Green Builders - Green Building Programs

What Different Green Building Programs are Available in NC?

If you're looking into a new custom home that is green-built, you may see certification by any one of the following programs.  These green building programs are similar - each uses a point system to verify the different green aspects of the home, and each is independently verified by a third party inspection agency.

LEED Green Homes - US Green Building Council

The LEED program is a national program, with the same requirements and point system for any home across the nation, no matter what the climate or local conditions. 

As most green home certification programs, "points" must be earned across a number of categories.  For the LEED program, these categories are titled Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy & Atmosphere, Materials & Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, and Innovation & Design Process. 

Read the 78 page LEED Green Home guidelines here.

National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Green Home Guidelines

The NAHB Green Home program is also a national program.  The requirements are very similar to the LEED program.  Again, a green home may vary considerably in actual design and features, as different combinations of points can add to a green home certification.

For the NAHB Green Home program, the point categories have slightly different names:  Lot Preparation & Design, Resource Efficiency, Energy Efficiency, Water Efficiency/Conservation, Occupancy Comfort & Indoor Environmental Quality, and Operation, Maintanence & Education.

Find out more about the NAHB Green Home program here.

Green Home Builders of the Triangle - Green Home Guidelines

The GHBT program is probably most commonly used in the Raleigh, NC area.  This green homes point system is designed specifically for the North Carolina climate - lots of moisture in the air, and plenty of heat during the summer. 

The Green Home Builders of the Triangle program has seven categories, but still covers all the same topics as the LEED and NAHB programs:  Lot Design, Preparation & Development, Resource Efficiency, Energy Efficiency, Water Efficiency & Quality, Indoor Environmental Quality, Operation, Maintainence, & Homeowner Education, and Global Impact. 

Earthcraft Homes - Atlanta Based Green Homes Program

While you probably won't see an Earthcraft Home in the Raleigh area, you may see some elsewhere in NC.  The Earthcraft green building program started in Atlanta, GA and has been gradually moving east.  This is just another green building certification program, again with similar standards.

EarthCraft House guidelines include the following categories:  Site Planning, Energy Efficient Building Envelope & Systems, Resource Efficient Design, Resource Efficient Building Materials, Waste Management, Indoor Air Quality, Water Conservation, Homeowner Education, Builder Operations, and Bonus/Innovation Points.

NC Healthy Built Homes

NC Healthy Built Homes is the fifth of the "green building" programs commonly seen in the area.  This program emphasizes air quality (as do the other four programs mentioned), but does not have as strong an emphasis on as many aspects of a green home as the other programs available.

Certification of a Green Home

Each of these five programs is an independently verified green homes program with required third party inspections and verifications of materials and practices used.   If your new home is certified, your builder will be able to provide you documentation of your homes status.  Keep it on hand - if you should ever decide to resell your home, that green home certification will help your home stand out! 

Interested in building a Green Home in the Raleigh NC Area?

We'll help you get started!  Contact us, or call 919-278-8070. 

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