Linda Schemmel of City of West Des Moines and Bill McAnally of McAnally Consulting introduces us to the West Des Moines Affordable Green Demonstration Home project and COSC's educational curriculum.

What is Green Building? It is a "Whole Systems" approach for designing and constructing buildings that:

• are integrated into the wider site and community
• consumes less energy and water
• are durable and easier to maintain
• use resource efficient techniques and materials
• are healthier, safer and more comfortable

We learn about the importance of the project's pre-planning stages, charrette meetings, benchmarking, green building goals, cost-saving opportunities, stakeholder buy-in, educational approaches and more.

Foundations are one of the most important aspects of green construction. Topics covered in this chapter include:

• Foundation construction method options such as using insulated concrete forms (ICFs) or shallow frost free foundations
• The importance of thorough insulation methods
• Moisture control through proper drainage, tiling and capillary breaks
• Consuming the least amount of resources
• Cost effective considerations
• Radon mitigation systems

COSC Affordable Green Building education presenters are Linda Schemmel of City of West Des Moines and Bill McAnally of McAnally Consulting.

We visit the West Des Moines Affordable Green Demonstration Home at the framing construction stage and discuss the benefits of optimum value engineering, advanced framing methods, improving connections, and best use of materials. Topics in this two-part chapter covers:

• Flooring construction systems
• Reducing thermal bridging and heat loss
• 24" on center framing benefits
• Designed headers
• Gable end trusses
• Double hung windows for convection current, natural ventilation and natural light
• Reducing construction materials waste

COSC Affordable Green Building education presenters are Linda Schemmel of City of West Des Moines and Bill McAnally of McAnally Consulting.

Exterior shell is an important part of green building, which controls heat loss and heat gain. The West Des Moines Affordable Green Demonstration Home has:

• Cement siding
• Tyvek Drainage Wrap
• CertainTeed membrane - forgivable vapor retarder

Silas Hoeppner of Cenergy covers insulation best practices. Proper installation is essential:

• Sealing connects between materials
• Sealing wire holes that go into the attic
• Insulation cut to proper size
• Lessco box reduces air loss
• Using a combination of insulation: fiber glass, celluous and caulking

Bill illustrates to the class how to install windows with step-by-step instruction. Topics include: 

• Installing DuPont FlexWrap
• U-Factor
• Glazing options
• Correct foam installation
• Heat loss prevention

In the final short segment, we look at the installation of windows in the West Des Moines Affordable Green Demonstration Home and factors that went into choosing the proper qualities of the windows.

COSC Affordable Green Building education presenters are Linda Schemmel of City of West Des Moines and Bill McAnally of McAnally Consulting.

We're in the basement of the West Des Moines Affordable Green Demonstration Home to look at the 93% high-efficiency heating and cooling system. Features include:

• Sealed combustion furnace
• Quality installation with sealed junction points
• No air loss or duct leakage
• Mag-Seal
• Condensate drain to furnace
• Supply-side duct insulation
• Proper tape options

Linda addresses electrical consumption throughout the home. Appliances and fixtures provide great options for using less power. As does homeowner practice, which are our actions such as turning out lights, addressing plug loads and purchasing decisions.

Tim Hanes, of Cenergy, joins us in the last segment to explain the importance that everyone in the construction and design process is on the same page to deliver the best energy conservation. The properly sized system and other aspects of the West Des Moines Home all contributed to a positive outcome.

COSC Affordable Green Building education presenters are Linda Schemmel of City of West Des Moines and Bill McAnally of McAnally Consulting.

Learn about plumbing energy use, water consumption conservation, fixtures and drainage systems. We also address how we can save on costs and energy. Topics include:

• Choose low-flow ("Water Sense" rated) fixtures such as faucets, shower heads and toilets.
• When using less water, you use less energy
• Consult the energy guide when choosing appliances
• Chart of average household water uses.
• Water heater options
• Energy Star and Energy Guide benefits
• Stacked walls for plumbing efficiency
• Insulation of pipes
• Sewage lift system

COSC Affordable Green Building education presenters are Linda Schemmel of City of West Des Moines and Bill McAnally of McAnally Consulting.

In the classroom, James McCain of Innovative Kinetics gives us an insightful overview of energy, energy concepts, developments in alternative energy options, tools available to homeowners. Topic include:

• Renewable resources
• Disadvantages of batteries
• Solar energy applications
• Solar path finder
• Wind power factors
• Hybrid systems
• Incentive resources: dsireusa.org and Iowa Energy Center

Instructor and builder Jacob Kvinlaug give us a thorough overview of geothermal applications, such as positioning of the home, passive thermal tempering, geothermal HVAC systems, rainwater cooling, storm safety and more.

Linda Schemmel brings these concepts back into context at the West Des Moines Affordable Green Demonstration Home and how to address energy options in the planning process.

Linda Schemmel of City of West Des Moines addresses the importance of indoor air quality and the role ventilation and interior finishes play. Consider the chemicals that go into choices for cabinetry, countertops, flooring, paints, stains, plumbing adhesives and so on. Items that can help protect your indoor air quality:

• Low volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
• Recycled, salvaged, natural material products
• Hard surface floors such as Marmorette
• Reducing dust and allergens
• Heat recovery ventilators
• Longevity of products
• Product rating systems such as Floor Score and Green Guard

An insightful chapter on exterior water management and the effects of landscaping. To properly handle rain with landscaping and decking, consider the following topics:

• stormwater systems
• egress window wells
• distance between siding and ground
• rain gardens and native plants
• rainscapingiowa.org
• deck framing connection to the house

COSC education presenters Bill McAnally and Linda Schemmel of City of West Des Moines are joined by guest instructor Jennifer Welch of Polk County Soil & Water Conservation District.

The West Des Moines Affordable Green Demonstration Home is finished! Hear an overview of the project as we review lessons learned and unique aspects of this green home.

• Green building components reviewed include basement insulation techniques, charrette planning process and framing methods.
• A reminder that seasonal maintenance can extend life and reduce costs of the home.
• Cost-effective choices were important when constructing this home, which was built to serve a low to moderate income family.

COSC Affordable Green Building education presenters are Linda Schemmel of City of West Des Moines and Bill McAnally of McAnally Consulting. Dan Caffrey of HOME Inc, oversaw the home's construction.