EA New Homes Measures Guide - Earth Advantage

2012 Earth Advantage Residential
Measures Resource Guide
8.3.2
Limited Lawn/Turf: 25%-1% / 0% of landscape covered by turf (0% / 1-25%)
Energy
Materials
Water
0 0 0 0 2/1
Description: Limit turf to functional areas (areas that serve practical uses, such as recreation, pets, or minor foot traffic or fire protection).
This measure rewards lower turf plantings by giving points associated with the amount of turf planted in relation to the developable
landscape area. This applies to the area installed at the time of construction, even if this means that only the front yard is treated.
Health
Land
Benefit: Limiting lawn turf to functional areas can significantly reduce landscape irrigation needs. Up to 50 percent of municipal water use
in the summer is for outdoor irrigation. Keeping lawns green and healthy significantly increases landscape watering needs. Less lawn turf
means that all the associated products and expenses will be lower, and, thus, have a lower environmental impact. Examples are lower
fertilizer use, less chance the fertilizer will run off the lawn through over watering, lower power mowing expenses and their associated
impacts of noise, fuel use, emissions, and lower impact on solid waste in the form of yard clippings.
Verification: EA Rater will estimate the percentage of turf compared to the total landscaped area (this measure will only apply to the
landscaping in place at the time of the final inspection). Landscaped area is defined as the area of the lot not including the building
footprint, sidewalks, patios, driveway and non-pervious surfaces. Pools and water features considered as lawn.
8.3.3
Organic Matter: Added to soil - 2" tilled to 6-8" depth
Accountability Form: Landscape
Energy
Materials
Water
0 0 1 0 3
Description: Adding 2 inches of organic amendments to the soil will greatly improve the quality of the soil. Amendments are typically
compost, shredded leaves, or other fine organic matter. Apply 2-3 inches of amendments and work it into the soil to a depth of
approximately 6 to 8 inches. Peat moss, Douglas Fir, or cedar chips are not recommended because they draw water from the soil and can
negatively affect soil PH and nitrogen levels.
It is recommended that a soil test be conducted on the soil to determine what mix of amendments should be used.
It is recommended that the compost be certified under US Composting Council Seal of Testing Assurance program. This test examines the
following criteria: 1) pH; 2) soluble salts (conductivity); 3) nutrient content (N-P-K); 4) organic matter; 5) moisture percent; 6) maturity; 7)
stability; 8) inerts; 9) trace metals; and 10) weed seeds and pathogens.
Health
Land
Benefit: By adding soil amendments and tilling the soil, plant and grass root systems will get established quicker and deeper in the soil.
Amendments will also reduce the amount of fertilizers required to meet the plant's nutritional requirements. Proven benefits are reduced
summer irrigation demand, healthier plants, and reduced stormwater run-off. Other potential benefits are reduced pesticide use and runoff,
reduced fertilizer consumption and run-off, reduced degradation of surface and groundwater, and cost savings to homeowners and
municipalities.
In the Redmond, Washington report below, proven results for turf irrigation indicates the peak summer water use can be reduced by 60
percent at compost amended sites compared to non-amended top soil sites.
Verification: Landscaper or builder will provide an Accountability Form to the EA Rater.
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