The Fundamentals of Green Building

1
Plumbing
REVIEW
Green Professional Building Skills Training
2
What is the purpose of green building? How does
plumbing play a critical role?
Green building is the construction industrys
response to environmental pollution, diminishing
natural resources, and economic pressures. It
improves human and environmental health, and
decreases energy and water consumption. Efficient
plumbing contributes to water and energy
conservation which help the economy, environment,
and health of the public.
1 WHY GREEN PLUMBING MATTERS Page 9
3
How do the four primary benefits of green
building relate to the plumbing industry?

• Jobs More green building projects means more
  jobs for plumbers knowledgeable in water
  efficiency strategies and retrofits.
• Environment Decreases in water use mean
  decreases in energy use and pollutants.
• Health Using low VOC materials increases indoor
  air quality
• Economy More jobs, cost reductions from
  efficiency

1 WHY GREEN PLUMBING MATTERS Pages 9-10
4
Why are our current water use practices not
sustainable?
The U.S. population has increased, and so has the
demand for water. The supply of above and below
ground freshwater is diminished, and regions of
the country will soon face severe shortages.
Chemicals from agriculture and impervious
surfaces contribute to water pollution.
1 WHY GREEN PLUMBING MATTERS Page 11
5
How do humans fit into the hydrologic cycle?
Humans need to have an integrated role in the
natural cycle. It is important to be conservers
of water, to clean and reuse it safely and
smartly instead of wasting it.
1 WHY GREEN PLUMBING MATTERS Page 11
6
Describe the new hydrological cycle.
The new hydrological cycle involves the efficient
use and recycling of water, which shifts the
responsibilities of water management from nature
to humans. It includes sources of water outside
of the traditional water main or well system,
such as collected rainwater and recycled
greywater for non-potable uses.
1 WHY GREEN PLUMBING MATTERS Page 12
7
How does the whole-building approach apply to
sustainable plumbing systems?
A greater level of sustainability can be achieved
by integrating water savings and reuse elements
to create a coordinated plumbing system dedicated
to water reduction.
2 SUSTAINABILITY IN PLUMBING SYSTEMS Page 13
8
What are the issues that a plumber might be
involved with on a green job?

• Reducing water consumption
• Increasing energy
• Improving indoor air
• Managing construction and demolition
• Being involved with the commissioning process
• Submitting LEED building certification
  documentation
• Retrofitting existing buildings
• Increasing maintenance to ensure operation of
  complex systems

2 SUSTAINABILITY IN PLUMBING SYSTEMS Pages 13-14
9
What are the issues that a plumber might
encounter when retrofitting an existing building?
When retrofitting an existing a building, a
plumber may replace fixtures and piping for lower
consumption and higher efficiency, and/or install
water-use meters that allow operation and
maintenance tracking.
2 SUSTAINABILITY IN PLUMBING SYSTEMS Page 14
10
What plumbing products does ENERGY STAR certify?

• Water heaters (gas, propane, oil, and solar)
• Dishwashers
• Washing machines
• Geothermal heat pumps
• HVAC equipment (heating, venting, and air
  conditioning)

2 SUSTAINABILITY IN PLUMBING SYSTEMS Page 18
11
What are the goals and strategies for the
plumbing-related LEED new construction credits?
Goal Strategy
Reduce water consumption by 20 Install water efficient fixtures
Reduce potable water for landscaping Use grey or rainwater, use native plants
Reduce wastewater generation and potable water demand Use water conserving fixtures
Reduce potable water use building-wide by 30-45 Use high-efficiency fixtures
Minimize quantity of stormwater runoff Promote infiltration with vegetated roofs, pervious paving
Maximize quality of stormwater runoff Remove suspended solids from runoff
Use on-site renewable energy sources Use solar thermal hot water
2 SUSTAINABILITY IN PLUMBING SYSTEMS Page 17
12
What is the relationship between high-efficiency
fixtures and appliances, and protecting the
environment?
High-efficiency equipment conserves water and
energy. By conserving water, the fixtures and
appliances reduce the depletion of potable water
resources and the put strain on natural
ecosystems. Less energy is spent pumping,
heating, and treating water.
3 REDUCING END-USE DEMAND FOR WATER AND
ENERGY Page 19
13
What are the issues associated with tempered
faucets? What strategies tempered faucets more
efficient?

• Running a tempered faucet while waiting for the
  water to warm can cause waste. The hot and cold
  water streams go down the drain while waiting for
  the hot stream to become warm.
• Strategies to make tempered water faucets more
  efficient
• Have the circulating hot water close to the
  faucet
• Have a heat maintenance cable run from the
  circulated line to the faucet (only if the pipe
  and heat maintenance cable are well insulated)

3 REDUCING END-USE DEMAND FOR WATER AND
ENERGY Page 22
14
What are the differences between low-consumption
toilets, high-efficiency toilets, and dual flush
toilets?

• Low-consumption toilets use 1.6 gallons per flush
  (gpf).
• High-efficiency toilets are the newest and most
  efficient toilets available. Their hydraulic
  design allows them to flush using 20 less water,
  using only 1.28 gpf or less.
• Dual flush toilets offer two different flush
  levels a full bowl 1.6 gpf flush for solid
  waste, or smaller flush using only 0.8 gpf for
  liquid waste.

3 REDUCING END-USE DEMAND FOR WATER AND
ENERGY Pages 25-26
15
What is the concern with high efficiency fixtures
and drain-line carry?
Drain-line carry is the distance that water can
float or carry solids down horizontal runs. There
is concern that there will be drain-line carry
problems with older pipes because high-efficiency
fixtures use much less water than the drainage
systems were originally designed for.
3 REDUCING END-USE DEMAND FOR WATER AND
ENERGY Page 26
16
What new technology exists that contributes to
landscape irrigation efficiency? Why is
efficiency in landscape irrigation important?

• Efficiency in landscape irrigation is important
  because the irrigation of constructed landscapes
  uses a lot of water, and has a significant impact
  on natural resources.
• New technology
• High-efficiency landscape irrigation systems that
  use emitters, foggers, micro-bubblers, or stream
  jets.
• Drip systems and smart valves.
• Sensors that can measure the moisture level and
  rainfall amount, and can be linked to process
  weather data.

3 REDUCING END-USE DEMAND FOR WATER AND
ENERGY Pages 30-31
17
Why is it important to insulate hot water piping
and cold water piping?
Insulating hot water piping keeps the energy used
to heat the water from dissipating needlessly.
Insulating cold water piping prevents
condensation from accumulating, and the pipes
from becoming thermal sinks that take energy from
hot water piping and the buildings heating
systems.
4 IMPROVING WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
Page 33
18
How does the trunk-and-branch method of piping
contribute to the wasting of potable water?
Trunk-and-branch piping design contributes to
wasting because people run fixtures while waiting
for water to warm. Large trunk lines move cold
water to water-heating equipment, and when
heated, smaller branches move the water to the
appliances. The hot water stays in the line until
it is used, and eventually it begins to cool.
When the user goes to access the warm water they
must run the fixture down the drain until it is
warm again.
4 IMPROVING WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS Page 33
19
How is hot water circulation piping designed in
the construction of new and larger buildings
versus smaller or existing buildings?
Hot water circulation is often designed with a
dedicated return line from the fixtures furthest
from the water heating equipment and circulated
continuously by a pump. The recirculation line is
connected to the water heater near the cold water
inlet, and the circulating pump is installed on
the return line, and pumps water through the hot
water piping and back to the heater on the return
line. An aquastat controls recirculation
flow. Smaller and existing buildings may not have
hot water circulation. Installing a dedicated
return line in an existing building is difficult.
4 IMPROVING WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
Pages 35-37
20
What are the benefits or water metering within
buildings?

• Reduces water use by providing incentive
• Helps identify system leaks
• Gives operators information that can identify
  issues, and reduce water loss.
• In large buildings, installing meters to
  individual supplies allows owners to charge
  tenants based on their water use. This decreases
  water use.

4 IMPROVING WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
Pages 37-38
21
What strategies can be used to mitigate CSO
events?

• Divert incoming rainwater into large holding
  tanks or an underground tunnel (water is later
  moved to a treatment plant or water body after
  sediments and contaminants have settled)
• Install green roofs
• Replace paved areas with plantings

4 IMPROVING WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
Pages 39-40
22
What are the three sources of harvested water?
What are they collected, and what can the water
be used for?

• Rainwater Collected through rooftop catchment
  mechanisms. Used in non-potable systems, or
  treated and used more broadly
• Stormwater runoff Collected in controlled
  environments (ex. sidewalks, parking lots). Used
  in non-potable systems
• Condensate Recycled greywater, used in
  non-potable systems

5 ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPLY TECHNOLOGIES
Pages 44, 47-49
23
Describe greywater systems, and how the greywater
is purified and used.
Greywater is collected and then filtered to
remove solid particles. It is then mixed with a
disinfecting agent, and neutralized with
ultraviolet light in combination with a
pre-filter (typically a reverse osmosis
filtration system (RO). The water is kept in a
storage tank, and used in non-potable systems
(ex. household appliances and irrigation).
5 ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPLY TECHNOLOGIES
Pages 44, 50-51
24
What is the primary public health issue related
to wastewater treatment?
The control of pathogens dangerous
microorganisms that can cause disease in humans.
5 ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPLY TECHNOLOGIES
Page 52
25
Describe the three main types of biological
digestion, and what type of wastewater treatment
they are appropriate for.

• Aerobic Treats wastewater in an environment with
  oxygen.
• Anoxic Treats wastewater in an environment
  without free oxygen.
• Anaerobic Treats wastewater with a bacteria that
  does not need oxygen and releases methane gas.
  Commonly used in large municipal sewage treatment
  plants.

5 ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPLY TECHNOLOGIES
Pages 52-53
26
What are the risks associated with reused water?

• Chemical contaminants could be present despite
  treatment (ex. heavy metals, volatile organics,
  prescription medication)
• Cross-connections with potable water

5 ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPLY TECHNOLOGIES
Page 56
27
What are the recommendations of the American
Water Works Association in terms of backflow
prevention?

• The use of RPZ backflow preventers for isolation
  of reclaimed water systems.
• Regular inspection to ensure that any debris in
  the piping has not interfered with the function
  of the assembly. Inspection intervals should not
  exceed one year. Overhaul intervals should not
  exceed five years.

5 ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPLY TECHNOLOGIES
Page 57
28
Explain the differences between direct and
indirect heating.

• Direct heating Equipment burn fuel or use an
  electrical resistance coil to heat water directly
• Indirect energy Equipment use heat from
  secondary sources where the heat energy is
  transferred to the water heating equipment
  through a heat exchanger (ex. solar collectors,
  building heat system).

6 ENERGY SAVINGS Pages 60-67
29
What are the issues to be aware of with
instantaneous water heaters?

• The power input for electricity (kW) or gas
  (Btu/hour) for instantaneous water heaters are
  higher than conventional storage-type equipment.
  May require increases in the gas and electrical
  infrastructure serving the units to meet the high
  power requirements.
• Some instantaneous gas-fired water heaters are
  the condensing type and require flue venting and
  involve condensate issues.

6 ENERGY SAVINGS Page 64
30
What are the benefits and drawbacks of
indirect-energy water heaters? Condensing boilers?

• Indirect energy water heaters
• Benefits Lowers capital costs because only one
  boiler is needed. Can be very efficient if
  coupled with a condensing boiler.
• Drawbacks The system is limited to the
  efficiency of the boiler. Heating system boilers
  require HVAC to run when not needed.
• Condensing boilers
• Benefit Highly efficient in generating hot
  water.
• Drawback The cold water input line can be
  misplaced. It must enter the tank at the lowest
  point.

6 ENERGY SAVINGS Page 68
31
Describe direct flow and heat-pipe evacuated tube
solar collectors.

• Direct flow No air. Has two pipes that run down
  and back inside the tube one for cool inlet
  water, one for hot outlet water. An aluminum or
  copper fin acts as an absorber plate which moves
  heat to the water system in the tube.
• Heat-pipe No air. Has a small amount of alcohol
  or water with additives, and a copper tube
  attached to the absorber plate. The liquid boils,
  the evaporate rises in the tube, and the heat is
  transferred to water in a top-mounted manifold.
  The liquid condenses and flows down the tube
  where the process begins again. No fluid from
  solar loop enters the tube (unlike direct flow),
  allows for easier installation and damage repair.

6 ENERGY SAVINGS Page 72
32
What is cogeneration? What are the benefits?

• Cogeneration captures waste heat from electricity
  production and converts it into useable thermal
  energy.
• Benefits
• By combining heat and power, 30 less fuel can be
  used.
• Environmentally friendly
• Cuts costs by generating power and hot water
  simultaneously

6 ENERGY SAVINGS Page 78
33
What are the forms of energy recovery and how do
they work?

• Drain-water heat recovery Captures heat from
  water entering drains. Can preheat cold water in
  all forms of water heaters.
• Steam condensate heat recovery Stores the steam
  condensate in a tank and uses it to preheat
  domestic hot water through a heat exchanger.

6 ENERGY SAVINGS Pages 81-83
34
What are the indoor air quality work practices
specific to plumbers that need to be followed to
ensure sustainability?
Use low-VOC materials, air-sealing, and moisture
control to ensure better indoor air quality.
7 MANAGING GREEN PROJECTS Page 86
35
What work practices should the plumbing
contractor be aware of in regards to
commissioning?

• Commissioning may impact the work schedule.
• Plumber may need to be present for pre-functional
  and start-up testing of the installed equipment
  for HVAC, greywater or blackwater systems, or
  energy efficiency systems.
• Building flush-out requirements may involve the
  plumber not being able to work inside the
  building for a 2-week period.

7 MANAGING GREEN PROJECTS Page 88
36
Explain the two forms of construction and
demolition waste management sorting and
co-mingling.

• Sorting Separating construction and demolition
  waste into separate containers based on the
  composition of the recyclable.
• Co-mingling Using a single dumpster for all
  recyclable materials. The materials are sorted
  off-site where weight tallies are taken for each
  material category.

7 MANAGING GREEN PROJECTS Page 87