A few words about the

GREEN PROGRAMS FOR RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE

An important way to support a more energy-efficient environment is to live in a Green home. Green homes are healthier for residents, use less energy and water, and support a more sustainable community. The question is, what constitutes a Green home? Several third party certification groups have evolved to address this issue. Each has designed a set of guidelines a home must meet in order to be considered Green.

In general, these programs aim to increase energy efficiency, decrease water usage, improve air quality, and support local industry, among other factors. The goal of each of these programs is to increase the sustainability of residential building and minimize negative impact on the environment.

One such program is Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED®) for New Homes, from the US Green Building Council. A second program is the National Association of Home Builders’ Model Green Home Building Guidelines. A third is the North Carolina Healthy Built Homes Program, a collaborative program between the North Carolina Solar Center, the State Energy Office, the NC Department of Administration, and local building professional organizations.

While each of these certification programs has the same general goal of maximizing efficiency, each offers different costs and benefits to the developer and to the owner. It is important to select the right program to fit your project’s needs, early in the design process. Horack Talley’s Green Initiatives practice group is well-versed in the differences and benefits of each approach, and can guide you through the certification process.