There are three new certifications available to builders for building environmentally compatible homes. Some of these might be more ‘green compliant’ than others.
The US Green Building Council has made its niche by rating commercial buildings for energy conservation and indoor air quality. Seen as the most widely accepted certifiers of ‘green building’, now they are offering ratings on residential homes. Builders who use energy efficient appliances or solar panels, will receive points toward degrees of ratings for environmental friendliness of a new home. The National Association of Home Builders that many green labels are too impractical and costly so they are creating their own rating system. Is this just to jump on the marketable bandwagon of Green ratings or are they sincere? We won’t know for another few months what their ratings will be based on. The Government continues with its Energy Star program, which has been successfully used for 12 years now. Their focus is on energy use efficiency in a home. Current Energy Star homes being built are showing 15% more efficiency from 2004 building standards. While green homes can be more costly up front, the savings in energy usage outweighs this initial cost.