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Home Buyers Can Now Call on 5,000 Green Professionals
More than 5,000 home builders, remodelers, suppliers and product manufacturers have earned the Certified Green Professional (CGP) educational designation since it was introduced by NAHB in 2008.
“From Seattle to Savannah — and everywhere in between — a home buyer is likely to find a CGP to help them make sensible decisions about resource efficiencies and environmental stewardship,” said NAHB Chairman Bob Jones, who was among the first builders in the country to earn the CGP designation.
The CGP’s rapid growth as the housing industry struggles to recover from a prolonged market downturn demonstrates the industry’s commitment to green building and meeting customers’ needs, Jones said.
“These graduates are looking to the future of home building so they can better compete in the present,” he added. “Each graduate is taking advantage of their CGP designation to make better and stronger business decisions — and to help their customers make informed decisions.”
Emily Green, a customer service representative for Jimmy Nash Homes in Lexington, Ky., said completing the 24 hours of class work to obtain the CGP has made her a better green advocate for her home buyers. “They are more and more interested in green, both to save money and to help preserve the environment,” she said.
David Suszko, a residential buildings solutions specialist for Dow Chemical in Houston, said that the CGP designation has made him a better salesman. When explaining to home builders or their customers the distinctions among insulation choices, for instance, “I want to talk about all the options — why certain things are more cost-effective, why other products are more energy-efficient.”
Seven staff members at the Habitat for Humanity affiliate in Waveland, Miss., are also among the recent graduates. Last year, the group decided that all future projects would achieve at least Silver certification under the National Green Building Standard, and they have found that the knowledge they gained in the CGP course is invaluable in meeting this high standard.
“It helps us build a higher performing, better quality, more durable house,” said construction manager Mark Scott. “We want our families to be successful, and since energy costs are typically a home owner’s second highest monthly expenditure, it's important that these homes be as efficient as possible.”
“There are lots of reasons for home building professionals to obtain the CGP educational designation,” said Jones. “The most important is that working with a home builder or remodeler who has a CGP offers a measure of confidence to consumers. They know they’re working with a professional who is committed to education and eager to help them make better, greener home buying decisions.”
There are CGPs in every state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. North Carolina has the most graduates, with more than 500 statewide.
Search for Certified Green Professionals nationwide by visiting www.nahb.org/designationsdirectory and entering “CGP” as a keyword.
For further 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.
'National Green Building Standard Commentary' Available at BuilderBooks.com
The "National Green Building Standard Commentary," available through BuilderBooks.com and a companion to the ANSI approved "National Green Building Standard," that provides valuable insight to the intention and implementations of the practices and provisions found in the green building standard.
The "Commentary" is a useful resource for any designer or builder using the ICC 700-2008 as a rating system for developing or renovating residential properties of all types to reduce their relative impact.
To view or purchase this publication online, 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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