Understanding Green Home Certifications

There are many shades of green in the marketplace today. Our staff are trained and certified to offer a range of testing and third-party verification services to ensure your home is performing as efficiently as possible. We provide guidance to help you make informed decisions based on a cost-benefit analysis of green building strategies. You’ll see where improvements in insulation, ENERGY STAR appliances, high performance windows and energy efficient heating and cooling equipment can reduce your utility bills.

Which Certification is Right for You?

There are many local and national energy and green building certifications available on the market today. It’s important to decide on your goals. Is it energy efficiency? A healthy indoor environment? Strong marketability? Or all of the above? Learn more about the many certifications we offer and give us a call if you need help determining which might be the best option for you.

Green Building Certifications We Support

ENERGY STAR for New Homes

Overseen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ENERGY STAR qualified homes are at least 15% more energy efficient than standard code built homes. Traditionally just focused on energy efficiency, ENERGY STAR will begin a rigorous new version 3 in January 2012 that will include more comprehensive testing and verification requirements for mechanical equipment, durability and indoor air quality. Our HERS raters verify ENERGY STAR homes have better insulation, high-performance windows, fewer air leaks and efficient heating and cooling equipment and appliances.

LEED for Homes

The U.S. Green Building Council developed the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Homes Rating System to certify residential green building practices across the country. LEED Homes combine best practices in water and energy efficiency, indoor air quality, durability, sustainable sites, and materials and resource use. Everyday Green has been certifying homes with LEED since 2006, longer than anyone else in the area. Check out some of our projects throughout Maryland, Washington, DC, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

NAHB National Green Building Standard

This standard, administered by the NAHB Research Center, has four threshold levels—Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Emerald. Homes can range from entry-level code built homes up to achieving energy savings of 60% or more. Single-family & multi-unit homes, residential remodeling projects, and site developments are all covered in the Standard. Fill out the online scorecard to see if you qualify and select one of our green verifier’s for your project.

Indoor airPLUS

Indoor airPLUS is a program of the EPA. Qualified homes are designed and built for improved indoor air quality with enhanced mechanical ventilation and duct design. The certification specifically targets protection against indoor air pollutants such as combustion gases, chemicals, pests, carbon monoxide, radon and mold. Many of the Indoor airPLUS measures are requirements or points within LEED for Homes or NAHB Green certification, making this a good addition to green home certification goals.

Builder’s Challenge

Spearheaded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the Builders Challenge is a voluntary effort to reduce energy use in homes. DOE’s ultimate vision is that, by 2030, a consumer will have the opportunity to buy a cost-neutral, net-zero energy home (NZEH) anywhere in the United States — a grid-connected home that, over the course of a year, produces as much energy as it uses. The Builders Challenge establishes a framework for continuous improvement aimed at propeling the market toward zero-energy performance. Builders Challenge can work in conjunction with both LEED for Homes and National Green Building Standard certifications.

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR

For existing homes, we offer energy audits and testing as a participant in the MD Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program. Home Performance is national program of the U.S. EPA and U.S. DOE offering a comprehensive, whole-house approach to improving home efficiency and uncovering the source of comfort, moisture and durability issues. Improve your home’s efficiency with an energy audit by one of our qualified raters.