Of the 70 local and regional green home certification programs available throughout the U.S., three are the most commonly used in North Carolina: the National Association of Home Builders’ green building program, N.C.
HealthyBuilt Homes, and LEED, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.
These programs have similar rating systems that assign point values to green materials or construction techniques, and all require third-party verification that the criteria claimed have been met. A popular environmentally friendly program not on the list isn’t technically considered green — the federal Energy Star certification primarily measures energy efficiency.
The green program that makes the most sense for you will depend on the type of home you want and the builder you choose. Here’s a quick outline.
NAHB Model Green Homebuilding Guidelines
The guidelines were adopted by the Triad Green Building Council this spring, and local builders in the Greensboro Builders Association and other area associations have begun using them. Since the program has solid local support, it may make the most sense for residential construction.
Published in 2005, the guidelines are intended to provide standardized green building practices, create criteria that can be easily adapted to meet local geographic and climate conditions and bring green building into the mainstream.
• Who oversees it: National Association of Home Builders.
• Rating system: Point values for lot design, preparation and development, resource efficiency, energy efficiency, water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and operation, maintenance and homeowner education. Can be managed with an online green scoring tool.
• How it’s being used: Residential home construction, locally by members of the Triad Green Building Council.
• Cost: $200 home certification fee for NAHB members, $500 for nonmembers.
Source: NAHB National Green Building Program, www.nahbgreen.org
N.C. HealthyBuilt Homes
Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County built its first green home using the N.C. HealthyBuilt Homes
guidelines. According to the program’s Web site, 291 homes are in progress and 179 have been completed in the state under the program. The initiative, targeted at small to medium homebuilders who may not have the resources of larger builders, offers technical assistance, design reviews and field consultation services.
• What it is: A collaboration between the North Carolina Solar Center, the state Energy Office, the N.C. Department of Administration, and local building professional organizations. • Rating system: Point opportunities for site, water, energy, indoor air quality, materials, and bonus areas like kitchen recycling centers.
• How it’s being used: Predominantly in Western North Carolina and throughout the state in affordable housing.
• Cost: Approximately $500 certification fee, varies by county.
Financial incentives available.
Source: N.C. HealthyBuilt Homes, www.healthybuilthomes.org
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
Released from pilot testing in January, the LEED for Homes rating system is designed for single-family home construction, but is not widely used in the area at this time.
• What it is: The LEED Green Building Rating System is a nationally recognized program that encourages the adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through universally understood and accepted tools and performance criteria.
• Who oversees it: U.S. Green Building Council, a nonprofit organization of environmental experts and experienced green builders.
• Rating system: Points are earned in categories of sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, innovation and design process. The program also offers a program for improving existing buildings.
• How it’s being used: High-performance commercial and institutional construction, like health care facilities, schools and high-rise residential buildings, as well as some homes.
• Cost: $375 for registration and certification of single-family home for USGBC members, $525 for nonmembers.
Additional rater fees apply and vary based on market prices.
Source: U.S. Green Building Council, www.usgbc.org
Lisa W. Grigg can be reached at 887-2656, ext. 209, or by e-mail at lgrigg@news-record.com.