Manage how energy is used in a building to ensure the property will be efficient, affordable, healthy, and resilient. Start by investing in a foundation of energy efficiency and then consider how to optimize economics, emissions, and resilience.
Certification Plus

Green Communities projects that are highly efficient and all electric will be recognized with a higher tier of certification: Certification Plus. This certification level distinguishes projects that are designed to be among the best energy performers as part of a holistic approach to green building. Properties that earn Certification Plus are designed to future-proof their communities for energy affordability and offer associated health and resilience benefits. Achieve Option 2 or 3 of Criterion 5.3 Advanced Building Performance as well as the all-electric option of either Criterion 5.4a or Criterion 5.4b All-Electric and Electric-Ready Design to earn Certification Plus.

Certification Plus Zero Emissions
Certification Plus projects that are also net-zero energy will earn Zero Emissions. These Green Communities projects are highly efficient, all electric, and powered solely by clean energy sources. Achieve Certification Plus and demonstrate through Criterion 5.7 Renewable Energy that all building site energy is supplied by clean energy sources.

Pathways for achieving higher tiers of certification
 
  • 5.1 Energy Planning: Zero Emissions Over Time
  • 5.2a / 5.2b Building Performance
    [Mandatory]
  • 5.3 Advanced Building Performance
    [Option 2 or 3]
  • 5.4a / 5.4b All-Electric & Electric-Ready Design
    [All-electric option]
  • 5.7 Renewable Energy
    [100% site energy offset]
Certification Plus Zero Emissions
Certification Plus
5.1 Energy Planning 
5.1
Optional: 10 points

Energy Planning

 
RATIONALE
Certification to the Green Communities Criteria is just one stop along the continuum of a project’s life cycle. The purpose of energy planning is to consider short- and long-term design and asset management, better prepare for equipment replacement, respond to real-world conditions, and decarbonize cost-effectively. The Zero Over Time (ZOT) plan developed as part of Criterion 5.1 Energy Planning will demonstrate how the project reaches zero greenhouse gas emissions over a period of time. The ZOT plan sets goals and milestones in phases, starting with the existing conditions of the property at the time of certification and planning for up to 20 years in the future.

This planning process establishes a starting point for tracking performance and emissions. Other benefits of having a ZOT plan completed by the end of the certification process may include:

  • An inventory of equipment, including its expected service life and a plan for its replacement
  • A baseline for energy and emissions benchmarking, which may be required outside of green certification, along with consumption and production targets
  • Ability to meet applicable local carbon-reduction requirements or goals and to take advantage of incentives
  • Data needed for long-term capital planning
Once completed, the ZOT plan is a helpful resource to come back to regularly — for example, during annual upgrades or whenever equipment goes out of service.
REQUIREMENTS

Complete a Zero Emissions Over Time (ZOT) plan demonstrating how the project will eliminate scope 1 and scope 2 emissions within 20 years of its certification to the 2026 Green Communities Criteria. If the local municipality requires your project to reach zero emissions in a similar timeline, your ZOT timeline can match those local requirements.

Projects meeting Certification Plus Zero Emissions will have eliminated scope 1 and scope 2 emissions during design and are not eligible for points from Criterion 5.1 Energy Planning.

RECOMMENDATIONS
  • When developing the ZOT plan, project teams should build from the fundamental energy-planning questions in the Project Priorities Survey under the section titled “Understanding Your Property’s Zero Over Time Journey.” Plan for a decarbonization audit aligned with an ASHRAE Level 2 energy audit as well as a solar feasibility model or assessment to ensure you have all the data you will need to include in the ZOT Template.
  • To fill in Phase 1 of your ZOT plan with your energy-efficiency and electrification projections, use information you are preparing for Criterion 5.2a Building Performance: New Construction, Criterion 5.2b Building Performance: Rehabilitation, and/or Criterion 5.3 Advanced Building Performance. These can be based on either custom calculations or whole-building energy modeling.
  • Refer to information in Criterion 5.7 Renewable Energy to plan for clean-energy scope and projected production to offset emissions.
  • Complete renewable-energy feasibility modeling or assessments early on and include a path to clean energy that estimates the total energy use offset with either on-site or off-site renewables. This information will later be useful for adding renewable-energy capacity to the appropriate time period in the ZOT Template.
  • Consider overall end-use costs (especially if fuel switching) and understand what post-retrofit projected energy use will likely be for tenant and common-area meters. Ensure utility costs for tenants will not exceed 6% of income levels, based on a reasonable estimate of future energy costs (see resources on energy burden below). Always plan for renewable energy to lower operating expenses where possible, but especially if:
    • » Needing to offset additional electric load where costs will increase
    • » Adding new air conditioning through heat pumps
    • » Switching from centralized heating and cooling to dwelling-unit heating and cooling, which may increase costs to residents
  • Contact local utilities early in the process to understand rate structures and find out whether there are special rates (e.g., for using electric heating or for customers who meet certain income requirements) that may reduce service and delivery charges.
  • If the local energy grid will transition to clean energy within the next 20 years and you can document this as part of your ZOT plan, you may not need to plan for the purchase or installation of renewables to meet zero emissions — but you may still want to do so for resilience and other benefits.
RESOURCES
Energy planning explainer: defining ZOT within Green Communities
Criterion 5.1 Energy Planning incorporates a Zero Over Time (ZOT) Standard to plan for deep energy retrofits over the course of 20 years or less. The plan identifies specific leverage points within the life cycle of an affordable housing development and prioritizes upgrades that optimize emission reduction, energy efficiency, and cost savings.
The ZOT plan includes three distinct phases:
  • Phase 1: Green certification. All impact measures that will be achieved immediately through the Green Communities Certificatio n scope, with heavy emphasis on designing for high-performance system upgrades and prioritizing energy efficiency first.
  • Phase 2: Mid-cycle measures. Upgrades that could not be completed by the time of construction or green certification but do fit in with appliance and equipment replacement schedules; may also include installation of new clean energy (either on or off the site).
  • Phase 3: Optimization. Planning when and how each building reaches zero emissions through additional energy, electrification, and clean-energy optimization.
While 20 years is a common ZOT timeline, your ZOT plan should be tied directly to the timeline your development team and energy raters or auditors have created for system replacements and major capital improvements.
Within the template, you should be prepared to provide:
  • Baseline (for retrofits) and projected inputs for energy use, clean energy produced, and emissions avoided
Planned clean-energy sources for the project — including on-site and off-site renewables — that will be maintained, installed, and procured to offset the projected total energy consumption of the building
  • An accounting of which systems are and are not electric at the outset of the ZOT plan, along with the phase during which each system will be electrified. A checklist in the template will help you document when the project incorporates the following, both in common areas and in dwelling units:
    • » Efficient electric heating and cooling
    • » Efficient electric domestic water heating
    • » Electric-resistance or heat-pump clothes dryers
    • » Electric-resistance or induction cooking
Required data inputs include:
  • Phase 1 data: The energy model completed for Green Communities Certification should provide data inputs needed to complete Phase 1 of the ZOT Plan: baseline and projected inputs for energy use, clean energy provided, and emissions avoided.
  • Phase 2 and 3 data: For data inputs needed for phases 2 and 3, the baseline energy model will need to be recalculated to update your baseline with what was completed in Phase 1 to:
    • » Properly size for any additional electrification upgrades, and/or
    • » Plan for size of renewables to be installed, and/or
    • » Plan for clean energy that will be needed to offset the remaining energy load
5.2a Building Performance: New Construction 
5.2a
Mandatory for New Construction

Building Performance: New Construction

 
RATIONALE
ENERGY STAR-certified homes must meet strict program requirements (at least 10% more efficient than homes built to code and a 20% improvement on average), and they are independently verified to be energy-efficient and durable. These high-performance homes achieve energy savings in heating, cooling, hot water, lighting, and appliance efficiency, which can improve resident comfort, reduce operating costs, and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
REQUIREMENTS
Certify all buildings with residential units in the project through the ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction Program, using ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction (MFNC), ENERGY STAR Manufactured Homes, and/or ENERGY STAR Certified Homes, as relevant. The ERI, prescriptive, and ASHRAE paths included in these programs are all acceptable. Use the appropriate specification version of ENERGY STAR with respect to the project’s construction typology, permit date, and location.
RECOMMENDATIONS
  • Due to increased potential for refrigerant leaks and uncontrolled emissions associated with variable-refrigerant-flow (VRF) HVAC equipment, as well as recurrent reports of installation failures, carefully consider the implications of VRF equipment with your MEP engineer and property maintenance staff before equipment selection.
  • Project teams must engage a qualified energy rater throughout construction to complete third-party inspections and certify to ENERGY STAR. Be sure to clearly identify their role on the project team and review program guidance on partnership, training, qualifications, credentialing, and the certification process for the appropriate version of ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction.
  • Builders, developers, raters, ASHRAE Path Energy Modelers, and Functional Testing Agents (FT Agents) have eligibility requirements within ENERGY STAR. We recommend that project teams engage these partners as early in the project design stage as possible.
  • During the design phase, work with your qualified energy rater and/or ASHRAE Path Energy Modeler to set energy-efficiency goals that comply with the appropriate ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction Program. After the project team has decided on a compliant energy package, build these measures into the project plans and specs and into contractor work scopes, and work with the rater and/or FT Agent to create and implement a verification plan throughout construction.
  • Under the ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction programs, raters may use a sampling protocol that is based on a pre-analysis of building plans to assess whether a group of dwelling units can meet ENERGY STAR guidelines. Raters then carry out subsequent testing and inspections of a sample set of the dwelling units.
  • Consider using JA8-certified bulbs to ensure high lighting quality and performance.
  • Consider incorporating daylighting practices through controlled admission of natural light, along with a daylight-responsive lighting control system.
RESOURCES

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ENERGY STAR resources:

Helpful tools for optimizing energy performance:

5.2b Building Performance: Rehabilitation 
5.2b
Mandatory for Substantial and Moderate Rehabs

Building Performance: Rehabilitation

 
RATIONALE

Dwelling units rehabilitated to a whole-building energy-efficiency standard can achieve energy savings in space heating and cooling, water heating, lighting, and appliance efficiency. These strategies can improve resident comfort, lower operating costs, and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.

Using energy modeling software during the design stage helps the team develop a cost-effective package of energy-efficiency measures to include in the project’s scope of work to meet the project’s energy goals.

REQUIREMENTS

All project teams must engage a qualified energy rater to verify achievement of the following requirements:

  • Select a compliance option: Demonstrate energy efficiency through either the Energy Rating Index (ERI) option or the ASHRAE option described below. Projects in Colorado in Climate Zone 5 may follow a pathway administered by Energy Outreach Colorado in lieu of the ERI or ASHRAE options. Projects in California must, as described below, use the state’s Building Energy Efficiency Standards and associated regulations to comply with the ERI or ASHRAE option.
  • Test HVAC performance: For all HVAC systems, whether new or existing, that will be used post-retrofit, complete and pass testing via the National HVAC Functional Testing Checklist, ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction Version 1.1. This guidance applies to all HVAC systems in multifamily and single-family properties. For properties with more than one HVAC system, project teams may follow the sampling guidance as written on the checklist for all newly installed systems; 100% of all existing systems must be tested and must pass.
  • Size and select HVAC equipment: Any newly installed HVAC equipment must perform in accordance with either 1) the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) Manuals J and S OR 2) the most recent ASHRAE Handbook — Fundamentals available at time of specification.
  • Ensure airtight performance: Compartmentalize dwelling units from air infiltration.
    • » Substantial rehabs: Air infiltration should be no greater than 0.30 CFM50/sfbe.
    • » Moderate rehabs and substantial rehabs with historic designation: Projects may choose to meet either 1) a .40 CFM50/sfbe compartmentalization target following procedures in ANSI/RESNET/ICC Std. 380, OR 2) a 20% improvement of CFM50/sfbe compared to pre-retrofit condition. A combination of these targets may be used at the project team’s discretion (some dwelling units complying with the .40 CFM50/sfbe target and others complying with the 20% improvement target).
  • Install thermal insulation: For any insulation installed as part of the rehab, achieve Grade I installation per ANSI/RESNET/ICC 301 Standard for the Calculation and Labeling of the Energy Performance of Dwelling and Sleeping Units using an Energy Rating Index (Standard 301). Grade II batts are permitted to be used in floors if they fill the full width and depth of the floor cavity, even when compression occurs due to excess insulation, as long as the R-value of the batts has been appropriately assessed based on manufacturer guidance AND the only defect preventing the insulation from achieving Grade I is the compression caused by the excess insulation.
  • Install efficient lighting: Ensure at least 90% of permanently installed lights are LEDs.
  • Install efficient appliances: For any appliances provided, ensure that clothes washers, dishwashers, and refrigerators are ENERGY STAR certified.

Note: Unless otherwise noted in Criterion 5.2b Building Performance: Rehabilitation, sampling to perform visual inspections and to verify airtightness in rehabilitation projects is permitted as follows:

  • To establish a baseline infiltration rate, 5% of all units in the building must be tested. If results are inconclusive or highly variable, additional units should be sampled at the discretion of the project’s qualified energy rater.
  • Final infiltration testing and visual inspections must be completed on a minimum of 10% of all units within the building. If results are inconclusive or highly variable, additional units should be sampled at the discretion of the project’s qualified energy rater.
  • A sample of units should include a cross section of unit types, orientations, and locations (i.e. top, bottom, middle, corner, etc.) within the building.
  • Unit types should be determined in accordance with ANSI/RESNET/ICC 301 Standard for the Calculation and Labeling of the Energy Performance of Dwelling and Sleeping Units using an Energy Rating Index (Standard 301).
Option 1: Energy Rating Index

For each dwelling unit in the project, achieve an Energy Rating Index (ERI) score of 80 or less.

Exception: Each dwelling unit of a building built before 1980 and undergoing moderate rehab is eligible for certification with an ERI score of 90 or less.

Any method or strategy, except for on-site power generation, may be implemented to satisfy the targeted minimum energy performance. The ERI shall be calculated using the most recent available version of ANSI/RESNET/ICC 301, Standard for the Calculation and Labeling of the Energy Performance of Dwelling and Sleeping Units, including all addenda and normative Appendices. For projects in California, the ERI value shall be calculated by a method approved by the California Energy Commission.

Option 2: ASHRAE 90.1
Demonstrate that the energy performance of the completed project will be equivalent to or better than ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2013 — Energy Standard for Sites and Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, using an energy model created by a qualified energy services provider according to Appendix G of 90.1-2016. On-site power generation may not be included as a strategy for meeting this building performance target. Projects may use a “fuel-neutral” compliance tool to allow the baseline building to be modeled as all electric. Projects in California must use the version of Title 24 under which the project is permitted in lieu of ASHRAE 90.1 to achieve the targeted minimum energy performance.
RECOMMENDATIONS
  • Before deciding on specific energy improvements, assess the interior and exterior of buildings for evidence of moisture problems as described in Criterion 7.9b Managing Moisture in the Building Enclosure: Rehabilitation.
  • To ensure optimal long-term building performance and to better position a building to withstand power outages, prioritize envelope improvements (e.g., adding roof insulation) before mechanical and lighting upgrades.
  • To succeed with either option, engage a qualified energy rater and/or ASHRAE Path Energy Modeler and/or Functional Testing Agent (FT Agent) as early in the project planning stage as possible. Their responsibilities will include:
    • » Creating an energy model during the design stage of the project to configure the preferred set of efficiency measures, including plans and specifications showing the building’s projected energy performance, to enable the project to meet the target
    • » Conducting a mid-construction, pre-drywall inspection of the thermal enclosure
    • » Verifying the final performance of the building with post-construction testing, including a blower-door and duct-blaster test of the home and/or dwelling units
  • Due to increased potential for refrigerant leaks and uncontrolled emissions associated with variable-refrigerant-flow (VRF) HVAC equipment, as well as recurrent reports of installation failures, carefully consider the implications of VRF equipment with your MEP engineer and property maintenance staff before equipment selection.
  • Consider using JA8-certified bulbs to ensure high lighting quality and performance.
RESOURCES

Resources for finding an energy professional:

Energy-efficiency standards, software tools, and guidance:

Search tools and other guidance for certified appliances and lighting:

  • When preparing project specifications, find ENERGY STAR product information, including model numbers and savings calculators. www.energystar.gov/products/certified-products
  • California Energy Commission Joint Appendix 8 (JA8) provides qualifications for residential lighting. www.energy.ca.gov/filebrowser/download/5128
  • The Lighting Research Center. This university-based, independent lighting research and education group provides objective and timely information about lighting technologies and applications, and about human response to light. www.lrc.rpi.edu/
  • Lamp Recycle lists locations where fluorescent lamps and ballasts may be taken for recycling. www.lamprecycle.org

Technical resources for HVAC equipment design and installation:

5.3 Advanced Building Performance   
5.3
Optional: 16 points maximum

Advanced Building Performance  

  
Note for projects in humid climates: Projects located in climate zones 1A, 2A, 3A, or 4A following this criterion must also comply with 7.8 Managing Moisture: Dehumidification.
RATIONALE
Improvements in building energy performance result in utility cost savings from more efficient space heating and cooling, water heating, lights, and appliances, which improve residents’ comfort, lower operating costs, and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Investments in deep energy retrofits, or in new construction properties that are more efficient than required in Criterion 5.2a Building Performance: New Construction, will provide deeper benefits at relatively low incremental cost. From a resilience standpoint, a highly-energy-conserving building envelope helps ensure that habitable temperatures will be maintained in the event of extended loss of power or interruptions in heating fuel.
REQUIREMENTS

Select one of the following options.

All projects
Option 1: Performance above mandatory requirement

Projects following an ENERGY STAR prescriptive path for Criterion 5.2a are not eligible for points from this option as they are not able to demonstrate compliance.

Design and construct a building that is projected to be more energy efficient than what is required of the project by the applicable mandatory performance criterion — 5.2a for new construction or 5.2b for substantial and moderate rehabs. These additional reductions in energy use must be captured by energy conservation measures associated with improved building component systems and not through the addition of on-site power generation. [5–10 points]

If following the ERI path for 5.2a or 5.2b compliance:

  • ERI score at least 5 lower than required [5 points]
  • Each additional 2-point decrease in ERI score [1 point]

If following the ASHRAE path for 5.2a or 5.2b compliance:

  • 5% greater efficiency than required [5 points]
  • Each additional 1% greater efficiency [1 point], up to 14% greater efficiency than required
OR
Option 2: Advanced building certification

Certify each building in the project to one of the following standards:

  • DOE Efficient New Homes Program (formerly Zero Energy Ready Homes, or ZERH) [12 points]
  • ENERGY STAR NextGen [12 points]
  • Passive House International (PHI) certifications including Classic, Plus, Premium, LEB, and EnerPHit [16 points]
  • Phius certifications including CORE, ZERO, and REVIVE [16 points]

Proof of certification with any of these programs will also suffice for compliance with the applicable mandatory performance criterion — 5.2a for new construction or 5.2b for substantial and moderate rehab.

If the project is unable to provide that proof of certification at postbuild, the project will not be eligible for points under Criterion 5.3 Advanced Building Performance, and the project must demonstrate compliance with Criterion 5.2a or Criterion 5.2b in order to be eligible for certification. Some exceptions to this apply to projects pursuing the PHI and Phius certifications; refer to certification guidance for details.

OR

Rehabilitation
Option 3: Deep energy retrofit
Demonstrate significant energy savings via the ERI or ASHRAE pathway as compared to the requirements of Criterion 5.2b Building Performance: Rehabilitation. Reductions in energy use must be captured by energy conservation measures associated with improved building component systems and not through the addition of on-site power generation.

If following the ERI path for 5.2b compliance:

  • Substantial rehabs must achieve an ERI score of 65 or less. Moderate rehabs must achieve an ERI score of 75 or less. [14 points]

If following the ASHRAE path for 5.2b compliance:

  • Compared to Criterion 5.2b Option 2: ASHRAE 90.1, substantial rehabs must achieve at least 15% greater efficiency and moderate rehabs must achieve at least 10% greater efficiency. [14 points]
RECOMMENDATIONS
  • Each of the programs and pathways listed in this criterion requires a significant commitment to ensure high levels of project performance. Begin strategizing about how to achieve your project goals through dual certification with these programs as early in the integrative design process as possible.
  • Before deciding on specific energy improvements in rehab projects, assess the interior and exterior of buildings for evidence of moisture problems as described in Criterion 7.9b Managing Moisture in the Building Enclosure: Rehabilitation.
RESOURCES
  • U.S. Department of Energy, Building America Solution Center. Expert information on hundreds of high-performance construction topics, including research publications, tools, specs, details, webinars, and newsletters on cost-effective, energy-efficient building strategies. https://basc.pnnl.gov/
  • ENERGY STAR, NextGen. NextGen is a higher level of ENERGY STAR certification for multifamily and commercial buildings. In addition to advanced energy performance, projects must meet a carbon emission target and must source at least 30% of their operating energy from renewables. www.energystar.gov/buildings/building_recognition/energy_star_nextgen_certification_commercial_buildings
  • U.S. Department of Energy, DOE Efficient New Homes (formerly Zero Energy Ready Homes, or ZERH). This program builds upon ENERGY STAR for Homes, along with proven Building America innovations and best practices. These homes are third-party verified to meet high standards of performance. www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/doe-efficient-new-homes-program
  • U.S. Department of Energy, Tour of DOE Efficient New Homes. Features 400 case studies of award-winning homes and buildings; case studies can be sorted to show affordable projects. www7.eere.energy.gov/buildings/residential/explorezerh/tour-of-zero
  • Phius. This U.S.-based nonprofit maintains and updates the Phius building standards and certifies professionals, buildings, and high-performance building products. www.phius.org/
  • Passive House Institute (PHI). This international research institute developed the original Passive House standard and the energy modeling software used for Passive House design. It also certifies professionals, buildings, and building components. https://passivehouse.com/
5.4a All-Electric and Electric-Ready Design: New Construction   
5.4a
Mandatory for New Construction; Optional: 15 points

All-Electric and Electric-Ready Design: New Construction  

  
RATIONALE

How electricity is used in a home impacts residents’ health, utility bills, and ability to use clean energy.

When it comes to the type of power that is used in a home, the greatest and most direct impact on health will be from systems located in dwelling units. Designing a property’s electrical service to provide electric power for cooking equipment eliminates the possibility of negative resident and staff health impacts from exposure to combustion by-products. And creating an electric-ready design for water-heating systems in dwelling units allows for greater ease of installing electric water-heating systems in the future at a lower cost and with greater ease than if electric upgrades were needed at the time of replacement.

Consider the right approach for the property’s electrical design in terms of improving health, utility bills, and emissions now and in the future — even if installing renewables is not feasible, the electric grid for the property is not yet clean, or the price of operating an all-electric building in the region is not yet cost-competitive. As grid sources of energy become cleaner, so will the emission profile of the property. All-electric buildings also allow for future grid flexibility, enabling a property to take advantage of favorable utility rate structures.

REQUIREMENTS
Mandatory

All equipment for cooking in new construction properties is required to be powered by electricity.

AND

If there is gas or propane equipment installed for dwelling-unit space heating and/or water heating, each dwelling unit must be all-electric-ready by meeting the requirements listed below. The electrical design is required to accommodate future electric dwelling-unit water heating as well as dwelling-unit heat pumps for space heating and cooling. In the all-electric-ready scenario, teams must furnish the following:

  • Install branch circuits within 3 feet of gas space-heating and/or water-heating appliances in dwelling units (either tankless or with storage tanks) with no obstructions. Circuits must be dedicated to future electric replacement equipment (125V, 20 amp) and cannot be used for other appliances.
  • Dedicate space in the electric panel next to the space-heating and/or water-heater breaker for future conversion to 240V and label it as “240 Ready.”
  • Include receptacles for future heat pumps and electric water heaters to be connected to the panel with a 120/240V, 3-conductor, 10AWG copper wire, with both ends of the unused conductor labeled. Ensure these are electrically isolated.
  • Install a floor drain to accommodate condensate lines and approximately 3 feet by 3 feet of clear floor space with clearance height of at least 6 feet, assuming future installation of an integrated heat-pump water heater (iHPWH) unless the initially installed water heater is tankless.
Optional
A new construction project is eligible for points when, apart from emergency backup power, no combustion equipment is used as part of the building project: the project is all electric. [15 points]
RECOMMENDATIONS
  • Use electricity for as many of the end uses as possible, but note that electric-resistance heating may be cost-prohibitive from an operations perspective. From an emissions perspective, start by electrifying components that otherwise would use propane or heating oil and then focus on electrifying components that otherwise would use natural gas.
  • From a cost perspective, evaluate rates for various fuel sources and uses in the property.
  • Consider installing heat pumps, including specialized cold-climate models as needed, to provide air conditioning as well as space heating. Unitary and central heat-pump water heaters and residential heat-pump clothes dryers are available; consider what electric technologies are appropriate for your property.
  • Consult manufacturers’ guidance for proper installation of heat-pump water heaters, taking careful note of space, ventilation, and noise. Heat-pump water heaters need to be located where they can freely exchange heat with outdoor air. In addition to location considerations, central iHPWH may require roughly 50% more space than a conventional gas boiler and tank.
  • Consider how changing from one system type to another may change how residents interact with their space; include them in decision-making prior to retrofits and through education post-retrofit. For instance, electric induction stoves operate differently than all others; add these considerations to property manuals and resident engagement per Category 8: Operations, Maintenance, and Resident Engagement.
  • Consider how changing from one system type to another may change property maintenance needs and schedules. For instance, filter changes may be needed for new equipment but not for existing equipment; consider where to store replacement filters, and add this responsibility to operational planning per Category 8.
  • Consider pairing electrification with simultaneous installation of on-site solar generation. For example, reduce operating costs and emissions by sizing and controlling a central heat-pump water heater to heat and store water while the solar panels are producing, and then deliver hot water when the sun is down. An energy plan developed to meet the requirements of Criterion 5.1 Energy Planning can help the project team identify similar synergies.
RESOURCES
  • Environmental Health Perspectives, Nate Seltenrich; Take Care in the Kitchen: Avoiding Cooking-Related Pollutants. Gas stoves — and cooking in general — can release potentially hazardous pollutants into indoor air. http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.122-A154
  • Rocky Mountain Institute, The Economics of Electrifying Buildings. This analysis explores which building typologies can benefit financially from electrification. https://rmi.org/insight/the-economics-of-electrifying-buildings/
  • Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, Colorado Multifamily Affordable Housing Electrification Hub. An interactive website that features technical resources, peer learning, and financing and development resources related to electrification design and decisions for affordable multifamily housing developments. www.chfainfo.com/rental-housing/colorado-multifamily-electrification-hub
  • Redwood Energy, A Zero Emissions All-Electric Multifamily Construction Guide. Case studies of electrified multifamily properties from climate zones throughout the U.S., along with product guides for equipment and appliances. https://fossilfreebuildings.org/ElectricMFGuide.pdf
5.4b All-Electric and Electric-Ready Design: Rehabilitation  
5.4b
Optional for Substantial and Moderate Rehabs: 12–15 points

All-Electric and Electric-Ready Design: Rehabilitation  

  
RATIONALE

How electricity is used in a home impacts residents’ health, utility bills, and ability to use clean energy.

When it comes to the type of power that is used in a home, the greatest and most direct impact on health will be from systems located in dwelling units. Designing a property’s electrical service to provide electric power for cooking equipment eliminates the possibility of negative resident and staff health impacts from exposure to combustion by-products. And creating an electric-ready design for water-heating systems in dwelling units, if they’re not electric already, allows for greater ease of installing electric water-heating systems in the future at a lower cost and with greater ease than if electric upgrades were needed at the time of replacement.

Consider the right approach for the property’s electrical design in terms of improving health, utility bills, and emissions now and in the future — even if installing renewables is not feasible, the electric grid for the property is not yet clean, or the price of operating an all-electric building in the region is not yet cost-competitive. As grid sources of energy become cleaner, so will the emissions profile of the property. All-electric buildings also allow for future grid flexibility, enabling a property to take advantage of favorable utility rate structures.

REQUIREMENTS
Option 1: All-electric or electric-ready dwelling units [12 points]

All equipment for cooking on the property is powered by electricity.

AND

If there is gas or propane equipment installed for dwelling-unit space heating and/or water heating, each dwelling unit in the project scope must be all-electric-ready by meeting the requirements listed below. The electrical design is required to accommodate future electric dwelling-unit water heating as well as dwelling-unit heat pumps for space heating and cooling. To achieve points under the all-electric-ready scenario, teams must furnish the following:

  • Install branch circuits within 3 feet of gas space-heating and/or water-heating appliances in dwelling units (either tankless or with storage tanks) with no obstructions. Circuits must be dedicated to future electric replacement equipment (125V, 20 amp) and cannot be used for other appliances.
  • Dedicate space in the electric panel next to the space-heating and/or water-heater breaker for future conversion to 240V and label it as “240 Ready.”
  • Include receptacles for future heat pumps and electric water heaters to be connected to the panel with a 120/240V, 3-conductor, 10AWG copper wire, with both ends of the unused conductor labeled. Ensure these are electrically isolated.
  • Install a floor drain to accommodate condensate lines with approximately 3 feet by 3 feet of clear floor space with clearance height of at least 6 feet, assuming future installation of an integrated heat-pump water heater (iHPWH) unless the initially installed water heater is tankless.
Option 2: All-electric property [15 points]
Apart from emergency backup power, there is no combustion equipment used on the property; the project is all electric.
RECOMMENDATIONS
  • Factor in the cost of potentially needing to upgrade electric service to the property against the potential savings from avoiding gas piping. Connect with the electric utility to evaluate whether additional feeder lines and/or electrical panels are necessary.
  • Use electricity for as many end uses as possible, but note that electric-resistance heating may be cost-prohibitive from an operations perspective. From an emissions perspective, start by electrifying components that otherwise would use propane or heating oil and then focus on electrifying components that otherwise would use natural gas.
  • From a cost perspective, evaluate rates for various fuel sources and uses in your property.
  • Consider installing heat pumps, including specialized cold-climate models as needed, to provide air conditioning as well as space heating. Unitary and central heat-pump water heaters and residential heat-pump clothes dryers are available; consider which electric technologies are appropriate for your property.
  • Consult manufacturers’ guidance for proper installation of heat-pump water heaters, taking careful note of space, ventilation, and noise. Heat-pump water heaters need to be located where they can freely exchange heat with outdoor air. In addition to location considerations, central iHPWH may require roughly 50% more space than a conventional gas boiler and tank.
  • Consider how changing from one system type to another may change how residents interact with their space; include them in decision-making prior to retrofits and through education post-retrofit. For instance, electric induction stoves operate differently than all others; add these considerations to your property manuals and resident engagement per Category 8: Operations, Maintenance, and Resident Engagement.
  • Consider how changing from one system type to another may change property maintenance needs and schedules. For instance, filter changes may be needed for new equipment but not for existing equipment; consider where to store replacement filters, and add this responsibility to operational planning per Category 8.
  • Consider pairing electrification with simultaneous installation of on-site solar generation. For example, reduce operating costs and emissions by sizing and controlling a central heat-pump water heater to heat and store water while the solar panels are producing and then deliver hot water when the sun is down. An energy plan developed to meet the requirements of Criterion 5.1 Energy Planning can help the project team identify similar synergies.
RESOURCES
  • Environmental Health Perspectives, Nate Seltenrich; Take Care in the Kitchen: Avoiding Cooking-Related Pollutants. Gas stoves — and cooking in general — can release potentially hazardous pollutants into indoor air. http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.122-A154
  • Rocky Mountain Institute, The Economics of Electrifying Buildings. This analysis explores which building typologies can benefit financially from electrification. https://rmi.org/insight/the-economics-of-electrifying-buildings/
  • Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, Colorado Multifamily Affordable Housing Electrification Hub. An interactive website that features technical resources, peer learning, and financing and development resources related to electrification design and decisions for affordable multifamily housing developments. www.chfainfo.com/rental-housing/colorado-multifamily-electrification-hub
  • Redwood Energy, A Zero Emissions All-Electric Multifamily Construction Guide. Case studies of electrified multifamily properties from climate zones throughout the U.S., along with product guides for equipment and appliances. https://fossilfreebuildings.org/ElectricMFGuide.pdf
5.5 Peak Demand Control  
5.5
Optional: 8 points

Peak Demand Control  

 
RATIONALE

Once a building is all electric, its operating emissions depend on both 1) how much electricity the property uses (managed through energy efficiency and conservation) and 2) the emissions of power plants on the grid and the availability of renewable energy.

Controlling when a building uses grid electricity is as important as using efficient HVAC equipment and putting solar panels on the roof. This is because all grid regions rely on fossil fuels to some extent, and the most polluting power plants tend to come online when renewable sources are low (such as overnight), or when the grid is experiencing a surge in demand (for example, during hot summer afternoons). In some markets, times of peak demand are also when electricity is most expensive. Shifting and managing loads can help a property respond to time-of-use pricing and can also help a property get the most financial benefit from an on-site solar PV investment — especially if the utility does not offer net metering.

Residential buildings have significant opportunities to shift their energy use to reduce both emissions and costs.

How a building’s energy use changes over the course of a day is called its “load profile.” Residential buildings tend to have large peaks in this profile on either side of when the sun is shining — when many people are waking up and getting ready to leave the house, and in the late afternoon and evening when many people come home. Hot-water systems, ventilation systems, electric vehicles, and in-home appliances can all be controlled to shift more of their energy use to the middle of the day and cut back during a peak in demand.

REQUIREMENTS
Option 1: Hot-water thermal storage and control

Design or specify a hot-water system with sufficient capacity, storage, and control capability to meet hot-water demand from storage alone during the region’s peak hours (ex: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. to 8 a.m.).

Provide Ecosizer or an equivalent sizing calculation to show the sizing assumptions and peak-shifting potential. Include the specifications for the control interface and operating instructions in the operations manual. [8 points]

OR

Option 2: Residential demand management
Adopt a strategy for demand management of in-unit residential electrical loads. To be eligible for this option, provide evidence that 50% or more of residents are participating in a utility-managed or building-managed demand-response program. [8 points]

The most common examples of in-unit demand management are:

  • Establishing a system for informing residents of their use and any utility bill savings associated with responding to peak-demand periods. Tools like Green Button and time-of-use energy monitors can help residents understand when voluntary curtailment can result in savings. These are often deployed as a part of a utility-sponsored demand-response program.
  • Some third-party programs for demand response in homes allow for either event-specific curtailment, where residents sign up for notifications and have the option to reduce their use during an expected peak, or automated curtailment, where residents agree to allow smart switches and smart thermostats to curtail energy use automatically in response to peak events. Examples include OhmConnect and Meltek. These programs exist only where there are both smart meters and utility participation — but where they are available, because they are consumer focused, they are well-suited to residents of affordable housing who have support from on-site staff.
  • Smart electric panels, while still emerging, are a fully automated option for controlling individual end uses according to a schedule. These may only be appropriate for certain home types.
RECOMMENDATIONS
  • The project team should contact the local utility to determine the potential for participating in utility demand-response programs. These may be more appropriate for the building owner or the building residents, depending on the program design and the energy uses they target.
  • It may not be easy or possible to accurately predict precise energy or cost savings from any one strategy. This is why no simulation or minimum reduction is required to earn points for peak demand control.
  • Residential energy-demand management requires special consideration of the resident population and any potential concerns, perceived or real, about privacy and control. Avoid strategies that ask or encourage residents to change their behavior without a clear, meaningful benefit and a communication plan to support engagement.
RESOURCES

Two examples of demand-control programs:

5.6 Backup Power
5.6
Optional: 8 or 10 points

Backup Power

 
RATIONALE
With more intense storms, flooding, wildfires, and heat waves occurring regularly, the frequency and duration of power outages have increased. “Islandable” electrical systems, so called because they can fully detach from the grid and continue operating, offer a significant level of resilience in such situations, supplying power to critical building systems when the grid cannot. Incorporating energy storage on the site to be used during an emergency also encourages a more resilient and efficient energy grid.
REQUIREMENTS

Size the backup power system to satisfy at least three of the most critical energy loads of the project for at least three consecutive days, 24 hours per day. Consider a larger system if needed to meet high-priority energy needs during extended power outages and/or to safely shelter all occupants and staff on an emergency basis for a power outage during extreme heat or cold.

The backup power for the three most critical energy loads may serve 100% of the property or solely a common space (including a community room within a multifamily building or a stand-alone clubhouse on a development campus) if that space is sized to accommodate at least 10 sf/person for the total population of the property.

Select the project’s three most critical energy loads from the following:

  • Cooling: Operation of a fan sufficient to provide emergency cooling if mechanical air conditioning equipment cannot operate
  • Heating: Operation of the electrical components of fuel-fired heating systems
  • Charging: Power for device charging via at least one functioning electrical receptacle per 250 square feet of occupied space
  • Connectivity: Operation of a cable modem and wireless router, or other means of providing internet access within the building
  • Cold storage: Sufficient power and a refrigerator appropriately sized and located for storage of medicine and other essentials for the population of the property
  • Emergency lighting: Lighting level at a minimum of 3 foot-candles in all building spaces to define a path of egress to all required exits and to a distance of 10 feet on the exterior
  • Functional lighting: One location for every 500 square feet that provides a minimum of 30 foot-candles measured 30 inches above the floor
  • Medical equipment: Sufficient power for operation of critical medical equipment for residents
  • Potable water: Operation of water pumps if needed to make potable water available to occupants

Select the backup system type from the following three options.

Option 1: Islandable PV + battery storage

Islandable solar photovoltaics (PV) with battery storage and a system to switch to battery backup when the electric grid goes down [10 points]

OR

Option 2: Off-peak battery storage

Battery energy storage system capable of storing off-peak energy and a system to switch to battery backup when the electric grid goes down [10 points]

OR

Option 3: Generator

Generator(s) and appropriate connections at the exterior of a building available on an as-needed basis [8 points]

Note for generator systems: Regular fuel testing is required for all backup-generator system types, in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association’s 110 Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems.

RECOMMENDATIONS
  • Consider which electrical equipment should run on backup power so buildings can remain habitable during extended blackouts. Because cogeneration and solar power systems are always in use, they can be more reliable than generators that are turned on only during emergencies.
  • Prioritize emergency systems, such as egress lighting, fire alarms, water pumps, parking egress, elevators, and small but critical heating and cooling loads.
  • Consider a bi-modal PV system, which can both feed power into the electric grid (net-metering) and shunt power to and from a battery bank, for significant flexibility and resilience, including power at night during outages.
  • If using solar with battery storage, consider engaging a single contractor to manage procurement and installation of both systems, coordinating with PV and battery component suppliers and handling permitting, interconnection, virtual power purchase agreements, and other relevant details.
  • If using lithium-ion batteries for energy storage, consider fire-protection needs up front. Often batteries will need to be installed outside of the building on a concrete pad.
  • Where a permanent connection is being made for a portable generator, provide overcurrent protection and a means of disconnecting at the point of connection. For a temporary generator hookup, the property should facilitate easy access to an electrical connection point. Connections must be administered by qualified people who maintain and supervise the installation.
  • Ensure building management personnel receive training and educational materials for configuring backup power during an emergency. This guidance should also be incorporated into materials developed per Criterion 8.1 Building Operations & Maintenance Manual and Plan as well as per Criterion 8.2 Emergency Management Manual.
  • If using a gas-fired generator, consider the need to store an adequate amount of fuel, and set a schedule for fuel testing per the requirements of Option 3, above.
RESOURCES
5.7 Renewable Energy  
5.7
Optional: 7–11 points

Renewable Energy 

 
RATIONALE
Renewable energy reduces environmental impacts, such as greenhouse gas emissions, which are associated with energy sourced and produced from fossil fuels. Use of renewable energy technologies can also result in energy cost savings and provide emergency power.
REQUIREMENTS

Install photovoltaic (PV) panels or another electricity-generating renewable energy source such as wind, a clean thermal-energy network, hydroelectric, or geothermal (not the same technology as ground-source heat pumps). The renewable energy may be owned and produced on-site or off-site if the associated renewable energy certificates (RECs) are retained or retired by the building owner.

Alternatively, the energy may be procured from a renewable source, such as community solar, virtual power purchase agreements, or Green-E-certified RECs.

Option 1: On-site and/or direct ownership of renewables

Prioritize direct ownership of renewables by following one or more of the strategies below:

  • Strategy A: Calculate the area of usable roof space. Purchase and install on-site PV equipment on at least 50% of the calculated area. PV may be installed anywhere on the certifying property — including but not limited to rooftops, parking lots, side lots, canopies, or garages —  provided the total area of the array equals at least 50% of the usable roof area. [10 points] OR
  • Strategy B: Calculate the area of usable roof space. Install on-site PV equipment owned by another party on at least 50% of the calculated area. PV may be installed anywhere on the certifying property—including but not limited to rooftops, parking lots, side lots, canopies, or garages—provided the total area of the array equals at least 50% of the usable roof area. [10 points] OR
  • Strategy C: Install on-site geothermal energy meeting at least 30% of total building site energy use. [10 points] OR
  • Strategy D: Earn points under Strategy A OR Strategy B and combine with community solar or another type of contract to procure community renewable energy to offset at least 15% of total building site energy use. [11 points]
OR
Option 2: Procurement of community renewable energy

Procure community renewable energy (solar, wind, etc.) to offset at least 15% of total building site energy use. [8 points]

OR

Option 3: Procurement of off-site renewable energy

Procure renewable energy equivalent to at least 15% of total projected site energy use, either through Strategy A (direct purchase) or Strategy B (renewable energy credits).

  • Strategy A: Directly procure renewable energy equivalent through a minimum 10-year contract. [7 points]
    • » Earn an additional point if procured renewable energy includes time-matched or time-aligned renewable energy [1 point] and/OR
    • » Renewable energy originates within the same e-grid region [1 point]
OR
  • Strategy B: Procure voluntary Green-E-certified renewable energy credits from a location where there are no mandated Renewable Portfolio Standard or community energy programs. [7 points]

Notes for all options:

  • Document how much renewable energy will be provided.
  • To achieve Certification Plus Zero Emissions, total clean-energy sources for the project must meet or exceed the site energy use of the property.
RECOMMENDATIONS
  • Focus first on reducing the building’s overall energy consumption in building- performance criteria 5.2a, 5.2b, and 5.3 with energy-efficiency measures, which are generally more cost effective and longer lasting than renewables.
  • Whether a building is individually metered or master-metered significantly influences how solar can be deployed and who benefits. In master-metered buildings, solar can directly offset the building’s utility bills for common loads, making the financial modeling and implementation relatively straightforward.
  • Look for a solar developer or energy consultant with experience evaluating utility rate structure to understand how load management and overall costs are affected by things like time-of-use rates and demand charges. Consider optimizing energy costs and resilience options by combining strategies found in Criterion 5.5 Peak Demand Control and/or Criterion 5.6 Backup Power with those in Criterion 5.7 Renewable Energy.
  • Early on, establish an active asset-management and/or operations plan for monitoring on-site renewable energy production. Otherwise, operators may not know whether systems are working as intended. Consider entering into a maintenance or service plan with the original installer for routine inspections, and ensure that your property’s project needs assessment (PNA) includes all components (inverters, panels, etc.) within its replacement reserve (RR) tables.
  • Consider installing solar thermal water-heating systems for stand-alone laundry facilities in multifamily projects.
  • If using solar with battery storage, consider engaging a single contractor to manage procurement and installation of both systems, coordinating with PV and battery component suppliers and handling permitting, interconnection, virtual power purchase agreements, and other relevant details.
  • Evaluate and review your maintenance contract to ensure that it includes all renewable energy systems, all the appropriate reviews and protocols for their maintenance, and all relevant implications of roof-mounted systems.
RESOURCES
  • U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Treatment of Financial Benefits to HUD-Assisted Tenants Resulting from Participation in Solar Programs. www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/OCHCO/documents/2023-09hsgn.pdf
  • U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. This website provides information on renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency. www.energy.gov/eere/office-energy-efficiency-and-renewable-energy
  • National Community Solar Partnership (NCSP+). A coalition of stakeholders working to expand access to affordable distributed solar to every U.S. household while also enabling communities to realize the meaningful benefits of solar energy, which include access, household savings, energy reliability and resilience, community-led economic development, and solar workforce opportunities. www.energy.gov/communitysolar/community-solar
  • Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future, Community Solar and HUD Subsidized Housing. A downloadable overview of policies, programs, and practices for expanding affordable access to solar energy in HUD-subsidized buildings. https://sahfnet.org/resources/community-solar-and-hud-subsidized-housing-overview-current-policies-programs-and
  • American Solar Energy Society (ASES). A nonprofit organization committed to a sustainable energy economy, ASES accelerates the development and use of solar and other renewable energy resources through advocacy, education, research, and collaboration among professionals, policymakers, and the public. www.ases.org
  • National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Photovoltaic research at NREL provides a clearinghouse of all aspects of photovoltaic solar cell systems. www.nrel.gov/
  • North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center at North Carolina State University, Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE). The most comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewables and energy efficiency in the U.S. DSIRE is supported by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. www.dsireusa.org
5.8 Electric Vehicle Charging
5.8
Mandatory for Multifamily New Construction and Substantial Rehabs; Optional for all project types: 4 points

Electric Vehicle Charging

 
RATIONALE

The market for electric vehicles (EVs) is growing, and with it the need for charging infrastructure. EV operating costs can be significantly lower than the costs of operating vehicles with internal combustion engines. This is especially the case when charging at home, which is also the most common, flexible, and convenient option. Access to EV charging infrastructure is a major factor that can put EV ownership in reach for people who live in low-income communities — especially renters. Providing EV chargers, or at least the ability to install chargers in the future, is critical for new affordable properties.

Adding EV charging to multiunit residential buildings introduces a number of questions about the load added to the electrical service and about managing the logistics and costs during operation. This criterion aligns with many state requirements for adding EV charging and is designed for flexibility and affordability.

REQUIREMENTS
New Construction and Substantial Rehabs
Mandatory

For projects that include parking, at least one parking space on the site must be wired and installed with Level 2 electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE).

In addition, for projects with 20 or more parking spaces, at least 10% of the total number of parking spaces must either be EV capable, EV ready, or have Level 2 EVSE installed. A space is considered EV capable when it has electrical capacity and conduit installed to support a Level 2 EV charger but lacks the wiring and outlet. A space is considered EV ready when it has all components wired and installed to support a Level 2 EV charger but lacks the charger itself. Parking spaces are eligible whether they are in a lot, garage, driveway, or curbside, as long as they are under the developer’s control.

For all EV-capable, EV-ready, or EVSE-installed parking spaces, an Automatic Load Management System (ALMS) may be used to reduce the maximum required electrical capacity to each space. If an ALMS will be used, the electrical system and any on-site distribution transformers shall have sufficient capacity to deliver at least 3.3 kW simultaneously to each EV charging station planned to be served by an ALMS. The branch circuit shall have a minimum capacity of 40 amperes, and installed EVSE shall have a minimum capacity of 30 amperes.

Exception, New Construction: Where meeting this requirement triggers an additional transformer that cannot be accommodated physically or within the project budget, the total number of EV-capable, EV-ready, and/or EVSE-installed spaces can be reduced. The project shall instead provide the total number of spaces that can be accommodated within the current electrical service capacity, taking full advantage of ALMS as prescribed above.

Exception, Substantial Rehabs: Where meeting this requirement on its own triggers an electrical service upgrade, the total number of EV-capable, EV-ready, and/or EVSE-installed spaces can be reduced. In making any necessary electrical service upgrades, this requirement shall be superseded by the electrification of other end uses (e.g., adding new air conditioning or ventilation, or electrifying the central plant). Once other loads are accounted for, the project shall instead provide the total number of spaces that can be accommodated in the upgraded service capacity, up to incurring additional costs.

All projects
Optional

For projects with 40 or more parking spaces, install Level 2 EVSE in at least 5% of the total number of parking spaces on the site. [4 points]

OR

For projects with four or more parking spaces, provide Level 2 EV-capable or EV-ready spaces in more than 50% of the total number of spaces on the site. [4 points]

RECOMMENDATIONS
  • Implement a strategy to avoid high demand charges for simultaneous power use by multiple EV chargers. Equip the load-management technology with the ability for electric car owners to indicate how much charge is needed by a certain time of day, and then establish schedules that maximize charging when building loads are low.
  • Determine who will own and be responsible for operation and maintenance of EV chargers.
  • For projects with Level 2 EV-capable or EV-ready spaces, help ensure that future chargers are compatible with the electrical design: incorporate a specification for charging systems that may be installed in the future into the materials developed per Criterion 8.1 Building Operations & Maintenance Manual and Plan.
  • Future-proof any garage by providing blanks in the building’s electrical panel to serve additional spaces beyond those accounted for in the electrical service calculation. This ensures the physical space exists in the electrical panel to add new EV charging capacity and central building load management to meet higher levels of EV demand.
RESOURCES
5.9 Passive Survivability
5.9
Optional: 3 or 8 points

Passive Survivability  

   
RATIONALE

Passive survivability is the ability of a building to provide survivable indoor conditions without grid-dependent mechanical systems. The increased volatility and severity of storms, wildfires, floods, and other events exacerbated by our changing climate can lead to frequent and extended power outages as well as loss of heating fuel for homes. Ensuring buildings are safe and functional for people during these disruptions is critical as extreme weather conditions and temperatures persist across the globe.

Passive survivability is especially vital for affordable housing properties located in areas that have limited tree coverage and are surrounded by asphalt, which is known to intensify ambient temperatures. Incorporating passive design strategies, such as shading and natural ventilation, can contribute to more comfortable thermal conditions inside a building when mechanical heating and cooling systems are not operable.

REQUIREMENTS
Through one of the options below, design your building to better maintain thermally comfortable conditions during a power outage.
Option 1: Passive cooling

Natural ventilation: Include in each dwelling unit at least one operable window that is equipped with an insect screen. [3 points]

OR

Shading: For all south-facing windows, provide exterior window shading and/or interior insulated window shades that have a full-perimeter track, meeting the requirements shown in Table 5.9 for your project’s IECC Climate Zone map (Appendix C). [3 points]

Table 5.9 | Passive cooling requirements by IECC climate zone

CLIMATE ZONE
(IECC CLIMATE MAP)

PERCENTAGE OF WINDOW THAT NEEDS TO BE SHADED BY JUNE 21

1, 2

95%

3

75%

4 except Marine

75%

4 Marine, 5, 6, 7, 8

50%

Option 2: Thermal modeling pilot pathway
Demonstrate through thermal modeling that, during a power outage that lasts at least three consecutive days, the indoor conditions of every dwelling unit will never exceed a heat index of 90°F and will never drop below 50°F. Use ASHRAE 1% and 99% design temperature limits for the project location. [8 points]
Special invitation: new pathways for passive survivability
Thermal modeling for passive survivability is an emerging practice for many professonals in the affordable housing sector. Because of this, and because of the importance of providing safe, comfortable homes and spaces for people during a power outage now and in the future, the Green Communities team invites project teams of all types to share other methods and plans for demonstrating passive survivability. Please reach out to us at certification@enterprisecommunity.org and propose a path for Option 2 of Criterion 5.9 Passive Survivability to help us explore the best strategies together.
RECOMMENDATIONS
  • Consider designating certain areas of the building as “thermal safety zones” during a power outage. If considering this approach, ensure there will be enough space to safely accommodate all residents and staff: total allowable population in thermal safety zones, based on local code maximums, should meet or exceed normal building occupancy.
  • Note that for certain property types, such as those serving older adults, providing for passive survivability at the temperatures specified in Criterion 5.9 may not be adequate to maintain legally required conditions.
RESOURCES

“When I saw my electric bill, I almost fell on the floor. I was so worried for the first three months. But it’s never gone over $25.”

Sharon Morden, Cadence Resident