National Green Building Standard (NGBS)

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http://www.homeinnovation.com/services/certification/green_homes/single-family_certification


The National Green Building Standard™ certification goes well beyond saying a home is energy efficient; it provides independent, third-party verification that a home, apartment building, or land development is designed and built to achieve high performance in six key areas: Site Design, Resource Efficiency, Water Efficiency, Energy Efficiency, Indoor Environmental Quality, and Building Operation & Maintenance.

Testing Homes to the Highest Green Standards

We certify homes to the rigorous requirements of the National Green Building Standard™ (NGBS) – the only residential green building rating system approved by ANSI as an American National Standard.  The NGBS provides practices for the design and construction of all types of green residential buildings, renovations, and land developments. 

Our stringent third-party verified certification program ensures homes and apartments are built in compliance with the NGBS and focuses on three primary attributes that are highly marketable to today’s discerning consumers:

Healthy Homes

  • Providing fresh air ventilation that improves indoor air quality
  • Limiting pollutants and contaminants in the home
  • Preventing moisture problems that can contribute to mold and attract pests

Lower Operating Costs

  • Reducing utility costs through cost-effective energy and water efficiency practices
  • Controlling maintenance costs through durable construction and product selection
  • Providing technical and educational resources to ensure the home’s optimum performance

Sustainable Lifestyle

  • Promoting walkability
  • Reducing home maintenance through enhanced durability
  • Preserving natural resources through responsible land development practices

 

 

More information about this certification

 

Explain briefly what is the basic certification process (application, inspection, completion)?

Score the home; Hire an NGBS Green Accredited Verifier; Start Construction; Verifier inspects home before drywall is installed; complete Builder Application Packet; Complete Home; Verifier completes final inspection; if everything is accurate and complete Home Innovation issues the NGBS Green certificate.

Approximately how long does it take for a home to get certified? 

If everything is accurate and complete and the certification fee is paid, one business day.

What is the cost for a single family home? 

The certification fee is $200.

What makes you different from other certifications?

We are affordable, flexible, and yet the most rigorous green certification available.  We are the only ANSI approved green building rating system for homes and the NGBS is specifically designed for residential buildings.

Do you focus primarily on energy efficiency or multiple elements for certification and what are they?

No, we are a comprehensive green certification with minimum thresholds for all of the categories:   Lot Selection, Resource Efficiency, Energy Efficiency, Indoor Environmental Quality, Water Efficiency, and Owner operation and Maintenance.

Approximately how many certifications have been completed?

85,147 homes since 2009.  Our real time counter is here: http://www.homeinnovation.com/services/certification/green_homes/resources/certification_activity_report

Please describe the region you cover, if not national.

National

Are renovations/remodels eligible for certification, or is it primarily new construction?

Yes of all scopes – from a small functional area remodel (kitchen, bathroom, basement), to a minor whole house, to a gut rehab.