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Green Building Growth Bright Spot in a Down Market
As builders and remodelers retool their businesses in a tight credit market and consumers appear to be slowly returning to the housing market, this spring has been the greenest yet for the nation’s home builders, NAHB reported last week.
“We’ve said for a while that green building is a bright spot in a down market,” said NAHB Chairman Joe Robson. “However, the growth of the NAHB National Green Building Program exceeds even our most optimistic expectations.”
More than 3,100 builders, remodelers, designers and others in the home building business have earned the Certified Green Professional educational designation. Based on the successful completion of 24 hours of instruction, industry experience and commitment to continuing education, the designation provides consumers with a reliable way of identifying qualified professionals, Robson said.
A Master Green Builder-Remodeler designation that incorporates additional building science and project management coursework is slated to be unveiled next year, he added. (To read a related story in this issue of NBN, click here.)
More than 200 single-family homes, remodeling projects and developments in 43 states have received National Green Building Certification, with another 300-plus scheduled for inspections.
“The NAHB Research Center has certified projects ranging from affordable starter homes to high-end custom homes with every conceivable amenity,” Robson said. “This national certification program clearly is making green building more mainstream.”
The number of state and local home builders associations affiliated with the NAHB National Green Building Program reached 99 by mid-May, representing 40 states.
“The fact that 17 of these programs are statewide is especially encouraging for home buyers and home owners because it increases their access to bona fide green building, whether they live in South Dakota or South Carolina,” Robson said.
Homes certified in the NAHB National Green Building Program meet benchmarks for energy, water and resource efficiency; indoor environmental quality, lot and site development; and home owner education and home maintenance. Green building practices are incorporated into every step of the home building and land development process to minimize environmental impact.
Various tax credits for energy-efficient products — like some Energy Star-rated windows — and a growing number of state and local incentives for buying green are also encouraging consumers to choose energy- and resource-efficient products and homes, Robson said.
Consumers can find a Certified Green Professional, a local green building program and a gallery of certified green homes at www.nahbgreen.org.
For more information, e-mail Calli Schmidt at NAHB, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8132.
 ‘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.
‘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.
 ‘Build Green and Save’ Available at BuilderBooks.com
“Build Green and Save: Protecting the Earth and Your Bottom Line,” available through BuilderBooks.com, is a comprehensive, easy-to-read reference that shows builders how to identify and select green building materials; implement green construction techniques; explain the benefits of green housing and offer affordable green building solutions to consumers; and use resources wisely and reduce water and energy consumption.
To view or purchase this publication online, click here, or call 800-223-2665.
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