Get Your Project Certified Green

Bronze, Silver, Gold, Emerald—How green will your project be? Just as the CGP designation helps identify building professionals trained in the ins and outs of green building, having your new or remodeled home certified by the NAHB Research Center is a great way to be sure the environmental considerations you’ve given your project are qualified by a third party and recognized under a nationally identifiable green building program NAHBGreen.
The best way to start the process is to talk with your CGP™ before construction starts!

What Is Certified Green Professional?

The CGP is an exclusive designation offered by the National Association of Home Builders, designed to teach building industry professionals strategies for incorporating green building principles into homes using cost-effective and affordable options. Requirements include 24 hours of classroom instruction, industry experience and adherence to the CGP Code of Ethics. To maintain CGP status, designees are required to complete 12 hours of continuing education every three years.

Building green can benefit a home's occupants and the environment in lots of ways. But no matter what your reason iis for going green, the National Green Building Program, or NAHBGreen™, has the resources to help everyone—from iindustry professionals to curious home buyers—start making a difference. Formore information, visit www.nahbgreen.org.

Why Build Green?

Here are some smart reasons for building or purchasing a green home or greening your remodeling project:

OPERATING COSTS

When properly used, energy-efficient appliances, insulation, lighting systems and HVAC equipment can result in lower energy consumption compared to other homes. Water-conserving faucets, showers, toilets, and irrigation systems may also result in less water consumption.

MAINTENANCE

Effective storm water management and landscaping could mean less time maintaining outside spaces. Also, the use of more durable materials in conjunction with tried and true construction practices can increase the effective life of a home’s exterior. INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Maintaining Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) means creating good ventilation, filtration and air exchange, so choosing the right HVAC systems is important. In addition, paints and sealants with lower volatile organic compounds can also improve IEQ.

THE ENVIRONMENT

Reducing the energy and water needs of a home and taking care to minimize the disturbance of the land surrounding a home are great ways to reduce a home’s environmental impact. Efficient building products can significantly reduce the home's impact on natural resources. NAHB's Certified Green Professional (CGP)™ designation is a reliable way to identify industry professionals who are committed to making your home green. A CGP has been trained in:

Choosing products and practices for greater energy efficiency Indoor and outdoor water conservation practices

Preserving indoor environmental quality
Identifying and choosing sustainable building products
Meeting the benchmarks of green building programs
Your CGP is dedicated to the practice of green building and trained to deliver it to you in the way that best suits your needs.

Your CGP will be able to explain the hows and whys of green building and educate you on which features are appropriate for your project.

Determining Your Budget

Nomatter how simple or complicated your project–new or existing home–it's important to create a budget. Green features will likely need some guidance to plan what is possible within your budget. Ask yourself the following questions:

• What can I afford?
• What features do I want my home to have?
• How will this affect the home's value?
• Green building is more than just a checklist.
• It's the use of quality building practices that promote sustainability to make a home healthier and more efficient–while being kind to the ecosystem. 

The CGP designation provides a solid background in green building methods. 

• Here are some questions to ask your builder or remodeler:
• How many years of experience do you have, and how many green projects have you been involved in?
• Do you use a credible third-party certification for your projects, like the NAHB Research Center's National Green Building Certification?
• How do you select green products?
• Do you have experience with the green products/designs I want incorporated into my home?
• Do your excess materials get recycled, reused or donated?
• May I talk to some of your previous customers about the work you did for them?
• What type of warranty program do you offer?
• What makes a remodeling project green?
• What's the difference between the National Green Building Standard and other rating systems?
• How will this project help my energy bills?
• What landscaping should I consider?