Like many condo remodels, the builder of this Built Green 4-Star project faced many hurdles set by the building’s condo/homeowner association (HOA). Building envelope upgrades, like adding insulation or installing new windows and a ductless mini-split heat pump, were off the table. Placing cistern on the deck to collect water for watering indoor plants wasn’t allowed, either.
Vital Stats
|
Section
|
Points
|
Location: Tacoma
Star Level: 4-Star
Checklist: Remodel Checklist |
Site and Water |
30 |
| Energy Efficiency |
111 |
| Health and Indoor Air Quality |
88 |
| Material Efficiency |
90 |
| |
Total Score |
319 |
The builder set out to overcome these obstacles by planning ahead, communicating his plans to the HOA board as far in advance as possible. He also sent notice of his plans, indicating that if he did not hear back from the board by a certain date, he would take it as approval to move forward. This allowed him to keep a timely schedule.
Despite not being able to puncture the exterior walls to make energy-saving improvements, the builder was still able to reduce the unit’s overall energy consumption by over 30% compared to its reference home. A combination of indoor storm windows, a heat recovery ventilator (HRV), a heat pump water heater add-on, heat pump dryer, 100% Energy Star appliances, and 100% LED lighting allow for significant savings! WaterSense certified fixtures, a low-water-use dishwasher and clothes washer, and removing the existing garbage disposal also reduce water consumption, which ultimately save energy on water heating!
In addition to saving energy, the HRV significantly improves the indoor air quality. An HRV supplies outdoor fresh air while tempering cold air as it comes in. With a HEPA filter, this reduces pollutants carried in from outside—so valuable as wildfire events become more frequent in the Seattle area. The builder also selected interior finish products that are no- and low-VOC, Green Guard certified, and FloorScore certified, meeting stricter standards for indoor air quality.
Removing the carpet initially wasn’t allowed, due to sound requirements, so the builder took the time to educate the HOA board where he could. Armed with information, he demonstrated the sound qualities of carpet vs. cork flooring with cork underlayment and was able to convince the board to approve replacing the existing carpet with hard-surface cork flooring.