WaterSense Labeled New Homes. Jonah Schein, WaterSense Program U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

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1 WaterSense Labeled New Homes Jonah Schein, WaterSense Program U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

2 Objectives Why Water Efficiency? Get to Know WaterSense WaterSense Labeled New Homes Using Hot Water Efficiently Outdoor Water Efficiency Inspecting New Homes for the WaterSense Label 2

3 A Thirsty Nation Between 1950 and 2000, U.S. population doubled while the demand on public supply systems more than tripled. At least 36 states are anticipating water shortages between 2003 and

4 Regional Water Impacts 4 41% 46% 114% 37% Domestic Water Use (Gal/day/person) Domestic Water Use in Gallons per Day per Person and Projected Percent Population Change by % 56% 109% 16% 6% 35% 15% -6% 6% 6% 60% 9% 13% 28% 1% 15% 21% 7% 15% 8% 9% 8% 12% 13% 30% 10% 2% -5% 52% 28% 47% NH 33% VT 17% 4% 39% 79% 3% 11% MA 20% RI 10% CT 8% NJ 16% DE 29% MD 33%

5 Strained Resources Updating infrastructure could cost nearly $500 billion over next 20 years Can delay projects by using water efficiently Save energy and costs associated with pumping and treating water 5

6 Benefits to Water Efficiency Reduce water use today to protect the resource for future generations Help mitigate the devastating effects of drought Save water, save energy Minimize water pollution and help maintain the health of aquatic ecosystems 6

7 Why WaterSense? WaterSense is voluntary partnership and labeling program launched by EPA in Our vision All Americans will understand the importance of water efficiency and take positive actions to reduce their water use in their homes, outdoors, and at work. How will we achieve it? By transforming the marketplace for products and services that use water By promoting a nationwide ethic of water efficiency to conserve water resources for future generations and reduce water and wastewater infrastructure costs

8 What s Special About WaterSense? 8 High efficient and performing Products must offer equivalent or superior performance while using about 20 percent less water than conventional models A label with integrity Third-party bodies test and certify that products & homes meet WaterSense criteria Backed by the credibility of EPA Smart use of taxpayer dollars Manufacturers/builders absorb research, testing/inspection, and branding costs Licensed certifying parties certify the products and police the label s use EPA leverages national network of partners to promote WaterSense

9 WaterSense Labeled New Homes WaterSense labeled new home built by KB Home in Roseville, CA WaterSense labeled new homes will: Reduce water use in singlefamily new homes by 20% Educate homeowners about continuing water-efficient behaviors Encourage community infrastructure savings 9

10 Roles & Responsibilities ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes EPA ENERGY STAR Program Develops program requirements RESNET (HERS administrator) Develops & maintains HERS rating system Oversees training & approval of rating providers Accredited Rating Providers Train certified HERS raters Provides quality assurance role over HERS ratings HERS Rater Performs ratings WaterSense Labeled Homes EPA WaterSense Program Develops program requirements RESNET (program administrator) Approves qualified certification providers Oversees training & approval of certification providers Licensed Certification Provider Train & approve water efficiency inspectors Provides quality assurance role over inspections Makes final labeling decision Water Efficiency Inspector Performs inspections 10

11 Indoor Water Efficiency

12 Water Use at Home Approx. 70% of water used indoors, 30% outdoors Outdoor use is higher in Southwest and other regions Toilets, faucets, showers, clothes washers, and leaks are biggest indoor users 12

13 Indoor Water Use: Hot Water Delivery System The average home wastes more than 3,650 gallons of year waiting for hot water to be delivered to the fixture % of the energy used in hot water systems is wasted through distribution losses. Distance from the water heater and volume of water that needs to be discharged are the primary factors. 13

14 Indoor Water Use: Hot Water Delivery System Requirement: No more than.5 gallons (64 oz) of water between the source and the farthest fixture Test Conducted at the furthest fixture from the source of hot water Collect no more than 0.6 gallons (77 oz) of water before a 10 increase can be recorded Demand initiated recirculation is allowed Timer- and temperature-based recirculation systems do not meet this requirement. 14

15 Indoor Water Use: Hot Water Delivery System Ounces of Water Per Foot Length of Hot Water Tubing Nominal Size (Inches) Copper M Copper L Copper K CPVC CTS SDR 11 CPVC SCH 40 PEX-Al-PEX ASTM F 1281 PE-AL- PE PEX CTS SDR 9 ⅜ N/A ½ ¾ ¼ ½ Source: Modified from 2009 International Plumbing Code Table E International Code Council. January

16 Indoor Water Use: Hot Water Delivery System Trunk & Branch System Copper L piping: 1 = 5.53 ounces/ft ¾ = 3.22 ounces/ft ½ = 1.55 ounces/ft 16

17 Indoor Water Use: Hot Water Delivery System Manifold Systems 17

18 Indoor Water Use: Hot Water Delivery System Whole House Manifold System PEX piping: 1 = 5.56 ounces/ft ½ = 1.31 ounces/ft ft max run 18

19 Indoor Water Use: Hot Water Delivery System 19 *From Koeller &Company Report on Potential BMPs to CUWCC, January 2007

20 Indoor Water Use: Hot Water Delivery System Whole House Manifold System PEX piping: 1 = 5.56 ounces/ft ½ = 1.31 ounces/ft ft max run 20

21 Indoor Water Use: Hot Water Delivery System Core System Copper L piping: ½ = 1.55 ounces/ft ft max run PEX piping: 3/8 =.63 ounces/ft ft max run 21

22 Indoor Water Use: Hot Water Delivery System Demand-Initiated Hot Water Recirculating System The source is the loop, not the hot water heater Should be designed to maintain pipe length of 10 or less. 22

23 23 Indoor Water Use: Hot Water Delivery System

24 24 Indoor Water Use: Hot Water Delivery System

25 Indoor Water Use: Showers 25 New Home Specification will be revised in 2011 to include WaterSense labeled showerheads Showerhead Requirements: Showerheads must have a maximum flow rate of 2.5 gpm. In cases with more than one showerhead, the entire device must meet the maximum flow requirement in all possible operating modes. Shower Size Requirements: The total allowable flow rate of water flowing at any given time from all showerheads must be limited to 2.5 gpm per shower compartment with a floor area less than 2,160 square inches (in 2 ).

26 Landscape Design Requirements

27 Water Use at Home Approx. 70% of water used indoors, 30% outdoors Outdoor use is higher in Southwest and other regions Toilets, faucets, showers, clothes washers, and leaks are biggest indoor users 27

28 Landscape Design EPA provides builders with two options for complying with landscape requirements: Option 1: Regionally-based allocations determined using EPA s water budget tool. Option 2: Maximum turf allocation determined using a set percentage (40%) of the landscaped area. 28

29 Landscaped Area Front yard must be landscaped Also includes any area improved upon by the builder such as: Landscaping Turf or sod Water features or pools Landscaped area is defined as the designed area of landscape excluding the footprint of the home and permanent hardscape areas such as driveways, sidewalks, and patios. 29 Excluded from landscapable area: Septic drainage fields public right-of-ways

30 Landscape Design The landscape design criteria are minimum requirements, and are not intended to override local codes or regulation Lots with 1,000 square feet (ft 2 ) of total softscape are exempt from this landscape criterion. Temporary landscapes (e.g., straw mulch) Allowed but WaterSense certificate label is withheld until permanent landscape meeting specification criteria is installed, inspected & certified. Indoor criteria can be inspected and home can be occupied prior to installation of permanent landscape. 30

31 Other Landscape Requirements Other landscape requirements: Slopes in excess of 4:1 (25%, 14 o ) shall be vegetated. All exposed soil shall include a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulching material. Inspection: Use a laser level or clinometer to determine areas where the slope exceeds 25% or 14 o. Verify that these slopes are planted. Verify that the landscape does not have any bare soil. 31

32 Pools/Spas Pools/spas Requirement: All pools and spa must have a cover. Inspection: Verify the pool has a cover. pur%20-%20backyard%20pool%20- %20June%2007.jpg 32

33 Water Features Ornamental Water features Requirements: If ornamental water features are installed, they must recirculate water and serve a beneficial use Inspection: Water features include fountains, ponds, waterfalls, man-made streams, or other decorative water-related constructions. Verify through documentation from the builder that the water feature recirculates water and has a beneficial use. (e.g., habitat for wildlife, stormwater management, cooling properties). 33

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42 Irrigation Systems

43 Outdoor Requirements & Inspection: Irrigation System Irrigation systems are not required IF irrigation systems are installed, they must: Be designed or installed by a WaterSense irrigation partner. Be audited by a WaterSense irrigation partner. Shall be designed to sustain the landscape without creating runoff or direct overspray of the property Be equipped with technology that inhibits or interrupts operation of the irrigation system during periods of rainfall or sufficient moisture (e.g., rain sensors, soil moisture sensors). 43

44 Outdoor Requirements & Inspection: Controller Requirements Multiple programming capabilities (3 different schedules) Percent adjust (water budget) feature shall include a Percent Up/Down Adjust feature (or Water Budget feature) Multiple start times (cycling, cycle/soak, stackable start times) shall be capable of a minimum of three different start times Variable run times shall be capable of varying run times, for example one minute to a minimum of one hour Variable scheduling shall be capable of interval scheduling (minimum of 14 days) to allow for watering on even day scheduling, odd day scheduling, calendar day scheduling, and interval scheduling Capability to accept external soil moisture and/or rain sensors. Non-volatile memory or self-charging battery circuit Complete shutoff capability for total cessation of outdoor irrigation. 44

45 Outdoor Requirements & Inspection: Spray Irrigation Is permitted on areas of turf grass only All other areas must utilize other irrigation methods Is not allowed on strips of turf grass less than 4 feet wide or on slopes greater than 4:1 Have a distribution uniformity (DU LQ ) of at least 65% The largest area of fixed spray will be tested to ensure a level of uniformity WaterSense guidance for irrigation audits in WaterSense Labeled New Homes: Irrigation Association audit guidelines: 45

46 Outdoor Requirements & Inspection: Irrigation System Irrigation system will run until all (or most) areas have sufficient moisture

47 Outdoor Requirements & Inspection: Spray Irrigation Is permitted on areas of turf grass only All other areas must utilize other irrigation methods Is not allowed on strips of turf grass less than 4 feet wide or on slopes greater than 4:1 Have a distribution uniformity (DU LQ ) of at least 65% The largest area of fixed spray will be tested to ensure a level of uniformity WaterSense guidance for irrigation audits in WaterSense Labeled New Homes: Irrigation Association audit guidelines: 47

48 Outdoor Requirements & Inspection Inspection: Verify the turfgrass area. Measure the turf area and surface area of any pools, spas, and water features installed. Add the area of pools, spas, and water features to the measured turf area to determine the total turf area. ((Turf area (ft 2 ) Landscaped area (ft 2 )) * 100) < percent turfgrass identified in water budget tool or < 40%. Verify that the results from the water budget tool meet EPA s specification requirements (the tool generates an output of YES or NO ). 48

49 Inspecting Home for the WaterSense Label

50 50 Inspecting Homes for the WaterSense Label

51 Learn More WaterSense Information Web site: Partnership information new homes specification, certification system, or For questions: Toll-free Helpline: (866) WTR-SENS 1(866)

52 52 Doing more. With less.