Plumbing and LEED:  Why you should take notice

BY JESSICA SACKETT

Green building has been making a lot of headlines lately -- it seems as if you can’t turn on the TV, read a magazine or attend a conference without hearing about it. You have probably heard buzz about LEED® and wondered how this rating system applies to you. In fact, it does directly relate to the plumbing industry, and to which it is something worth paying attention.

The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System is a voluntary building certification program that defines high-performance green buildings, which are more environmentally responsible, healthier, and more profitable structures. LEED was created to establish a common standard of measurement for what constitutes a “green” building. LEED evaluates buildings in areas: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy & Atmosphere, Materials & Resources and Indoor Environmental Quality. Within these credit areas, points are available and depending on the number of points a project earns determines the level of certification the building will be awarded. The four progressive levels of certification are Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

Because water conservation is a critical component of environmental responsibility, the Rating Systems have designated a category for Water Efficiency. Americans extract 3,700 billion gallons of fresh water per year more than they return to the natural water system. Approximately 340 billion gallons of fresh water are withdrawn daily in America from rivers, streams and reservoirs to support residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural and recreational activities.

Excessive use of water is a burden on the buildings we occupy. Using large volumes of water increases maintenance and life-cycle costs for building operations and increases consumer costs for additional municipal supply and treatment facilities. Facilities that use water efficiently can reduce costs through lower water use fees, lower sewage volumes to treat energy and chemical use reductions and lower capacity charges and limits. Many water conservation strategies involve either no additional cost or rapid paybacks. Other conservation strategies such as biological wastewater treatment, rainwater harvesting and graywater plumbing systems, often involve a more substantial investment in both money and professional expertise.

Water efficiency measures in commercial buildings can easily reduce water usage by 30% or more. In a typical 100,000-square-foot office building, low-flow fixtures, coupled with sensors and automatic controls, can save a minimum of 1 million gallons of water per year. Non-potable water volumes can be used for landscape irrigation, toilet and urinal flushing, custodial purposes and building systems. Utility savings can equal thousands of dollars per year, resulting in rapid payback on water conservation infrastructure.

The LEED Rating System addresses these environmental and economic concerns via three water efficiency credits: Water Efficient Landscaping, Innovative Wastewater Strategies, and Water Use Reduction. A total of five points can be earned for these three credits -- enough to make the difference between LEED Silver and LEED Gold.

Many technologies are available to reduce water consumption, such as ultra-high efficiency fixture and control technologies including toilets, faucets, showers, dishwashers, clothes washers and cooling towers. Although water-conserving fixtures and composting toilets may have higher initial costs and may require additional maintenance, these costs are outweighed by the significant saving that can be realized through reduced potable water use and sewage generation. Plumbing industry professionals are essential to the successful implementation of these strategies.

As the popularity of green building continues to grow, plumbing professionals with knowledge and experience using these technologies will be highly sought after by building owners and facility managers who wish to achieve LEED Certification.

To learn more about the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED and the Council’s many other programs, please visit www.usgbc.org. For more information on the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in Chicago on November 7-9, 2007, please visit www.greenbuildexpo.org.

Keeping up with change

BY DAVID EVERHART,

contributing writer

For many years our industry has been static and isolated from change. For at least 50 years, between 1940 and 1990, the basic paradigms for design on the water side have essentially remained the same. Many factors have combined to insulate us from change: a cheap and plentiful fuel supply, “cookie-cutter design,” partial and incomplete design, or design-build to allow for “value engineering.” These things are being done mainly to reduce the cost in the initial design and construction phases, rather than the overall costs associated with the complete life cycle of the buildings. Over the past 15 or so years, things have begun to change. The catalysts for this change are both local and global, and are not yet fully understood. They include, but are not limited to, energy costs, “global” market, geopolitical events and concerns over or impact on the environment.

In the end, everything seems to come down to economics. And recently, the price of fuel has fluctuated wildly recently and will probably continue to do so. It’s hard to agree on the source of the energy problem. Is there too much demand or too little supply? What we can agree on is that we are currently dependent on fossil fuels for over 80% of our energy requirements.

We know that we are not in control of our primary sources for fossil fuel: Venezuelan, Middle Eastern, African, Canadian, and even “our own” resources are in protected areas and may not be available. We also know that although we currently are still the biggest fish in the energy pond, that is not going to last. Experts project both China and India to surpass our demand for energy in the near future.

What we are less certain of also affects fuel prices: a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico could wipe out a refinery; we could have a really cold January that would increase demand; we could be downside of the supply curve for inexpensive, readily accessible fossil fuels.

While the monetary impact of fossil fuel reliance drives our market, there are other issues like environmental concerns that affect our lives. What are the environmental problems? Is climate change real; is it a natural cycle, or something the we (humans) are causing; is it something we can counteract? Although there is a growing consensus that “global warming” is real, many feel that it is part of the natural cycle of things. The real question is: What is the potential price of doing nothing?

What are the solutions? Ethanol, solar, nuclear, coal? There are definitely viable alternative energy sources, but many have severe limitations, and many are quite expensive. We often look to European technologies and manufacturers for guidance because their fuel has been expensive for years, and their designs have been formed by those market forces, as well as government directives and financial incentives. Our own market is beginning to sway that direction: check the www.dsire.com for government incentives on renewable energy projects; while an architectural standard, LEED is driving many new projects; many corporations that want to be seen as “green” are becoming environmentally responsible with their construction projects. 

How about conservation? Unfortunately, most Americans don’t like that word. We generally don’t want to buy smaller cars, use less water or live in smaller homes. Part of the “American Dream” is to have more than those who came before you.

How about efficiency? Now we’re talking. Maybe that’s a good first step that can be applied to existing systems. We can provide the same amount of “product” while using less energy. Many high-efficiency equipment advantages come for better, and in many cases, inexpensive controls. For the first time in history, mechanical equipment is being chosen based primarily on the capability of it’s controls. Even better is taking the next step, which is to design systems around the special capabilities and material technologies of high efficiency equipment.

Change can be good. For many years, I was a coach. I would tell my athletes that they could do exactly what they were doing now and get better by grinding away and picking up incremental gains. I also told them they could get much better without being in any better condition if they “took a lesson” and simply improved their technique. Some took my advice and others didn’t. I see an analogy to our new marketplace. Many opportunities exist for manufacturers, designers and builders to take advantage of change and implement different design constraints to fully take advantage of the capabilities of high-efficiency designs. These new ideas allow for higher efficiency buildings, many times with lower overall constructions costs. They allow a firm to differentiate itself from the crowd. They also can help make the world a better place to live in.

David Everhart is sales manager for manufacturers representative, Bornquist Inc.

Green building key to lowering global thermostat (and saving natural resources)

BY KRIS ALDERSON,

contributing writer

This locker room includes Bradley Corp's solid plastic lockers amde from 30% post-industrial recycled content.

After decades of skepticism, the debate is finally over. The global warming crisis is real and scientists say if left unchecked, within 10 years, could make it impossible to avoid damage to the planet’s habitability. The tide has turned and political leaders and large corporations are beginning to come together to identify solutions.

Since buildings account for almost half of all greenhouse gas emissions annually, more than households, heavy industry or transportation, reducing the building sector’s demand for energy and products that produce harmful by-products is one of the most immediate opportunities to reverse the warming trend. Trade organizations and environmentalists are urging architects to design smarter buildings.

At the project level, “green” building continues to gain momentum, but there is confusion among industry professionals about LEED, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. The U.S. Green Building Council (usgbc) gives projects LEED certification, not products. Rather, environmentally-friendly products such as low-voc paint, under-floor air systems, waterless urinals and light-activated lavatory systems can help meet LEED criteria.

To achieve LEED certification, a facility must meet minimum standards in six areas of building design: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, material and resources, indoor environmental quality and innovation and design process. A minimum of 26 out of a possible 69 points across these categories must be met for LEED certification. Additional points add up to a higher level of certification.

Another misconception is that green building is more costly than the traditional, energy-dependent variety. A recent report, “Greening America’s Schools: Costs and Benefits,” prepared by Capital E, a national clean energy technology and green building firm, documents a national review of 30 green schools compared to conventional schools. The study found that green schools cost less than two percent more than conventional schools, but provide financial benefits that are 20 times as large. Savings are achieved though lower energy and water costs, lower health costs and improved teacher retention.

Among other findings, green schools reduced water use by about a third. These savings help lower pollution and reduce costs to treat and transport wastewater. Water-saving strategies can ultimately save cities hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not more, on infrastructure improvements such as storm water detention and treatment facilities that will be necessary if water use continues to rise.

For plumbing engineers and contractors, green building represents a significant business opportunity, particularly in schools. The education market, the largest construction sector, is the fastest-growing market for green building, according to a Green Building SmartMarket Report issued by McGraw-Hill Construction in January. The report also notes that there is “a strong need for access to and information on green building products.”

Specializing in serving the green building market is an optimal strategy for growth. It positions you as a project partner, not just a vendor, with building owners, architects and community leaders. For plumbing engineers, becoming educated on new products and environmentally-friendly technologies for restrooms is critical because of the potential for energy and water savings. Here are some of the key strategies for high-performance restrooms:

• Maximize water efficiency -- Specifying low-flow faucets, waterless urinals and low-flow or composting toilets is a good first step in reducing water use. Touchless faucets with capacitive sensing and other hands-free fixtures also help because they only run when in use. Installing a plumbing system that recycles waste- water takes maximizing efficiency to the next level. Treated “gray water” can be used in cooling towers, as well as to flush toilets and irrigate landscaping.
• Save energy -- Although you may not have a final say on lighting design, recommend occupancy sensors and energy-efficient light fixtures. Eliminate electrical hook-ups and expensive batteries that end up in landfills by choosing light-activated lavatory systems. These new lavatories use photovoltaic cells to capture and use normal restroom lighting to power the valves. Also look for newer, more energy efficient warm-air hand dryers.
• Reduce waste -- Evaluating materials and restroom products based on a life-cycle analysis is a smart way to save money and conserve resources. Solid surface lavatories, for example, will perform better than traditional lav decks. A longer lifespan the ability to repair solid surfaces means the countertop won’t end up in a landfill in a few years after it is damaged. When possible, use and advise designers to select recycled materials. Durable solid plastic toilet partitions and some floor tiles are available made from post-consumer recycled content.
• Improve air quality -- Specifying non-off-gassing materials helps safeguard indoor air quality for building occupants, another important advantage of green building. Look for Green Seal adhesives and suggest using paint that is low-voc, meaning it emits low levels of volatile organic compounds. Choosing handwashing stations, toilet partitions and other fixtures and accessories that are easy to keep clean also helps because fewer harsh chemicals are needed for cleaning.
  

To learn more about green building practices, and how to become a LEED-accredited professional, contact your local USGBC chapter or affiliated organization. The website, www.usgbc.org, is a helpful resource providing case studies on LEED-certified buildings, the latest green research and more. Visit www.greenseal.com for information about Green Seal certified products.

Manufacturers continue to offer innovative products to help in the greening of buildings. The question is, are you ready to make and stand up for green choices? Are you looking for ways to challenge the status quo? The clock is ticking.         

Kris Alderson is the senior marketing and LEED manager for Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin-based Bradley Corporation, a USGBC member and manufacturer of locker room products, plumbing fixtures, washroom accessories, partitions and emergency fixtures. For more information, www.bradleycorp.com.

Plumbing and heating ‘green’ with copper

Radiant heating with copper circulates the water or heat transfer fluid.

Over the past decade, the green building movement has grown from a small grassroots initiative to a major influence in construction and design. Architects, designers and engineers are increasingly required to develop more energy-efficient and environmentally acceptable plumbing, piping and hvac systems for residential homes and commercial businesses. As a result, contractors and engineers are taking a more critical look at the systems and materials they incorporate in their projects and designs.

Plumbing and mechanical contractors and engineers intent on building green must take a broad view of life-cycle assessment into account when choosing one material or building product over another. A true assessment goes well beyond initial cost, and even beyond the narrow definitions of LEED ratings, and considers the overall impact of a product or material on the environment over its useful lifetime. 

Copper may be considered the “greenest” of all materials used in plumbing, piping and hvac design. It can improve the sustainable nature of homes and help commercial buildings achieve green building certification through such attributes as durability, heat transfer efficiency and its ability to be recycled while retaining its key physical properties.

By some estimates, as much as 80% of all copper that has ever been mined and recovered is still in use today. This is a critical asset, as commercial green building guidelines mandate that a minimum of 10% of all building materials used in construction contain recycled content.

Another important aspect of green building is controlling waste. Waste in design includes not using key elements to their full capability. Waste can come in many forms such as wasteful use of electricity and resources, as well as operating inefficiencies. In order to be successful, and ultimately gain green building certification, each material, system and subsystem must be optimized to reduce or eliminate waste, increase efficiency and decrease dependence on nonrenewable resources. With copper, there is little or no waste. All scrap is reclaimed and, in many cases, reused for building projects in one form or another. Recovered copper scrap is a vital raw material in copper plumbing products.

However, there is much more to copper than its green properties. Plumbers have long relied on the versatility of this metal. It is specified for use in most commercial plumbing, and is used extensively as a tubing material in hvac systems. In addition, it offers several attributes that make it ideal for fire sprinkler systems.

There are a variety of ways that copper can help plumbing professionals increase efficiencies, reduce costs and, most importantly, meet green building guidelines. One system to consider is a closed-loop direct-exchange (dx) geothermal heating and cooling system. Dx systems incorporate copper tubing to effectively harvest the earth’s thermal energy for heating and cooling. The system consists of a heat exchanger connected to a network of small-diameter copper tubing buried three meters into the ground. The ambient, constant warmth of the earth is transferred to a heat transfer fluid that circulates through the tubing then back into the building via heating coils and air handlers. In most cases, buildings with dx systems do not require a supplemental furnace or air compressor for heating and cooling.

There is also a financial benefit to using DX heating and cooling. The federal government and many states today offer tax rebates or incentives to home and business owners who install and use these systems.

Water heating is one of the largest energy expenditures for any building or home, but heating water through conventional methods can be energy-intensive and ultimately wasteful. Solar heat exchangers, a highly efficient alternative that absorbs thermal energy from sunlight (an unlimited free resource) and transfers it to water in the home’s storage tank, can be constructed from a variety of metals and some conductive polymers. However, copper is preferred because of its thermal conductivity and excellent resistance to corrosion. This is critical, as these systems are constantly exposed to the elements and can be located in harsh environments.

Hot water recirculating systems that rely on copper tubing for efficient fluid transfer are also gaining in popularity in both commercial and residential buildings. These systems not only increase energy efficiency, they help to conserve water as well. The most efficient systems are designed to operate when needed so energy is not required to circulate water all of the time.

Another option for green plumbing systems is radiant heating that uses copper to circulate water or a heat transfer fluid. Unlike more conventional hydronic or forced-air heating methods, radiant heat systems radiate energy directly to an area’s objects and its inhabitants. Because this is a more efficient way to transfer heat, a building can achieve a level of comfort and warmth at a lower overall temperature, saving energy and reducing heating costs.

Plumbing professionals will increasingly see their work and specs influenced by green building. A better understanding of materials like copper, and their properties, along with knowledge of alternate hvac technologies, will help them meet these demands and prosper in the new era of sustainability.

Industry leaders form Green Mechanical Council

In what has been long overdue in the PHC industry, mechanical systems leaders and educators have come together to form the Green Mechanical Council. Manufacturers, labor unions, contractor organizations, educators, students, consultants, individual contractors and many others have joined together to spread the word on green building.

The founding members include: Watts Radiant, HVAC Excellence, Legend Valve, Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA), Mechanical Service Contractors of America (MSCA), Mechanical Contractors Education and Research Foundation (MCERF), the FloorHeat Company, the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA), and Ferris State University.

 

GreenMech, an international not-for-profit organization, was formed in part “To bring bold, decisive and innovative action to the critical question of global warming. GreenMech members believe that no less than the planet’s future is at stake,” according to Dan Chiles, GreenMech chairman of the board of directors.

Tom Meyer, executive director, describes GreenMech as a “clearinghouse of information and education for designers, installers and service techs who deal with mechanical systems every day. They are the people who can have the most immediate effect on reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. We give them the information to take green components, to make them into a green system and to commission and service the systems to keep them green. One of the benefits to manufacturer involvement is there is a feedback communication from the field to the manufacturers making practical changes and improvements to products based on field experience and ingenuity. It’s a win-win deal.”

Furthermore, Meyer said, “There is no doubt the world we know will change. GreenMech was formed to ensure the change is one the world can live with.”

Addressing the green issue head-on at the Green Mech kick-off press conference at the AHR Show in Dallas, Chiles said, “Like the LEED system established by the usgbc, buyers, specifiers and installers need a point system to fairly evaluate the value and performance of the equipment. And GreenMech will do that. We will work closely with ashrae to do research and evaluation of mechanical equipment and with usgbc to improve the performance of every green building.

“But our basic strategy is this: we will substitute cheap oil, wasteful practices and pollution with better technology and smarter people. That’s the happy part; more equipment for us to make and sell and much better and higher paying jobs for people in our industry.”

For info, visit www.greenmech.org.