Jordan Goldman

12 Pros Share their Favorite Sustainable Design Features ON HOUZZ

Houzz spoke with 12 pros about which sustainable features homeowners should consider to cut energy use and reduce their carbon footprint. Architects, builders, interior designers and landscape designers were interviewed and also discussed the sustainability solutions they’re most excited about.

ZED’s Jordan Goldman, provided the following thoughts:

Sustainable features ZED uses. “Our main focus for sustainability is reducing the carbon footprint of our buildings. [That applies to] both operational carbon — due to the energy demand — and the embodied carbon — due to the materials involved in the project’s construction,” Jordan Goldman says.

“To reduce operational carbon, we emphasize an exceptionally well-insulated envelope, efficient systems and renewable energy.” Goldman says. “To reduce embodied carbon, we try to avoid or minimize the use of materials like concrete, steel and foam, since they typically have an outsized contribution to the overall embodied carbon. To reduce both operational and embodied carbon, we avoid designing oversized houses and buildings.”

Sustainable solutions Jordan’s excited about. “Over the last couple of years, we’ve shifted from using rigid foam [insulation] to products like wood fiberboard — made from compressed sawdust, diverting the material from the waste stream — and rigid cork — made from harvesting cork trees in a process that doesn’t harm the rest of the tree. Both products are considered to be carbon storers — that is, negative embodied carbon — so they’re much more environmentally friendly than rigid foam, which has significant embodied carbon,” Goldman says.

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ZED's Jordan Goldman To Discuss Mini-Splits on The BS* + Beer Show

The BS* + Beer Show, a weekly talk show focusing on hot topics in building science, will have its next broadcast on Thursday, April 30, 2020 at 6: 00 - 7:30 PM EST. This session “Making the Most of Mini-Splits” will focus on how and where are mini-split air source heat pumps best used, if they are right for every situation, and when are they not the best choice.

Special panelists for this live discussion include ZED Mechanical Engineering Principal Jordan Goldman, Positive Energy’s Kristof Irwin, and Ripcord Engineering’s Jacob Staub.

You can register in advance for the Zoom meeting here.

Fine Homebuilding Magazine and Green Building Advisor provide technical and organization support for the BS* + Beer Show. Previous show recordings are available on Green Building Advisor.

MORE: THE BS* + BEER SHOW (MINI-SPLITS)

ZED's Jordan Goldman on Minisplits

At the Fine HomeBuilding (FHB) Summit last year, ZED Engineering Principal Jordan Goldman presented an in-depth and well-received session on minisplit heat pumps.

A specialist in energy modeling, HVAC systems, and mechanical design, Goldman started the discussion with a reminder that the ultimate goal of designing heat pumps is the indoor comfort of the home. He also shared several tips for HVAC engineers, architects, and contractors working with this technology, including its strengths and weaknesses, how to best put it into use in a well-insulated home, and common mistakes to avoid during design and installation.

Recently, Green Building Advisor, which focuses on green building, designing, and remodeling strategies, published a great review of Goldman’s FHB minisplit presentation. You can read the article here.

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ZED's Jordan Goldman to Present at Fine Homebuilding Summit

The Fine Homebuilding Summit, organized by the Fine Homebuilding magazine, along with Green Building Advisor and Keeping Craft Alive, will bring together dozens of industry experts, manufacturers, and influencers for an intense, collaborative learning experience this October.

In addition to providing a valuable forum for networking and exchange of ideas, the summit will also feature several insightful presentations from industry experts, including ZeroEnergy Design’s Jordan Goldman.

Jordan leads the mechanical design practice at ZED. He is a Certified Passive House Consultant, LEED Accredited Professional, and HERS Rater, and specializes in building envelope strategies, building science design, and mechanical system design, specification, and sizing for enhanced energy performance.

Jordan’s session at the Fine Homebuilding Summit will focus on HVAC for High-Performance Houses.

WHERE: Southbridge Hotel and Convention Center, Southbridge, MA
WHEN: October 2-4, 2019

Preregistration for the summit is currently open. We hope to see you there!

MORE: FINE HOMEBUILDING SUMMIT