I think the idea of the Pretty Good House, or PGH is to have a general list to use as a guide while making the design and build choices that every project has to make. It is a higher bar to set for the every day builder that does not require certification.

Here is a basic list of things for a Pretty Good House. These are based on two Building Science Discussion Groups for homes in Maine and posts from Mike Maines blog on GBA. (and I am sure I have missed some things)

These are things we talk about everyday with people who visit our showroom.

Let us know what you think!

General:

Use locally sourced materials and labor

Use local suppliers

Commission and test performance after completion

Supply an Owners Manual for the house

Make things durable

Reduce construction waste and recycle materials

Use materials that have low embodied energy

Site Considerations:

Use an in-fill site if possible

Face the sun in an appropriate way for your location

Plan for food cultivation in a home garden

Design:

Keep the conditioned living space relatively small per occupant (maybe 600 s.f. for the first and 300-400 s.f. per additional occupant)

Keep the structure less complex

Design around mechanicals (plan for duct work, keep plumbing runs short)

Build around a service core for plumbing, wiring and ductwork

Use an Energy Model

Design should be Performance based (how about a design load of less than 12 btu’s per s.f.)

Foundations:

If basement – R-10-20 below slab, R-20+ walls

If slab only – use appropriate insulation levels and techniques (R-40 below, R-50 perimeter)

Air-Seal perimeter

Building Envelope:

Walls – R-40 with thermal break

Ceiling – R-60 with thermal break

Airtight – 1.5 ACH 50 or better (air seal)

Aim for whole wall system values (IECC 2012 Code)

NO fiberglass insulation

Air-seal electrical outlets in exterior walls (or avoid them altogether)

Avoid recessed light cans in ceiling (or at least air-seal them)

Use a rain screen wall detail

Windows:

Whole window U-value below .20

High solar heat (SHGC) on south windows (.55 or better)

Use fewer operable windows

Air-seal around all rough openings

Mechanicals:

Avoid using fossil fuels

Use HRV or ERV with programmable controls

Use the right type of heating system for the design load

Install active solar hot water and / or electric or (solar ready at least)

Insulate hot water pipes

Use low-flow fixtures

Interior Finishes:

Use non-formaldehyde plywoods, glues and products

Use low or No VOC finishes and paints

Use Non-Toxic materials

Focus on Indoor Air Quality!

Maine Green Building Supply

Two months ago we knocked around Dan Kolbert’s idea of the “Pretty Good House”. Mike Maines, one of our BSDG regulars, posted a blog on Green Building Advisor and received many comments and additional opinions. People really liked this PGH concept. The idea that we could develop a general guide for people to work from without a formal system (with associated costs) was appealing to many.

Most builders are not reaching for the high goals of Passiv Haus or LEED. Most builders need a basic guide to make solid incremental improvements and informed trade-offs to what they build. Attainable building science for the everyday project.

Based on responses to Mike’s blog there are many views on how the choices should be made. Our group, based in Maine, looked at things based on our climate. Many comments were from other regions that have very different needs. It would be great to have regional lists developed so please comment including where you are located.

We have decided to start a separate blog section for the Pretty Good House. I encourage you to write your list and post it as a comment in that section.

Maine Green Building Supply

I started the Building Science Discussion Group at Maine Green Building Supply in June 2009. I was getting tired of going to 45 minute PowerPoint presentations formatted in such a way that they never allowed for any kind of adequate Q&A. (Without lively discourse, I tend to nod off during such events.) I believe most people learn best in a discussion that they can actually participate in. I am lucky enough to have these discussions every day at my showroom with all sorts of really smart people.

I was also missing the old monthly “green drinks” event that was loosely organized by our local USGBC chapter. A small group of building professionals would gather once a month at Three Dollar Dewey’s (a local Euro-Style Ale House), someone (I think Chris Briley) would bring a small green flag and place it on one of the long tables to denote the place to gather, everyone would grab some food and beer and we would actually talk about building science and learn from each other.

So in June 2009, after the economy took a nosedive, we sent out an invitation to some friends in the building community asking them to attend,

“ …An informal discussion for building professionals to ask, learn, debate, knock around, support, agonize over, ridicule, flog, and answer the challenges and concepts of the best building practices.”

And 35 intelligent and interested building professionals showed up.

We have host this event monthly (usually moderated by Dan Kolbert) and have had up to 65 people attend.

Steve Konstantino
Owner, Maine Green Building Supply

Maine Green Building Supply

Solatube Natural Daylighting System

Maine Green Building Supply

Yolo Zero VOC Paints

Maine Green Building Supply

Apricus solar hot water collectors offer an exciting break through in the field of solar thermal technology. Highly efficient and advanced in design, Apricus collectors capture useful solar heat even on cold winter days. The advantage over other solar hot water collectors is Apricus’ evacuated glass tube technology. The sun’s energy is absorbed and efficiently converted to heat with little loss due to an insulating vacuum sealed within the tubes’ double glass walls.

Apricus collectors offer a simple, modular design that allow for ease of installation by professionals and amateurs alike. Unlike flat plate collectors which are heavy and cumbersome, the light weight Apricus collector is assembled in pieces and can be installed in the space of a few hours. The Apricus collector is maintenance free, durable, and designed to provide years of reliable, worry-free performance.

Maine Green Building Supply

Eco-Friendly Cabinetry

Maine Green Building Supply

Ultra Touch Cotton Fiber Insulation

Maine Green Building Supply