EarthCraft House Multifamily Program
For developer certification of low-rise multifamily projects.
This EarthCraft House program includes NEW CONSTRUCTION and RENOVATION with similar criteria, but specific to each building context.
NEW CONSTRUCTION points include:
- Designed to accommodate both “affordable” and “market rate” project types.
- Currently, the program uses the multi-family worksheet requiring a minimum score of 200 points.
The following criteria must also be met:
- The ENERGY STAR Certification is mandatory for EarthCraft House certification in buildings that can qualify (generally up to 4 stories of residential).
- Building that are not eligible for ENERGY STAR Certification must still be modeled and be 15% better than 2004 Energy Code.
- Fresh air intakes for each unit are also a requirement of the multifamily program.
Outside of these areas, the program is very flexible and can be customized by individual developers to suit their individual projects within the scoring system.
RENOVATION criteria
- Point system is a sliding scale from 100 to 160 points depending on the degree of renovation proposed for the project
- Designed to accommodate both “affordable” and “market rate” project types.
Both NEW CONSTRUCTION and RENOVATION components of the Multi-family program can benefit from these concepts
- Certified projects are more energy efficient and less costly to occupy, less communication of air between units, less communication of sound between units, better Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) with managed fresh-air intakes, more durable project overall. Smaller environmental footprint both during construction process and operation/occupancy.
Benefits and Highlights
- Developers essentially receive a commissioning for the project through the work of the energy consultant and the benefits that come with that process. There are also two “labels” (ENERGY STAR and EarthCraft House Multifamily) that can be used to differentiate their product from other multifamily projects.
- Presently there are twelve projects moving forward with EarthCraft House Multifamily creating the potential to more than double the number of units certified in the program since its inception in 2004.
- The program does require developers to cover consulting costs which average between $100-$200 per unit for energy modeling, extensive inspections and consulting, and final quantitative testing and reporting.
For more information, contact:
Scott Lee , Program Manager, 404/604-3587
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