USA Flag  
HUDUSER

HUD.GOV

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Secretary Shaun Donovan
Bookmark and Share
 
Sustainable Communities Resource Center
About Newsletter Research Grants Partnership Resources
 
 
Measuring the Savings of Green Building Technologies

The following matrix highlights 10 proven and affordable green building technologies organized into four categories: Building Envelope, HVAC, Management and Use, and Water. Each product features a brief description for general reference; technical overviews are addressed by the resources highlighted in the “Additional Information” section. These entries have a track record of providing savings, are affordable across building types and scales, and are viable in diverse climates. This document is not intended to be a comprehensive exercise in quantifying green building strategies or elevating every high-return-on-investment (ROI) product. Instead, it is a simple, accessible, cogent tool to educate and motivate builders about the nuanced economics of green building. For more information about the matrix, please click here.

1. Framing: Optimum Value Engineering (OVE)
Product Category Description Estimated Savings Additional Information
Building Envelope

A series of framing strategies that includes increasing stud, floor joint, and rafter spacing, eliminating some headers, and using two-stud corner framing and inexpensive drywall clips.

  • Eliminates cold spots.
  • Improves energy efficiency.

Note: OVE is cheaper to install than conventional framing because of lumber and labor savings

Installation savings:
$1.05/sq ft
Operational savings:
$.15/sq ft/year
Market savings:
N/A
Five Year ROI:
$1.74/sq ft. Immediate payback (assumes 3% discount rate)
Net Present Value
$3.99 (assumes 3% discount rate).
Durability
Reduces potential for mold. Life cycle of 30 years.
2. Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs)
Product Category Description Estimated Savings Additional Information
Building Envelope

Foam forms filled with reinforced concrete. Blocks or panels are stacked to form walls and filled.

  • Enhances R-value and reduces air infiltration.
  • Increases durability and leads to energy efficiency.
Installation savings:
$6.90/sq ft
Operational savings:
$0.13/sq ft/year
Market savings:
N/A
Five Year ROI:
$6.30/sq ft (assumes 3% discount rate)
Net Present Value
$4.35 (assumes 3% discount rate).
Durability:
Rot resistant and less attractive to termites. Safer in natural disasters. Life cycle of 30 years.
3. Spray Foam Insulation
Product Category Description Estimated Savings Additional Information
Building Envelope

Alternative to traditional batt insulation. Is sprayed into wall cavities and expands to fill all pockets of space.

  • Twice the R-value of traditional insulation
  • Environmentally friendly (no HCFCs)
  • Enhances home comfort and reduces moisture and mold.
Installation savings:
$2.25/sq ft
Operational savings:
Assumed to be the same as ICFs and SIPs. $0.13/sq ft/year
Market savings:
N/A
Five Year ROI:
$1.65/sq ft (assumes 3% discount rate)
Net Present Value:
$0.30 (assumes 3% discount rate).
Durability:
N/A. Life cycle of 30 years.
4. Structural Insulated Panels (SIP)
Product Category Description Estimated Savings Additional Information
Building Envelope

Replacement for conventional wall and roof framing. Panels consist of a thick layer of foam between two layers of oriented strand board (OSB), plywood or fiber cement. Prefabricated by manufacturer and shipped to site.

  • Enhances R-value and reduces air infiltration.
  • Reduces lumber requirement.
  • Can come with variety of finished surfaces.
Installation savings:
$2.60/sq ft
Operational savings:
$0.13/sq ft/year
Market savings:
N/A
Five Year ROI:
$2.00/sq ft (assumes 3% discount rate)
Net Present Value
$0.05 (assumes 3% discount rate).
Durability:
High resistance to wind; require less maintenance. Life cycle of 30 years.
5. Aerosol Duct Sealing
Product Category Description Estimated Savings Additional Information
HVAC

Method of forcing vinyl acetate adhesive particles into heating and cooling duct systems to plug leaks. (Also consider polypropylene take-off collars to supplement.)

  • Prevents efficiency loss from escaped heating and cooling.
  • Easier to install than conventional sealing methods.
Installation savings:
$0.50/sq ft
Operational savings:
$0.10/sq ft/year
Market savings:
N/A
Five Year ROI:
$0.04/sq ft/year (assumes 3% discount rate)
Net Present Value:
$0.35/sq ft (assumes 3% discount rate).
Durability:
Life cycle of 10 years.
6. Install HVAC & Ductwork in Conditioned Space
Product Category Description Estimated Savings Additional Information
HVAC

Instead of running ductwork through attics, crawlspaces, and garages, this strategy places ductwork in conditioned spaces like bulkheads, soffits, and tray ceilings. This prevents energy loss from leakage and dramatic temperature variances.

  • Energy efficient
  • Reduces likelihood of condensation / moisture.
  • Widespread application
Installation savings:
$0.20/sq ft
Operational savings:
$0.02/sq ft/year
Market savings:
Market for improved indoor comfort.
Five Year ROI:
$0.11/sq ft (assumes 3% discount rate)
Net Present Value
$0.19 (assumes 3% discount rate).
Durability:
Less likely to have moisture problems. Life cycle of 30 years.
7. Customized HVAC Sizing
Product Category Description Estimated Savings Additional Information
HVAC

Using house plans, a contractor can measure specific size needed for HVAC equipment rather than using rule of thumb. Leads to smaller, cheaper systems.

  • Energy efficient
  • Durable.
  • Improves indoor air quality.
Installation savings:
$0.17/sq ft
Operational savings:
$0.05/sq ft/year
Market savings:
Market for improved indoor comfort.
Five Year ROI:
$0.06/sq ft Immediate payback. (assumes 3% discount rate)
Net Present Value:
$0.57/sq ft (assumes 3% discount rate).
Durability:
Reduction in short-cycling means longer life span. Life cycle of 20 years.
8. Programmable Thermostats
Product Category Description Estimated Savings Additional Information
Management and Use

Save energy by permitting occupants to set temperatures according to use.

  • Reduces energy consumption by not conditioning house when unoccupied.
  • Easy to implement.
Installation savings:
$0.03/sq ft
Operational savings:
$0.15/sq ft/year
Market savings:
N/A
Five Year ROI:
$0.66/sq ft. Payback within less than a year. (assumes 3% discount rate)
Net Present Value
$1.25 (assumes 3% discount rate).
Durability:
N/A. Life cycle of 10 years.
9. Air admittance valves (AAVs)
Product Category Description Estimated Savings Additional Information
Water

Pressure-activated one-way mechanical vents used in plumbing system to eliminate conventional pipe venting and roof penetrations.

  • Greater flexibility in laying out rooms.
  • Easy to install.
  • Applicable to new construction & retrofit.
Installation savings:
$0.21/sq ft
Operational savings:
$0.00/sq ft/year
Market savings:
N/A
Five Year ROI:
$0.21/sq ft. Immediate payback.(assumes 3% discount rate)
Net Present Value
$0.21 (assumes 3% discount rate).
Durability:
Requires no maintenance. Life cycle of 30 years.
10. Polyethylene plastic piping (PEX)
Product Category Description Estimated Savings Additional Information
Water

Flexible cross-linked piping applicable to water, drainage, fuel gas, conduit and plumbing / heating. Can be snaked through walls like electrical wiring.

  • Durable, resistant to corrosion.
  • No Volatile organic compounds (VOCs); recyclable.
  • Applicable to new construction & retrofit.
Installation savings:
$0.16/sq ft
Operational savings:
Difficult to quantify. Piping provides some insulation value. Reduced pipe diameter results in water savings from reduced hot water waste.
Market savings:
N/A
Five Year ROI:
$0.16/sq ft, Immediate payback. (assumes 3% discount rate)
Net Present Value:
$0.16 (assumes 3% discount rate).
Durability:
Fewer joints and resistant to corrosion means less maintenance costs. Life cycle of 30 years.

To learn more, click here.

HUD USER footer The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development WhiteHouse.gov, Welcome to the White House The U.S. Governments Official Web Portal Fair Housing
HUD USER
P.O. Box 23268, Washington, DC 20026-3268
Toll Free: 1-800-245-2691    TDD: 1-800-927-7589
Local: 1-202-708-3178    Fax: 1-202-708-9981