Anybody can say a home is green, but how do you know for sure? A certified green home is a home buyer's best assurance that a home has actually been built to the exacting standards of a recognized green building rating system such as LEED for Homes, NGBS (NAHB-Green), or Passivehaus. Certification is based upon measurable standards of a home's energy performance, water savings, construction materials, and other features. With compliance substantiated by expert, third-party verification, a green certification recognizes and rewards the highest quality in green homebuilding and design.

Today's discerning homebuyers are more attuned than ever to the benefits of living in a green home. Green homes feature lower energy and water bills, non-toxic materials and finishes, superior indoor air quality, and greater water efficiency. Green homes are not just better for the environment; they also offer definable benefits to your clients, such as reduced exposure to mold, mildew, and other indoor toxins. A green certification is your client's assurance that they will receive a truly green home and with it, a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle for their family. Why settle for anything less?

The benefits of green homeownership are universally desirable and attainable. Green certified homes include everything from luxury custom residences to affordable multi-family dwellings and Habitat for Humanity projects. In fact, the majority of green certified homes have been built for limited income owners and residents.

Green building isn't just for new construction. Using the NAHB-Green rating system, even your remodeling project can be certified green. Visit the NAHB Scoring Tool to find out more. If the homeowners' main concern is energy use, EnergyStar certification is also available for remodels. While LEED for Homes does not offer a certification for remodels, the USGBC does offer valuable remodeling guidance throughout their REGREEN program.

Sometimes a little, sometimes a lot, and sometimes not at all. It depends on your client's needs. That said a new home can be certified green regardless of your client's budget. Both NAHB-Green and LEED for Homes feature various levels of certification that reward the level of sustainability achieved.

By integrating green features and concepts into the design from the beginning, certain cost increases can be offset by cost reductions in other elements. For example, high quality insulation packages, while more costly than code-level batt, will result in reduced HVAC loads and less expensive systems. The overall improvement in the home's energy performance then becomes a key selling feature of the design. Research has shown that most properly educated clients will choose green, high performance construction if given the opportunity to do so.

Many local and state governments, utility companies, and other entities across the country offer rebates, tax credits, and other incentives for building green homes. Green certified homes may also be eligible for other financial benefits, such as lower financing fees and insurance rates.

Green begins with Energy Star Blue. If you're already designing or building to meet the EnergyStar for New Homes standard, you're closer than you think. Let us show you the next steps and how to get there.

The US Green Building Council's LEED for Homes rating system was created in response to increasing market demand for green and high-performance homes. LEED for Homes can be applied to single-family homes and multi-family homes, both low and mid-rise up to 6 stories.

The ANSI National Green Building Standard (NGBS) is the only residential green building rating system to undergo the full consensus process and receive American National Standards Institute approval. Because NGBS certifications are managed by the National Association of Home Builders, or NAHB, the program is more commonly known as NAHB-Green. The NAHB-Green rating system encompasses a much broader range of eligible projects, including renovations and additions.

There is no best choice for all homes but because we understand both rating systems, we can help you determine the best match based upon your project's goals.

Elysian Energy staff, as green raters, play a critical role in the certification process by providing the objective verification and documentation review essential to protecting the integrity of the home's rating. We test and inspect the structure and systems at critical points during the construction. This allows for the correction of problem areas before close in and ensure that the home will perform as intended, reducing callbacks. But that's only one part of Elysian Energy's comprehensive certification services.

Elysian Energy maintains a full staff of certified building science and green building professionals able to provide skillful guidance throughout the certification process, including best practices training for your subcontractors. We carefully review the rating system with you, including all documentation requirements, and provide valuable advice for meeting particular credit requirements.

Working closely with building professionals like you, Elysian Energy's certification staff provides expert advice to your project team at each stage of development - from the back of the napkin to the final inspection. Our clients appreciate the personal attention and enthusiasm we bring to each of their projects. Contact us today to find out why.