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Guidelines

HBA of Greater Dallas Green Building Elements

Site Management and Waste Recycling

  1. Obtain TCEQ Storm Water Permit and follow best management practices.
  2. Implement a tree protection plan or fully comply with established local ordinance regarding tree protection.
  3. Establish jobsite recycling plan to include lunch trash, and require subcontractor participation to minimize construction waste, sort waste, and maximize material recycling where available.

Water Efficiency

  1. Install rain and freeze sensors on sprinkler system.
  2. Install hot water on demand system or locate water heater within 30 ft. of fixtures.
  3. Select water efficient toilets that work with first flush (min. 250 grams).
  4. Select lavatory faucets with less than 2.0 gpm, and select kitchen & utility faucets with less than 2.2 gpm.
  5. Select shower heads with less than 2.5 gpm.
  6. Limit landscape & turf plantings to droughttolerant varieties (unless prevented by customer selection), or install rainwater catchment system to provide for a minimum 50% of landscape irrigation needs.
  7. Install 2" deep mulch in landscape beds.

Indoor Air Quality

  1. Perform Manual J calculation based on actual house design, specifications and orientation and ensure that installed equipment matches Manual J calculations. Perform refrigerant level test. Provide all documentation to the homeowner.
  2. Seal ducts during construction at vent entry and exit.
  3. Provide ducted mechanically controlled fresh air in-take system sufficient to meet the fresh air needs of the house.
  4. Provide power venting or sealed combustion providing fresh air for gas furnaces and water heaters located in conditioned space. Or install heat pump.
  5. Install continuous drainage plane on exterior walls behind cladding material.
  6. No vapor barrier on inside of exterior walls.
  7. Ensure proper flashing at windows and doors.
  8. Install kitchen range hood and vent to outside.
  9. Provide combustion air for fireplaces from outside.
  10. Use no fiberglass duct board unless sealed properly with low toxic mastic.
  11. Install return air ducts or jumper ducts in all bedrooms.
  12. Install vapor barrier under slab.
  13. Install capillary break under bottom plate.
  14. Use min. 1" pleated filters for AC return.
  15. One carbon monoxide (CO) detector, hardwired, shall be installed per 1,000 sq. ft. of living space (minimum one per floor).
  16. Avoid an attached garage or isolate the garage from the living space with appropriate sealing techniques.

Energy Efficiency

  1. Energy Star Certified.
  2. Minimize window exposure on east & west or shade windows facing east & west.
  3. Install Energy Star appliances unless prevented by customer selection.
  4. Install radiant barrier, light-colored roof, or insulated roof deck.

Materials

  1. Use engineered lumber products to maximum extent possible to include trusses, joists and finger-jointed dimensional lumber.
  2. Use exterior cladding materials with minimum 25-year warranty.
  3. Provide gutter downspout extensions and positive drainage away from house.
  4. Employ advanced framing techniques to reduce waste.

Homeowner Education

  1. Provide homeowner with operations and maintenance kit and perform walkthrough.
  2. Provide homeowner with local recycling opportunities.
  3. Provide information on green energy service providers.
  4. Provide basic information on Energy Star program, ratings/certification.