Carbon Neutral Construction:

A construction method that takes into account the embodied energy of materials and the construction process along with the operating energy of the building. Carbon neutral construction is accomplished by using materials that sequester carbon to offset other material’s carbon footprint and by having on site renewable energy production.

Design/Build:

Is a method of project delivery in which one entity, the design-build team, works under a single contract with the project owner to provide design and construction services.

Embodied Carbon:

The sum of all the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the mining, harvesting, processing, manufacturing, transportation and installation of building materials. The greenhouse gases are summed to a carbon equivalent quantity. The global warming emissions associated with these materials, along with emissions associated with construction itself, are the “embodied carbon footprint” of design and construction for a building.

Embodied Energy:

Is the sum of all the energy required to produce the building, considered as if that energy was incorporated or ‘embodied’ in the building itself.

Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV):

Is a mechanical system that provides an energy recovery process in residential and commercial HVAC systems that exchanges the energy contained in exhausted air of a building or conditioned space, using it to treat (precondition) the incoming outdoor ventilation air. An ERV allows some of the air’s moisture to remain in the home. To keep moisture in the home, it typically pulls in outdoor air during the summer months, and it retains some of the indoor air during the winter months.

Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV):

A typical heat recovery system in buildings consists of a core unit, channels for fresh air and exhaust air, and blower fans. Building exhaust air is used as either a heat source or heat sink depending on the climate conditions, time of year and requirements of the building. Heat recovery systems typically recover about 60–95% of the heat in exhaust air and have significantly improved the energy efficiency of buildings.

Home Performance:

How all aspects of a home work together as one comprehensive system with the goal of creating the most comfortable, healthy, and resource-efficient place in which to live.

Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF):

Is a system of formwork for reinforced concrete usually made with a rigid EPS thermal insulation that stays in place as a permanent interior and exterior substrate for foundation or above grade walls. The forms are interlocking modular units that are dry-stacked and filled with concrete. The units lock together somewhat like Lego bricks and create a form for the structural walls of a building.

Integrated Design Process (IDP):

Is a building process that generates greater possibilities for a better project outcome by thinking across disciplines and building sub-systems. The process incorporates all stakeholders at the start of or at an early stage of the design process to better integrate each aspect of the building to produce a more efficient building as a whole. IDP is an interdisciplinary design approach with the emphasis on collaboration. The process concentrates as much on design, construction and operation as on the occupancy of the building.

LEED Certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design):

Is a widely used green building rating system available for all types of buildings. The standard provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA):

Is a methodology for assessing environmental impacts associated with all the stages of the life cycle of a building and all of its commercial products, process, or services. Environmental impacts are assessed from raw material extraction and processing (cradle), through each product's manufacture, distribution and use, to the recycling or final disposal of the materials composing it at the end of its life cycle (grave).

Net-Zero:

Is a building with zero net energy consumption. The total amount of energy used by the building on an annual basis is roughly equal to the amount of renewable energy created on-site, or nearby. (Similar other terms: zero-energy building, zero net energy building, net-zero energy building)

Operating Energy:

The energy a building requires during the entire service life of the building such as lighting, heating, cooling, and ventilation systems; and operating building appliances.

Passive House (PHIUS):

A building method comprised of a set of design principles used to attain a quantifiable and rigorous level of energy efficiency within a specific quantifiable occupant comfort level. A passive house uses around 80% less energy than a typical code build house. Passive building methods utilize the following five building-science principles: continuous insulation with reduced thermal bridging throughout the entire envelope, extremely airtight building envelope, use of high-performance windows and doors, use of balanced mechanical heat and moisture recovery ventilation, and use of minimum space conditioning systems.

Passivhaus (PHI):

Is an internationally recognized, performance-based voluntary energy standard for building construction that was started in Germany. PHI functions in the United States along with the PHIUS. PHI pre-dates PHIUS. Both standards have similar goals but vary on the exact method of achieving those goals. PHI Certification is available in the US.