I'd like to suggest tracking metrics on projects -- anyone worth their salt should be willing to share projected energy usage (compared to ASHRAE 90.1 or other standard) and other data. If projects are using the City's Green Homes checklist what are the key metrics that actually make a difference? Paul Florian is a good architect and I have no doubt this project is doing good things, but really, without data it's not much different than greenwash.
Kevin, I agree this would be great information to have. The challenge becomes, how to convince smaller projects of the value of taking the time (and money) to perform the modeling required for this type of prediction?
Energy Star certification is one good metric that I'd like to see more projects pursue - currently it's not required under Chicago Green Homes. Chicago Green Homes does require at least 90 points in its energy category, which is a good start, and awards a lot of points for seeking Energy Star. Also, Chicago Green Homes does include field audits to ensure projects have installed what was specified.
Like LEED, there isn't any required follow-up to show post-occupancy performance. Perhaps Chicago Green Homes should add a voluntary component allowing homowners to report their energy and water bills back to the program for statistical purposes.
Such reporting-back would make for an interesting research project for someone like CNT. Maybe a developer could auto-enroll occupants in something like RRTPP so that the data are readily available from ComEd. The data could then be compared to RRTPP participants living in other types of buildings, to see if the building's energy performance makes a big difference.
I'd love to know about water usage as well, but we do live in the city of "eternal spring" water fountains.
For what it's worth, you might forgive us Wicker Parkers for our skepticism: Good Karma is infamous around the neighborhood for having "accidentally" demolished the Ann Sather restaurant on Milwaukee.
I'd like to suggest tracking metrics on projects -- anyone worth their salt should be willing to share projected energy usage (compared to ASHRAE 90.1 or other standard) and other data. If projects are using the City's Green Homes checklist what are the key metrics that actually make a difference? Paul Florian is a good architect and I have no doubt this project is doing good things, but really, without data it's not much different than greenwash.
Posted by: Kevin Pierce | September 23, 2007 at 10:26 PM
Kevin, I agree this would be great information to have. The challenge becomes, how to convince smaller projects of the value of taking the time (and money) to perform the modeling required for this type of prediction?
Energy Star certification is one good metric that I'd like to see more projects pursue - currently it's not required under Chicago Green Homes. Chicago Green Homes does require at least 90 points in its energy category, which is a good start, and awards a lot of points for seeking Energy Star. Also, Chicago Green Homes does include field audits to ensure projects have installed what was specified.
Like LEED, there isn't any required follow-up to show post-occupancy performance. Perhaps Chicago Green Homes should add a voluntary component allowing homowners to report their energy and water bills back to the program for statistical purposes.
Posted by: Erik Olsen | September 26, 2007 at 07:17 PM
Such reporting-back would make for an interesting research project for someone like CNT. Maybe a developer could auto-enroll occupants in something like RRTPP so that the data are readily available from ComEd. The data could then be compared to RRTPP participants living in other types of buildings, to see if the building's energy performance makes a big difference.
I'd love to know about water usage as well, but we do live in the city of "eternal spring" water fountains.
For what it's worth, you might forgive us Wicker Parkers for our skepticism: Good Karma is infamous around the neighborhood for having "accidentally" demolished the Ann Sather restaurant on Milwaukee.
Posted by: Payton | November 12, 2007 at 11:45 AM