As the population continues to age rapidly the need for healthy, energy efficient senior living continues to grow. Eliseo, which provides independent or assisted living for seniors, made the decision to construct two new buildings with a total of 91 units in their existing complex located in Tacoma. These two new buildings both obtained a Built Green 4-Star certification on the 2017 new construction multifamily checklist using a variety of different green building strategies.

During the design and permitting phases of the project, the project team engaged with the verification team to ensure the project’s success by planning and brainstorming the credits they wanted to obtain throughout the checklist and changing specs as needed to align with their goals and vision. One example was finding the right drought-tolerant grass that would blend with the pre-existing landscaping and not create a stark visual contrast. Together the whole team was able to find the right mixture!

Other credits that were claimed to obtain certification was the use of low flow plumbing fixtures to minimize water used within the building; ductless mini-splits and Energy Star appliances to keep energy costs down; and low VOC products with indoor air-quality certifications to keep tenants safe and healthy.

In addition to the above-mentioned green building features, the project also utilized a lot of water management strategies. With the help of a building envelope consultant, they applied drainage mats around the foundation, fluid-applied doors and window flashing along with back dams, taped seams on their WRB, and installed a rainscreen under their siding. All these features were able to help them to obtain low air-barrier test scores (0.154 & 0.151CFM/SF @ 75Pa) that will not only result in lower energy bills but will ensure the building stays dry throughout the years to come.

While this Built Green certification is one of the first for the City of Tacoma, there is an expectation and hope that many more will follow as buyers and residents begin to recognize the value in sustainable building – not only economically through energy reduction, but also for their health and the wellbeing of the planet.

Author: Jane Wybenga, Built Green Coordinator

While there are some limitations for renters that do not apply to homeowners, there are still a lot of actions that can contribute to living a budget-friendly, ecologically-conscience lifestyle. Since structural and large-scale changes are out of the question for rentals, we’ll focus on non-invasive, temporary, or easily reversible upgrades. These upgrades are important steps for reducing your carbon footprint and for the overall comfort of your home.

Energy Efficiency

One great way to increase the efficiency of your home is through energy-efficient lighting. The easiest and cheapest way to do this is by replacing standard lights with LED bulbs. LEDs conserve up to 80% more energy, last longer, and have no toxins compared to traditional lighting options. When getting rid of the old bulb, make sure you check what type you have; some bulbs need to be recycled and some cannot be thrown away, like halogens and florescent. To help dispose of old bulbs, many of the big box home improvement stores have collection bins that you can use. When it is time to replace the LED, make sure you recycle your old LED bulbs. Here is a great guide that outlines types of lightbulbs, and what to do with them at the end of their life. There should be a variety of options of LED bulbs at your local hardware store and they can also be ordered online. You can also visit the PSE Marketplace to purchase ENERGY STAR qualified LED light bulbs and fixtures and receive your PSE rebate instantly. While the upfront price may seem like the more expensive option, LEDs are less costly in the long run because they last about 10 times longer which means less money spent on replacing bulbs (and less waste!).

On the same topic of energy, smart thermostats are another good way to save in your home. Smart thermostats optimize the performance of your heating and cooling systems, minimize temperature fluctuations, and help save on your electricity bill. Check your lease, but depending on the situation, many times they can also be installed with or without approval from your landlord. Reducing energy waste from space heating reduces the strain on our electrical grid, reducing the risk of brown-outs, and conserves natural resources.

The first step is to assess your smart thermostat options for renters and landlords alike. If you need to talk with your landlord, be sure to mention the cost and energy savings of installing a smart thermostat.

Water Conservation

Using less water is another great way to make your rental home greener. It can save you money by reducing water use, while keeping the environment healthy by diverting less water from our rivers, bays, and estuaries. Running toilets, steady faucet drips, and home water treatment units are common sources of water-wasting leaks. Here are some accessible water-saving strategies:

• Install a Watersense low-flow showerhead, look for 1.75 gallons per minute (gpm) or less
• Some top suggestions
• Install faucet aerators
• A helpful guide to choosing the right one
• Work with your landlord to fix leaks. Use some food coloring to see if your toilet is leaking.

Don’t forget to store the existing showerhead so you can swap it back in and take your nicer showerhead with you when you move. Faucet aerators allow the water you do use to be more productive. When buying these products make sure to look for the Watersense label, that indicates the products meet EPA's specifications for water efficiency and performance, and are backed by independent, third-party certification.

Breathe Easier

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is an important aspect in a home, that has both environmental and health benefits. The indoor air quality in your home can be improved by controlling pollutants and allergens at their sources, improving ventilation, and finally using air cleaners. Most of these don’t require purchasing something, some are simple and routine maintenance practices so you can breathe easier in your home. Here are some action steps for achieving better IAQ:

• Wash metal range hood grease filter every 1-3 months (Here's how)
• Replace charcoal filters in range hood every 4-6 months depending on model. Typically, these are found in ductless/non-vented/recirculating range hoods
• If you have a heat recovery ventilator in your unit, ask your landlord about having its filter cleaned or replaced at least once a year
• Use the exhaust fan every time the cook top is used to reduce air pollutants and grease build up from cooking, especially if you’re using natural gas
• Keep your stove top clean to prevent carcinogens from burnt on food from being released into the air
• Wash bathroom fan covers quarterly
• Run the bathroom fan for 60 minutes after every shower
• Install a timer switch for bathroom fans. For your safety, if you do not have access to your unit’s electrical breaker switches, please discuss your options with your landlord.
• Take off shoes at the door to significantly reduce pollutants brought into the home.
• If your unit has carpeting, vacuum high traffic areas 1-2 weekly, and lower traffic areas every two weeks. This prevents dirt, debris, and allergens in the air and from settling into carpet fibers.
• Purchase a portable air cleaner (EPA Guide)

For Your Wallet

While all of these upgrades sound great, you might be wondering about the cost. The good news is that there is money available for both landlords and renters in WA state for these types of improvements. If your rental home is serviced by Puget Sound Energy (PSE) you can check their website for available rebates (they have options that apply to renters and landlords). If you live in a multifamily building (this includes condos, townhomes, and other managed properties) you may want to suggest to your landlord considering a retrofit for the building. Available rebates for this type of project are outlined here. The Department of Energy (DOE) also has a compiled list of incentives for renters for home improvement projects. You can find their list of what qualifies as part of President Biden’s Investing in America plan here.

Other rebates available that could apply to your landlord are listed below.

• City of Seattle rebates
• C-PACER (Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy and Resiliency programs are unique to each county and can be a great way for landlords to fund home efficiency upgrades)

When you put in the effort to make your rental more efficient, it leads to a more comfortable home. Not only are you doing your part for the environment, but you are serving yourself and your family as well. For those renters who want to take action and make their home a more environmentally friendly one, these DIY actions can add up to make a positive impact. If you are not sure where to start, don’t hesitate to contact your landlord about upgrades as in most cases they will continue to improve the space after you leave.

The artistic homeowners of this Greenwood bath and kitchen remodel viewed their home as the latest canvas for their artistic expression. Intention and personality shine through all the color, patterns, and small details. As artists, the homeowners’ goals were focused on the long-term livability of their home, showcasing their love of art and color, and limiting their impact on the environment. When Nathan Coons, of Coons Construction LLC, presented the idea of certifying their remodel with Built Green’s new 2023 Remodel certification, there was no hesitation.

Like many other homes in Seattle, their 1960’s split-level home was under-insulated, heated by a central, natural gas furnace with no A/C, and had partial remodels over the various decades. The kitchen remained mostly original while the bathrooms had attempted to be remodeled more recently.

To maintain the home’s livability for the coming decades the homeowners wanted to incorporate changes related to accessibility, indoor air quality (IAQ), and thermal comfort. The primary bath was fitted with a walk-in bathtub and grab bars were installed in the new shower. The low-flow bath and kitchen fixtures and water-smart landscaping was modeled and showed a 45% reduction in the home’s total water use over a standard home. A Moen-Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff provides real-time leak alerts and protects the home from potential water damage. Low VOC and Greenguard Gold certified finishes, and natural Marmoleum flooring were used to support healthier IAQ. Air sealing and electrification were important components of the project scope to improve indoor air quality, comfort, and reduce their carbon emissions.

The homeowners communicated they did not want any walls to be removed, because they were an important part of displaying their art collection. Air sealing and insulating older homes is always a challenge. This is especially true when only a small portion of the home is being opened during the remodel, but it’s one of the most important and cost-effective ways to improve comfort and reduce energy consumption. Adding to this challenge was the 2:12 low-sloped roof. The initial blower door test resulted in 14 Air Changes per Hour (ACH). Coons maximized the insulation throughout the attic and garage ceilings to the current code minimum of R-49. Wherever they could access, air sealing took place, even if it was a single outlet in a room. Blueskin, a self-adhering air and vapor barrier membrane, was used wherever possible, including to create an air separation between the home and the attached garage. At completion, the efforts paid off, the new blower door test was 6.5 ACH, a 53% improvement! The home’s final ACH score may not seem impressive, when compared to the much lower ACH scores that are typically achieved in new construction or down-to-studs remodels, but imagine if this was done to all existing homes!

For this older home to be ready to exist in a future of electrified, zero carbon emission homes the homeowners were not satisfied with just removing gas at the meter. They had gas capped off at the street to ensure this was a gas free property. A Tier III heat-pump water heater and induction cooking range were installed. New wall-mounted heat pump mini-split units supply heating and A/C to the main living space on the upper and lower floors and are zonally controlled for maximum comfort. Bedrooms and bathrooms are supplied by a new forced-air heat-pump air handler and its ducting in the garage was insulated. The original electrical panel was replaced with two new 200-amp panels that are pre-wired with infrastructure to support installation of future solar panels and an EV charging station.

To keep materials out of the landfill and limiting consumption of new resources, reuse became a key strategy of the project. The homeowners spent a lot of time shopping at salvage and reuse suppliers. Elements and materials in the home that still had life and were saved and reused, including light fixtures, toilets, and doors. In the bathrooms two hand painted vanities had previous lives as commode dressers. Excess materials were donated to Habitat for Humanity Snohomish County. Nathan found that recycling debris had the biggest visual impact during construction because they utilized on-site separating of debris. The piles of debris being taken to recycling facilities, versus landfill, were enlightening. He noted the biggest challenge was creating the habit with crew members to separate debris on site, rather than dump it all into one bin. The project recycled 85% of demolition and construction waste. This project benefitted from a lot that provided room to easily facilitate the on-site separation. Nathan intends to maintain the crew’s new habit by source-separating recycling as much as possible of future remodel projects.

This was Coons Construction’s first Built Green certified remodel. Nathan found the keys to success on this project were planning, communication, supervision, and research. He recently presented this project at the 2023 Built Green Conference and told those considering a Built Green remodel, “There is nothing radical in building a green remodel. Most of the Built Green Remodeling requirements are likely to become standard within the industry as the building code is already starting to require these strategies.” He went on to share the resources available to learn about what materials to use, the benefit of using a third-party verifier and Built Green framework, and how networking was a great way to get good supplier and subcontractor referrals. While the initial learning curve required more time to be allocated during the planning stage, getting experience remodeling green homes now would give a remodeler a head start on what will be required to be built in the future.