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Letter to Earth Advantage Builders

January 15, 2008

Re: Earth Advantage®Homes -- Program Changes Coming in 2008

Dear Earth Advantage Homes Allies: This year is going to be an eventful time for the building industry and a number of changes are in store for Oregon builders. With this change comes the opportunity to improve not only the homes you build but also your brand position in the market place. By embracing the third-party certification of our Earth Advantage Homes program - we know that you want to continue to be a leader in the building industry. Our goal is to provide you with a certification program that brings value to your home buyers and your company. The following is an outline of the program adjustments Earth Advantage - Inc. will be implementing in 2008 to incorporate Oregon energy code changes and ENERGY STAR revisions. January 1 - 2008 • All homes need to meet the new requirements for forced air heating and cooling ducts. Some method of pressure relief will be required in all bedrooms. This has been an option under the current Earth Advantage and ENERGY STAR programs - but is now required for homes started after January 1 - 2008. Listed below is the zonal pressure relief requirement. Room to Common Zone Pressure Relief Requirement: For the purpose of this new program requirement - a room is defined as a zone measuring over 75 square feet and having a passage door and a supply air duct. A common zone is defined as a room or hallway with unimpeded airflow to a central return register. All rooms with a single supply air duct will be required to have minimum of 1 inch door undercuts measured after final floor covering installation. All rooms with multiple supply ducts will be required to install a pressure relief by-pass in addition to - or in place of - door undercuts. A cost effective method of additional bypass relief is the installation of a jump over duct.” Other acceptable methods of compliance include a transfer grill to a common hallway - or fully ducted return air pathways. April 1 - 2008 The State of Oregon will begin enforcing the new energy code on all new housing permits. This new energy standard will bring the minimum insulation and equipment requirements close to current ENERGY STAR/Earth Advantage Homes standards. • If you are an Earth Advantage builder but do not currently incorporate ENERGY STAR - you will be required to meet the current ENERGY STAR standards beginning April 1 - 2008. The existing ENERGY STAR requirements will not change in 2008. This will allow you time to become familiar with the ENERGY STAR program during 2008 and to be eligible for rebates from the Energy Trust of Oregon (where applicable). To receive the 2008 ENERGY STAR rebate - the home must be completed and certified by December 31 - 2008. • On April 1 - 2008 - Earth Advantage - Inc. will launch a new program standard called Earth Advantage Homes Silver. This new certification level keeps you ahead of the curve while giving you greater recognition for green features above and beyond the existing Earth Advantage Homes requirements. The Silver standard will also include the 2009 requirement of the ENERGY STAR program. This new Silver certification will reflect an enhanced - comprehensive point system that maintains the same high standards you have come to expect from your leading green building program. A stakeholder review of the Silver standard will be available from February 15 through March 14. Please let the Earth Advantage staff know (info@earthadvantage.org) if you are interested in being involved with the review process. We hope that Earth Advantage Homes Silver will become the definition of a green home” for the next few years. January 1 - 2009 • In January 2009 - a new ENERGY STAR standard will be implemented that will be 15 percent above the new 2008 Oregon energy code. This is incorporated in the design of the energy standard of the Earth Advantage Homes Silver program. Our hope is that these changes will benefit your business - allowing you to be a green building leader while keeping you ahead of the market. We know this will be a challenging year - and should you have any questions with these adjustments - Earth Advantage - Inc. is available to assist you. We sincerely appreciate your ongoing support. Thank you for choosing Earth Advantage as your preferred green building provider. Sincerely - Sean Penrith Executive Director Earth Advantage - Inc.

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