Green Design

Energy-Efficiency Certification Program Roundup

Sept. 3, 2015
2 min read
  • LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a certification program that covers new construction and major renovations. A point system leads to four levels of certification: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. 
  • Energy Star is an Environmental Protection Agency program that certifies a variety of products as well as residential and commercial structures. 
  • The HERS rating is a numeric system for evaluating a home’s efficiency. HERS is overseen by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET), an organization that works to help homeowners reduce energy consumption. 
  • The Building Performance Institute (BPI) develops standards for energy-efficiency retrofit work. The organization provides certifications for individuals, contractors, and home energy rating systems. 
  • Established by the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association and Southface, an advocacy organization, EarthCraft is a green building certification program that serves the Southeastern U.S. 
  • GreenStar, run by the GreenHome Institute, primarily serves the Midwest.
  • Build It Green is a California-based nonprofit with a mission to increase awareness and adoption of green building practices. The organization’s Green Point rating program is divided into new and existing homes. 
  • Green Home Guide: An easy-to-use database of national and local green certification programs.

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Read more about the basics of energy-efficiency certification

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