High Performance Homes
Mechanical/Utiltities Overview
Energy efficiency means different things to different people. The homeowner's reasons for selecting a sustainable, high-performance approach is the first guide a contractor has to help him best meet his client's needs, but behind that he can rely on guidance from the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines. To be a green home, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) specifies a home must meet or exceed all the conditions put forth by three organizations:
International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), or local codes if they are more stringent
Air-Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) and Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) ANSI/ACCA Manual J
A third-party review and compliance with the NAHB guidelines
A high-performance-home (HPH) is a group of systems working in concert. Using the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines these systems are: space heating and cooling systems; air distribution systems; and lighting systems.
Unless a homeowner has made the decision to "go off the grid," the options for power and water are dependent on the local power company and water authority. The HPH distinguishes itself by how it uses these resources to best advantage. A home owner can't negotiate with the power company or water authority for a reduced rate for either, but the same home owner can get the most mileage, or best use from them. Furnishing with ENERGY STAR appliances, CFLs, and judicious use of both, owners of high performance homes enjoy significant savings, and the knowledge they are making a positive impact on the environment.
