Fall 2009
Built Green Resource Center
Over the last 12 months the Santa Barbara Contractors Association and Built Green Santa Barbara have been remodeling a 2400 square foot 1920’s cottage in the California Historic State Park, El Presidio de Santa Barbara located at 914 A Santa Barbara St. The building will be a zero fossil fuel usage facility that will create more energy than is used, and represents a historic opportunity to showcase energy independence, sustainable building practices, and the value of recycling our legacy structures.
The SBCA and Built Green will celebrate the grand opening of the new Built Green Resource Center on October 29, 2009 from 4 – 7pm at 914 A Santa Barbara Street. To register for the grand opening please go to www.sbcontractors.org and click on the events calendar.
The Resource Center offers information, programs and classes on green building processes and materials. Visit the Center and learn more about green building strategies, features and products. The interactive self guided tour highlights the green building features and materials that are present in each room. Each feature is identified as a strategy or action point from the Built Green checklist. The self guided tour will take approximately 1 hour and currently the Center is open by appointment only.
Residential New Construction Checklist
Built Green Santa Barbara has developed a new Checklist and Handbook for Single Family New Construction. On April 18th a group of community stakeholders participated in an all day workshop to identify the components of the new Checklist. For a copy of the new Checklist go to www.builtgreensb.org and download the pdf version.
Updated Remodels & Additions Checklist
Built Green Santa Barbara has updated the Checklist and Handbook for Remodels & Additions. On April 18th a group of community stakeholders participated in an all day workshop to identify the components of the updated Checklist. For a copy of the updated Checklist go to www.builtgreensb.org and download the pdf version.
Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency
On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed a stimulus bill (The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) that made some significant changes to the energy efficiency tax credits. The highlights are: The tax credits that were previously effective for 2009, have been extended to 2010 as well. The tax credit has been raised from 10% to 30%. The tax credits that were for a specific dollar amount (ex $300 for a CAC), have been converted to 30% of the cost. The maximum credit has been raised from $500 to $1500 for the two years (2009-2010). However, some improvements such as geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters, and solar panels are not subject to the $1,500 maximum. The $200 cap on windows has been removed, but the requirements for windows has been increased significantly. Not all ENERGY STAR qualified windows will qualify.
Home builders are eligible for a $2,000 tax credit for a new energy efficient home that achieves 50% energy savings for heating and cooling over the 2004 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and supplements. At least 1/5 of the energy savings must come from building envelope improvements. This credit also applies to contractors of manufactured homes conforming to Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards.
There is also a $1,000 tax credit to the producer of a new manufactured home achieving 30% energy savings for heating and cooling over the 2004 IECC and supplements (at least 1/3 of the savings must come from building envelope improvements), or a manufactured home meeting the requirements established by EPA under the ENERGY STAR program.
Please note that, with the exception of the tax credit for an ENERGY STAR qualified manufactured home, these tax credits are not directly linked to ENERGY STAR. Therefore, a builder of an ENERGY STAR qualified home may be eligible for a tax credit but it is not guaranteed.
These tax credits apply to new homes located in the United States whose construction is substantially completed after August 8, 2005 and that are acquired from the eligible contractor for use as a residence from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2009.
Eligible contractors need to fill out IRS Form 8908 to get the tax credit. The IRS has provided the following guidance regarding the tax credits for constructing energy efficient new homes available under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, www.energystar.gov.
Tax Deductions for Commercial Buildings:
A tax deduction of up to $1.80 per square foot is available to owners or designers of new or existing commercial buildings that save at least 50% of the heating and cooling energy of a building that meets ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2001. Partial deductions of up to $.60 per square foot can be taken for measures affecting any one of three building systems: the building envelope, lighting, or heating and cooling systems. These tax deductions are available for systems “placed in service” from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2013.
Installation costs ARE COVERED for: HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) systems, Biomass Stoves, Water Heaters (including solar), Solar Panels, Geothermal Heat Pumps, Wind Energy Systems, Fuel Cells.
The tax credit for HVAC, biomass stoves, and non-solar water heaters is 30% of the total cost (product + installation) up to $1,500. The law specifies installation costs include: “expenditures for labor costs properly allocable to the onsite preparation, assembly, or original installation of the property.”
The tax credit for solar water heaters, solar panels, geothermal heat pumps, wind energy systems, and fuel cells is 30% of the total cost (product + installation), with no upper limit. The law specifies installation costs include: “labor costs properly allocable to the onsite preparation, assembly, or original installation of the property and for piping or wiring to interconnect such property to the home.”
Installation costs are NOT covered by the tax credit for: Windows, Doors, Insulation, Roofs. The tax credit for windows, doors, insulation and roofs is for 30% of the cost of materials, up to $1,500. Visit www.energystar.gov for more info.
Top 10 Products for Affordable Green Retrofits
Environmental Building News has released a helpful list of cost-effective energy-saving products, including products for homes, businesses and larger facilities. Check out their top 10 suggested measures:
1. Fluid-Applied Roofing: Applied over an existing roof to extend roof life, increase reflectivity, and reduce cooling costs.
2. Solar-Control Window Films: These window treatments can filter out half the heat of sunlight while allowing most of the visible light through, to help reduce solar heat gain in warm weather.
3. Entryway Track-Off Systems: Remove dust and dirt from shoes to improve indoor air quality.
4. Low-Flow Showerheads: While the federal maximum standard for showerheads is 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm), some older showerheads use as much as 8 gmp! You can dramatically cut water heating costs with low-flow showerheads of 1.6 gmp or less.
5. Dual-Flush Flushometer Valves: Toilet flushing is the largest single use of water in most buildings. High-efficiency toilets are especially important right now because of the state-wide drought.
6. Duct Sealants: Leaky ducts can waste huge amounts of energy and damage air quality.
7. Condensing Boilers: If you are considering replacing your boiler, a high-efficiency boiler can help you save big-time on fuel costs.
8. Lighting and Plug Load Occupancy Sensors: Lighting represents 22% of electricity consumed in commercial office space. Sensors and other lighting measures can help slash these costs.
9. Energy Dashboards: Meters that display building energy use can help users find and zap energy drains, while encouraging energy-saving behavior.
10. LED Exit Signs: An effective use of LEDs and a good way to be efficient.
For more information visit Environmental Building News Magazine online at www.greenbuilding.com.
