to carry the
trusses or roof framing. If the bales are firm,
there will be very little settling (typically less
than 1 inch). Threaded rods through the
bales or an exterior wire tie-down system
(connecting the foundation and the top
plate) firm up the wall and compress it to
compensate for any settling concerns. This
system may be the easiest and least costly
to use but will still require some good plan-
ning and probably the assistance of experi-
enced people for consultation.
course of bales is raised above the floor 1”-
4” by sitting on a raised concrete stem wall
or on runners (sleepers) of dimensional lum-
ber in order to keep the bales dry in case of
flooding. The first course is also usually im-
paled onto rebar, which is set into the foun-
dation. The bales are then pinned with
wood stakes (1x2x36) or bamboo stakes or
Materials 3-97
 STRAW BALE CONSTRUCTION
GUIDELINES, continued
rebar (#3 or #4) that penetrate at least two
bales. Another less popular method uses
mortar between bales. A new method uses
4” wide circular columns of concrete bored
through the entire height of the wall to hold
the bales together as well as provide struc-
tural support for the top plate. Even newer
systems may eliminate stakes and instead,
use bamboo splints on the interior and exte-
rior, which are attached to the bottom and
top plate and then tied through the bales to
each other.
Bales can be used flat or on edge, but they
are best used flat for structural purposes.
Bales should be firm and strung tightly with
either baling wire or twine. Half bales and
whole bales are needed so the bales are
staggered when stacked. Bales in Texas
usually come with two-wires holding them
together, weigh about 50 pounds and are
usually 14 inches high, 18 inches wide, and
35-40 inches long (Three-wire bales are 16-
17 inches high, 23-24 inches wide, and 42-
47 inches long and are typically seen in
western states).
Windows
Wood window and door frames are in-
stalled during the bale raising and are typi-
cally accentuated towards the interior or
RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:
Straw Bale Association of Texas
P. O. Box 49381
Austin, TX 78765
(512) 302-6766, www.io.com/~whtefunk/
sbat.html
monthly meetings, lectures, resources
3-98 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
exterior of the opening, creating a deep
well. Care is needed to avoid water entering
or collecting in these areas.
Utilities
Utilities can be laid in the walls as they are
built, or run in moldings, interior walls, un-
der floors, in the foundation, or in the attic.
Professional straw builders tend to stray
away from putting plumbing in straw walls
due to possible leaks and the ensuing dam-
age. If this is done, make sure to put the
plumbing in an additional pipe sleeve which
can safely drain any future leak. Electrical
wire (Romex) is typically held against the
bales by wire pins pushed into the bales
(Robert pins). Electrical boxes are typically
screwed onto 10”-14” wooden stakes or
wedges and then hammered into the bale
walls.
Poultry netting is then mounted on both
sides of the walls to hold the stucco or plas-
ter. Stucco lath or mesh (diamond lath) is
used around windows, doors, and corners
for added strength. The wire netting and
lath are also typically held against the bales
by Robert pins. Two or three coats of
stucco (or natural plaster) on the interior
and exterior walls finishes the system.
Center for Maximum Potential Building
Systems
8604 FM 969
Austin, TX 78724
(512) 928-4786, www2.cmpbs.org
design and consulting
 STRAW BALE CONSTRUCTION
RESOURCES, continued
DAWN Out On Bale By Mail Sustainable Systems Support
1039 E. Linden Street P. O. Box 318
Tuscon, AZ 85719, Bisbee, AZ 85603
(520) 624-1673, www.greenbuilder.com/ (520) 432-4292, www.bisbeenet.com/build-
dawn natural/index.htm
resources consulting, workshops, videos

Development Center for Appropriate Tech-

nology
David Eisenberg
P.O. Box 27513
Tucson, AZ 85726-7513
(520) 624-6628, www.azstarnet.com/~dcat
consulting, codes, regulation , advocacy

CONTRACTORS:

Bowerbird Construction
Duncan Echelson Benjamin C. Obregon, Architect
P.O. Box 698 13429 Overland Pass
Dripping Springs, TX 78620 Austin, TX 78736
512-796-4012 (512) 263-0177, bobregon@bga.com
bowerbird@texas.net design and consulting
construction, consulting, and workshops
Bach Brothers Construction
Stewardship Inc. Craig Bach
Gayle Borst 16609 Flintrock Rd.
2313 West 8th St. Austin, TX 78738-1608
Austin, TX 78703 512-261-4777
(512) 478-9033 construction
stewardship@io.com
design and consulting Thangmaker Construction
Frank Meyer
Living Architecture 904 E. Monroe.
Marley Porter, Architect Austin, TX 78704
1025 Barton Springs Rd. (512) 916-8100
Austin, TX 78704 thangmaker@aol.com,
(512) 472-0272 www.hometown.aol.com/thangmaker
design, construction and consulting construction, consulting, and workshops

Materials 3-99
 STRAW BALE CONSTRUCTION
RESOURCES, continued
COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:

Jade Mountain Inc. Zeitgeist Environmental

P.O. Box 4616 515 Academy Drive
Boulder, CO 80306 Austin, TX 78704
(800) 442-1972, www.jademountain.com (512) 441-2411, greenhaus@earthlink.net
“Gringo-Grip” straw bale wall anchor, moisture “Robert pins” for attaching stucco lath to bales
testers, saws

GENERAL ASSISTANCE:

Publications: How to Buid Straw Bale Landscape and

The Straw Bale House Book Privacy Walls
Steen, Steen and Bainbridge, 1994 Tim Farrant
Chelsea Green Publishing
White River Junction, Vermont A Straw Bale Primer
ISBN 0-930031-71-7 Stephen and Orien MacDonald, 1991

Build It With Bales, 2nd version A Straw Bale Portfolio

MacDonald and Myhrmann, 1997 Bob Lanning

Straw Bales as a Building Element Guidelines to Straw Bale Construction for

Center for Resourceful Building Technol- the Owner/Builder, Steve Kemble
ogy Sustainable Systems Support
(406) 549-7678 (602) 432-4292

Plastered Straw Bale Construction Newsletter:

Brainbridge and Steen, 1994 "The Last Straw Journal"
HC 66, Box 119
How to Build Your Elegant Home with Hillsboro, NM 88042
Straw Bales (505) 895-5400, www.strawhomes.com
Kemble and Escott
book and 90 minute video Videos:
Black Range Films
Building of Earth and Straw: Structural De- Star Route 2, Box 119
sign for Rammed Earth and Straw Bale Ar- Kingston, NM 88042
chitecture (505) 895-5652, blkrnge@riolink.com
Bruce King P.E. www.strawbalecentral.com

Straw Bale Construction: A Manual for

Maritime Regions
Mia Thompson

3-100 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 STRUCTURAL INSULATED PANELS
INTRODUCTION:
Structural insulated panels (SIPs) are typically two outer layers of structural sheathing material
separated by an insulated core. They are made in different sizes according to the job's require-
ments, and are typically referred to as Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) or stresskin panels.

(CSI Numbers: 07410 Preformed Wall & Roof Panels)

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: Many manufacturers make structural insulated panels. Quality control is
becoming more consistent in the industry and product development is continuing.

SUPPLIERS: Available locally and regionally. Builders experienced with panels are available
in Austin, although construction is fairly easy to learn for any standard builder.

COST: $1.75 to $2.75 per square foot or higher (material only). This can be slightly higher than
conventional framing costs.

FINANCING: Available if panels are code compliant.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: Good

REGULATORY: Not all panels have been tested for code compliance. Make certain that the
panel as a whole is code compliant, not just the components of the panel. This information is
provided by the manufacturer.
CONSIDERATIONS:
Structural insulated panels replace the stan-
dard stud/insulation/sheathing wall sys- Some suppliers offer exterior surface materi-
tem. Some panels have sheetrock mounted als such as T-1-11 or fiber-cement siding.
on the inside portion, and/or siding on the XEPS and most urethane foams use CFCs
exterior. Most have sheathing such as OSB or HCFCs as blowing agents. MEPS do not
(oriented strand board) for facings. use any ozone-depleting chemicals. For
credit from the Green Building Program for
Panels can be fabricated with three types of this option, MEPS insulation or an alterna-
foam cores: molded expanded polystyrene tive that has no ozone-depleting chemicals
(MEPS), extruded polystyrene (XEPS), and must be used.
urethane (polyurethane and polyisocyanu-
rate are types of urethane). There are sev- OSB is an efficient use of wood and
eral options for facings: plywood, OSB, polystyrene is an effective insulation. How-
sheet-rock and metal. ever this product is still very petroleum in-

Materials 3-101
 STRUCTURAL INSULATED PANELS
CONSIDERATIONS, continued
tensive in the final product. This product
can also be a problem for chemically
sensitive people. And there is the issue of
deconstruction. The laminated products
cannot be easily separated.
There is anecdotal evidence of insects bur-
rowing in foam insulation as a way to find
food. Some companies use borates as an
insect barrier in the foam insulation. This is
a preferred strategy for protecting the pan-
els. Borates are also topically applied to the
facings by some companies.
Structural grade adhesives should be used
GUIDELINES:
Ordering panels
Specify MEPS with borate treatment for in-
sulation or other non ozone-depleting insu-
lation.
Use OSB facings. These materials do not
contain urea formaldehyde.
Window and door openings can be pro-
vided by some manufacturers.
Some manufacturers produce pre-mounted
drywall. Some panel manufacturers also of-
fer exterior wall surfaces, typically T-1-11 or
fiber-cement board.
Sandwich panels (two facings) and unfaced
panels are available. Unfaced panels typi-
cally have studs in the insulation. Facings
are added on-site.
Use panels that have structural grade adhe-
sive linking the cores with the facings.
3-102 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
to bind the facings to the foam core. Use
the manufacturer warranty as a gauge of
the quality of the product. Poor adhesive
qualities can cause panel failure. Select pan-
els that are certified to meet building codes.
Structural panels offer very effective insulat-
ing qualities, rapid and sturdy installation,
and consistent quality (minimizing waste).
The use of OSB for facings is considered a
positive use of wood resources. Panels are
also used very successfully in roofing appli-
cations.
Panels can also be used as infill in a post
and beam structure.
Panel details
Each manufacturer has their own method
of panel connections: spline, interlocking
stud, cam-lock, etc. Examine panel details
from the manufacturer regarding installa-
tion because many variations exist. In con-
necting panels, choose systems that do not
compromise the thermal qualities of the
panel by creating a thermal bridge or "short
circuit." There should be a small gap be-
tween panel sections so facings have room
to expand. Wiring chases are typically pro-
vided by the panel manufacturer at speci-
fied distances along the panel.
Caulk guns are a necessity. An oversized
saw is useful for cutting panels.
If openings are not factory-supplied, a hot
knife, hot wire, or router is used to make a
channel for the wooden 2X inset framing.
 STRUCTURAL INSULATED PANELS
GUIDELINES, continued
With MEPS this is most quickly done with
a router and a hot knife in the corners. This
is a slow process with only a hot knife.
Stack panels so that the sequence of re-
moval accommodates the order in which
they need to be erected.

While storing panels, protect them from

rain and keep them ventilated (particularly
in hot, sunny locations) by using "sleepers"
or spacers between panels.

RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:
see "Engineers - Structural" in Yellow Pages
MATERIALS/COMPONENTS/SYSTEMS:
Manufacturers using MEPS (for other manufac-
turers see General Assistance section); some may Creative Panel Soutions
also offer other foam insulation; not all may be 4122-B Billy Mitchell Dr.
interested in serving the central Texas area Addison, TX 75001
(972) 980-4747, www.creativepanel.com
Champman Building Systems full-service panel fabricator
8238 Lovett
Dallas, TX 75227 Millenia Group, LLC
(214) 275-4550 P. O. Box 26293
full-service panel fabricator , also build modular Austin, TX 78755
homes (512) 249-8924
builder of structural insulated panel homes
The Panel Factory
326 N. Bowen Rd. AIL Green Builders
Arlington, TX 76012 204 East 4th St.
(817) 277-6742, www.panelfactory.com Austin, TX 78701
full-service panel fabricator (512) 472-3395, www.ail.org
builder of structural insulated panel homes
AFM Corporation - R-Control® Building
Systems Stellar Industries
24000 W. Hwy. 7, Suite 201 3418 57th Street
Excelsior, MN 55331 Lubbock, TX 79413
(800) 474-2074, www.r-control.com (806) 795-3114, www.stellarindustries.com
21 associated manufacturing operations recycled polystyrene/cement wall panel framed
in steel

Materials 3-103
 STRUCTURAL INSULATED PANELS
RESOURCES, continued
P. O. Box 38
Blissfield, MI 49228
Futurebilt Structural Insulated Panels (517) 486-4844, www.insulspan.com
A-104 Plaza del Sol Enercept, Inc.
Wimberley, TX 78676 3100 9th Ave. SE
(800) 487-5722 Watertown, SD 57201-1902
(800) 658-3303, enercept.com
Structall Building Systems
350 Burbank Rd., Oldsmar, FL 34677 Winter Panel Corp.
(800) 969-3706, www.structall.com 74 Glen Orne Drive
Texas Distribution Ctr., 3417 Steen, Ste. A Brattleboro, VT 05301
San Antonio, TX 78210, (800) 880-4198 (802) 254-3435, www.winterpanel.com
full-service panel manufacturer , also build mod-
ular homes Shell Building Systems
57-435 Honokawela Drive
Premier Building Systems Kahku, HI 96731
(800) 240-6691, Phoenix, AZ (888) 669-6542,
(800) 275-7086, Puyallup, WA www.shellbuildingsystems.com
www.pbspanels.com/panel.html
full-service panel fabricator Foard Panel
P. O. Box 185
The Fischer Group 53 Stow Drive
1843 Northwestern Parkway West Chesterfield, NH 03466
Louisville, KY 40203 (603) 256-8800, www.stresskin.com
(800) 792-7477, www.fishersips.com
The Murus Company
Insul-Kor of California, Inc. P.O. Box 220
741 South Lugo Ave., Suites D & E Route 549
San Bernadino, CA 92408 Mansfield, PA 16933
(877) 885-7008, www.insulkor.qpg.com (570) 549-2100, www.murus.com

J-Deck Inc. Extreme Panel Technologies

2587 Harrison Rd. P.O. Box 435
Columbus, OH 43204 Cottonwood, MN 56229
(614) 274-7755 (800) 977-2635, extremepanel.com
roofing panels
Intermountain Building Panels
Foam Laminates of Vermont P. O. Box 110
P. O. Box 102 50 West 100 South
Hinesburg, VT 05461 Jerome, ID 83338
(800) 545-6290, www.foamlaminates.com (208) 324-7184,
www.intermountainpanels.com
Great Lakes Insulspan

3-104 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 STRUCTURAL INSULATED PANELS
RESOURCES, continued
Precision Panel Structures Loch Haven, PA 17745
1447 E. State St. (570) 748-6032, www.kcnet.org/~raycore/
Eagle, ID 83616
(208) 939-2610, precisionpanel.com
Ray-Core Inc. Carl Franklin Homes
P. O. Box 63 16300 Addison Rd., Suite 300
GENERAL ASSISTANCE:

APA-The Engineered Wood Association publications:

P.O. Box 11700
Tacoma, WA 98411-0700
(253) 565-6600, www.apawood.org/in-
dex.html
Structural Insulated Panel Association
3413 56th Street NW, Suite A
Gig Hargbor, WA 98335
(253) 858-7472, www.sips.org
Foam Core Panels and Building Systems
Cutter Information Corp.
37 Broadway
Arlington, MA 02174
(800) 964-5118, www.cutter.com/in-
dex.html
principles, practice, and product directory

Materials 3-105
 WINDOWS AND DOORS
INTRODUCTION:
Windows and doors have significant roles in the energy profile of a home and are currently
highly engineered to optimize energy performance. However, when designing a home, thought-
ful window placement with regard to solar orientation and shading may have more impact on
energy efficiency than the type of window selected.

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: Major advances in window technology have been made in the last 15 years.
Too often, contractors and some salespeople have not been able to keep up with the latest ad-
vances. For this reason it is important to specify windows with the most energy efficient proper-
ties and to ensure that the windows ordered have the necessary National Fenestration Research
Council (NFRC) ratings.

SUPPLIERS: Well developed market with many suppliers.

COST: Wide variation between low cost single pane aluminum windows to wood or wood
clad or vinyl with low-e double pane glazing.

FINANCING: Readily available.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: Awareness of newer window technology is low. Most are familiar
with benefits of double pane windows.

REGULATORY: Windows must be tested and certified and have air infiltration qualities of
less than 0.30 CFM per lineal foot of crack. New window suppliers may offer certified test data

CONSIDERATIONS:
The main energy consideration when pur-
chasing most doors will be the insulation
value of the door. Many door manufactur-
ers now provide labels stating the insulation
value of doors. Door and window insula-
tion values are stated as U-factors. The U-
factor is the total heat transfer coefficient of
the system. This includes conductive, con-
vective, and radiative heat transfer. A lower
U-factor means less heat transfer. Recom-
mended U-factor for a steel, foam core exte-
rior door is .35. For a solid wood exterior
door, the recommended U-factor is .40.
Frame and Sash Materials:
Window frames and sashes can be made of
aluminum, wood, combination of wood
and vinyl or aluminum, or solid vinyl. Stan-
dard aluminum components are the least
expensive to purchase but will transmit the
most heat. This heat transmission will raise
utility costs and lower comfort levels of the
occupants of the building. Aluminum
frames and sash components with a thermal
break will reduce the heat transmission and
be more cost effective over the long run.
Solid wood frames and sashes cost consid-
erably more up front than aluminum

Materials 3-106
 WINDOWS AND DOORS
CONSIDERATIONS, continued
components but provide much better ther-
mal performance. Solid wood components
require regular painting to prevent moisture
damage and are prone to insect infestation.
Vinyl clad wood frame and sash members
provide the traditional look of wood on the
interior of the window with the rot and in-
sect resistance of vinyl on the outside sur-
faces. Vinyl clad wood products provide
about the same thermal performance as
solid wood components and will last longer
due to the protection of the vinyl on the sur-
faces exposed to the weather.
Pre-finished aluminum clad wood windows
are also available in Austin. These windows
offer the same thermal properties as wood
windows without the maintenance issues of
wood windows. The aluminum used in
these windows has a high recycled content,
making them more energy efficient to man-
ufacture.
Another frame and sash option is compos-
ite recycled wood fiber and vinyl composi-
tion frame and sash material. This family of
materials offers strength and insulation
value comparable to wood components
without the maintenance requirements of
wood.
Single, Double or Triple Paned Glazing:
Windows can be purchased with single,
double, or triple panes. Single pane win-
dows have one piece of glass or plastic and
provide almost no protection from heat
transfer. The temperature on the outside of
the glass will be almost the same as on the
inside due to heat conduction through the
glazing or glass. Double and triple pane
windows have two or more layers of glaz-
ing separated by layers of air or inert gasses
3-107 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
such as argon or krypton. These layers of
gas greatly increase the insulation value of
double and triple pane windows. Since the
introduction of low-emittance coatings for
windows, triple pane windows, which never
enjoyed widespread use, are even less com-
mon.
Low-emittance coatings:
Low-emittance or spectrally selective coat-
ings are coatings that may be applied di-
rectly to glass surfaces or to thin sheets of
plastic film which are suspended in the air
cavity between the interior and exterior
glazing layers. These coatings are highly
reflective to the long wavelength infrared
radiation that we feel as solar heat. This re-
duces heat transfer between layers of glaz-
ing by a factor of 5-10. In heating climates,
low-e coatings are used to allow infrared
radiation to pass through the window from
the outside to the inside but not to pass
from the inside out. This allows buildings to
take advantage of passive solar heating by
retaining the infrared radiation inside the
building. In cooling climates, such as
Austin, low-e or southern low-e coatings
prevent the infrared radiation from entering
the building by reflecting it outwards from
the exterior layer of glazing.
 WINDOWS AND DOORS
GUIDELINES:
Exterior doors should be either solid wood
flush doors, wood panel doors with panels
at least 11/8” thick, or insulated steel
doors. If doors have lights or glazed open-
ings the glazing should be double pane, in-
sulated glass. Exterior doors should have a
manufacturers label indicating that the door
has a U-factor of no more than .35 for a
steel door or .40 for a wood door.
The first and most important guideline for
energy efficiency in windows is that east
exposures should be minimized and west
exposures should be eliminated or shaded
by porch roofs or other structures. This will
avoid heat build up in the morning and af-
ternoon when the sun is low enough to
shine directly into the windows.
Another passive solar strategy for minimiz-
ing heat gain is the proper sizing of eaves or
overhangs.
Aluminum frame windows are the most
common windows used in new construc-
tion. Aluminum windows without a ther-
mal break are good conductors of heat. This
means that the temperature on the inside of
the window frame will be very close to the
temperature on the outside. In winter, the
window frame and sash will be much colder
than the ambient air temperature in the
building. This temperature differential will
cause moisture in the form of condensation
to develop on the inside of the window
components. This moisture may cause
mold or mildew to form on the wood or
drywall around the window. It may also
cause the wood or drywall to deteriorate
due to prolonged exposure to moisture.
Therefore, when using aluminum windows,
choose those with a thermal break.
Wood or wood/vinyl frames and sashes
provide a much higher insulation value
than aluminum. When used in conjunction
with double pane glazing wood or wood/
vinyl will greatly reduce or eliminate con-
densation on the inside of windows. Wood
fiber/vinyl composition frames and sashes
also provide good insulation values and will
help prevent condensation on windows.
Though the payback time for double pane
windows is longer for the Austin climate
than for colder climates, they will provide a
more comfortable environment and lower
heating and cooling costs than single pane
windows. Single pane windows allow sig-
nificant heat transfer through the glazing of
the window. In summer, this creates a
pocket of hot air near the inside of the
window. This hot air rises to the ceiling,
cools slightly, and falls back to a lower level
where it is heated and rises again. This pro-
cess is reversed in winter causing cold
spots. This cooling and reheating of interior
air is know as a convection loop, and will
cause the areas around single pane win-
dows to be hotter or colder than the rest of
the building. To combat this the thermostat
is adjusted to make these areas more com-
fortable. This causes higher than necessary
heating and cooling costs.
For a highly energy efficient thermal enve-
lope, southern low-e coatings on double
pane windows are the best choice. These
windows will provide good insulation value
combined with reflectance of the infrared
radiation that causes heat build up in. The
low-e coating will also prevent premature
fading of carpets and upholstery caused by
the infrared radiation.
Materials 3-108
 WINDOWS AND DOORS
GUIDELINES, continued
NFRC Window Rating System:
The National Fenestration Research Coun-
cil has developed a rating system used by
many window manufacturers. The rating of
each type of window may be read from an
NFRC label attached to the window. The
rating system covers four areas. U-factor
measures the heat transfer properties or in-
sulation value of the window. For the
Austin climate a U-factor of less than 0.75
is adequate, less than 0.60 is better. SHGC
(Solar Heat Gain Coefficient) measures the
solar radiation that enters a building
through the windows. An SHGC of less
than 0.40 is recommended for Austin. VT
(Visible Transmittance) measures the
amount of light in the visible portion of the
spectrum that passes through a glazing ma-
terial. VT does not measure heating or cool-
ing loads, but does have an impact on day-
lighting and occupant satisfaction with win-
dows. A VT of not less than 0.50 is recom-
mended. AL (Air Leakage) represents the
amount of air infiltration through the cracks
in a window unit. AL should be less than
0.30 cfm/sq ft. All measurements are for
the entire window unit, glazing, sash and
frame.

RESOURCES:
MATERIALS/COMPONENTS/SYSTEMS:

see "Windows ", "Doors", "Building Materials -

Retail" in Yellow Pages Discovery’s “From the Past”
409 St. Francis
Habitat for Humanity REStore Gonzales, TX 78629
310 Comal (888) 686-2966
Austin, TX 78702 antique doors, windows, flooring, trim & archi-
(512) 478-2165 tectural elements
recycled building materials, some new
Ramirez Properties
Peachtree Doors, Inc. 3131 Highway 290 E
M & M Door Co. Austin, TX 78617
Dallas, TX (512) 385-5512
(817) 478-5875 salvage materials
uses recycled materials (AERT) in certain patio
doors Construction Cleanup & Demolition
6 Kay Lane
Energy Efficient Building Products Austin, TX 7866(512) 251-3460
4010 IH 35 N. salvage materials
San Antonio, TX 78219
(210) 226-5107 ReflecTech
composite windows 9906 Jameson
Dallas, TX 752210

3-109 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 WINDOWS AND DOORS
RESOURCES, continued
(800) 442-6479
solar films
Masonite Corporation
1 South Wacker Dr., Suite 3600
Chicago, IL 60606
(800) 405-2233, www.masonite.com
molded hardboard interior doors
(available at most home centers)
GENERAL ASSISTANCE:
National Fenestration Rating Council
1300 Spring St., Suite 500
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 589-6372, NFRCUSA@aol.com
www.nfrc.org
the industry standard certifying agency publish-
ing a products directory for all rated windows
Sealed Insulating Glass Manufacturers
Association (SIGMA)
401 North Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 644-6610, www.sigmaonline.org/
sigma/
National Wood Window and Door
Association
1400 East Touhy Avenue, Suite G-54
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 299-5200, www.nwwda.org
American Architectural Manufacturers
Association
827 Walden Office Square, Suite 104,
Schaumburg, IL 60173-4628
(847) 303-5664, www.AAMAnet.org
Owens Corning Fiberglass Co.
Fiberglas Tower
Toledo, OH 43659
(800) GET PINK, www.owenscorning.com
Composite windows
NFRC Efficient Windows Collaborative
Alliance to Save Energy
1200 18th Street N.W., Suite 900
Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 857-0666, www.efficientwindows.org
web site with software to calculate most efficient
windows by locality
and directory of all rated windows.
Energy Star®
Department of Energy
(888) STAR-YES, www.energystar.gov
web site dedicated to energy efficiency, with sec-
tion on windows
Recommended reading:
Residential Windows: A Guide to New Tech-
nologies and Energy Performance, John Car-
mody, Stephen Selkowitz, and Lisa Hes-
hong, W.W. Norton & Co., 1996,
www.wwnorton.com/catalog/
spring96/073004.htm
Materials 3-110
 WOOD FLOORING
INTRODUCTION:
Wood flooring in this section refers to finish floors that range from planks to parquet and are
usually nailed or glued to a sub-floor, or can be their own sub and finish floor. Wood flooring
materials can consist of imported hardwood, regionally grown hardwood, or salvaged material
that is re-milled into flooring. Using material from local or regional sources is high on the list
of many green designers and builders. Using local materials has the benefits of reducing envi-
ronmental impacts of transporting materials long distances, encouraging vernacular building
styles, and supporting the local economy.

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: Well-developed.

SUPPLIERS: Suppliers of regular domestic hardwood flooring are common. Mesquite, pecan
and cedar suppliers are available in Austin but less mainstream outside the Texas market.
Reused flooring availability is limited locally. Least toxic adhesives for wood flooring are read-
ily available.

COST: Mesquite, cedar, pecan and reused wood flooring (such as remilled old wood) range in
cost from cheap to expensive depending on the supplier and the supply at the time. Reused
wood flooring (such as salvaged flooring) is seldom commercially viable because of the time re-
quired to prepare it. Remilled old wood milled into flooring is available.

FINANCING: Available.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: wood flooring is highly valued.

REGULATORY: None.

CONSIDERATIONS:
Wood flooring is considered an aesthetic plus
in homes. It also offers long life and fairly
easy maintenance.
Most wood flooring is derived from hard-
wood trees. From an overall view, the
growth/removal rate for hardwood trees in
the U. S. is positive with growth exceeding
removals.
The use of regional hardwoods such as
mesquite, pecan and aromatic cedar stimu-
lates the regional economy and uses a tree
considered a nuisance or waste product by
many. Mesquite and cedar trees are often
subject to eradication programs rather than
being used constructively. All of these woods
are highly valued as a floor material. How-
ever, the trees do not produce large con-
sistent-sized logs, increasing their processing
costs.
Reused wood flooring is often derived from
re-milled salvaged timbers. It can also be sal-
vaged from old flooring. From an environ-
mental standpoint, this approach saves mate-
rials from the waste stream and does not im-
pact living trees. Very often the reused wood

Materials 3-111
 WOOD FLOORING
CONSIDERATIONS, continued
flooring comes from trees that are no longer of flooring.
present to harvest, or in grain patterns only
found in rare old large trees. This adds to The finishes selected for wood flooring and
the aesthetic quality and value of this type any adhesives used should be low-VOC.

GUIDELINES:
Standard installation techniques apply to
wood flooring of all types.
Wood flooring requires coating to protect
the surface and make cleaning easier. Select
least-toxic adhesives and finishes, such as
low-VOC types. For adhesive applied floor-
ing and all finishes. See Finishes and Adhe-
sives section of this Sourcebook.

RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:
Texas Forest Products Laboratory
P. O. Box 310
Lufkin, TX 75902-0310
(409) 639-8180, txforestservice.tamu.edu
information on all Texas native woods

COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:
See "Floor Laying, Refinishing, & Resurfacing" and "Floor Materials" in Yellow Pages.
Reused Flooring:
Delta Lumber Company Precision Woodworks
4701 E. 5th St. 507 E. Jackson St.
Austin, TX 78702 Burnet, TX 78611
(512) 385-1812 (512) 756-6950,
Longleaf Yellow Pine www.precisionwoodworks.com
Longleaf Yellow Pine, recycled wood suppliers
What It’s Worth
P.O. Box 162135 Long Lost Lumber
Austin, TX 78716 108 Quartz Lane
(512) 328-8837, wiwpine@aol.com Elgin, TX 78621
Longleaf Yellow Pine, recycled wood suppliers (512) 332-0819
Recycled Wood Supplier

3-112 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 WOOD FLOORING
RESOURCES, continued
Mesquite and other Texas Woods:
Texas Woods Incorproated www.flash.net/~ccwdwrks/
1192 HWY 304 WCW Mesquite
Bastrop, TX 78602 P. O. Box 636
(800) 687-1779, www.texaswoods.com Hondo, TX 78861
(830) 426-3000
Cedar Canyon Wood Works
11729 Lime Creek Road South Texas Fine Woods
Leander, TX 78641 4326 Hwy 90 East
(888) 426-7978, (512) 331-7978 Uvalde, TX 78801

Bamboo Flooring:
Smith & Fong Co./Plyboo Bamboo
Products Plyboo America, Inc.
601 Grandview Dr. 745 Chestnut Ridge Rd.
S. San Francisco, CA 94080 Kirkville, NY 13082
(650) 872-1184, www.plyboo.com (315) 687-3240, www.plyboo-america.com/
index.htm
Mintec Corp.
100 E. Pennsylvania Ave. Bamboo Hardwoods, Inc.
Towson, MD 21286 P. O. Box 20069 (mailing)
(888) 9MINTEC, www.bamtex.com 1025 S. Ming Street
Seattle, WA 98104
Bamboo Flooring International (206) 223-0658
20950 Currier Road
Walnut, CA 91789
(800) 827-9261, www.bamboo-flooring.com

GENERAL ASSISTANCE:

National Wood Flooring Association

16388 Westwoods Business Park National Oak Flooring Manufacturers
Ellisville, MO 63021 Association
www.woodfloors.org P. O. Box 3009
Memphis, TN 38173-0009
Building Concerns (901) 526-5016
131 W. Blithedale Ave
Mill Valley, CA 94941 National Hardwood Lumber Association
(415) 389-8049 P. O. Box 34518
www.interiorconcerns.org Memphis, TN 38184-0518
(901) 377-1818, www.natlhardwood.org

Materials 3-113
 WOOD TREATMENT
INTRODUCTION:
According to the American Wood Preservers Institute (AWPI) the North American building
industry uses approximately 3.8 billion board feet of preservative treated lumber per year.
Wood treatment refers to protecting wood from damage caused by insects, moisture and decay,
and fungi. In wood-framed walls, treated wood is used as the base plate in contact with a con-
crete slab. Treated wood is also used in outdoor applications where the wood will be exposed to
harsh conditions. These applications include decks, walkways, and direct ground contact. At
present, there is not an environmentally sound method for disposal of treated wood. Every ef-
fort should be made to minimize the use of treated wood by using alternate materials or design-
ing alternative details.

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: Borate treatment is not technologically mature in comparison with chro-
mated coffer arsenate (CCA) treated wood. Leaching problems must be resolved for borate
treatment to substitute for CCA pressure-treated wood.

SUPPLIERS: There are few suppliers of site-applied borate products in our area. Commercial
application of borate treatment is becoming available.

COST: Site-applied borate treatments exceed the cost of other chemical treatments because of
shipping costs.

FINANCING: Available if the borate treatment is code compliant.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: There is not widespread awareness of borate treatment. Reduced

health risk should be seen as a positive characteristic.

REGULATORY: Any wood within 6 inches of the finish grade must be factory treated or have
natural resistance (e. g. heartwood of cedar, redwood, or black locust). (See also Non-toxic
Termite Control section in this Sourcebook.)

CONSIDERATIONS:
There are three primary methods of pres-
sure treating wood: creosote, pen-
tachlorophenol, and inorganic arsenical.
The pressure-treating process is done by
commercial facilities and made available to
users in the final wood product. Copper
napthenate, zinc napthenate, and tributyltin
oxide are other wood treatment options that
can be site applied. All of these treatment
processes involve dangerous chemicals and
all require adherence to safety precautions
approved by EPA (see Guidelines).
Chromated copper arsenate (CCA) is the
most popular wood treatment product
available today. The chemicals are inert
within the material and offer protection
from moisture and decay fungi. The

Materials 3-114
 WOOD TREATMENT
CONSIDERATIONS, continued
chemicals do not penetrate into the heart-
wood effectively so a sealer is advisable on
cut ends of CCA treated wood. Although
CCA treated wood is sawn on jobsites,
hardly anyone seals the cuts.
EPA regulations govern the manufacture of
pressure-treated materials and require ex-
tensive environmental safety precautions.
Wood treatment does offer a method to ex-
tend the usable life of our wood resources,
but treated wood should be handled care-
fully to protect against inhaling or ingesting
its dust. It should not be burned, and should
be considered toxic waste when disposing
sawdust and scraps.
The toxicity of the chemicals used in wood
treatment has led to research into less toxic
methods such as the use of borates derived
from the natural element boron (borax). Bo-
rates are used in wood in New Zealand
and Australia and offer insect protection
and fire retarding benefits to wood.
Full-scale commercial introduction of bo-
rates in the U.S. awaits resolution of the
leaching problem of borates. Since borates
are water soluble, water dilutes them and
leaves the wood unprotected from decay
after a period of time. In a location unex-
posed to water, they are effective in preserv-
ing wood, and site-applied borate products
are available.
Additional options for avoiding wood treat-
ment are:
(1) Use building methods which reduce moisture
access to and/or build-up on wood products.
One method is to build a high enough foun-
dation (at least 8-12 inches, frame grade) to
reduce the chances of water-retaining soil
3-115 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
building up against it. This is something
which needs to be checked by the home-
owner from time to time. Another method
is to use a sturdy sheet of polyethylene plas-
tic under the concrete slab to reduce mois-
ture wicking up from the ground and
through the concrete.
For pier foundations, be sure to remove
water-absorbing forms which can retain wa-
ter or attract termites. In addition, it is good
practice to place a non-absorptive material
between the concrete pier and wooden
beams such as a plastic or metal anchor or
plate. Proper building design and installa-
tion of building materials have the largest
effect on opportunities for moisture to affect
wooden building materials. Comprehensive
understanding and maintenance of the ther-
mal envelope of the home, including the
HVAC and ventilation systems, also has a
great effect on the control of the inevitable
movement of moisture within the building.
(2) Use building methods which hinder the at-
traction of termites to wood within the home.
The use of termite shields and barriers as
well as other integrated pest management
(IPM) practices described in the “Non-
Toxic Termite Control” section of this
Sourcebook will be of great service in reduc-
ing the chances of a termite attack.
(3) Use alternative materials to wood where pos-
sible and appropriate.
For wood frame buildings, building mate-
rial alternatives such as lumber made of re-
cycled plastic or wood/plastic composites
are good options for moisture-prone areas
such as sill plates, door frames and thresh-
olds, porches and outdoor decks, and stairs.
Fiber/cement or fiber/plastic materials for
 WOOD TREATMENT
CONSIDERATIONS, continued
siding, roofing, soffits, and fascias are also
good low-maintenance alternatives to wood
because they do not rot or attract termites.
Alternatives to wood framing such as steel,
concrete, structural insulated panels, earth,
and straw are also methods which eliminate
most of the termite and some of the mois-
GUIDELINES:
Precautions
The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency requires that this information be
available to persons using Inorganic Ar-
senical Pressure-Treated Wood (CCA),
Pentachlorophenol Pressure-Treated
Wood, and Creosote Pressure-Treated
Wood.
Generic Precautions for all three types
Do not use treated wood under circum-
stances where the preservative may come in
contact with food or animal feed, like food
containers.
Do not use treated wood for cutting-boards
or countertops.
Only treated wood that is visibly clean and
free of surface residue should be used for
patios, decks and walkways.
Do not use treated wood for construction of
those portions of beehives which may come
into contact with the honey.
Treated wood should not be used where it
may come into direct or indirect contact
with public drinking water, except for uses
involving incidental contact such as docks
and bridges.
Dispose of treated wood by ordinary trash
ture problems associated with wood frame
construction. Refer to other sections of this
Sourcebook for information on these sys-
tems.
(4) Use naturally pest resistant woods, such as
Black Lowst for fenceposts, or high resinous
collection or burial. It should not be burned
in open fires or in stoves, fireplaces, or resi-
dential boilers because toxic chemicals may
be produced as part of the smoke or ashes.
Treated wood from commercial or indus-
trial use (e.g., construction sites) may be
burned only in commercial or industrial in-
cinerators or boilers in accordance with
state and federal regulations.
Avoid frequent or prolonged inhalation of
sawdust from treated wood. When sawing
and machining treated wood, wear a dust
mask, goggles, and protective clothing.
Whenever possible, these operations should
be performed outdoors to avoid indoor ac-
cumulations of airborne sawdust from
treated wood.
When power-sawing and machining, wear
goggles to protect eyes from flying particles.
Wash exposed areas thoroughly after work-
ing with the wood and before eating, drink-
ing and touching the eyes, nose or mouth.
If preservatives or sawdust accumulate on
clothes, launder before reuse. Wash work
clothes separately from other household
clothing.
Additional Precautions for Inorganic Arsenical
Pressure-Treated Wood (CCA)
Materials 3-116
 WOOD TREATMENT
GUIDELINES, continued
Wood pressure-treated with waterborne ar-
senical preservatives may be used inside
residences as long as all sawdust and con-
struction debris are cleaned up and disposed
of after construction. Because of its leach-
ing possibilities, use this wood in gardens
and on roofs with rainwater catchment sys-
tems with caution.
Additional Precautions for Pentachlorophenol
Pressure-Treated Wood
Logs treated with pentachlorophenol should
not be used for log homes or exposed in any
way in a home’s interior.
Wood treated with pentachlorophenol
should not be used where it will be in fre-
quent or prolonged contact with bare skin
(for example, chairs and other outdoor fur-
niture), unless an effective sealer has been
applied.
Pentachlorophenol-treated wood should not
be used in residential, industrial, or com-
mercial interiors except for laminated
beams or for building components which
are in ground contact and are subject to de-
cay or insect infestation, and where two
coats of an appropriate sealer are applied.
Sealers may be applied at the installation
site.
Wood treated with pentachlorophenol may
be used in the interiors of farm buildings
which are in ground contact and are subject
to decay or insect infestation and where
two coats of an appropriate sealer are ap-
plied, except where there may be direct con-
tact with domestic animals or livestock
which may bite or lick the wood. Sealers
may be applied at the installation site.
Do not use pentachlorophenol-treated wood
3-117 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
for farrowing or brooding facilities.
Do not use pentachlorophenol-treated wood
where it may come into direct or indirect
contact with drinking water for domestic
animals or livestock, except for uses involv-
ing incidental contact such as docks and
bridges.
Urethane, shellac, latex, epoxy, enamel,
and varnish are acceptable sealers for penta-
chlorophenol-treated wood.
Additional Precautions for Creosote Pressure-
Treated Wood
Wood treated with creosote should not be
used where it will be in frequent or pro-
longed contact with bare skin (for example,
chairs and other outdoor furniture), unless
an effective sealer has been applied.
Creosote-treated wood should not be used
in residential interiors. Creosote-treated
wood may be used in interiors of industrial
building components which are in ground
contact and are subject to decay or insect
infestation. For such uses, two coats of an
appropriate sealer must be applied. Sealers
may be applied at the installation site.
Creosote-treated wood may be used in inte-
riors of farm buildings for building compo-
nents which are in ground contact and are
subject to decay or insect infestation, and if
two coats of an effective sealer are applied,
except where there may be direct contact
with domestic animals or livestock which
may crib (bite) or lick the wood. Sealers
may be applied at the installation site.
Do not use creosote-treated wood for far-
rowing or brooding facilities.
 WOOD TREATMENT
GUIDELINES, continued
Do not use creosote-treated wood where it
may come into direct or indirect contact
with drinking water for domestic animals or
livestock, except for uses involving
incidental contact such as docks and
bridges.
Avoid frequent or prolonged skin contact
with creosote-treated wood. When handling
the treated wood, wear long-sleeved shirts
and long pants and use gloves impervious
to the chemicals (for example, gloves that
are vinyl-coated).
Coal tar pitch and coal tar pitch emulsion
are effective sealers for creosote-treated
wood block flooring. Urethane, epoxy and
shellac are acceptable sealers for all
creosote-treated wood.
Borate site-applied products
Impel Rods
•Available in various sizes in a "glass"
rod.
•Holes are drilled in the wood and the
rods are inserted according to manu-
facturers calculations that consider the
size of the wood and the amount of
boric acid needed to protect the wood.
•The rods contain boric acid that is ab-
sorbed by the wood when the moisture
content of the wood exceeds 25 per-
cent. The boric acid penetrates heart-
wood and sapwood, stopping decay.
•When the wood is dry the boric acid is
inactive.
•In logs of 8 inch diameter, one rod per
linear foot is needed (rod size is ¾ " x
3").
Auro Borax Wood Impregnation No. 111
•Effective against fungus; preventive
against insects; suitable for brush appli-
cation, spray application, or dipping.
•Must be diluted according to method
of application, type of wood, and wood
moisture content.
•Is corrosive in solution.
Tim-Bor
•Available in a powder form.
•Can be applied to wet lumber (over 20
percent moisture).
•Can be dipped or sprayed.
Bora-Care
•Available in a liquid form.
•Includes a glycol solution that helps
diffusion.
•Can be dipped or sprayed.
ACQ (ammonialcal copper quatenary)
•Used the same as CCA preserved ma-
terial.
•Currently unavailable in Texas and is
more costly than CCA.
CCA
•Available as Type A, B, and C. Type
C is recommended as superior in resist-
ing leach-ing.
•CCA preserved wood does not properly
fix in wood in cold weather. If buying
CCA treated wood in the winter (and
the wood was treated in the winter),
use extra care in handling and applying
since leaching of the CCA is possible,
posing an environmental and health
risk. When buying CCA treated wood
in warm weather (above 70 degrees ),
the chemicals should be fixed in the
wood in 3-4 days.
•Protect CCA wood from UV degrada-
tion with a sealer.
Other chemical treatments include
ACA (ammoniacal copper arsenate),
Materials 3-118
 WOOD TREATMENT
GUIDELINES, continued
ACZA (ammoniacal copper zinc arsenate),
ACC (acid copper chromate), and
CZC (chromated zinc chloride).
These lesser known water borne preserva-
tives are used in hard-to-penetrate woods.
Use the same safety precautions as outlined
above.
Decay resistant domestic woods
Along with cedar and redwood, the follow-
ing woods are considered resistant or very
resistant to decay: bald cypress (old
growth), catalpa, black cherry, chestnut,
Arizona cypress, junipers, black locust,
mesquite, red mulberry, burr oak, chestnut
oak, gambrel oak, Oregon white oak, post
oak, white oak, osage orange, sassafras,
black walnut, and Pacific yew.
Borate Pressure-Treated Lumber
•One supplier currently in United States
(see Resources).
•Any wood -- engineered, sheathing, di-
mensional -- can be treated by this
method.
•Eliminates need for termite treatments
and maintenance calls.
•Penetrates heartwood (CCA does not)

RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:
Southern Forest Experiment Station Texas Forest Service
Forest Sciences Lab Texas A&M University
P. O. Box 906 100 Research Parkway
Starkville, MS 39760 College Station, TX 77843-2136
(601) 324-1611 (409) 845-8575

Texas Forest Service

Forest Products Lab
P. O. Box 310, Hwy 59 South
Lufkin, TX 75901
(409) 639-8180
COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:
Pressure treated materials are commonly avail-
able at all building material outlets Chemical Specialties Inc. (CSI)
200 East Woodlawn Rd, Suite
Borate products 250Charlotte, NC 28217
Eco-Wise (800) 421-8661, www.treated wood.com/
110 W. Elizabeth default.html
Austin, TX 78704 Impel Rods, ACQ
(512) 326-4474, www.ecowise.com
Auro products

3-119 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 WOOD TREATMENT
RESOURCES, continued

Nisus Corp. Environment Sensitive Pest Control

Cherokee Place 726 Oakwood Loop
215 Dunavant Drive San Marcos, TX 78666
Rockford, TN 73853 (512) 754-7774, www.kennpest.com
(800) 264-0870, www.nisuscorp.com Tim-Bor
Bora-Care™
Aztec Pest Service
Term-Trol 3100 Fontana
8908 Georgian Dr. Austin, TX 78704(512) 443-0123
Austin, TX 78753 Tim-Bor
Kitty Kestenbaum
(512) 836-3309 Common Sense Pest Management
Tim-Bor 920 East 11th Street

GENERAL ASSISTANCE:

Southern Forest Products Association Bio Integral Resource Center

Treated and Residential Markets Manager
P. O. Box 641700
Kenner, LA 70064-1700
(504) 443-4464, www.sfpa.org
American Wood Preservers Institute
2750 Prosperity Avenue, Suite 550
Fairfax, VA 22031-4312
(703) 204-0500, www.awpi.org/home.html
American Forest and Paper Association
1111 19th Ave. N. W. Ste. 800
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 463-2700, www.afandpa.org
P.O. Box 7414
Berkeley, CA 94707
(510) 524-2567, www.igc.apc.org/birc/
Non-profit education organization
Publications, newsletters, handbooks
American Wood Preservers Association
P. O. Box 5690
Granbury, TX 76049-0690
(817) 326-6300, www.apa.com/index.htm

Materials 3-120
 COMMERCIAL RECYCLING
INTRODUCTION:
Recycling is a system of collecting, sorting, and processing solid waste and other discarded ma-
terials for use as raw materials in the manufacture of new products. As indicated by the three
arrows on a recycling symbol, recycling is a three-step process that includes:
• Collecting and separating materials,
• Manufacturing and reprocessing, and
• Purchasing of recycled content products.

Austin area citizens generate enough trash to fill the Erwin Special Events Center every four
months, and every day, American businesses generate enough paper to circle the earth 20 times.
Recycling materials, instead of landfilling them, extends local landfill life, preserves natural re-
sources, reduces pollution, and saves energy.

The Austin City Council passed the Commercial and Multi-family Recycling Ordinance on Oc-
tober 22, 1998 with an effective date of April 15, 1999. The ordinance is designed to enhance
access to the benefits of recycling and waste reduction for Austin–area businesses and multi-
family (apartment/condominium) residents.

From an economic standpoint, businesses and multi-family properties should be able to produce
large enough volumes of recyclable materials to minimize or offset the additional cost of adding
the recycling service. This additional cost is offset not only by the revenue received from recy-
cled materials but also from the reduction in waste disposal costs as volumes are diverted from
landfilling to recycling.

(CSI Number: 02870 Site and Street Furnishings, 11170 Solid Waste Handing Equipment)

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: Many options exist for storage and collection containers. A full range of
sizes and materials are available from small deskside boxes to vehicle-emptied containers.

SUPPLIERS: There are local suppliers of recycling containers, including office supply stores
and recycling service providers.

COST: Cost varies widely depending on the number and size of containers selected. Some recy-
cling service providers include the cost of containers with the cost of hauling and collecting.
Desk side containers are similar in price as wastebaskets (~$5.00 each). Discounts for quantity
purchases can be also obtained. Hauling and collection costs are negotiated depending on con-
tainer size, frequency of pickup, material value, and anticipated volume.

FINANCING: Available.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: Most citizens favor recycling and consider it a necessary, worthy
task. Strong, continued participation in a recycling program results from an easy to use, conve-
nient system. Initial training and ongoing education reinforce the program parameters.

Recycling 4-1
 COMMERCIAL RECYCLING
AT-A-GLANCE NOTES, continued
REGULATORY: City of Austin Ordinance 981022-P Chapter 12-3, Article VI, Commercial
and Multi-Family Recycling requires that all multi-family communities with 100 or more units
and businesses with 100 employees or more, or buildings with an aggregate of at least 100 em-
ployees that have a single garbage collection service, shall establish an on-site recycling program
and recycle a minimum of two designated materials (See Guidelines below). All business owners
must provide a Recycling Plan on the form provided by the City of Austin within 14 days of be-
ginning operations.

CONSIDERATIONS:
A recycling program should be designed to be
as easy and convenient for employees/ten-
ants as possible. In order to make a recycling
program effective, a thorough analysis of the
waste stream (or potential waste stream) for
the business or building needs to be under-
taken. This study will involve estimating
quantities and types of collected materials
(See Guidelines below) and evaluating avail-
able markets for these materials. Locating a
recycling service provider (see Resources be-
low) and determining the disposal costs
should also be part of the study. Soliciting
bids from several service providers can help
ensure that a competitive rate is secured.
The waste stream analysis will also include
planning for the collection and storage of
these materials – both inside and outside the
building. Containers located outdoors must
be covered to minimize the chance of pilfer-
ing, contamination, and being damaged by
the weather. Covered containers also help
maintain a neat appearance for the recycling
area.
Once this initial analysis is complete, design-
ers need to incorporate the plan into the over-
all design or renovation of the building as
early as possible, including allocating space
for collection containers and considering how
the materials will be transported to the out-
side collection area. Designers should con-
sider where the materials will be generated in
order to locate convenient central collection
containers. Spaces such as copy centers,
breakrooms, receiving and shipping areas,
and loading docks should be given special
attention when planning for collection and
storage.
Desktop or deskside bins are normally placed
at employees’desks for the collection of of-
fice paper. Collection containers for other re-
cyclables such as newspaper, corrugated
cardboard, magazines, office paper, etc.,
should be placed in a central location. Bins
for glass, tin, aluminum, and plastic food and
beverage containers should be located in the
employee breakrooms and kitchen areas.
Bins are usually emptied into larger, central
collection containers, either by employees or
maintenance staff. Indoor common-area col-
lection/storage areas should be designed in
accordance with appropriate City of Austin
fire and/or safety codes. Interior storage and
collection containers of various sizes
(including 13 quart desk side boxes, 32 gallon
central collection containers, and 96 gallon
wheeled collection carts) are available. Con-
tainers can be made of cardboard, plastic, or
metal. When selecting containers, look for
recycled content products. Commercial cabi-
netry is available with recycling centers or
custom cabinetry can be designed to accom-
modate recyclables. Exterior recyclables stor-

4-2 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 COMMERCIAL RECYCLING
CONSIDERATIONS, continued
age areas should be designed in accordance
with City of Austin requirements for solid
waste enclosures.
Central collection containers (usually located
outdoors or on the loading dock) are often
made of metal or plastic and must have tight
fitting lids. Manually emptied containers in-
clude 30 – 100 gallon wheeled collection
carts. Vehicle-emptied containers, such as
dumpsters, range in size from 3 to 12 cubic
yards and require a concrete pad and vehicle
access. Overhead clearances for tipping and
truck turning radiuses may also have to be
considered. In addition, for areas with high
volume collection, mechanical compactors
and balers require electricity and operator
GUIDELINES:
The City of Austin Recycling Ordinance re-
quires that business owners provide on-site
recycling opportunities to their employees in
much the same way that the City of Austin
has provided this opportunity to single-family
homes through curbside recycling. As is the
case with the City of Austin’s curbside pro-
gram, the participation of each employee/
tenant is voluntary.
The business shall recycle a minimum of two
materials listed below or other non-listed ma-
terials that are approved by the Director of
Solid Waste Services:
• Aluminum cans
• Tin/Steel cans
• Glass bottles
• Plastic containers
• Newspaper
• Corrugated cardboard
• Mixed office paper
The City of Austin reserves the authority to
training.
The next steps involve planning for employee
education and promotion of the recycling
program. Finding the right person to be the
facility’s recycling coordinator is a key ele-
ment to the program’s success. Early involve-
ment of employees/tenants is also a key com-
ponent. Consider inviting employees/tenants
to an information meeting or asking them to
serve on the recycling committee. A continu-
ing education program is essential to convey
information on how the program works – this
could be part of new employee/tenant orien-
tation. In order to close the recycling loop,
implement plans for purchasing products
made from recycled content materials.
add or delete other materials to the above list.
All businesses required to provide recycling
services must file a quarterly volume report
on the amount of recyclable material col-
lected on January 1, April 1, July 1, and Oc-
tober 1 of each year. In addition, businesses
subject to this ordinance are responsible for
notifying and continually educating their em-
ployees on recycling issues and practices
through a formal and ongoing education
campaign.
The City of Austin also offers businesses free
technical assistance through its Commercial
Waste Reduction Assistance Program
(WRAP). City staff persons are available to
visit your workplace, assess your waste
streams, and help you develop a recycling
program tailored specifically to your com-
pany. You can also receive assistance over
the telephone at any step along the way—
Recycling 4-3
 COMMERCIAL RECYCLING
GUIDELINES, continued
from writing your recycling plan to imple- sistance Program also provides hazardous
menting your program. waste disposal services for Conditionally-
Exempt Small Quantity Generators
In addition to assisting with recycling pro- (CESQG) (i.e., businesses generating less
grams, the Commercial Waste Reduction As- than 220 pounds of hazardous waste in a

RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:

Austin Corporate Recycling Council (ACRC)

PO Box 753
Austin, TX 78767
(512) 867-3687
A non-profit public partnership of members pro-
moting recycling and waste reduction efforts in the
Austin area. ACRC holds monthly meetings that
can include a program, field trip, or special event.

COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:

Balcones Recycling
th
2416 E. 6 St. Recycling Services Inc.
Austin, TX 78702 P.O. Box 1264
(512) 472-6200, www.if-it-tears.com Georgetown, TX 87627
(512) 250-0360
BFI
3424 S. FM 973 Tri-Recycling
Del Valle, TX 78617 P.O. Box 26499
(512) 247-5647 Austin, TX 78755
(512) 329-0172
Greater Austin Security Shredding, Inc.
P.O. Box 160554 Recycling Drop Off Centers:
Austin, TX 78716 Balcones Recycling
th
(512) 328-4429 2416 E. 6 St.
Austin, TX 78702
Longhorn Community Disposal (512) 472-6200, www.if-it-tears.com
(Waste Management)
9708 Giles Road Ecology Action of Texas
th
Austin, TX 78754 707 E. 9 St.
(512) 272-4341 Austin, TX 78701
(512) 322-0000, www.ecology-action.org

4-4 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 COMMERCIAL RECYCLING
RESOURCES, continued
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 385-7600
BFI Recyclery
4712 Bolm Road

GENERAL ASSISTANCE:

City of Austin Solid Waste Services

Commercial Waste Reduction Assistance
Program (WRAP)
Bob Fernandez
P.O. Box 1088
Austin, Texas 78767
(512) 499-2737, www.ci.austin.tx.us/sws/
commercial.htm
ordinance details, planning and reporting forms,
and more information can be found at:
www.ci.austin.tx.us/sws/recyclerules.htm

Recycling 4-5
 COMPOST SYSTEMS
INTRODUCTION:
Composting reduces your personal volume of trash, conserves water, increases plant growth,
and replaces the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides in your garden and lawn. At the
same time, it reduces the amount of trash going to the limited space in our landfill. Organic ma-
terials are not desirable in our landfill because they mix with other materials and create a toxic
leachate. Leachate can then contaminate nearby streams and groundwater. The organic materi-
als can be used in a much more beneficial way through composting.

In the words of President Franklin Roosevelt, "The nation that destroys its soil destroys itself."
America is loosing over three billion tons of topsoil each year, with as much as 700 million tons
washing into the Gulf of Mexico alone. Composting is one means of replenishing soil. It im-
proves soil structure, texture, and aeration and increases its water-holding capacity. Compost
promotes soil fertility and stimulates healthy root development in plants.

When planning a building and landscape, a place to put food scraps and yard waste should be
thought through. Convenience helps assure that composting happens. Composting does not re-
quire any special equipment, but bins or systems help keep piles neat and facilitate the process.
Compost systems confine compost so that it can receive air and create suitable temperatures for
proper decomposition into fertilizer.

A specialized form of composting is vermiculture. Vermiculture exclusively uses worms to de-

compose food waste. The advantage is quick rich compost from large amounts of food scraps
only.

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: Well developed.

SUPPLIERS: There are many local suppliers that offer prefabricated compost bins. They can
also be ordered by mail.

COST: Compost systems can be constructed on site with minimal material costs of $10 - $30.
Commercial systems can cost $30 to $130.

FINANCING: Not applicable.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE:. People who enjoy gardening have long been interested in compost-
ing. The fact that a compost system requires maintenance deters non-gardeners except those
who are environmentally conscious.

REGULATORY: Improperly maintained compost systems that attract animals or cause odors

Recycling 4-6
 COMPOST SYSTEMS
CONSIDERATIONS:
The City of Austin now requires yard waste
to be separated from household waste. It
must be stored in reusable containers or land-
scape bags and is collected weekly. The City
converts the yard waste into 'Dillo Dirt,
which is marketed at area nurseries and used
in city parks and public lands as an organic
fertilizer.
Homeowners should consider saving their
yard waste to create their own compost. This
can be done with a minimum of effort and
will save money and the energy costs relating
to purchasing and delivering commercial fer-
tilizers.
GUIDELINES:
Commercially-available prefabricated com-
post bins require little or no site preparation
and can be placed at a convenient outdoor
location with easy access and low visibility.
Different composting techniques may be
used with different prefabricated units
Wire, wood slats, discarded pallets, and
blocks or bricks can be used. It is important
to choose materials or designs that provide
air circulation to the compost. The Master
Composter Program (listed in Resources
Section) offers technical assistance and
plans.
The footprint of a site built compost system
should be 4 to 5 feet square. The pile will
attain about 4 feet in height and will need to
have sides to approximately the same
height
Building a Composting Site:
Select a level area near a water source that
receives an equal amount of sun and shade.
Remove the sod or grass to expose the dirt
4-7 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
Animal-based food products should not used
to create compost. The compost system
should function without odors or difficult la-
bor. Prefabricated composting bin systems
are available commercially and can function
well with minimal maintenance.
Vermiculture, or composting using worms,
can be accomplished as an alternative ap-
proach to traditional composting methods.
Guidance is available from trained persons in
Austin.
in the spot where the compost will be
placed.
Use 3 to 6 inches of coarse materials such
as branches, leaves or straw as the bottom
layer. These are high carbon materials that
provide for air circulation from the bottom
of the pile.
The next layer should include high nitrogen
materials such as grass clippings or manure.
This is added to a depth of 6 inches.
Repeat the sequence of alternating carbon
materials ("browns") and nitrogen materials
("greens").
The pile is turned every couple of weeks
and kept damp, not soggy. Less turning of
the pile slows the decomposition time. A
little soil can be added to "inoculate" the
mix with healthy microorganisms.
 COMPOST SYSTEMS
GUIDELINES, continued
Characteristics
The pile will settle and approach 160 de-
grees F. in the center while decomposing.
Adding lime, wood ashes, or crushed
eggshells will neutralize acids that may
cause odors.
Mix grass clippings and leaves with other
materials. Leaves and grass clippings tend
to mat and inhibit air needed for decompo-
sition.
Keep the pile covered with a top layer of
grass clippings or leaves. This will help pre-
vent insect problems.
To avoid the labor of turning, organic mate-
rials can simply be piled up and left. De-
composition will still occur although at a
slower rate.
Vermiculture
Worm castings are considered very high
quality fertilizer. Worms consume food
scraps and paper faster than bacteria.
Mix food wastes with dampened newspaper
or cardboard scraps in a covered containers
in which air holes have been punched. Kits
can be purchased or instructions are avail-
able to do it yourself (see Resources). Bins
are available for large food producers such
as lunch or breakrooms.
Suitable compostable materials:
· unprocessed or uncooked kitchen scraps
(usually trimmings from vegetable prepa-
ration, used coffee grinds, etc.)
· leaves (rich in trace minerals)
· alfalfa and clover (rich in nitrogen)
· sawdust (good soil builder but slows de-
composition)
· garden residue
· weeds (used "green," some seeds may sur-
vive)
· grass clippings (will mat without mixing in
other materials)
· hair (very high in nitrogen)
Other suitable materials include nut shells,
feathers, floor sweepings, pine needles, to-
bacco without filters, wood ashes, cotton,
wool, pure silk, natural material clothing,
rugs, and wood scraps.
Do not use meat, dairy products, grease,
bones, fatty foods or cat litter.
•garden residue
•weeds (used "green," some seeds may sur-
vive)
•grass clippings (will mat without mixing
in other materials)
•hair (very high in nitrogen)
Other suitable materials include nut shells,
feathers, floor sweepings, pine needles, to-
bacco without filters, wood ashes, cotton,
wool, pure silk, natural material clothing,
rugs, and wood scraps.
Do not use meat, dairy products, grease,
bones, fatty foods or cat litter.
Recycling 4-8
 COMPOST SYSTEMS
RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:

Master Composter Certification/Training Travis County Agricultural Extension Ser-

City of Austin Solid Waste Services vice
Austin, TX 1600-B Smith Road
(512) 499- 1978, www.ci.austin.tx.us/sws/ Austin, TX 78721
compost.htm (512) 473-9600

Austin Community Gardens Good Company Associates

4814 Sunshine Drive Bill Carter
Austin TX 78756 308-B Congress Ave.
(512) 458-2009, www.austin360.com/com- Austin, TX 78701
munity/groups/acg/index.html (512) 472-1913
Vermiculture
COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:

Gardenville
8648 Old Bee Caves Rd. Gardener's Supply Co.
Austin, TX 78756 128 Intervall Rd.
(512) 288-6113, www.gardenville.com Burlington, VT 05401
Prefabricated bins and technical advice (800) 863-1700, www.gardeners.com
Prefabricated bins
Breed & Company Garden Shop
718 W. 29th Happy D Ranch Worm Farm
Austin Texas 78705 1512 Whitendale Ave.
(512) 474-7058, www.breedandco.com Visalia, CA 93277
Compost books and bins (559) 738-9301, www.happydranch.com
worm bins Can-O-Worms System and Elimina-
ECO-WISE tor which connects additional bins together
110 W. Elizabeth
Austin, TX 78704 Worm Wigwam
(512) 326-4496, www.ecowise.com EPM Inc.
Prefabricated bins P.O. Box 1295 Cottage Grove, OR 97424
(800) 779-1709
Real Goods Trading Co. worm bins for 30-40 pounds of food scraps per
966 Mazzoni St. day
Ukiah, CA 95482-3471
(800) 762-7325, www.realgoods.com
Prefabricated bins

4-9 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 COMPOST SYSTEMS
RESOURCES, continued
GENERAL ASSISTANCE:

Austin Area Garden Center Texas Water Commission

2220 Barton Springs Rd. Clean Texas 2000 Project
Austin, TX 78746 Recycling Division
(512) 477-8672 PO Box 13087
Austin, TX 78711-3087
Texas Solid Waste/Recycling Information (512) 834-6682
Clearinghouse
P. O. Box 13087 The U.S. Composting Council
Austin, TX 78711 P. O. Box 407
(800) 458-9796 Amherst, OH 44001- 0407
(440) 989-1553
Texas Agricultural Extension Service, Re- www.compostingcouncil.org
search Center
17360 Coit The BioCycle Guide to Yard Waste Com-
Dallas, TX 75252 posting
(214) 231-5362 BioCycle
Box 351
Austin Community Gardens Emmaus, PA 18041
4814 Sunshine Drive (215) 967-4135
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 458-2009, www.austin360.com/com-
munity/groups/acg/index.html

Texas Department of Agriculture

P. O. Box 12487
Austin, TX 78711
Leslie McKinnon
(512) 475-1641, www.agr.state.tx.us

Recycling 4-10
 CONSTRUCTION WASTE MANAGEMENT
INTRODUCTION:
In the United States, construction and demolition debris (the waste produced in the course of
constructing, renovating, and demolishing buildings) accounts for 10 percent to as much as 30
percent of the total municipal waste stream. This debris is composed of excess building materi-
als that contain valuable resources and embodied energy from their production and transporta-
tion to the jobsite. Once materials have been consigned to the landfills, these resources are virtu-
ally impossible to recover. Recognizing and fully utilizing building materials’value is the foun-
dation of construction waste management. Both architects and contractors can greatly impact
the amount of construction waste generated on the site.

Construction waste management is the process of planning and implementing the handling and
disposal of building materials on a construction site. It involves applying the conservation hier-
archy: reduce, reuse, and recycle to construction materials and methods. Research, training,
and development of a construction waste management plan are integral parts of this process.

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: Technology is quickly developing for recycling of materials into reconsti-
tuted building materials. Unfortunately, few new technologies are available locally. Reuse of
excess waste materials requires some additional effort and coordination with a salvage com-
pany, non-profit organization, or materials reseller.

SUPPLIERS: There are salvage companies, recycling companies, nonprofit organizations, and
materials resellers in the Austin area that can reuse or recycle some of the construction waste
generated on site.

COST: There is some additional cost in developing a construction waste management plan un-
til the new process is established. However, long term savings can result from construction
waste management practices. For instance, donations to nonprofit organizations that specialize
in reuse of construction materials can result in tax deductions. Reusing and recycling instead of
landfilling can reduce waste disposal fees. Minimizing waste through the efficient design and
use of materials also results in cost savings. However, local phenomena, such as low tipping
fees, transportation costs, abundant resources, and the lack of companies using recycled materi-
als as raw materials, make recycling of some materials that are not directly reusable too expen-
sive to be feasible at the present time. For example, concrete recycling (for use as aggregate) is
occurring in Houston but locally abundant aggregate currently makes concrete recycling unfea-
sible in Austin.

FINANCING: No financing issues.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: Strong public concern for the environment and belief in waste mini-
mization and recycling gives the builder who employs a construction waste management plan a
positive image with the client.

Recycling 4-11
 CONSTRUCTION WASTE MANAGEMENT
AT-A-GLANCE NOTES, continued

REGULATORY: Building codes limit the use of used materials (i.e., reused studs) as structural
members unless stamped by an engineer or architect. Non-structural materials such as trim or
siding are not regulated. Concrete rubble and other materials used for fill must be free of trash,

CONSIDERATIONS:
Eight thousand pounds of waste are typically
thrown into the landfill during the construction of
a 2,000 square foot home. Most construction
waste goes into landfills, increasing the bur-
den on landfill capacity and operation. Waste
from solvents or chemically treated wood can
result in soil and water pollution. Reusing
and recycling materials, instead of landfilling
them, extends local landfill life, preserves nat-
ural resources, reduces pollution, and saves
energy.
Thorough planning is the key to a successful
construction waste management strategy.
However, planning starts well before any ma-
terials are ordered or need disposal. The
building’s architect should base the design on
standard sizes and materials to eliminate
waste on site. For instance, designing walls
to use full sheets of drywall instead of having
to cut sheets eliminates both time in cutting
the material and the resulting waste.
Another key element to consider is the train-
ing of construction workers. Workers should
be instructed on material use and handling
and waste minimization. Materials will be
received and handled differently on site,
when using a construction waste manage-
ment plan. On site separation of reusable and
recyclable materials from other materials will
require training, signage, and follow-up. Bins
must be monitored periodically to prevent
waste mixing as a result of crews or
passersby contamination. However, once
separation habits are established, on site sep-
aration can be done at little or no additional
cost.
Many construction materials that are still us-
able can be donated to nonprofit or other ma-
terial reseller organizations. This keeps the
material out of the landfill and allows the em-
bodied energy of the product to be retained.

In general, using scraps throughout the con-
struction process can save money and allows
materials to be used efficiently. Additionally,
using high quality materials to produce engi-
neered products, such as finger-jointed studs
reduces rejects. This approach can reduce the
amount of material needing to be reused or
recycled and bolster profitability and econ-
omy for the builder and customer.
Construction waste management does not
include hazardous substances such as as-
bestos, lead, PCBs (Polychlorinated
Biphenyls), mercury, radioactive materials,
and CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons). These ma-
terials need to be handled by trained haz-
ardous materials specialists. Improper re-
moval and disposal can result in extreme hu-
man and environmental health impacts.

4-12 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 CONSTRUCTION WASTE MANAGEMENT
GUIDELINES:
The first step in the conservation hierarchy is
to reduce or minimize both consumption and
waste. Reduction involves minimizing excess
and leftover materials as well as doing more
with less. For instance, using concrete as a
finished floor instead of tile eliminates the
need for both the tile and its adhesive. Care-
ful storage of materials away from weather
and pilfering to prevent loss is a waste mini-
mization strategy.
Setting Goals And Incentives
Setting goals is necessary groundwork for a
successful construction waste management
plan. Establishing construction waste man-
agement goals for a project allows results to
be measured and communicated. In order to
garner greater participation, establish incen-
tives such as hardhat stickers, t-shirts, and
snacks/meals for workers who excel at meet-
ing construction waste management goals.
The contractor should designate an on-site
party (or parties) to be responsible for in-
structing workers, overseeing, and document-
ing results of the construction waste manage-
ment plan for the project. Additionally, con-
struction waste management goals and re-
sults should be discussed at all on-site gather-
ings including pre-construction, weekly pro-
ject, and safety meetings.
The next step is reuse, which involves finding
another use for leftover and surplus materials
either on or off site. It includes reusing excess
materials on site or selling/donating materi-
als to a used building materials supplier or
salvage company. Reuse can also be applied
to materials that were salvaged during decon-
struction/demolition or remodeling projects.
These materials can be stored for use on site
or sold/donated for use by a third party.
Waste Minimization/Reduction and Reuse
Guidelines
General
The Contractor and Subcontractors should
exercise the following waste minimization
practices to the greatest extent possible:
• Careful takeoffs and tight ordering.
• Return of over-ordered materials to
supplier (if not required by owner for
maintenance and repairs). If a sup-
plier will not take materials back, do-
nate leftovers (see Resources).
• Careful installation to avoid tearing
out and redoing.
• Use of centralized cutting area(s) to
facilitate the use of cutoffs rather than
cutting into new material when only
a small piece is required (studs, gyp-
sum board, insulation, etc.).
• Proper on-site storage of new materi-
als to prevent damage.
Cardboard and Paper
Avoid excessively packaged materials and
supplies. However, be sure packaging is ade-
quate to prevent damage and waste.
Minimize the number of blueprints and re-
productions necessary during the design and
construction process.
Drywall
Order drywall in optimal dimensions to mini-
mize cut-off waste. Drywall is available in
different lengths, and designed dimensions
should correspond to standard sizes.
Large drywall scraps can be set aside during
hanging for use as filler pieces in areas such
as closets.
Although technology does exist for recycling
Recycling 4-13
 CONSTRUCTION WASTE MANAGEMENT
GUIDELINES, continued
drywall into textured wall sprays, acoustical
coatings, gypsum stucco, fire barriers, or agri-
cultural products, there are currently no local
markets. Large pieces of drywall (full to half
sheets) can be donated (see Resources). Some
composting operations want to use gypsum
from the drywall as a soil amendment.
Reuse joint compound buckets for tool or
material storage by clients or crews.
Insulation
Install leftover insulation in interior wall cavi-
ties or on top of installed attic insulation if it
cannot be used on another job.
Lumber
Optimize building dimensions to correspond
to standard lumber dimensions.
Modify framing details to optimize lumber
use and reduce waste and inform the framing
contractor of your plan.
Develop detailed framing layouts to avoid
waste when ordering and cutting lumber.
Store lumber on level blocking under cover to
minimize warping, twisting, and waste.
Avoid losing scrap wood in soil; it can attract
termites to the building.
Set aside lumber and sheathing/composite
board cut-offs that can be used later as block-
ing, spacers in header construction, etc.
In remodeling, evaluate whether salvaging
used lumber is possible.
Save small, untreated wood scraps to use as
kindling for clients or crew members.
Larger pieces of leftover lumber (6' or more
4-14 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
in length) can be donated. (see Resources)
Save clean sawdust for use in compost piles
or around gardens. Avoid sawdust that might
contain painted or treated wood. This should
be bagged separately. Untreated bagged saw-
dust may be donated. (see Resources.) Mini-
mizing sawdust and small wood scraps from
getting buried in the soil also reduces the at-
traction of your site to termites.
Masonry
Estimate masonry material needs carefully to
avoid waste.
During construction, collect, stack and cover
brick and other masonry materials to prevent
soiling or loss.
Clean concrete chunks, old brick, broken
blocks and other masonry rubble can be
buried on-site during foundation backfilling.
Salvage usable bricks, blocks, slate shingles,
tile and other masonry materials from remod-
eling and construction. Store for future jobs
or divert to salvage operations. (See Re-
sources.)
Check to see if your masonry supplier will
accept the return of materials in good condi-
tion.
Metals and Appliances
During remodeling, separate old appliances
and metal building materials, such as alu-
minum siding and roofing, metal ductwork,
and conduit for reuse.
Consider holding a salvage sale of usable
items during the construction process.
Miscellaneous
 CONSTRUCTION WASTE MANAGEMENT
GUIDELINES, continued
Branches and trees from land clearing can be
stored separately and chipped for use on site
to create landscaping mulch. Composting
operations also will accept branches and
trees.
Old nickel cadmium batteries from portable
power tools should be disposed of properly
(See Resources: General Assistance).
Donate clean, reusable building materials
such as cabinets, doors, windows, tile, wood,
plywood, drywall, light fixtures, bathtubs,
sinks, mortar mix, hardware, latex paint,
nails, screws, electrical and plumbing sup-
plies (see Resources).
Paints, Stains, Solvents and Sealants
Donate unused portions (see Resources) or
save unused portions for your next job.
Plastic and Vinyl
Minimize waste of vinyl siding, flooring, and
countertop materials by ordering only quan-
tity needed.
Recycling is a system of collecting, sorting,
and processing discarded materials for use as
raw materials in the manufacture of new
products. If construction materials cannot be
reduced or reused, then they should be recy-
cled (pending local market availability).
Some materials can be recycled directly into
the same product. Others can be reconsti-
tuted into other usable products. Recycling is
not usually economically feasible unless a fa-
cility using recycled resources is located near
the material generation source.
What to Reuse and Recycle
Before collecting construction waste for reuse
or recycling, identify who will accept it. This
is important in designating the type of waste
to separate and in making arrangements for
drop-off, collection, and storage of materials.
In Austin, materials that can be reused in-
clude:
• appliances and fixtures
• asphalt (for road repair)
• brush, trees, and land clearing debris
(for compost and mulch)
• fixtures
• lumber and plywood
• masonry (bricks, concrete masonry
units, etc.) and concrete rubble (for
fill)
• roofing
• windows and doors
In Austin, materials that can be recycled in-
clude:
• carpet (usually in a renovation, check
with new carpet installer)
• cardboard and paper
• metals (including copper piping, wire
and flashing, aluminum siding, flash-
ing and guttering, iron and steel
banding from bundles, nails and fas-
teners, galvanized flashing and roof-
ing, rebar, and aluminum beverage
cans)
• plastics (numbered containers, bags,
and sheeting)
Materials Storage Area
Designate a specific area to facilitate separa-
tion of materials for potential reuse, recy-
cling, and return. This area should be kept
neat and clean. Bins or areas for all materials
to be separated should be provided. Bins
should be clearly labeled with the material to
be collected in both English and Spanish in
order to avoid contamination of materials.
Pictures and symbols can also accompany
verbiage. (for example: METAL RECYCLING
Recycling 4-15
 CONSTRUCTION WASTE MANAGEMENT
GUIDELINES, continued
ONLY and UNICAMENTE METAL PARA
RECICLAR.) Signage should be easy to read
from a distance and from the angle of the dis-
poser. Signage does not have to be elaborate
but should be sturdy and removable for use
on other bins as needed.
Bins should suit the site – cranable for multi-
story projects, small and mobile for quick-
moving or hard-to-get-at projects, or sec-
tioned with dividers for smaller quantity pro-
jects. They should be monitored periodically
RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:
Shellie Reott
Earthly Ideas
510 E. Mary St.
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 444-0980
earthly@io.com
Consultant, project and construction manager spe-
cializing in sustainable building strategies includ-
ing construction/demolition recycling.
COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:
See "Demolition Contractors" in Yellow Pages for
salvage companies.
Firms by Service Type
Landfills
These are regional landfills accepting mixed
debris and garbage. Separated materials are
accepted where noted, all landfills accept
clean fill and rubble. Landfill owners which
also provide hauling services are listed again
in the Haulers section. Fees listed are for
comparison purposes only.
4-16 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
for contamination so that the problem can be
more readily corrected and preventative mea-
sures implemented. The area should be in a
location out of the way of construction traffic
but provide adequate space for pick-up and
delivery and convenience to workers. Protec-
tion from rain and pilfering may be required.
Jim Walker
3102 Breeze Terrace
Austin, TX 78722
(512) 499-0526
construction waste consultant
City of Austin Landfill
10108 FM 812
(1 mi. E. of Hwy. 183 at Pilot Knob)
(512) 243-1200
M-F 8-5, separate brush and clean wood area, di-
version area for resaleable items, Type IV Landfill
for Construction and Demolition
County of Williamson Landfill
600 County Rd. 128
(15 mi. E. of I-35, left on Hwy. 79 at Hutto)
(512) 759-8881
M-F 8-5, Sa 8-3, fee: $5.70/cy mixed debris,
$4.70/cy brush, separate brush area
 CONSTRUCTION WASTE MANAGEMENT
RESOURCES, continued
Longhorn Community Landfill
a Waste Management Inc. Company Texas Disposal Systems
9708 Giles Ln. 7500 FM 1327
(5 mi. E. of I-35 on Hwy. 290 E.) (3 mi. E. of I-35 on FM 1327,
(512) 272-4329 1 mi. S. of Onion Creek Parkway)
M-F 7-6, Sa 7-4, fee: $6.15/cy, separate brush (512) 243-0400
area M-Sa 7-7 (or dusk), separate brush and clean
wood area, areas for source-separated metal, diver-
Sunset Farms Landfill sion area for resaleable items, will take clean dry-
(Browning-Ferris Inc.) wall for composting
9912 Giles Ln.
(5 mi. E. of I-35 on Hwy. 290 E.)
(512) 272-4327
M-F 4-6, Sa 4-3

Select Conversion Table

Cubic Yards (cy) to Tons
Wood 300 lbs/cy 6.7 cy/ton
OCC (loose) 30-100 lbs/cy 20-50 cy/ton
Drywall 400 lbs/cy 5 cy/ton
Mixed Waste 350 lbs/cy 5.7 cy/ton

Source: NAHB, 1997

Haulers
All of these companies divert materials Browning-Ferris Industries, Inc.
from landfill when possible. Most of these (512) 247-5647
companies provide both containers and 20, 30, 40 yard containers available, separate
pickup services, some provide same-day site containers for OCC
pickup. Larger firms which can provide 20-
40 cubic yard rolloffs are noted. Capital City Rolloffs, Inc.
(512) 288-2070
AAA Disposal 20, 30, 40 yard containers available, separate
(512) 388-7851 containers for OCC, metal, landclearing and
trailers available, will separate landclearing, clean wood
some rubble and metal
Central Texas Refuse
Action Disposal (512) 243-2833
(512) 251-4810 20, 30, 40 yard containers available, material
20, 30, 40 yard containers available, material separation on request by client, handles rolloff
separation on request by client services for Round Rock Refuse

Recycling 4-17
 CONSTRUCTION WASTE MANAGEMENT
RESOURCES, continued
(512) 331-5929
trailers available, separates OCC and metal
He Haul
(512) 326-4285 Special Services
trailer service, material separation depends on job These companies provide construction and
needs demolition waste related services.

Longhorn/WMI Disposal Austin Corporate Recycling Council

(512) 272-4341 PO Box 161482
20, 30, 40 yard containers available, separate con- (512) 708-4496
tainers for OCC, metal, glass A non-profit public partnership of members pro-
moting recycling and waste minimization efforts in
Reconstruction Specialties Co. the Austin area.
(512) 335-9733
limited containers available, primarily landclear- Jer-Met Metal Brokerage
ing Drapers Cv.
(512) 267-1818
Texas Disposal Systems Distributor and reseller of construction and demoli-
(512) 243-4100 tion debris and recycling equipment.
20, 30, 40 yard containers available, separate con-
tainers for OCC, paper, landclearing and wood, Recycling Sciences, Inc.
metal 1600 W. Stassney Ln.
(512) 326-1303
U Call We Haul Manufacturer of stainless steel liquid waste han-

Firms by Material Type

Landclearing Reconstruction Specialties Co.
Landclearing debris includes stumps, trees 13071 Pond Springs Rd.
and brush. It is primarily processed into (512) 219-1954
mulch or a compost base. These companies limited containers available
receive and process landclearing debris as
noted. Trees Unlimited
2304 Hancock Dr., Ste. 6B
Austin Wood Recycling (512) 452-6620
4950 RR 1431 on-site mulching
(512) 259-7430
no pallets or cut-offs, hauling services available Whittlesey Recycling
9405 Dessau Rd. & 16813 N. IH 35
Chittins’Chipping Co. (512) 836-7423 & 251-5695
5804-B Circulo Dr. M-F 7-5, Sa 7-3 & M-F 7:30-5, Sa 8-5 drop-off
(512) 267-4274 services
on-site chipping services

4-18 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 CONSTRUCTION WASTE MANAGEMENT
RESOURCES, continued
Clean Fill and Rubble (concrete) Del Valle Recycling
Clean fill is earthern material free of 1713 E. Hwy 71
garbage, concrete or asphalt, oil and other (512) 385-4617
petroleum contamination, as well as any M-F , a wide variety of lengths for sale
organic material such as trees or brush.
Landfills commonly accept clean fill and Roadrunner Pallet Recycling
rubble for road and berm improvements. 13609 N. IH 35
These companies provide diversion for (512) 990-1090
clean fill as backfill excavation or site level- pallets only
ing. Call ahead for dumping fees and hours
of operation. Texas Disposal Systems
7500 FM 1327
Marcelo’s Sand & Loam (512) 243-4100
800 Dalton Ln. separate containers may be available, dimen-
(512) 385-5205 sional wood is ground with landclearing debris
for compost
Rio Materials Inc.
(also Falcon Hauling) Metal
3901 Norwood Ln. These companies are able to receive large
(512) 247-3400 quantities of metal scrap as noted, buying
some metals depending on market prices.
Rogers Materials
15000 IH 35 AMP Recycling
(512) 312-1730 1704 W. Howard Ln.
only small chunks of asphalt (512) 251-3407
M-F 8-5, non-ferrous and ferrous, containers and
Schumakers Enterprises Inc. pickup service available
(also Austin Sand & Gravel)
901 Dalton Ln. Austin Metal and Iron
th
(512) 385-5379 1000 E. 4 St.
(512) 477-4640
Dimensional Wood M-F 7:30-4:30, Sa 7:30-11, ferrous and non-
These companies handle and process large ferrous, containers and pickup available for struc-
quantities of dimensional wood as noted. tural steel
Clean, site separated wood is strongly pre-
ferred. Commercial Metals
710 Industrial Blvd.
Habitat for Humanity Re-Store (512) 442-2384
310 Comal St. M-F 8-4:30, non-ferrous and ferrous, containers
(512) 478-2165 and pickup service available
T-F 10-6, Sa 8:30-6, a wide variety but low
quantity of dimensional lumber, including trim
and hardwoods for sale

Recycling 4-19
 CONSTRUCTION WASTE MANAGEMENT
RESOURCES, continued
DNT Recycling Gypsum (drywall)
705 W. St. Johns Ave. There are currently no companies in the
(512) 467-0063 Austin area that accept and process gypsum
M-F 8:30-5:30, non-ferrous only, small contain- and drywall scraps.
ers and pickup available
Habitat for Humanity Re-Store
Double D Recycling 310 Comal St.
14003 Rock Cliff Dr. Leander. (512) 478-2165
(512) 259-5683 T-F 10-6, Sa 8:30-6, prefers half to whole sheets
M-F 8:30-5:30 of reusable drywall, no small scraps

Gardner Iron and Metal Used Building Materials

th
1201 E. 4 St. These companies recieve and resell usable
(512) 477-3900 building materials.
M-F 7-4
non-ferrous only Action Lumber, Salvage and Demolition
1424 South Loop Dr.
On the Road Salvage Killeen, Tx.
4826 E. Cesar Chavez St. (254) 752-9759
(512) 389-1119 M-F 9-5, primarily residential dimensional wood
ferrous and non-ferrous, drop-off and pickup only for resale, limited availability of other building
available for contractors, call for arrangements, materials
limited containers available
Habitat for Humanity Re-Store
River Salvage 310 Comal St.
2818 N. FM 973 (512) 478-2165
(512) 926-8250 T-F 10-6, Sa 8:30-6, a wide variety of building
M-F 7-5 materials, pickup service available
ferrous and non-ferrous, limited containers avail-
able Texas Disposal Systems
7500 FM 1327
Whittlesey Recycling (512) 243-0400
9405 Dessau Rd. & 16813 N. IH-35 M-Sa 7-7 (or dusk), diversion area for resaleable
(512) 836-7423 & 251-5695 items includes some building materials
M-F 7-5, Sa 7-3 & M-F 7:30-5, Sa 8-5, ferrous
and non-ferrous, large quantities preferred City of Austin Landfill
10108 FM 812
(512) 243-1200
M-F 8-5, construction and demolition material
only

4-20 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 CONSTRUCTION WASTE MANAGEMENT
RESOURCES, continued
Paper Old Corrugated Cardboard
These companies focus on paper fiber such These companies handle and process OCC.
as newspaper and office paper but may ac- Many of these companies can also provide
cept similar grades of paper from construc- OCC containers.
tion projects depending on type and quan-
tity. Austin Recycling Co.
10047 E. Hwy 290
Austin Recycling Co. (512) 272-9344
10047 E. Hwy 290 can receive separated OCC
(512) 272-9344
primarily a residential drop-off facility Balcones Recycling
2416 E. 6 St.
Balcones Recycling (512) 472-6200
th
2416 E. 6 St. may provide container depending on material
(512) 472-6200 type and quantity
may provide container depending on material
type and quantity BFI Recycling
4712 Bolm Rd.
BFI Recycling (512) 385-7600
4712 Bolm Rd. may provide container depending on material
(512) 385-7600 type and quantity
may provide container depending on material
type and quantity Ecology Action
707 E. 9 St.
Ecology Action (512) 322-0000
th
707 E. 9 St. receives and bales OCC
(512) 322-0000
primarily residential and office drop-off Plastic
These companies receive and market select
Recycling Opportunities types of plastic. Call in advance to make
40109 Industrial Park Circle arrangements for large quantities.
(512) 863-7968
call for services Poly Resource Recycling
6406 Burleson Rd.
(512) 385-0030
focus on industrial and commercial sources of
plastic

Recycling 4-21
 CONSTRUCTION WASTE MANAGEMENT
RESOURCES, continued
GENERAL ASSISTANCE:

City of Austin Solid Waste Services

Commercial Waste Reduction Assistance Reducing Construction and Demolition
Program Waste, Guide to Resource Efficient Build-
Bob Fernandez ing Elements
P.O. Box 1088 by the NCAT/Center for Resourceful
Austin, Texas 78767 Building Technology
(512) 499-2737, www.ci.austin.tx.us/sws/ P.O. Box 100
wrapcesqg.htm Missoula, MT 59806
bob.fernandez@ci.austin.tx.us (406) 549-7678, www.montana.com/crbt
Free consulting services for businesses to reduce
waste and associated costs. Also provides haz- WasteSpec: Model Specifications for Con-
ardous waste disposal services for Conditionally- struction Waste Reduction, Reuse, and Re-
Exempt Small Quantity Generators (CESQG) cycling
(i.e., businesses generating less than 220 pounds by the Triangle J Council of Governments
of hazardous waste in a month). P.O. Box 12276
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
Texas Natural Resource Conservation (919) 549-0551
Commission (TNRCC)
Brian Noble Recycling Plus Program Manual: A Best
P.O. Box 13087 Practices Manual for Construction Jobsite
Austin, TX 78711 Recycling
(512) 239-6780 distributed by the Clean Washington Center
bnoble@tnrcc.state.tx.us (Publication # CDL-96-1)
Construction and demolition waste recycling as- Attn. Publications
sistance 2001 Sixth Ave., Suite 2700
Seattle, WA 98121
Environmental Building News (206) 587-5520
E Build Inc.
122 Birge Street Suite 30
Brattleboro, VT 05301
(802) 257-7300, www.ebuild.com

Residential Construction Waste Manage-

ment: A Builder’s Field Guide
by the National Association of Home-
builders Research Center
400 Prince George’s Blvd.
Upper Marlboro, MD 20774
(301) 249-4000, www.nahbrc.com

4-22 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 HOME RECYCLING
INTRODUCTION:
The production as well as the disposal of everything we throw away has a cost, both for the
consumer and the environment. Raw materials and energy had to be used to make the products
– some from renewable sources and some not. This is just the first cost.

The second cost is the price of going to landfills. And there is a less considered third price of po-
tential land, air, and water pollution from the toxins our garbage often contains. Landfill space
is quickly vanishing. Pollution levels are increasing. Reduction, re-use, and recycling on every-
one’s part can positively impact our resources and environment.

Using recycled content (as opposed to new/raw) materials provides approximately 50% energy
savings and 85% reduction in industrial air pollution. And using recycled can also conserve ap-
proximately 50% in industrial water use and reduces industrial water pollution by about 40%.
This also reduces demand on our virgin/raw materials and resources. For example recycled
paper can reduce the demand for virgin wood pulp by approximately 40%, as well as realize re-
ductions in energy and water use, and air and water pollution.

The easiest, least expensive, and safest ways to reduce these impacts are to produce less, use
less, re-use more, and recycle everything we can. Of the millions of tons of garbage Americans
produce each year it is estimated that more than 70% of it could be recycled. For example,
Americans spend more on food packaging in a given year than American farmers receive in net
income. Buying bulk items and products with little or no packaging, sometimes called precy-
cling, can reduce what goes into the waste stream in the first place.

The City of Austin offers an extensive recycling program, with curbside pick-up of paper, glass
and plastic for single family homes. This section outlines methods of storing recyclable materi-
als, both household and hazardous, and the provisions a builder or designer will need to make.

See also the Commercial Recycling section of this Sourcebook.

AT-A-GLANCE NOTES:
TECHNOLOGY: Manufactured cabinetry is available with recycling centers or they can be
custom made. There are also simple dividers for trash cans available. A holding center can be a
section of the garage with conventional wheeled trash containers for each type of recyclable.
This feature is added to a home with minimal effort on the part of a builder and uses off-the-
shelf materials. A hazardous materials storage/holding cabinet is not a commercial product and
must be constructed on-site or adapted from another type of cabinetry.

SUPPLIERS: There are local suppliers of all materials needed for recycling centers and holding
areas. The hazardous material cabinet can be constructed from off-the-shelf materials.

COST: An additional cost is added to custom cabinets for built-in kitchen recycling centers or
containers for the holding area. There are also costs associated with constructing the hazardous
materials storage cabinet. Most of these costs are minimal.

Recycling 4-23
 HOME RECYCLING
AT-A-GLANCE NOTES, continued
FINANCING: Available.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE: Most citizens favor recycling and consider it a necessary and wor-
thy task. Participation levels will increase if recycling can be convenient and routine. The health
risks associated with hazardous materials and their disposal are not well understood. Many
hazardous materials are disposed of in the garbage and/or kept in the home in locations that
allow outgassing into the living areas.

REGULATORY: There are no public regulations.

CONSIDERATIONS:
The most common things Americans throw
away are; glass, aluminum, paper, and
kitchen and yard waste (often called or-
ganic waste). The importance of recycling
becomes apparent when we think of just a
few of the impacts. For instance, the en-
ergy saved by recycling one glass bottle will
light a 100 watt bulb for four hours. An alu-
minum can in a landfill wastes as much en-
ergy as it would if you filled it half-way
with gasoline and poured it out – and it will
still not be decomposed after 500 years.
Each Sunday’s newspaper production in
America uses an entire forest – more than
½ million trees. Composting organic waste
is not only good for soils, this waste ac-
counts for about 70% of the average Ameri-
can’s garbage.
The primary location in a home where
refuse is received and collected is the
kitchen. This is the best location to initially
separate materials that can be recycled.
Oterwise owners are less likely to recycle.
Recycling is more likely to occur if it can be
accomplished in a neat convenient manner,
which is why built-in systems are encour-
aged.
tine. After materials have accumulated in
the kitchen, they can then be transferred to
containers in an area convenient to taking
them out for curbside pickup or to be taken
to a collection center. A good location for
the holding area is a section of the garage.
The outside wall of a garage is a good loca-
tion for a hazardous material storage cabi-
net. These might be items such as paints,
fertilizers, pest control and cleaning prod-
ucts. A vent to the outdoors from the cabi-
net is easily installed in such a location.
These cabinets should be locked to increase
child safety. The importance of such a fea-
ture becomes clear when we consider that
the average home today has more chemi-
cals than the average laboratory 100 years
ago.

The recycling holding area is the next step

for making recycling convenient and rou-

4-24 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 HOME RECYCLING
GUIDELINES:
Kitchen recycling centers
These are simply components inside a stan-
dard section of a kitchen cabinet that can
hold 1-4 containers and easily move in and
out of the cabinet. Space may also be given
for a container, such as those often used for
garbage under kitchen sinks, or may be at-
tached to the backs of cabinet doors.
There are standard products available from
several suppliers listed in the Resources sec-
tion. These require normal installation skills
and methods.
Recycling holding area
This can be as simple as providing space for
trash containers with wheels (for locations
with curbside pickup) in a convenient and
unobtrusive section of the garage.
The goal is to make recycling convenient
and routine. The location for recyclables
might also be in a covered box alongside
RESOURCES:
PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE:
See "Interior Designers" in Yellow Pages.
COMPONENTS/MATERIALS/SYSTEMS:
see "Kitchen Accessories" , "Kitchen Cabi-
nets & Equip - Household", “Hardware-
Retail” and “Home Centers” in Yellow
Pages
Home Depot
10107 Research Blvd
(512) 795-8011
5400 Brodie Ln.
(512) 892-7887
www.homedepot.com
the house. This could be accomplished in
various ways, depending on the design/lay-
out of the house and type of recycling ser-
vices available.
Hazardous materials storage and holding
cabinet
It should be noted that it is good practice to
minimize and/or eliminate hazardous ma-
terials in general.
The primary features of a hazardous materi-
als storage/holding cabinet are a vent to the
outdoors, a lockable, weatherstripped door,
shelves for holding materials that are in use,
and room to hold empty hazardous material
containers until they can be properly dis-
posed of.
Ideally, these cabinets are built on an out-
side wall of the house, or in the garage.
The Container Store
9629 Research Blvd.
Austin, TX 78759
(512) 349-0555, www.containerstore.com
Rev-A-Shelf
2409 Plantside Drive
Jeffersontown, KY 40299
(800) 626-1126
www.rev-a-shelf.com
kitchen cabinet storage management systems and
Recycling 4-25
 HOME RECYCLING
RESOURCES, continued
containers
Best Litter Recepticals Inc.
Florence, SC 29502
(800) 526-1322
through the kitchen wall, outdoor storage
Ikea USA
catalogue
GENERAL ASSISTANCE:
City of Austin Solid Waste Services Infor-
mation Line--information on garbage col-
lection, curb side recycling and yard waste
collection.
(512) 499-2111, www.ci.austin.tx.us/sws
City of Austin Household Hazardous
Waste Collection Facility
4411Meinardus Road (call for directions)
Austin, Texas 78744
(512) 416-8998
The City accepts household quantities of home
chemicals for disposal and recycling. The Center
is open every Wednesday from noon to 7 p.m. to
collect materials such as paint, motor oil, garden
chemicals, pesticides, and cleaning chemicals.
The facility is not designed to accept waste from
businesses. See the Commercial Recycling section
in this Sourcebook for information regarding
businesses. To use the facility you must be a res-
ident of Austin.
4-26 Sustainable Building Sourcebook
www.ikea.com
recycling bins in cabinets
Hi-Rise Recycling Systems, Inc.
8505 NW 74th Street
Miami, FL 33166
(800) 231-3888
multi-story recycling system
Ecology Action
707 E. 9th St.
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 322-0000, www.ecology-action.org
For an up-to-date listing of recycling centers,
times and events, please visit Ecology Action’s
web site.
Ecology Action was founded in 1970 as an
all-volunteer group that sought to promote
several different environmental initiatives,
most notably recycling. Today, the non-
profit organization operates a drop-off recy-
cling network in six Central Texas counties
that accepts glass bottles, newspapers, mag-
azines, catalogs, aluminum and steel cans,
aluminum foil, office paper, junk mail,
cardboard, paperboard, and plastic bottles.
The organization promotes awareness of
solid waste and environmental issues,
serves as a community environmental re-
source, and continually works to develop
new strategies to promote conservation
within the state of Texas.
 GREEN BUILDING DESIGN TOOLS
Environmental Building News (A must for all building professionals! And anyone interested
in Green Building.)
This is a bi-monthly newsletter for builders and architects is recognized as the leading publica-
tion on environmentally responsible design and construction. The content is clear and objective.
The publication is subscription funded instead of manufacturer-funded insuring an unbiased po-
sition, considering all points of view to allow the reader to make their own decisions. They have
indexed all articles. They also have a product catalogue- EBN Product Catalog, featuring
building product information. E-mail: www.ebuild.com
Newsletter subscription from122 Birge St., Suite 30, Brattleboro, VT 05301. Phone (802) 257-
7300. Fax (802) 257-7304 or e-mail EBN@ebuild.com

Design and Specification Tools

Green Building Program Our residential, multifamily, and commercial programs all offer
checklists for design considerations. Copies are available for Members of the Green Building
Program.

Green Building Advisor

Produced by the Environmental Building News team. This CD has many databases and case
studies embedded into the program. It walks you through sustainable design choices. A very
comprehensive tool, especially for the Green Building novice. Center for Renewable Energy
th
and Sustainable Technology, 1200 18 Street, NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20036

Resourceful Specifications (formerly Green Spec)

This specifying guide is prepared by the Alameda County Recycling Board, and is a basic start-
ing point for spec writers. For Information contact: Larry Strain 1295 59th St., Emeryville, CA
94608. Phone: (510) 547-8092
$35 for disks and binder.

Waste Spec
Published by Triangle J Council of Governments P.O. Box 12276 Research Triangle Park, NC
27709, (919) 549-0551. This program available on disk provides the specifier with model lan-
guage to insert into specifications to address waste reduction techniques, salvage and reuse of
materials, and recycling of construction waste.

On-Line Information & Resources

Green Building Resource Center
Global Environmental Options is a non profit organization which acts as both a coordinating
entity and a clearinghouse of information for professionals and non-professionals alike. Their
web site contains The Green Building Resource Center and is a listing of green design and
building internet sites. Not all are reliable sites.
www.greendesign.net

Appendix A-1
 GREEN BUILDING DESIGN TOOLS

The Harris Directory

B.J. Harris. Online database which contains more than 1000 recycled content and resource effi-
cient materials, continually updated. website: www.harrisdirectory.com

AIA Environmental Resource Guide

This comprehensive guide is a good text for sustainable issues as well as how to make material
selections. This is now only available on line for a fee. American Institute of Architects' Publi-
cations is now Rizzoli Publications, Inc. 300 Park Ave. South, New York, NY 10010. Phone
(888) 272-4115.

Healthier Indoor Environments: Canadian Sources of Residential Products and Services

This web site includes a section on "Low Polluting Building Products, Materials, and Technolo-
gies", also lists consultants who provide screening, evaluations of materials, and cleaning and
maintenance products. This is the most comprehensive source of information for an Indoor En-
vironmental Quality interrelationship with building materials. Available from Canadian Hous-
ing Information Center, CMHC. Phone (613) 748-2367. Fax (613) 748-2098 or http://
www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/cmhc.html
For materials listings: http://www.sampleroom.buygreen.com/english/index.htm

EPA’s Energy Star Buildings Web Site

Information on energy efficient technologies, equipment and calculation programs for buildings
and home appliances. Building components have their own links from this site. Phone (202)
233-9114.
Fax back line (202) 233-9659. Web site: www.epa.gov/buildings

(BREEAM) The Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method

BREEAM is a rating method currently for commercial buildings. Widely accepted in the UK as
an important part of environmental policy of many major businesses for design, operation,
management, and maintenance. BREEAM is one of many programs of BRE, which is UK’s
leading center for research on buildings and construction. Extensive and continually updated,
so best accessed on-line.
Center for Sustainable Construction BRE, Garston, Watford WD2 7 JR. E-
mail:breeam@bre.co.uk and http://www.bre.co.uk/

BuildingOnline
http://www.BuildingOnline.com This is a building industry search engine and web site mar-
keting agency.
Dana Point, CA. Phone (714) 496-6648.

Oikos
(www.oikos.com) and Environmental Building News (www.ebuild.com). This is a discussion
site for green building topics. For log on instructions send e-mail to www.greenbuilding-
request@crest.org also Center For Energy and Sustainable Technology web site (CREST) En-
ergy efficiency information and listings of other related web sites. Mostly energy efficiency re-

A-2 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 GREEN BUILDING DESIGN TOOLS
sources. www.crest.org
HOK's Healthy and Sustainable Building Materials Database
Product database along with specifying guide available through web site: www.hok.com

Helpful Books & Magazines

Environmental By Design, Professional Edition
Authors: Kim Leclair and David Rousseau. This is a hard copy notebook style publication with
symbols representing various criteria including: recycled content; renewable resource; in-plant
energy efficiency; low emissions in plant; minimum packaging; minimum transportation; mini-
mum installation hazards; low toxic emissions; durability; simple non toxic maintenance;
reusable; recyclable; fair business practices; research and education programs. P.O. Box 95016,
South Van C.S.C., Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6P 6V4.

Green Building Resource Guide

John Hermannsson, AIA, The Taunton Press, PO Box 5506, Newton, CT 06470-5506.
ISBN 1-56158-219-0. Soft cover book in CSI format includes price and green significance in
icon form. Email author: www.greenguide.com

Guide to Resource Efficient Building Elements

Center for Resourceful Building Technology, P.O. Box 100, Missoula, MT 59806. Phone (406)
549-7678
Fax (406) 549-4100. Contains contact and product information for resource efficient and recy-
cled material manufacturers producing everything from foundations to roofing. Updated annu-
ally.

Prescriptions for a Healthy House

This recent book covers healthy building theory, specification language, case studies, resources,
construction details, and more. Written by an architect, a physician, and an indoor environ-
ment expert. Paula Baker, Erica Elliott, and John Banta. 1998 InWord Press, 2530 Camino
Entrada, Sante Fe, NM 87505-4835

The Resource Guide to Sustainable Landscapes and Gardens

Environmental Resources, Inc., 2041 East Hollywood Ave., Salt Lake City, UT 84108-3148.
Phone (801) 485-0280. This 368-page softcover book lists more than 1100 environmentally re-
sponsible landscaping materials, products, and information sources. Sorted by CSI division.
Not regionally based.

R-2000 Procurement List

This lists assists builders in selecting products which will meet R-2000 IAQ requirements. In-
cluding carpet and padding, resilient flooring, paints and finishes, adhesives and composite
wood products. Available through John
Broniek, Canadian Home Builder's Association. Phone (613) 230-3060.

Appendix A-3
 GREEN BUILDING DESIGN TOOLS

Sustainable Building Technical Manual

A step by step guide to energy- and resource- efficient design, construction, and operations.
Background information and case studies included. This document was funded by the EPA, the
U.S. Green Building Council, PTI and included contributions from expert practitioners. $68
(free to PTI members) through Public Technology Inc. Phone (301) 490-2188.

Woods of the World

Diskette or CD-ROM interactive multimedia database of the world's wood species. Gives 85
fields of data on each species, including substitutes, and scans of colors and grains. The listing
also provides information on well managed sources and suppliers. Tree Talk Inc. P.O. Box 426,
431 Pine St. Burlington, VT. 05402.
Phone (802) 863-6789.

City of Austin Sustainable Building Guidelines

A general overview of the sustainable goals set out for Austin’s municipal buildings. Along with
both Specifying Guide and Operations and Maintenance guides, this series forms the basis of
our Green programs for the City of Austin’s own buildings. Available through Program or web-
site: www.ci.austin.tx.us/greenbuilding

National Research Laboratories

All of these agencies have useful reports, studies and design information.

The Buildings Technology Center (BTC) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

is the premier U.S. research facility devoted to the development of technologies that improve
the energy efficiency and environmental compatibility of residential and commercial buildings.
http://www.ornl.gov/ORNL/BTC/

Lawerence Berkeley Labs

has research in lighting design and studies on material performance with regards to energy effi-
ciency. www.lbl.gov Also; http://radsite.lbl.gov/radiance/HOME.html for lighting design
simulation.

The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC)

is the energy research institute of the State of Florida. The Center is nationally recognized for
comprehensive programs in solar energy and energy-efficiency. On line reports on research for
building performance. Also thorough information on planning photovoltaic systems. http://
www.fsec.ucf.edu/

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

has several applicable sites relating to environmentally preferable product development and en-

A-4 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 GREEN BUILDING DESIGN TOOLS
ergy efficiency. The Energy Star web site is a good start to what they offer for building design.
www.epa.gov/buildings

Energy Calculation Programs

Most of these programs have demonstration capabilities on their web sites.

ASEAM
(A Simplified Energy Analysis Method) Version 5.0 evaluates high-potential, cost effective en-
ergy efficiency projects in existing Federal buildings; calculates results that are within 4-5% of
DOE-2 annual energy results, using quick input routines, permits evaluation of a 10,000 sq. ft.
building in about 10 minutes. Contact Ted Collins U.S. Department of Energy, Federal Energy
Management Program, EE-90, 1000 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, D.C. 20585.
Phone (202) 586-8017.

BLAST
Performs hourly simulations of buildings, air handling systems, and central plant equipment in
order to provide mechanical, energy and architectural engineers with accurate estimates of a
building's energy needs. BLAST output may be utilized in conjunction with LCCID (Life Cycle
Cost in Design) program to perform an economic analysis of the building/system/plant design.
Available through University of Illinois, 1206 West Green Street, Urbana, Illinois 61826. From
$575 to $950. Phone (800) UI-BLAST. Email support@blast.bso.uiuc.edu.

DOE-2
Hourly, whole-building energy analysis program calculating energy performance and life-cycle
cost of operation. Can be used to analyze energy efficiency of given designs or efficiency of new
technologies. Other uses include building demand-side management and rebate programs, de-
velopment and implementation of energy efficiency standards and compliance certification, and
training new corps of energy-efficiency conscious building professionals in architecture and en-
gineering schools. High level of computer literacy required. Available
through Dr. Fred Winkelmann, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. From $300 - $2000.
Mail Stop 90-3147, 1 Cyclotronn Road, Berkeley, CA 94720.

Elite Software
Two programs which quickly and accurately calculate maximum heating and cooling loads for
commercial buildings. Ability to enter weather data, zone loads, envelope analysis, full screen
editing, automatic building rotation are some of the features. Demonstration available on web
site www.elitesoft.com/hvacr/elite, order through Elite Software, P.O. Drawer 1194, Bryan,
TX 77806. Phone (800) 648-9523.

EZDOE
Energy calculation program also by Elite Software. An easy to use version of the Department
of Energy's DOE program. Calculates hourly energy use and a building's life cycle cost of oper-
ation by using location, construction,
operation, and heating and air conditioning system. Simulates all types of heating and cooling

Appendix A-5
 GREEN BUILDING DESIGN TOOLS
plants and allows for complex utility rate structures and other costs to be analyzed. Demonstra-
tion available on web site
www.elitesoft.com/hvacr/elite_ezdoe order through Elite Software, P.O. Drawer 1194, Bryan,
TX 77806. $1250. Phone (800) 648-9523.
ENER-WIN
Windows version of ENERCALC, an hourly energy simulation model for estimating annual
energy consumption in buildings. Supported with default databases for weather, lighting, zone
temperatures, and 20 wall and window types. Available through Larry O. Degelman, Depart-
ment of Architecture, Texas A&M University,
College Station, TX 77843-3137. $250 Phone (409) 845-1891.

ENERGY-10
Design tool for smaller commercial buildings. Also for buildings such as strip shopping com-
plexes which can be treated as two-zone 10,000 ft2 increments. Performs whole-building energy
analysis for 8760 hours/year, including dynamic thermal and daylighting calculations. Specifi-
cally designed to facilitate the evaluation of energy-efficient building features in the very early
stages of the design process. Contact Passive Solar Industries Council. 1511 K Street, NW,
Suite 600, Washington, D C 20005, phone 202/628-7400. Cost $250

TRACE 600
Powerful HVAC software for calculating system loads, design criteria, and extensive energy
analysis.
Available through the Trane Company, ATTN: C.D.S + Bldg. 12-1, 3600 Pammel Creek Road,
La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601-7599. Cost $1795 includes annual license for free upgrades. Phone
(608) 787-3926.

A-6 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

 Appendix B: Glossary
Terms You May Encounter As You Learn More About Building and Green Building

ACH Air changes per hour: air outside a building is constantly infiltrating through
cracks in a building shell and exchanging with inside air. ACH is the
measure of the rate at which this occurs. For example, an ACH or 0.5
means that all the air in the building will change out in two hours.
Active system Traditional heating, cooling and ventilating systems which use mechanical
means to artificially condition (cool, heat, ventilate) the air supply in
buildings, and draw power for these mechanical processes from electricity or
gas.
Adaptable buildings Buildings that can be easily remarketed, retrofitted, or reconfigured to better
meet the changing needs of occupants, maintenance crews, and the larger
community.
AFUE Annual fuel utilization efficiency: ratio of annual output energy to annual input
energy. Measure of efficiency of gas furnaces and boilers.
AFV Alternative fuel vehicle: vehicle powered by a fuel other than gasoline.
Agricultural by-products Products developed in agriculture that are not the primary goal of the
agricultural activity. Some of these are being used as building materials.
Air infiltration Uncontrolled inward air leakage through cracks in a building envelope. May
also refer to air leaking outward (also called air exfiltration).
Air retarder/air barrier A material installed around a building frame to prevent or reduce the
infiltration of air into the interior. Installed as an energy-efficiency measure
to keep out air, which may be too hot, cold or moist for comfort. Not to be
confused with a vapor retarder/vapor barrier.
Albedo Ratio of reflected light to the total amount of light falling on a surface. In hot
climates, it is desirable to use roofing materials with a high albedo.
Appraisal value An estimate of the value of property substantiated by various analyses,
usually by comparison with similar properties.
Attic venting system Venting devices installed in an attic structure which allow fresh outside air to
enter the attic and exhaust out of it, so the attic will be cooler and drier. The
most effective attic venting system combines a continuous soffit vent with a
continuous ridge vent. This system allows the most even flow of air over the
underside of the roof, and the best position for the exhaust vent at the
highest point of the attic where the attic air is hottest.
Autoclaved cellular Mix of lime, sand, cement and water are mixed, and then put into molds,
concrete where an aluminum powder is added, which causes the mass to expand. It is
then put into a steam-curing chamber (autoclaver), which gives it great
strength. The resulting material has many benefits (non-combustible, easily
worked, R-value of 1.25 per inch, etc.)
Backdrafting The occurance of combustion gases from a gas appliance entering the living
space instead of being drawn up the vent pipe and exiting a building. This
may happen as a result of depressurization (for example when the furnace or
exhaust fans are turned on).
Backflow preventer An anti-siphoning device on a water pipe to prevent water/liquid (which might
be contaminated) from backing up into the water system. For example, the
end of a garden hose lying in a flower bed could become contaminated by
pesticide and back into the fresh water supply, if no backflow preventer were
installed. Frequently required by building codes.
Balance point The outdoor temperature at which a building’s heat loss to the environment is
equal to internal heat gains from people, lights, and equipment. Surface load
dominated buildings such as single family detached residences will have
balance points in the 55-65 degree Fahrenheit range. Internally load
dominated structures, like office buildings, may have balance points so low
that the climate never overcomes their internal heat gain.

Appendix B B-1
Ballast A device used to provide the starting voltage or to stabilize the current in a
circuit (as of a fluorescent lamp). May be magnetic or electronic.
Biodiversity The tendency in ecosystems, when undisturbed, to have a great variety of
species forming a complex web of interactions. Human population pressure
and resource consumption tend to reduce biodiversity to dangerously low
levels; diverse communities are less subject to catastrophic disruption.
Biological wastewater Purifying wastewater in a natural or emulated wetland environment. Such
management systems are powered mainly by sunlight and achieve purification through the
combined action of living food chains, many of which are microscopic.

B-2 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

Biomass Plants and plant materials, trees, crop residues, wood and bark residues, and
animal manure. (From the Greek, bio meaning life and maza, meaning lump
or mass).
Biomass energy The energy released from biomass when it is eaten, burned, or otherwise
used as or converted into fuel.
Blackwater Water from toilets, kitchen sink, or other dirty sources (e.g. washing
machines used for diapers), which may be contaminated with
microorganisms or harmful bacteria.
Borate-treated wood Treatment of wood with borates to make it resistant to termites and moisture.
Borate is a mineral product derived from borax and is benign compared with
most other wood treatments.
Brownfields Abandoned, idled, or under-used industrial and commercial facilities/sites
where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived
environmental contamination.
Btu British thermal unit: a measure of heat energy. Approximately the heat
required to raise the temperature of a pound of water one degree. About
equal to the energy released by the lighting of one match.
Building codes Municipal ordinances that regulate the construction and occupancy of
buildings for health and safety reasons.
Building ecology Physical environment and systems found inside the building. Key issues
include air quality, acoustics, and electromagnetic fields.
Building envelope Building elements (e.g., walls, roofs, floors, windows, etc.) that enclose
conditioned spaces and through which energy may be transferred to and
from the exterior.
Built environment All human-built structures (as opposed to the natural environment).
Caliche A type of soil containing calcium carbonate that makes a very hard
brick/block without firing and is a common roadbed material.
Capitalization rate The rate, expressed as a percentage, at which a future income flow is
(cap rate) converted into a present value figure.
Carbon dioxide (CO 2) A heavy, colorless gas that does not support combustion. Made of one
carbon atom and two oxygen atoms, it is formed especially in animal
respiration and in the decay or combustion of animal and vegetable matter. It
is absorbed from the air by plants in photosynthesis, and is an atmospheric
greenhouse gas.
Carbon monoxide(CO) A colorless, odorless, very toxic gas made up of carbon and oxygen, that
burns to carbon dioxide with a blue flame and is formed as a product of the
incomplete combustion of carbon.
Carrying capacity The amount of demand or usage for a particular resource that can be
sustained without depletion or degradation of dependent life forms.
Cellulose The fibrous part of plants used in making paper and textiles, which may be
made into building products, such as insulation.
Cementitious Having the properties of cement. Cement is the primary binding agent in
concrete.
Certified sustainably- Forest harvesting practices that have been certified as sustainable by a
managed forest qualified entity. The underlying guideline is preservation of a diverse forest
that exhibits the same ecological characteristics as a healthy natural forest.
Change order A form used by an architect or contractor to specify changes from the
approved original plan.
Charrette An intensive design process which involves the collaboration of all project
stakeholders at the beginning of a project to develop a comprehensive plan
or design. Although it may only take place over a few short days, it
establishes groundwork for communication and a team-oriented approach to
be carried throughout the building process.
Chlorofluorocarbons Any of a group of compounds that contain carbon, chlorine, fluorine, and
(CFCs) sometimes hydrogen and have been used as refrigerants, cleaning solvents,
aerosol propellants, and in the manufacture of plastic foams. CFCs have

Appendix B B-3
 been linked to the destruction of the ozone layer and their use is being
phased out because they destroy the planet's stratospheric ozone protection
layer.
Cistern A tank to hold a supply of fresh water, typically rainwater. May be above or
below ground.

B-4 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

Co-housing Housing that combines the privacy of single-family dwelling units with
extensive common facilities, such as kitchens, dining rooms, children’s
playrooms, and laundry facilities, thus enhancing a sense of community.
Residents often come together to identify a site and raise pre-development
funds, making the development process much different than the usual
development of communities.
Color rendering index of Color objects will appear when illuminated by a given electric light. On a
light (CRI) scale from 1 to 100, the higher a number, the more an object will look the
color it actually is when illuminated by an electric light.
Color temperature of light Color appearance of a light. So called “warm”looking lights are actually
cooler than “cool”looking lights. An incandescent light has a color
temperature of about 2500; a cool white fluorescent light has a color
temperature of about 4000.
Combustion gases The gases, such as carbon monoxide, that result from the process of burning.
In a building, these are produced by gas appliances, such as furnaces and
water heaters. Proper venting must be assured.
Commissioning The process of ensuring, verifying, and documenting that new equipment and
systems are installed and able to operate according to the design intent.
Community (Biological definition) An association of organisms of different species living
together in a defined habitat with some degree of mutual interdependence.
Compact fluorescent A fluorescent lamp/bulb that is compacted to fit into an Edison light socket.
lighting
Comparable property Another property to which a subject property can be compared to reach an
(comps) estimate of market value. Typically as much like the subject property as
possible in age, quality, location, etc.
Composting A waste management option involving the controlled biological
decomposition of organic materials into a relatively stable humus-like product
that can be handled, stored, and applied to the land without adversely
affecting the environment.
Composting toilet A toilet which uses little or no water in which the waste composts to a
material which can be safely used as a soil amendment.
Condensation Deposit of water vapor from air on a cold surface whose temperature is
below the dew point. For example a cold window glass exposed to warm
humid air.
Condensation resistance Indication of a window’s ability to resist condensation. The higher the CRF,
factor (CRF) the less likely condensation is to occur.
Conduction Flow of heat through solid materials which are touching each other.
Conductor A substance or body capable of transmitting electricity, heat, or sound.
Constructed wetland Any of a variety of designed systems that are modeled after natural wetlands,
use aquatic plants, and can be used to treat wastewater or runoff.
Construction loan A loan usually made by a commercial bank to a builder or prospective
homeowner for short-term use in constructing improvements on real estate
(new construction or remodeling). The term is usually six months to two
years. (A mortgage is typically used for long-term financing.)
Convection Transfer of heat by means of a moving stream of air or water.
Cooling/heating load A building’s demand for heat/cool to offset a deficit/overage of the opposite.
Covenants Promises written into deeds and other instruments agreeing to performance
or nonperformance of certain acts, or requiring or preventing certain uses of
the property.
Cross ventilation Passive building strategy to cool a building using outdoor breezes. Requires
proper placement and sizing of doors, operable windows and walls to
promote air movement through the building.
Culvert A sewer or drain running under a road or embankment.
Daylighting The use of controlled natural lighting methods indoors through skylights,
windows, and reflected light.
Debt service Periodic repayments of a loan, with a portion of the payment applied to

Appendix B B-5
 interest and the balance applied to repayment (amortization) of principal.

B-6 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

Degree days The difference between the average daily temperature and 65 degrees
Fahrenheit, used as a baseline. This measure is used to estimate building
energy needs. It is also a quick way to compare the severity and character of
a climate. A heating degree day is counted for each degreebelow 65
degrees reached by the average daily outside temperatures. For example, if,
on a given day, the daily average temperature outdoors is 30 degrees, then
there are 35 degrees below the 65 degrees. Thus, there are 35 heating
degree days for that day. Areas with more than 5500 HDDs per year are
characterized by long cold winters. Areas with less than 2000 HDDs per year
are characterized by very mild winters. Reverse this process (degreesabove
65 degrees) to calculate Cooling Degree Days. Areas with more than 1500
Cooling Degree Days (CDDs) are characterized by long hot summers and
substantial cooling requirements. Areas with less than 500 CDDs per year
are characterized by mild summers and little need for mechanical cooling.
Design conditions The exterior and interior environmental parameters specified for air
conditioning (heating, cooling, ventilation) and electrical design for a building.
Design temperatures Temperatures used for modeling energy calculations. They are established
for winter and summer for specific cities, representing the calculated low and
high extremes.
Dessicant A drying agent, such as silica gel, which can be used to reduce latent cooling
loads.
Dewpoint The temperature at which water vapor in air will condense at a given state of
humidity and pressure.
Dirunal flux The difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures. A diurnal flux
of 25 degrees Fahrenheit or above indicates an arid climate suitable for mass
building construction.
Drip irrigation Above-ground, low-pressure watering system with flexible tubing that
releases small, steady amounts of water through emitters placed near
individual plants.
Dry bulb temperature The temperature of air indicated by an ordinary thermometer.
Dust spot test Test of filter efficiency. When making filter efficiency comparisons, for an
apples-to-apples comparison, look for this test result.
Earth sheltering Building below ground level. Soil temperature varies less than air
(also earth berming) temperature [deeper soil = more constant temperature]; an earth-sheltered
structure provides an interior climate which is generally closer to comfort
level than a conventional interior space. Savings on heating and cooling bills
are often in the range of 40-60%.
Eave The portion of a roof that extends beyond the wall. It serves to protect the
wall below from the elements.
Ecology In biology, it is the study of the relationship between living organisms and
their environment. In sociology, it is the study of the relationship between the
distribution of human groups with reference to material resources and the
consequent social and cultural patterns.
Ecosystem A complex set of natural interconnected elements on which a habitat’s
survival depends directly or indirectly.
Eco-tourism Partnerships between the tourism industry and conservation efforts to
preserve natural and cultural resources in resort destinations.
Edible landscaping Landscaping containing vegetation which is cultivated for its ability to be
eaten and digested by humans, for example, fruit trees or grape arbors.
EER Energy efficiency ratio: ratio of net cooling capacity of an air conditioner in
Btu per hour to total rate of electric input in watts under designated operating
conditions.
Efficacy of a light Measure of lumens of light per watt
bulb/lamp
Efficiency The ratio of the amount of useful energy output to the energy input for a
given device.

Appendix B B-7
Electricity A form of energy generated by friction, induction, or chemical change that is
caused by the presence and motion of elementary charged particles of which
matter consists.
Electromagnetic radiation A series of electromagnetic waves.
Electromagnetic The entire range of wavelengths or frequencies of electromagnetic radiation
spectrum extending from gamma rays to the longest radio waves and including visible
light.
Electronic ballast Type of ballast for a fluorescent light which increases efficiency and reduces
flicker and noise

B-8 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

Embodied energy All the energy required to grow, harvest, extract, manufacture, refine,
process, package, transport, install and dispose of a particular product or
building material.
Emissivity Ability of a material to transfer far-infrared radiation across an air space.
Materials such as aluminum foil have poor ability to do this (they have a low
emissivity rating) and are therefore useful, when properly spaced next to an
air space in controlling heat in a hot climate. For example, a roof radiant
barrier placed below roof decking over the attic space keeps the attic cooler.
End-use/Least-cost A decision-making tool that keeps the planning team focused on the end
users’needs. It is a key component of green design and development
because it identifies how to achieve the greatest benefits at the least cost in
financial, social, and environmental terms.
Energy The capacity for doing work. Different types of energy may be transformed
from one form to another. English units express energy in Btu’s or kilowatt-
hours (kWh).
Energy conservation Efficiency of energy use, production, transmission, or distribution that yields
a decrease in energy consumption while providing the same, or higher, levels
of service.
Energy or water Using less energy or water to perform the same tasks. A device is energy-
efficiency efficient if it provides comparable or better quality of service while using less
energy than a conventional technology. Building weatherization or high-
efficiency showerheads are efficiency technologies.
Energy recovery An energy recovery ventilator (ERV) is an air to air heat exchanger or
ventilator (ERV) preconditioner, designed to reduce the energy required to heat or cool
required outdoor air in mechanical ventilation systems by as much as 80%.
These products exchange temperature and moisture properties from one
airstream to another. The result is capturing the cooling or heating energy
from the exhaust air before it leaves the building.
Engineered wood Reconstituted wood products that result in strength appropriate for a given
use and consistent quality with less material.
Equity That portion of an ownership interest in real property (or other securities) that
is owned outright, rather than financed by debt.
Evaporative cooling Passive building strategy employing the evaporation of water directly into
hot, dry air streams to produce cooling; limited to arid climates.
Expanded polystyrene A rigid insulation material (also called bead board) made by heating pentane-
saturated polystyrene pellets. (Pentane is used instead of the CFC’s or
HCFC’s used to make extruded polystyrene. CFC’s and HCFC’s cause
damage to the ozone layer.) Frequently has a high recycled content. Comes
in various densities for different purposes.
Fenestration Architectural term for windows and their placement.
Flow The volume of a substance passing a point per unit time (e.g., meters per
second, gallons per hour, etc.)
Flow form features Water features of a building that are not only viewed as artistic decorations,
but also maintain a pleasant level of humidity and acoustics as part of the
building ecology.
Fluorescent lamp A lamp (lightbulb) in which light is produced by passing an electric arc
between tungsten cathodes in a tube filled with a low pressure mercury vapor
and other gases. The arc excites the mercury vapor, which generates radiant
energy, primarily in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum.
This causes the phosphor coating on the inside of the tube to “fluoresce”,
converting the ultraviolet into visible light.
Fly ash Ash residue from high-temperature combustion processes. Electric power
plants using western coal produce a non-toxic fly ash which can substitute for
a portion of portland cement in concrete, to produce a strong, durable
concrete.
Formaldehyde A colorless, pungent-smelling material used as an adhering component of
glues in many wood products. It may cause respiratory problems, chemical

Appendix B B-9
 sensitivity, and other health problems.
Fossil fuels Nonrenewable, naturally-occurring fuels from organic material deposited in
the earth. The altered remains of once-living organisms that are burned to
release energy. Examples are coal, oil, and natural gas. It takes millions of
years to form fossil fuels.

B-10 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

Geographical Information Detailed information on the soils, hydrology, land use patterns, and plant and
System (GIS) animal habitats of sites, plotted on maps or entered in databases and
employed to evaluate appropriate location of buildings and infrastructure,
and to plan landscaping and other land use considerations.
Glazing Transparent or translucent coverings which allow light to enter rooms and
solar collectors while providing weather protection. Window glass and clear
plastic films are examples of glazing.
Global warming A long-term, gradual increase in the average temperature in climate systems
throughout the world as a result of the greenhouse effect.
Graywater Water that has been used for showering, clothes washing, and faucet uses.
Kitchen sink and toilet water is excluded. This water can be reused in
subsurface irrigation for yards. (Often spelled greywater)
Green development A development approach that goes beyond conventional development
practice, by integrating the following elements: Environmental
responsiveness— Benefiting the surrounding environment; Resource
efficiency— Using resources in the construction, development, and operations
of buildings and/or communities in ways that are not wasteful; and Sensitivity
to existing culture and community— Fostering community in design,
construction, and operations. Bringing these elements together through the
green development approach provides numerous environmental and
economic benefits by capitalizing on the interconnections.
Green wash To falsely claim a product is environmentally sound. Also known as faux
green.
Greenfields Undeveloped land.
Greenhouse gas Any of several dozen heat-trapping (radiatively active) trace gases in the
earth's atmosphere which absorb infrared radiation. The two major
greenhouse gases are water vapor and carbon dioxide; lesser greenhouse
gases include methane, ozone, CFCs, and nitrogen oxides.
Habitat The environment in which an organism or biological population usually lives
or grows.
HCFC’s Hydrogen chlorofluorocarbon. Considered to be a contributor to ozone layer
destruction. 1/20th as potent as CFC’s.
Heat island effect The rise in ambient temperature that occurs over large paved areas.
Strategic placement of trees can reduce this effect and reduce energy
consumption for cooling by 15-30%.
Heat pump A mechanical device used for heating and cooling which operates by
pumping heat from a cooler to a warmer location. Heat pumps can draw heat
from a number of sources, e.g., air water or earth and are classified as either
air-source or water source units.
Heat recovery ventilator Exhaust fans that warm the incoming air with the heat from the outgoing air,
(or Air -to- Air Heat recovering about 50-70% of the energy. In hot climates the function is
Exchangers) reversed so that the cooler inside air passes by the incoming hot air and
reduces its temperature.
Highest and best use The conventional definition is the property use that, at a given time, is
deemed likely to produce the greatest net return in the foreseeable future,
whether or not such use is the current use of the property. Green
development defines it as not just in terms of maximum return on
investment, but also as that use which best reflects long-term social, cultural,
and financial values held by a community.
High-mass construction Passive building strategy of constructing buildings of massive, heat-retaining
materials (such as masonry or adobe) to moderate diurnal temperature
swings, especially in arid climates. (See thermal storage capacity)
Horizontal axis clothes A washing machine designed to clean without an agitator. It uses much less
washer water than vertical-axis models, reduces wear and tear on clothes, and result
in drier clothes.
Human comfort zone A band of dry bulb temperatures from 67.5 degrees Fahrenheit to about 78

Appendix B B-11
 degrees Fahrenheit and 20% to 80% relative humidity. Within that zone on
the Psychrometric Chart, all weather conditions which occur are said to be
conducive to thermal comfort, assuming occupants are in full shade, lightly
clothed and only moderately active. All climate data that are plotted at lower
dry bulb temperatures (to the left of the comfort zone) are indicative of time
when solar radiation (passive heating) could be utilized to restore comfort.
All hours above 67.5 F require shading. (See Psychrometric Chart)
Humidistat Device for measuring relative humidity.

B-12 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

HVAC Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (cooling) system
Hydrogen A nonmetallic element that is the simplest, lightest and most abundant of the
elements; it is normally a colorless, odorless, flammable gas
Impervious cover A ground cover that does not allow water to pass through it to the soil below.
Many jurisdictions have restrictions on the amount of impervious cover
allowed on a building site, in order to reduce stormwater runoff and resulting
non-point source pollution.
Incandescent bulb An incandescent bulb is the most common and least energy-efficient lamp.
Electricity runs through a tungsten filament that glows and produces a soft,
warm light. Because so much of the energy used is lost as heat, these are
highly inefficient sources of light. Halogen lamps are a special, more energy-
efficient type of incandescent lamp containing halogen gas to produce a
brighter, whiter light than incandescents.
Indigenous Existing, growing, or produced naturally in a region
Indoor air quality (IAQ) The cleanliness or health effects of air in a building is affected by the amount
of compounds released into the space by various materials, carbon dioxide
levels, and microbial contaminants. IAQ is heavily influenced by both choice
of building materials (and cleaning procedures) and ventilation rates.
Infill Developing on empty lots of land within an urban area rather than on new
undeveloped land outside the city. Infill development helps prevent urban
sprawl and can help with economic revitalization.
Infrared radiation Electromagnetic radiation whose wavelengths lie in the range from 0.75
micrometers to 1000 micrometers.
Infrastructure Services and facilities provided by a municipality or privately provided,
including roads, highways, water, sewage, emergency services, parks and
recreation, and so on.
Insolation Amount of solar energy reaching a surface per unit of time.
Insulation A material (e.g., fiberglass, rock wool, cellulose, straw) which effectively
slows down the movement of heat. Typically installed around a living space
(e.g., in the walls and attic) to improve comfort and reduce heating and
cooling bills. Material having a relatively high resistance to heat flow and
used primarily to retard the flow of heat. Measured by R-value. The higher
the R-value, the more insulating the material.
Integrated design A holistic process that considers the many disparate parts of a building
project, and examines the interaction between design, construction, and
operations, to optimize the energy and environmental performance of the
project. The strength of this process is that all relevant issues are considered
simultaneously in order to “solve for pattern”or solve many problems with
one solution. The goal of integrated design is developments that have the
potential to heal damaged environments and become net producers of
energy, healthy food, clean water and air, and healthy human and biological
communities.
Internal rate of return The true annual rate of earnings on an investment. Equates the value of cash
(IRR) returns with cash invested, taking compound interest factors into account.
Joist Parallel horizontal structural framing members. Typically floor joists and
ceiling joists.
Joule The international unit of energy or work in the meter-kilogram-second (MKS)
system. One joule is equal to one watt per second or 0.737 foot-pounds.
Named after James Joule. It takes one million joules of energy to make a
pot of coffee.
Kilowatt (kW) A unit of power equal to 1,000 watts. It is usually used as a measure of
electrical power. On a hot summer afternoon a home with central air
conditioning and other equipment in use might have a demand of 4 kW each
hour.
Kilowatt-hour (kWh) A measure of energy equal to the amount of power multiplied by the amount
of time the power is used. It is most often used to describe amounts of

Appendix B B-13
 electrical energy. A 100-watt light bulb burning for 10 hours uses one
kilowatt-hour of power.
Land stewardship The act of managing the land and its resources in a sustainable or restorative
manner.
Latent heat The heat required to change the phase (e.g. a liquid to a gas) of a material
without altering its temperature

B-14 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

Latent load Cooling load resulting from thermal energy released when moisture in the air
goes from a vapor to a liquid state. In hot humid climates, cooling equipment
must have sufficient capacity to handle this load if occupants are to be
comfortable.
Lease A contract that gives the tenant the right of possession for a period of time in
return for paying rent to the landlord.
Leichtlehm Straw and clay mixture, moistened and pressed between forms, which
hardens into a strong material. Typically used for making walls. An old and
durable technique. (German for light loam)
Life cycle assessment A process to evaluate all costs of a product or process through its entire
existence, including extracting and processing of raw materials,
manufacturing, transportation, distribution, use, maintenance, recycling,
reuse, and disposal.
Life-cycle The consecutive, interlinked stages of a product, beginning with raw
materials acquisition and manufacture and continuing with its fabrication,
manufacture, construction and use, and concluding with a variety of
recovery, recycling, or waste management options.
Light Visually perceived radiant energy (a small part of the electromagnetic
spectrum).
Light construction Construction of a building using materials which have low densities (like
wood or aerated concrete). The lower densities of these materials reduce
their capacity to store heat.
Light shelf A daylighting strategy that allows natural light to bounce off a shelf located in
a window and onto the ceiling to bring light deep into a space.
Light-to-solar-gain ratio A measure of the ability of a glazing to provide light without excessive solar
(LSG) heat gain. It is the ratio between the visible transmittance of a glazing and its
solar heat gain coefficient.
Linoleum A durable, natural flooring material (may be used for other purposes, such as
countertops) made primarily of cork.
Locally-sourced materials Materials obtained from a defined radius around a project site, helping to
support the local economy and reducing transportation costs and energy.
Louvers A series of baffles used to shield a light source from view at certain angles,
or to absorb unwanted light, or to allow selective ventilation.
Low-emissivity windows Glazing that has special coatings to permit most of the sun’s light radiation to
enter the building, but prevents heat radiation from passing through.
Lumens Amount of light given off by a light source.
Mass transit Conveyance of persons or goods from one place to another on a local public
transportation system such as light rail, bus, or subway.
Methane (CH 4) An odorless, colorless gas, nearly insoluble in water, which burns with a pale,
faintly luminous flame to produce water and carbon dioxide (or carbon
monoxide if oxygen is deficient).
Microclimate The small scale climate of a building site, affected by site georgraphy, site
topography, vegetation, and proximity to bodies of water, etc., which may
very slightly from the prevalent regional climatic conditions.
Mixed-use development A development in one or several buildings that combines several revenue-
producing uses that are integrated into a comprehensive plan— such as a
project with a elements of housing, retail, and office space.
Mortgage A written contract that uses real estate as security for the payment of a
specified debt.
National Fenestration Council which rates window models for a variety of factors (light
Rating Council transmittance, energy efficiency, etc.) Now an apples-to-apples comparison
system available.
Native vegetation A plant whose presence and survival in a specific region is not due to human
intervention or cultivation.
Neotraditional planning Based on nineteenth-century American town prototypes, this type of planning
minimizes automobile use and encourages a sense of community with a town

Appendix B B-15
 center and open public areas.
Net operating income Income from real estate property after operating expense have been
(NOI) deducted, but before deducting income taxes and financing expenses
(interest and principal payments). The formula is:
NOI = gross income - operating expenses.

B-16 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

New Urbanism A city planning movement that focuses on revitalizing the inner city and
reforming the American suburb within an integrated regional structure. New
Urbanists strive for a built environment that must be diverse in use and
population, must be scaled for pedestrian use without entirely eliminating
automobile access, and must have a well defined public realm supported by
vernacular architecture.
Nighttime ventilation Passive building strategy of flushing building structures with cool, nighttime
air to minimize the next day’s cooling load: works best in conjunction with
massive building envelopes.
Nitrogen oxides (NO x) Oxides of nitrogen that are a chief component of air pollution. Mainly
produced by the burning of fossil fuels.
Non-point source Pollution, typically of water, that results from many difficult-to-pinpoint and
pollution control sources, rather than one specific source, such as pollution from a
factory.
Nonrenewable fuels Fuels that cannot be easily made or "renewed." We can use up, or exhaust,
nonrenewable fuels. Oil, natural gas, and coal are nonrenewable fuels.
Non-renewable resources Natural resources that are consumed faster than can be produced. Thus they
are limited resources that could lead to eventual depletion.
Off-gas/out-gas The emitting of fumes into the air. Most new paints, carpeting, and many
other building materials typically offgas chemical compounds which are
unpleasant to breathe and may be hazardous to occupant health.
Operating costs Costs directly related to the operation, maintenance, repair, and
management of a property and the utilities that service it. Includes insurance,
property taxes, utilities, maintenance, and management expenses.
Organic matter Materials of animal or vegetable origin.
Orientation The relation of a building and its associated fenestration and interior surfaces
to compass direction and, therefore, to the location of the sun. It is usually
given in terms of angular degrees away from south, i.e., a wall facing due
southeast has an orientation of 45 degrees east of south.
Ozone (O3) A molecule made of three oxygen atoms instead of the usual two. Ozone is
a poisonous gas and an irritant at the earth's surface, capable of damaging
lungs and eyes. But the ozone layer in the stratosphere shields life on earth
from deadly ultraviolet radiation from space.
Passive building design Building configurations which take advantage of a natural, renewable
resource (like sunlight, cooling breezes, etc.) Passive design strategies
typically do not involve any moving part or mechanical processes.
Passive cooling Using passive building strategies to relieve the cooling load of a building by
capitalizing on such things as predictable summer breezes or by shading
windows from direct summer sunlight.
Passive solar systems Systems that collect, move, and store heat using natural heat-transfer
mechanisms such as conduction and air convection currents.
Passive solar heating Using the sun’s energy (in the form of heat) to diminish a building’s heating
load, usually through the use of large window areas which permit light
penetration upon some massive material to utilize the material’s thermal
storage capacity.
Payback period The time estimated for a capital investment to pay for itself, calculated by
relating the cost of the investment to the profit it will earn or savings it will
incur.
Pedestrian pocket A simple cluster of housing, retail space, and offices within a quarter-mile
radius of a transit system. Smaller scale than new towns or Planned Unit
Developments.
Pedestrian scale An urban development pattern where walking is a safe, convenient, and
interesting travel mode.
Permaculture A unique approach to the practice of sustainable farming, ranching,
gardening and living, by designing constructed ecosystems that serve the
needs of human populations without degrading the natural environment.

Appendix B B-17
 Permaculture sites integrate plants, animals, landscapes, structures, and
humans into symbiotic systems while requiring a minimum of materials,
energy, and labor to maintain.
Permanent loan A long-term loan on real estate, such as a mortgage, from a financial
institution. Subject to specific conditions, such as construction of
improvements.
Permeable Open to passage of fluids/gases. Important to know permeability of building
materials in exterior walls if moisture problems are to be avoided.

B-18 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

Photosynthesis The utilization of light energy to create chemical bonds; the synthesis of
organic compounds from carbon dioxide and water. (From the Greek photos,
meaning light + syn, meaning together + tithenai, meaning to place).
Photovoltaics (PVs) Solid-state cells (typically made from silicon) that directly convert sunlight
into electricity.
Pleated-media filter Inexpensive, but highly effective type of HVAC filter due to its great surface
area. Able to give substantial protection to both equipment and indoor air
quality.
Power The rate at which energy is consumed or produced. It is expressed in watts
(W). A 1-watt source supplies energy at the rate of 1 joule per second. (A
100-watt lamp consumes energy at the rate of 100 joules per second; the
human body involved in normal activity is rated at about 100W, a significant
proportion being used to drive the brain). The sun radiates energy at the rate
of about 70 million watts per square meter of its surface; at the equator the
Earth receives a mean annual solar energy flux of around 1,400 watts per
square meter.
Pressure-treated wood Wood that is chemically preserved to prevent moisture decay. The
chemicals typically used are health hazards for workers. Such wood should
not be burned because it produces toxic fumes, and must be treated as a
hazardous waste when disposed of.
Psychrometric chart A graphical representation of the thermodynamic properties of moist air.
Used to ascertain the potential effectiveness of passive strategies to
maximize human comfort.
Radiant barrier A material (typically an aluminum foil) that is good at blocking the transfer of
radiant heat across a space because it has a lowemissivity. In a hot climate
it is often installed in attics under the roof decking to keep the attic cooler.
Radiant energy Energy in the form of electromagnetic waves that travels outward in all
directions from its source.
Radiation Transfer of heat by means of the straight-line passage of eletromagnetic
waves through space (including vacuums) from a warmer object to a cooler
one. Sunlight is a form of radiation.
Radon gas A radioactive, colorless, odorless gas that occurs naturally in soil in many
areas. When trapped in buildings, concentrations build up, and can cause
health hazards.
Rafter Structural roof member that holds up roof decking and roofing.
Raised-heel truss Roof truss constructed so the top member (rafter) is raised above the top of
the wall instead of resting on it. Constructed this way to allow space for both
attic insulation and an air path from the soffit vent into the attic.
Rammed earth A wall-building technique, by which a certain mixture of earth, water, and
usually a small amount of cement, is very forcibly tamped inside formwork.
The resulting wall has high mass, so it works well in hot climates. It often
needs no exterior or interior covering, thus saving materials.
Recycled material Material that would otherwise be destined for disposal but is diverted or
separated from the waste stream, reintroduced as material feed-stock, and
processed into marketed end-products.
Refrigerant A volatile substance that can be used as a working (cooling) fluid in a cooling
system.
Relative humidity The percentage of water vapor in the air in relation to the amount of water
vapor the air could hold at that given temperature before condensing to liquid
form.
Renewable energy Energy produced from regenerative or virtually inexhaustible resources such
as biomass, solar radiation, the wind, water, or heat from the Earth's interior.
Renewable resources Resources that are created or produced at least as fast as they are
consumed, so that nothing is depleted. If properly managed, renewable
energy resources (e.g., solar, hydro, wind power, biomass, and geothermal)
should last as long as the sun shines, rivers flow, wind blows, and plants

Appendix B B-19
 grow.
Renovation The process of upgrading an existing building. Usually there is an attempt to
keep the same general appearance of the building with new materials or to
return the building to its original appearance.
Resistance The ability of all conductors of electricity to resist the flow of current, turning
some of it into heat. Resistance depends on the cross section of the
conductor (the smaller the cross section, the greater the resistance) and its
temperature (the hotter the cross section, the greater the resistance).

B-20 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

Restoration The process of bringing back a structure or landscape to its original state.
Retrofit The replacement, upgrade, or improvement of a piece of equipment or
structure in an existing building or facility.
Revitalize To give new life or vigor to, for example, to revitalize inner-city
neighborhoods.
Ridge The peak of a pitched/sloped roof.
Run-off Water from rainfall or irrigation that flows off of land, instead of soaking in. It
effectively becomes a lost resource, and contributes to non-point source
pollution.
R-value A unit of thermal resistance used for comparing insulating values of different
materials; the higher the R-value of a material, the greater its insulating
properties.
Sand barrier termite Use of sand of a specific type around and at penetrations of a building
control foundation as a means to prevent entry by termites. Termites cannot pass
through this type of sand because their tunnels cave in.
Sealant An adhesive agent used to close or secure something in order to prevent
seepage of moisture or air.
SEER Seasonal energy efficiency ratio: the total cooling output of an air conditioner
during its normal annual usage period for cooling, in Btu/h, divided by the
total electric energy input during the same period, in watt-hours. (in other
words, the measure of the energy efficiency of the air conditioner). The
higher this number the better.
Sensible heat Heat that raises the temperature of a material without changing its phase.
Sensible load Heating or cooling load required to meet air temperature requirement for
comfort.
Shading coefficient (SC) The ratio of solar heat gain through a given window glazing or screen
material to that through 1/8 inch clear double strength glass. Expressed as a
number between 0 and 1. This term is being replaced by solar heat gain
coefficient (SHGC), a more descriptive term. The lower a window’s or
screen’s SC, the less solar heat it transmits, and the greater its shading
ability.
Sick building syndrome This sickness is characterized by the symptoms that people have in an
(SBS) unhealthy building— dizziness, headaches, irritated eyes, nausea, throat
irritation and coughing— these reactions typically cease when the person
leaves the building
Site assessment The thorough environmental analysis conducted as a stage in planning to
assess a variety of measures from soils, topography, hydrology,
environmental amenities such as wetlands, wind direction, solar orientation,
animal and plant habitat, connections to community, etc. Geographical
Information Systems (GIS) can facilitate this task.
Site development costs All costs needed to prepare the land for building construction, such as the
demolition of existing structures, site preparation, off-site improvements, and
on-site improvements.
Sludge The sediment extracted from wastewater.
Soffit The enclosed underside of an eave. (Some eaves are not enclosed and
have exposed rafter tails.)
Solar access Access to the sun’s rays by, for instance, restricting the location of shade
trees or laying out the building so as to maximize the usefulness of solar
energy.
Solar collector Device which uses the sun’s energy to perform some kind of mechanical
advantage which would normally be supplied by an non-renewable energy
source. Photovoltaic panels (PV’s) which convert the sun’s energy directly
into electricity, and solar hot water panels, which heat pre-heat water before
sending it into a hot water heater are two examples.
Solar energy Energy received from the sun in the form of electromagnetic radiation in the
wavelength region from 0.3 to 2.7 microns. This includes all visible light as

Appendix B B-21
 well as some ultraviolet and infrared radiation.
Solar heat gain The fraction of solar radiation admitted through a window or screen, both
coefficient directly transmitted and absorbed, and subsequently released into the living
space. See shading coefficient.
Solar radiation Radiant energy received from the sun, from both direct exposure and diffuse
or reflected sunlight.
Source reduction Elimination of waste at the beginning of a process. Sometimes called
“precycling”.

B-22 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

Spec house A single-family dwelling constructed in anticipation of finding a buyer.
Specifications (specs) Detailed instructions provided in conjunction with plans and blueprints for
construction. Includes information necessary to build a building which cannot
be included easily in drawings. Specifications may stipulate the type of
materials to be used, special construction techniques, dimensions, and
colors.
Spectrally-selective Coated or tinted glazing with optical properties that are transparent to some
glazing wavelengths of energy and reflective to others.
Sprawl The spread of residential areas, shopping centers, and small industries
outside of city boundaries.
Stakeholder Those people who are or will be affected by a real estate development, either
financially (i.e., investors and lenders) or physically (i.e., occupants and
users, local community, local government, and other institutions).
Stretch ratio In mortgage calculations, the percentage that lenders will “stretch”a
mortgage (i.e., from 28% of the homebuyer’s salary to 30%) for homes that
meet energy-efficiency ratings or other standards, realizing that other
expenses such as operating or transportation costs will be lower.
Structural insulated A type of building system combining exterior sheathing, structural support,
panels (SIPS) and insulation, and interior sheathing into one modular factory-assembled
unit, thus reducing the number of vertical joints, interior voids, and assembly
time.
Stud Vertical wall framing members. Typically made of wood or metal.
Sulphur dioxide A colorless, irritating gas that is a primary cause of acid rain. It is a by-
product of coal combustion.
Superwindows Double or triple-glazed window sandwiches which contain a center sheet of
coated mylar “low-emissivity”film and are filled with argon or krypton gas.
This construction and the coating on the film allows short-wave radiation
(visible light) to pass through, but reflects long-wavelength radiation (infrared
or heat) so heat cannot pass through. R-values of 4.5 or more are achieved.
Sustainability Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs (as defined by the Brundtland
Commission, 1987).
Sustainably-sourced Materials that are acquired in an environmentally sound manner emphasizing
materials efficient and appropriate use of natural resources.
Task lighting Lighting to provide illumination for a specific activity in a specific place.
Thermal break An element of low conductance placed between elements of higher
conductance to reduce the flow of heat. For example, a thermal break
material, such as plastic, may be placed between the inner and outer parts of
an aluminum window frame to make the window more energy efficient.
Thermal bridging An element in a building envelope which has high conductivity (is a poor
insulator) and compromises the insulating value of the envelope. (For
example, a metal stud without exterior insulation)
Thermal chimney A section of a building where solar heat or thermal currents are controlled
and utilized to stimulate an updraft and exhaust hot air. This draws in fresh
air through open windows or vents and is a passive cooling technique.
Thermal conductance Ability of a material to allow heat to pass through it. Aluminum has high
thermal conductance, insulation has low thermal conductance.
Thermal mass Materials that have a high capacity for absorbing heat, and change
temperature slowly. These materials are used to absorb and retain solar
energy during the daytime for release at night or during cloudy periods. They
include water, rocks, masonry, and earth.
Thermal storage capacity The capacity for a building material to store heat internally from the sun,
generally for later use or release.
Tipping fees Fees charged for dumping large quantities of trash into a land fill.
Topography The physical features, including the configuration of a surface, of a place or
region.

Appendix B B-23
Traditional Neighborhood A basic unit of New Urbanism, which includes the following characteristics:
Development (TND) a center that includes a public space and commercial enterprise; an
identifiable edge, ideally a five-minute walk from the center; a mix of
activities and variety of housing types; an interconnected network of streets
and blocks usually laid out in a modified grid pattern; high priority to public
space with prominently located civic buildings and open space that includes
squares, plazas, and parks.

B-24 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

Transit-oriented A mixed-use community within an average 2,000-foot walking distance of a
development transit stop and core commercial area that mixes residential, retail, office,
open space, and public uses in a way that makes it convenient for residents
and employees to travel by transit, foot, bike, etc.
Truth window (or wall) An exposed section of a wall or window that reveals the layered components
within it.
U-value/U-factor Measure of the rate of non-solar heat loss or gain through a material. The
reciprocal of R-value. The lower the U-value, the greater the material’s
resistance to heat flow and better its insulating value (the opposite of R-
value).
Ultra violet radiation Electromagnetic radiation, usually from the sun, that consists of wavelengths
in the range of 4 to 400 nanometers; shorter than the violet end of the visible
spectrum. UV radiation is a health hazard that can lead to skin cancer or
cataracts.
Urban growth boundary A boundary which identifies urban and urbanizable lands needed during a
specified planning period to be planned and serviced to support urban
development densities, and which separates these lands from rural lands.
Vapor The gaseous phase of a substance which exists as a liquid or solid under
normal conditions.
Vapor retarder/vapor A material which prevents or drastically reduces the passage of water in
barrier vapor form. Building materials are rated by permeance— their ability to let
water vapor pass through them. Whether or not it is desirable to install a
vapor retarder material on an exterior wall and where to place depends on
the climate where a building is located. In cold climates, vapor retarders are
typically installed on the inside of the wall frame. In hot humid climates, they
are installed on the outside, or preferably omitted entirely. In hot dry
climates they are not needed.
Variance A special permission granted to vary a physical structure or use a property in
a way normally prohibited by existing zoning.
Vernacular In architecture, vernacular buildings are seen as the opposite of whatever is
academic, or highstyle. The traditional architecture of a region. Often times,
traditional architecture is a result of response to the regional climate and land
conditions.
Visual Preference Photographic images of various planning and design elements, accompanied
SurveysTM by questionnaires and other analysis techniques. First developed by Anton
Nelesson.
Volatile organic A class of chemical compounds that can cause nausea, tremors, headaches,
compound (VOC) and, some doctors believe, longer-lasting harm. VOCs can be emitted by oil-
based paints, solvent-based finishes, and other products on/in construction
materials.
Warm-edge technology Use of low-conductance spacers to reduce heat transfer near the edge of
insulated glazing.
Watt (W) A unit of power, power being the rate at which energy is used to do work. The
unit rate at which work is done in an electrical circuit. One watt equals one
joule of work per second. Also equal to one ampere (amp) under a pressure
of one volt. Equal to 1/746 horsepower. Named after the Scottish inventor
James Watt.
Wavelength The distance between two similar points of a given wave. Wavelengths of
light are measured in nanometers (1 nm = 1 billionth of a meter).
Wetland Land that is transitional between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and is
covered with water for at least part of the year. These lands are important as
buffer zones to help control flooding and also provide an ecosystem for many
diverse species.
Whole-house fan A fan typically centrally located in the ceiling of a house that draws fresh
outside air into the living space, flushes hot air up to the attic and exhausts it
to the outside. Windows must be open and adequate venting area must be
present in the attic. Inexpensive way to cool a house when outside air is

Appendix B B-25
 cooler than inside air, and not excessively humid. Must be well sealed and
insulated during cold weather.
Whole-Systems Thinking A process through which the interconnections of systems are actively
considered, and solutions are sought that address multiple problems at the
same time.

B-26 Sustainable Building Sourcebook

Wingwall Outside walls attached perpendicularly to exterior walls properly placed near
windows to direct air into the windows for ventilation purposes. A negative
pressure zone is created by the wingwall which stimulates air movement.
Work The application of a force through a distance. Energy is stored work. Power
is the rate at which work is done, or the rate of flow of energy. The joule is
exactly the amount of work done in exerting the basic metric unit of force
(1 newton [N]) over the basic metric unit of distance (1 meter).
Xeriscaping Creative landscaping design for conserving water that uses drought-resistant
or drought-tolerant plants. (trademarked name)
Zoning A legal mechanism for local governments to prevent conflicting land use and
promote orderly development by regulating the use of privately owned land
through enforcement.

Appendix B B-27
 INDEX
ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of
America)
manuals, Ductwork 2-2
adhesives (see Finishes and Adhesives section)
in carpets and flooring, Floor Coverings 3-48, 49
low-VOC, Wood Flooring 3-112; Cabinets 3-1, 2
structural grade, Structural Insulated Panels 3-102
adobe (see Earth Construction section)
airflow factors
doors and, Ductwork 2-2
air-to-air heat exchanger (see Energy Recovery
Ventilator section)
amorphous silicon
definition and use of, Photovoltaic Systems 2-60
arbor
for shading, Site Protection 1-28; Energy Saving
Landscapes 2-25
ASHRAE (American Society of Heating,
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Engineers)
thermal testing and, Earth Construction 3-20
baffles
definition and use of, Radiant Barrier and Ridge-
and-Soffit Venting 2-70, 71
ballasts
photo cells and, Lighting 2-31
batteries
capacity of, Photovoltaic Systems 2-62
NEC and, Photovoltaic Systems 2-56
PV use description, Photovoltaic Systems 2-58
bentonite
use of, Earth-Sheltered Design 2-8
Bermuda grass
description and care, Water Wise Landscape 1-34
Grass Type Factor, Harvested Rainwater 1-19
water usage, Harvested Rainwater 1-19
biocide
defined, Finishes and Adhesives 3-42
in paint, Finishes and Adhesives 3-40, 41, 42
indoor air quality and, Finishes and Adhesives 3-
41blackwater
defined, Greywater 1-8
subsurface irrigation, Composting Toilets 1-5
borate
cellulose and, Insulation 3-65
for foam panels, Structural Insulated Panels 3-102
for wood, Wood Treatment 3-114
products, Wood Treatment 3-118
brick
as building material, Earth Construction 3-13
cost, Earth Construction 3-10
1
recycling, Construction Waste Management 4-14
thermal mass and, Passive Solar Design 2-46
Buffalograss
defined, Water Wise Landscape 1-34
water usage, Harvested Rainwater 1-19; Water
Wise Landscape 1-39
cabinets (see Cabinets section)
hazardous storage, Home Recycling 4-24
recycling center, Home Recycling 4-23, 25;
Commercial Recycling 4-2, 4-4
recycling, Construction Waste Management 4-15
caliche
use of, Earth Construction 3-11, 12, 14, 15, 16
carpet (see Floor Coverings section)
CCA (chromated copper arsenate) (see Wood
Treatment section)
termites and, Integrated Pest Management 3-72
cedar
mulch, Water Wise Landscape 1-37
pest resistance, Integrated Pest Management 3-72
use of, Wood Treatment 3-116, 119
ceiling fans (see Fans section)
cellulose
use of, Insulation 3-65, 66
cement
as soil stabilizer, (see Earth Construction section)
flyash, (see Flyash Concrete section)
cementitious foam
use of, Insulation 3-64, 66, 68
CFCs
insulation, Insulation 3-64, 66, 67
SIPs and, Structural Insulated Panels 3-101
charge controller
batteries and, Photovoltaic Systems 2-61
cisterns (see Harvested Rainwater section)
clerestory
schematic, Natural Daylighting 2-41
clotheswasher (see also washing machine)
energy and, Energy Efficient Appliances, 2-14, 15
water and, Harvested Rainwater 1-18
cob (see Earth Construction section)
combination (combo) system
definition, Water Heating 2-88
system selection, Water Heating 2-89
compost
bins, Compost Systems 4-7
building a site, Compost Systems 4-7
conserving water and, Water Wise Landscape 1-
32
during building, Construction Waste Management
4-14, 15
composting toilets (see Composting Toilets section)
concrete
cisterns and, Harvested Rainwater 1-16
embodied energy of, Earth Construction 3-21
for thermal mass wall, Passive Solar Design 2-47
flyash and, Flyash Concrete 3-55, 3-56
in building, Earth Construction 3-16, 3-17
in passive design, Passive Solar Design 2-48
insulating, Insulation 3-66, 3-68
recycling, Construction Waste 4-14
soil and, Earth Construction 3-13, 3-19
constructed wetlands
for stormwater retention, Alternative Stormwater
Quality Controls 1-1
controller
charge, Photovoltaic Systems 2-61
irrigation, Water Wise Landscape 1-36
cork
in flooring, Floor Coverings 3-47, 3-48
cotton
carpet, Floor Coverings 3-47, 3-48
in insulation, Insulation 3-64
mulch, Water Wise Landscape 1-37
daylighting (see Natural Daylighting section)
demand heater
use of, Water Heating 2-86
depressurization
airflow and, Ductwork 2-2
causes of, Ductwork 2-1
desiccant
system, Energy Recovery Ventilator 2-20
'Dillo Dirt
defined, Water Wise Landscape 1-32
manufacture of, Composting Toilets 1-4
use of, Water Wise Landscape 1-32
direct gain
defined, Passive Solar Design 2-48
dishwasher
efficiency, Energy Efficient Appliances 2-16
water usage, Energy Efficient Appliances 2-16
doors (see Windows and Doors section)
affecting air flow, Fans 2-27, 2-28; Ductwork 2-2
ductwork and, Ductwork 2-1
for hazardous materials, Home Recycling 4-25
in earth designs, Earth Construction 3-17, 3-18
recycling, Construction Waste Management 4-15
straw bale and, Straw Bale Construction 3-98
with whole house fan, Fans 2-27, 2-28
drainback system
defined, Solar Water Heating and Space Heating
2-78
ductboard
as insulation, Ductwork 2-3
duct insulation
in metal ducts, Ductwork 2-3
leakage and, Radiant Barrier and Ridge-and-Soffit
2
Venting 2-69
ductolator
defined, Ductwork 2-2
ductwork (see Ductwork section)
combo systems, Water Heating 2-88
ERVs and, Energy Recovery Ventilator 2-21
earth tube
use of, Earth-Sheltered Design 2-6
earth shelters (see Earth-Sheltered Design section)
earth work
use of, Site Protection 1-28
embodied energy
examples, Earth Construction 3-21
in manufacturing, Engineered Siding and Trim
3-31
energy efficient lighting
use of, Lighting 2-31
erosion
prevention of, Site Protection 1-26
ERV (see Energy Recovery Ventilator section)
earth shelters and, Earth-Sheltered Design 2-6
fiber-cement
composite slates, Roofing 3-88
in roofing materials, Roofing 3-85
in siding, Engineered Siding and Trim 3-30, 31
fiberglass
insulating, Insulation 3-65, 67
cisterns, Harvested Rainwater 1-16
ductwork and, Ductwork 2-3
tape, Ductwork 2-3, 4
fill and cut
defined, Site Protection 1-27
fingerjointing
aesthetics of, Engineered Siding and Trim 3-31
defined, Engineered Siding and Trim 3-30
structural, Engineered Structural Products 3-35
waste and, Engineered Structural Products 3-36
finishes (see Finishes and Adhesives section)
flex duct
use of, Ductwork 2-3
flooring (see sections on Floor Coverings
and Wood Flooring)
alternate sources, Earth Construction 3-12, 15, 18,
19
waste and, Construction Waste Management 4-15
fluorescent
energy efficiency and, Lighting 2-31, 34, 35
safety and, Electromagnetic Fields 2-11
flyash (see Flyash Concrete section)
Forest Stewardship Council
certifications of, Dimensional Lumber 3-5
formaldehyde
OSB and, Structural Insulated Panels 3-102
health and, Insulation 3-64, 65
in paint, Finishes and Adhesives 3-41, 42
 limiting use of, Cabinets 3-1, 2
outgassing, Floor Coverings 3-48
sealant for, Cabinets 3-1
use of, Engineered Sheet Materials 3-26
glazing
evaluation of, Natural Daylighting 2-41
for cooling, Passive Solar Design 2-47
systems, Windows and Doors 3-107
grass (see also turf)
clippings, Compost Systems 4-7, 4-8
factor chart/formulas, Harvested Rainwater 1-19
hay and, Straw Bale Construction 3-95
heat reduction and, Energy Saving Landscapes
2-24
mowing, Water Wise Landscape 1-31, 35
paver requirements, Pervious Materials 1-24
types of, Water Wise Landscape 1-34
greywater (see Greywater Irrigation section)
hardwood
as mulch, Water Wise Landscape 1-37
in cabinets, Cabinets 3-1, 2
salvaging, Wood Flooring 3-111
supply of, Wood Flooring 3-111
tropical, Engineered Siding and Trim, 3-30, 31
harvested rainwater (see Harvested Rainwater section)
hazardous materials
disposal of, Commercial Recycling 4-4
storage of, Home Recycling 4-23, 24, 25
substances, Construction Waste Management 4-12
heat recovery ventilator
energy use and, Energy Recovery Ventilator 2-19
humidity
control of, Energy Recovery Ventilator 2-20, 21
earth tubes and, Earth Sheltered Design 2-7
rammed earth and, Earth Construction 3-16
reduction of, Passive Solar Design 2-51
whole house fan and, Fans 2-27, 28
I-beam
engineered, Engineered Structural Products 3-35,
36
incandescent
use of, Lighting 2-33
indirect gain
sunrooms and, Passive Solar Design 2-47
indoor air quality
control of, Energy Recovery Ventilator 2-20, 21
description of, Energy Recovery Ventilator 2-19
ductboard and, Ductwork 2-1
duct leakage and, Ductwork 2-1
earth-shelters and, Earth Sheltered Design 2-7
finishes and, Finishes and Adhesives 3-40
flooring and, Floor Coverings 3-48
insulation and, Insulation 3-36
insulation (see Insulation section)
in earth shelters, Earth-Sheltered Design 2-6, 7
3
using leftover, Construction Waste Management
4-14
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
least toxic, Integrated Pest Management
Ventilator3-70
3
non-structural practice, Alternative Stormwater
Quality Controls 1-1
termites and, Integrated Pest Management 3-70
inverter
PVs and, Photovoltaic Systems 2-60, 61
irrigation
cost of, Harvested Rainwater 1-14
rainwater and, Harvested Rainwater 1-14
retention and, Alternative Stormwater Quality
Controls 1-1
subsurface, Composting Toilets 1-5
technology of, Water Wise Landscape 1-36
turf and, Water Wise Landscape 1-36
water efficient, Water Wise Landscape 1-36
watering schedule, Water Wise Landscape 1-39
landscaping
chipping for mulch, Construction Waste 4-14
energy and, Energy Saving Landscapes 2-24
termites and, Integrated Pest Management 3-72
water conservation and, (see Water Wise
Landscape section)
with bricks, Earth Construction 3-11
latent cooling load
defined, Fans 2-27
reduction of, Fans 2-27
lighting (see Lighting and Natural Daylighting
sections)
lightwells
design and use of, Earth-Sheltered Design 2-7
lime
hydrated, Earth Construction 3-14
in soil stabilization, Earth Construction 3-13
protection from, Earth Construction 3-14
to neutralize, Compost Systems 4-6
linoleum
natural, Floor Coverings 3-47
low-e
benefits, Windows and Doors 3-106
defined, Windows and Doors 3-107
medium density fiberboard (MDF)
defined, Cabinets 3-1
uses of, Cabinets 3-1
mesquite
decay resistance, Wood Treatment 3-114
use of, Wood Flooring 3-111
metal duct
noise and, Ductwork 2-3
mulch
chipping for, Construction Waste 4-14;
Site Protection 1-27
irrigation and, Harvested Rainwater 1-14
 types and uses of, Water Wise Landscape 1-37
native vegetation
uses of, Site Protection 1-26
natural finishes (see Finishes and Adhesives section)
NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council)
testing by, Windows and Doors 3-109
nickel cadmium (NiCad)
use of, Photovoltaic Systems 2-62
NSF (National Sanitation Federation)
defined, Composting Toilets 1-4
occupancy sensors
types and use of, Lighting 2-36
old growth
identification of, Dimensional Lumber 3-4
OSB (oriented strand board)
defined, Engineered Sheet Material 3-25
facings and, Engineered Structural Products 3-35
in I-beams, Engineered Structural Products 3-36
local supply of, Engineered Sheet Material 3-37
reflective surfaces and, Radiant Barrier and Ridge-
and-Soffit Venting 2-70
wall panels and, Structural Insulated Panels 3-101
outdoor lighting
high intensity discharge and, Lighting 2-31
parabolic aluminized reflectors and, Lighting 2-
33
paints (see Finishes and Adhesives section)
passive design (see Passive Solar Design section)
cost effectiveness, Solar Water Heating and Space
Heating 2-74
earth-cooling and, Earth-Sheltered Design 2-6
roof ventilation and, Radiant Barrier and Ridge-
and-Soffit Venting 2-69, 70
passive solar water heating (see Solar Water Heating
and Space Heating section)
pavers (see Pervious Materials section)
stone and brick, Earth Construction 3-10
paving
around trees, Water Wise Landscape 4
installation and maintenance of, Pervious
Materials 1-24
pervious, Alternative Stormwater Quality Controls
1-2
stone and brick, Earth Construction 3-9
perlite
definition of, Insulation 3-66
in wallboard, Engineered Sheet Materials 3-25
local supply of, Insulation 3-68
use of, Insulation 3-64
pervious material
uses of, Site Protection 1-28;
Water Wise Landscape 1-35
pesticides (see Integrated Pest Management section)
EPA guidelines, Wood Treatment 3-114
native vegetation, Site Protection 1-26
4
in paint, Finishes and Adhesives 3-40
less toxic, Wood Treatment 3-114
storage of, Home Recycling 4-24
photovoltaics (see Photovoltaic Systems section)
polystyrene
extruded, Insulation 3-66
in foam core, Structural Insulated Panels 3-101
sheathing products, Insulation 3-67
pozzolan
defined, Earth Construction 3-13
pressure-treated wood (see Wood Treatment section)
CCA and, Integrated Pest Management 3-72
precautions, Wood Treatment 3-116; Construction
Waste Management 4-14
regulation of, Integrated Pest Management 3-114
PV (see Photovoltaic Systems section)
quick lime
use of, Earth Construction 3-14
radiant barrier (see Radiant Barrier and Ridge-and-
Soffit Venting section)
rainwater
alternative controls, Alternative Stormwater
Quality Controls 1-1
collection of, (see Harvested Rainwater section)
rammed earth (see Earth Construction section)
recirculating pump
water saving, Indoor Water Conservation 1-44
recycling (see Home Recycling, Construction Waste
Management, and Commercial Recycling
sections)
content, Engineered Siding and Trim 3-31;
Commercial Recycling 4-2
cost of, Floor Coverings 3-48
'Dillo Dirt, Water Wise Landscape 1-30
for mulch, Water Wise Landscape 1-37
local supply, Engineered Siding and Trim 3-30;
Windows and Doors 3-109
of sheeting, Engineered Sheet Materials 3-25
padding, Floor Coverings 3-49
PET and, Floor Coverings 3-47
tile, Floor Coverings 3-47
redwood
source of, Dimensional Lumber 3-5
environmental issues, Outdoor Decking Materials
3-80
natural resistance, Wood Treatment 3-114
refrigerator
efficiency of, Energy Efficient Appliances 2-14, 15
PVs and, Photovoltaic Systems 2-60
refrigerants
refrigeration, Photovoltaic Systems 2-60, 67
technology, Energy Efficient Appliances 2-15
types of, Energy Efficient Appliances 2-15, 16
ridge vent (see Radiant Barrier and Ridge- and-Soffit
Venting section)
rockwool (see Insulation section)
roofing (see Roofing section)
perlite and, Insulation 3-66
rainwater and, Harvested Rainwater 1-12, 13,
15, 16
recycling of, Construction Waste Management
4-14, 15
vent installation, Radiant Barrier and Ridge-and-
Soffit Venting 2-69, 70, 71
roof washer
description, use and availability of, Harvested
Rainwater 1-17
sand barrier
defined, Integrated Pest Management 3-75
organic pest control and use of, Integrated Pest
Management 3-70
septic
blackwater systems and, Greywater 1-8
composting toilet and, Composting Toilets 1-5
cost of, Composting Toilets 1-4
shower
flow rate, Harvested Rainwater 1-18
siding (see Engineered Siding and Trim section)
exterior, Structural Insulated Panels 3-102
in sheets, Engineered Sheet Materials 3-25, 26
recycling, Construction Waste Management
4-14, 15
termites and, Integrated Pest Management 3-72, 73
silicon
amorphous, crystalline, Photovoltaic Systems 2-60
site clearing/grading
guidelines, Site Protection 1-27, 28
skylights
heat gain and, Natural Daylighting 2-41
soil
amendments, Harvested Rainwater 1-18, Water
Wise Landscape 1-31, 32
as plaster, Earth Construction 3-19
clay, Pervious Materials 1-23
compaction, Site Protection 1-27
compost and, Compost Systems 4-6
construction with, Earth Construction 3-11
for earth shelters, Earth-Sheltered Design 2-6, 7
in buildings, Earth Construction 3-39
moisture sensor, Water Wise Landscape 1-31
pH of, Harvested Rainwater 1-12
pollution, Construction Waste Management 4-12
stabilization of, Earth Materials 3-13
termites and, Integrated Pest Management 3-70
testing of, Earth Construction 3-13
topsoil, Water Wise Landscape 1-31, 32
watering and, Water Wise Landscape 1-39
soil block (see Earth Construction section)
solar (see sections on Passive Solar Design, Solar
Energy Systems, and Photovoltaic Systems)
5
as energy source, Earth-Sheltered Design 2-7
axis for, Earth-Sheltered Design 2-7
decomposition and, Composting Toilets 1-4
demand heaters and, Water Heating 2-86
solvents
halogenated, Finishes and Adhesives 3-40
St. Augustine grass
attributes, Harvested Rainwater 1-19
care and maintenance, Water Wise Landscape 1-
39
description of, Water Wise Landscape 1-34
grass type factor, Harvested Rainwater 1-19
stone
as mulch, Water Wise Landscape 1-38
cost and financing, Earth Construction 3-10
indigenous, Earth Construction 3-10
in paving, Pervious Materials 1-23
interior thermal mass, Passive Solar Design 2-46
local supply, Earth Construction 3-12
passive design and, Passive Solar Design 2-46
types, Earth Materials 3-12
straw (see Straw Bale Construction section)
as compost, Compost Systems 4-7
fiberboard, Engineered Sheet Materials 3-26
in mud plaster, Earth Construction 3-19
mulch, Water Wise Landscape 1-37
stress skin (see Structural Insulated Panels section)
stucco
netting and, Earth Construction 3-20
plaster and, Straw Bale Construction 3-95, 98
sunroom
thermal chimney and, Passive Solar Design 2-51
use locally, Passive Solar Design 2-47
superadobe (see Earth Construction section)
termites (see Integrated Pest Management section)
borates and, Wood Treatment 3-114
thermal chimney
built-in schematic, Passive Solar 2-51
definition and description, Passive Solar 2-51
effects of, Radiant Barrier and Ridge-and-Soffit
Venting 2-69
thermal mass (see Passive Solar Design section)
characteristics, Earth Construction 3-20
thermostat (see Programmable Thermostat section)
tile
adhesives and, Floor Coverings 3-49
clay, Roofing 3-87
recycled, Floor Coverings 3-47, 49
toilets (see Composting Toilets and Indoor Water
Conservation sections)
water use and, Harvested Rainwater 1-18
tree protection
purpose of, Site Protection 1-27
trim (see Engineered Siding and Trim section)
turf (see also grass)
 energy and, Energy Saving Landscapes 2-24 view-giving, Natural Daylighting 2-39
types and use of, Water Wise Landscape 1-36 vines and, Energy Saving Landscapes 2-25
water use of, Harvested Rainwater 1-39 wing wall
underground (see Earth-Sheltered Design section) description, Passive Solar Design 2-50
urethane wiring
in foam core, Structural Panels 3-101 EMFs and, Electromagnetic Fields 2-10, 11
wall form, Insulated Concrete Forms 3-60 in panels, Structural Insulated Panels 3-102
ventilation (see Energy Recovery Ventilator section) PVs and, Photovoltaic Systems 2-61
crawl space, Integrated Pest Management 3-72 W.R.A.P. (Commercial Waste Reduction
for dehumidifying, Earth-Sheltered Design 2-7 Assistance Program)
strategies, Passive Solar Design 2-49, 50 definition , Commercial Recycling 4-3
vermiculture waste stream analysis
definition and use of, Compost Systems 4-6, 8 definition, Commercial Recycling 4-2
VOCs (volatile organic compounds) xeriscape (see Water Wise Landscape section)
in adhesives, Engineered Sheet Materials 3-26; qualities, Harvested Rainwater 1-18
Finishes and Adhesives 3-40 yellow pine
in binders, Floor Coverings 3-48; Cabinets 3-1 cost and local supply, Dimensional Lumber 3-4
in carpet installation, Floor Coverings 3-48, 49 growth and removal rate, Dimensional Lumber 3-
negative impacts, Finishes and Adhesives 3-40 5
paints and, Finishes and Adhesives 3-40 in decking, Outdoor Decking 3-80
wall form zoysia grass
concrete, (see Insulated Concrete Forms section) attributes, Harvested Rainwater 1-19
earth, Earth Construction 3-16 description, care, Water Wise Landscape 1-36, 39
washing machine (see Energy Efficient Appliance
section)
water use and, Harvested Rainwater 1-18; Indoor
Water Conservation 1-43
water-based paints
use of, Finishes and Adhesives 3-41
water heater (see Water Heating and Solar Water
Heating and Space Heating sections)
dishwashers and, Energy Efficient Appliances
2-15, 16
flue gases and, Ductwork 2-1
PVs and, Photovoltaic Systems 2-59
waterproofing
options, Earth-Sheltered Design 2-7, 8
wet ponds
benefits and safety of, Alternative Stormwater
Quality Controls 1-1, 2
whole house fan (see Fans section)
wildlife habitat
protection of, Site Protection 1-26
windbreak
description and energy savings of, Energy Saving
Landscapes 2-24, 25
windows (see Windows and Doors section)
air flow and spacing of, Fans 2-27, 28, 29;
Passive Solar Design 2-49, 50
in panels, Structural Insulated Panels 3-102
light shelves and, Natural Daylighting 2-40, 41
mechanical, Fans 2-28
moisture protection, Integrated Pest Management
3-73
recycling, Construction Waste Management 4-15