LEED Reference Guide for Homeowners from Unico

1. Unico and LEED for Homes
Reference Guide
Unico, Inc
7401 Alabama Ave
Saint Louis, MO 63111
www.unicosystem.com
(EQ) Indoor Environmental Quality |
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that Americans spend about 90% of their day. The Indoor En- vironmental Quality credit category promotes strategies to improve indoor air because better indoor air can lead to better health and well-being of the occupants.
(AQ) Awareness and Education |
By educating the homeowner on the benefits of their new sustainable structure the are better prepared to maintain and repair the materials used in their home that will save energy and resources.
EQ 3: Moisture Control
Credits: 3
Description: Unico’s small duct high velocity systems has the ability to remove 30% more
humidity than conventional HVAC.
EQ 4: Outdoor Air Ventilation
Credits: 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3
Description: Unico’s Smart Control Board has the ability to be programmed to introduce the needed fresh air requirements of ASHREA 62.2
EQ 6: Distribution of Space Heating and Cooling
Credits: 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3
Description: Unico provides detailed room-by-room load calculations and return air requirements as part of the Design Service deliverables.
EQ 8: Contaminant Control
Credits: 8.1, 8.2, and 8.3
Description: Unico ductwork can be easily sealed during installation preventing ductwork contamination. Our sys- tem is also pre-commissioned during final stages of construction allowing for any dust to be removed from the system
Maximum Points: 36 — 31 LEED Points, 5 Prerequisite Points
AQ 1: Education of the Homeowner or Tenant
Credits: 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3
Description: Unico’s provides training for installing contractors to assure proper install or our equipment. Unico also provides the homeowner with maintenance and operations instruction on our equipment so that the homeowner will receive years of superior performance from our products.
Maximum Points: 3 — 2 LEED Points, 1 Prerequisite Points

2. Navigating Affordable LEED Structures
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is an internationally recognized green building certification sys- tem developed by the USGBC to provide a framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green-building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.
At Unico, we have identified which of our products, when applied in conjunction with or as a part of a building system, may be eligible to receive LEED points under the USGBC’s LEED rating system. This document is based upon actual LEED Certified projects that Unico has been a part of and will outline how our products, when used with other construction products and methods, have the ability to provide LEED points towards constructing an Affordable LEED structure.
Point categories with possible LEED points from Unico:
1. (ID) Innovation and Design Process: Special design methods, regional credits and exemplary performance
2. (EA) Energy and Atmosphere: Energy efficiency in the heating envelope and heating and cooling design
3. (MR) Materials and Resources: Selection of environmentally preferable materials and reduction of waste
4. (EQ) Indoor Environmental Quality: Reducing the creation of and exposure to indoor air pollutants
5. (AE) Awareness and Education: Education of the homeowner or building team about green features
(ID) Innovation and Design |
It takes a holistic approach from the beginning of a project on everyone’s part to see a LEED Home come to full completion. It requires a sustained effort by everyone on the team from the owner, architect, engineers, contractors, commissioning agents and manufacturers to ensure the project meets the design intent and goals of the LEED rating system.
ID 1: Integrated Project Planning
Credits: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.5
Description: Unico is part of the project team that includes a member of our Design Services
group and a LEED Accredited Professional. As part of the project we recommend the use of
solar to work in conjunction with our energy saving designs that are specific to each LEED home.
ID 2 : Durability Management Process
Credits: 2.1, 2.2, 2.3
Description: By documenting the life span of our equipment and providing both writing maintenance requirements for our equipment for both the homeowner and installing professional we are able to educate those that install our equip- ment as well as consumer who will utilize it to heat and cool their home.
ID 3 : Innovative or Regional Design
Credits: 3.1
Description: The EC motor and control board software that is integrated into Unico products allow us meet the de- mands of a MERV 11 filter, tighter humidity control, and superior room air circulation.
Maximum Points: 10 — 7 LEED Points, 3 Prerequisite Points
(EA) Energy and Atmosphere |
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, buildings use 39% of the energy and 74% of the electricity produced each year in the United States. The Energy and Atmosphere category outlines many different energy strategies such
EA 1: Optimize Energy Performance
Credits: 1.1 and 1.2
Description: Unico’s small duct high velocity systems works in parallel with other energy
savings products such as solar, tight building envelope, advanced framing, and spray foam
insulation to drive down the HERS rating.
EA 11: Residential Refrigerant Management
Credits: 11.1, 11.2
Description: Unico documents the appropriate procedures for charge test that the contract should follow and we also outline the type of refrigerant used in our systems.
Maximum Points: 33 — 31 LEED Points, 2 Prerequisite Points
(MR) Materials and Resources |
The choice in building materials is an important decision in sustainable design because of the extensive network of extraction, processing and transportation steps required to process them. Construction and demolition waste consti- tutes about 42% of the total solid waste stream in the United States so reuse and recycling of materials is important.
MR 1: Material-Efficient Framing
Credits: 1.1, 1.2, and 1.4
Description: Unico’s small duct high velocity systems works in parallel with advanced framing techniques and does not require any additional framing to accommodate our HVAC equipment and ductwork.
MR 2: Environmentally Preferable Products
Credits: 2.1, 2.2
MR 3: Waste Management
Credits: 3.1, 3.2
Description: Unico provides detailed documentation on the exact materials necessary for installing our HVAC products.
Maximum Points: 8.5 — 5.5 LEED Points, 3 Prerequisite Points