U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification program—has long been the only standard for environmentally designed commercial buildings. Until recently, residential customers who wanted a greener home worked without a certification, researching and specifying building materials for their new homes and remodels. The challenge for many has been finding builders or contractors who can understand and build to a green model.
Now for Homes can guarantee that green building materials are used during construction, energy-efficiency standards are maintained and indoor air quality is assured for the homeowners
Delaware joins
Green Building Council
In an effort to encourage the design and construction of greener
buildings in Delaware, the state has joined the U.S. Green Building
Council.
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a nonprofit organization that, among other initiatives, administers the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) program, which provides commercial and residential building owners and operators a specific framework for implementing measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.
“As a member of the USGBC, Delaware is in a better position to advance more cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings in the state,” said Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Collin O’Mara. “By adopting more sustainable practices – as modeled through the LEED standards – we can reduce energy costs and consumption in Delaware by using resources more efficiently, while innovative companies can seize opportunities in the emerging green economy.”
According to the USGBC, buildings in the United States are responsible for nearly 40 percent of carbon dioxide emissions, 40 percent of energy consumption and 13 percent of the nation’s water consumption.
What's Next For
Green Building?
How will the recession affect the green-building market?
Qatar Green Building Council launched
The Qatar Green Building Council (QGBC), an independent non-profit organisation committed to developing a sustainable approach to design and development of buildings in Qatar, was officially launched yesterday. The QGBC is the second member of the World Green Building Council (WGBC) in the Middle East and the first independent non-profit organisation committed to developing a sustainable property industry in Qatar.
green building materials
What It Means
to be Green
Much like certification for commercial buildings, schools and
retail stores, certification requires that the home meet prerequisites
and earn points in different categories. The total number of
points determines if a certificate will be awarded and at what
level. Qualified homes can be Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum,
with Platinum requiring a home to earn 90-128 points of a possible
129.
Homes are graded and awarded points for Innovation and Design Process, Location and Linkages, Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor Environment Quality, and Awareness and Education. Builders who apply to receive certification strive to achieve the maximum number of points per category.
The requirements for certification are demanding, and grading is done on every aspect of homebuilding, from design and site management during construction to educating the homeowner on living in a green home. The program requires a team effort by all the parties involved in the homebuilding process, there's no cutting corners. The evaluation process takes place over the course of construction by contracted service providers on state and regional levels.
If the for Homes certification program sounds familiar, it should. Energy Star, the Environmental Protection Agency's well-known, energy-efficiency program, has its own certification for new homes. An "Energy Star qualified" new home must meet standards, much like an rated home. Criteria include insulation, window performance, tight construction and, of course, efficient products. The Energy Star Home Program limits its qualification criteria to energy-related improvements in the building model, however. To be truly "green," one has to account for more than simply saving money on utilities.