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Major Role Seen for New ANSI Green Building Standard
Home builders and remodelers are beginning to use the nation’s first consensus-driven standard for residential green building, which was approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) on Jan. 29.
The ICC 700-2008 National Green Building Standard provides a flexible and robust third-party rating system for residential green project certification, which will be used for the NAHB National Green Building Program, or NAHBGreen.
“Builders and home buyers who have been confused by the many characterizations of green building in the marketplace now have clear, flexible, bona fide criteria defined under the new standard,” said Michael Luzier, president of the NAHB Research Center. “Under the standard, there are options for Bronze, Silver, Gold or Emerald levels of certification that provide builders and remodelers with the flexibility to choose the certification level appropriate for their market and their customers.”
At a teleconference in early February introducing the new standard to the press, International Code Council Chief Operating Officer Dominic Sims emphasized the important role the standard will play as builders and code officials try to reconcile green building practices with existing code requirements.
“Coordination is key,” Sims said, adding that the standard adds predictability and consistency to above-code practices, such as green building, while retaining the flexibility that builders and home buyers are seeking.
The standard also serves as an excellent educational tool, said Texas green builder Don Ferrier during the teleconference. The process of going through the standard checklist with a home-buying client, he said, can “facilitate a more knowledgeable approach” to attaining the results the client wants.
The NAHB Research Center is the third-party certifying body for National Green Building Certification under NAHBGreen. As an ANSI-Approved Standards Writing organization, the Research Center also played a pivotal role as secretariat, or administrator, in the development process for the standard.
Before the standard was approved, NAHBGreen certification was based on the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines, which applied only to new single-family homes. With the new option of certification to the standard, developments, multifamily dwellings, remodeling projects and additions can also receive National Green Building Certification from the Research Center.
Using the interactive Green Scoring Tool available on the NAHBGreen Web site, builders, designers, remodelers and home buyers can compile information about the practices and products that make a home green. The tool specifies points that are awarded per the criteria of either the Guidelines (Lot Design, Resource Efficiency, Energy Efficiency, Water Efficiency, Indoor Environmental Quality, Home Owner Education and Global Impact) or the Standard (Lot Design, Preparation and Development; Resource Efficiency; Energy Efficiency; Water Efficiency; Indoor Environmental Quality; and Operation, Maintenance and Building Owner Education).
The NAHB Research Center Green Certified mark means a project has been inspected at least twice by an independent, third-party verifier to confirm that every green point claimed in the design has been included and is installed correctly.
Additional information about the National Green Building Program — including the Green Scoring Tool, verification and green project certification — is available from www.nahbgreen.org or from the National Green Building Hotline at 877-NAHB-GRN (877-624-2476).
 ‘National Green Building Standard’ Available at BuilderBooks.com
“The National Green Building Standard,” available through BuilderBooks.com, provides “green” practices that can be incorporated into multifamily and single-family new home construction, home remodeling and additions and site development.
The standard covers lot design, resource, energy and water efficiency; indoor environment quality; and owner education.
Currently the first and only ANSI-approved green building rating system, the National Green Building Standard is the benchmark for green homes.
To view or purchase this publication online, click here.
 The Future of Residential Construction Is Green
The Certified Green Professional (CGP) designation teaches builders, remodelers and other industry professionals techniques for incorporating green building principles into homes using cost-effective and affordable options.
Earning the CGP demonstrates to clients and peers your commitment to the best and latest in green building practices and techniques. More than 1,000 people have earned the CGPdesignation to date.
For more information, visit www.nahb.org/CGPinfo.
 Attend the National Green Building Conference in Dallas
Attend the 2009 National Green Building Conference in Dallas on May 10-13 to learn more about the critical paths to green building, and to participate in interactive sessions and be part of the driving force for the green building and remodeling markets.
For more information and to sign up to be notified when registration opens, visit www.nahb.org/GreenBuildingConference.
‘Building Greener Neighborhoods’ Available at BuilderBooks.com
“Building Greener Neighborhoods,” available through Digital Delivery at BuilderBooks.com, shows those involved in building new communities the advantages and rewards of saving, planting and transplanting more trees in their developments.
The examples are drawn from decades of experience of land developers, home builders and urban foresters.
To download this publication in a PDF format, click here, or call 800-223-2665.
 ‘Profit from Building Green’ Available at BuilderBooks.com
“Profit from Building Green — Award-Winning Tips to Build Energy Efficient Homes,” available through BuilderBooks.com, showcases what energy conscious award-winning builders are doing, provides innovative energy-efficient features and covers successful techniques for building this niche market.
To view or purchase this publication online, click here, or call 800-223-2665.
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