The following certification programs can help provide builders, architects, developers, homeowners, and more with the necessary resources to obtain valuable certifications for their sustainable housing. There are programs for all types of homes – explore this list to find the best one suited to your needs!
HERS Index Rating
The Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index is the industry standard by which a home’s energy efficiency is measured. It’s also the nationally recognized system for inspecting and calculating a home’s energy performance.
Website
ENERGY STAR®
ENERGY STAR® is a joint program of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE). Its goal is to help consumers, businesses, and industry save money and protect the environment through the adoption of energy-efficient products and practices. The ENERGY STAR label identifies top-performing, cost-effective products, homes, and buildings.
Website
Indoor airPLUS (IAP)
Indoor airPLUS (IAP) is a voluntary partnership and labeling program that helps home builders improve indoor air quality in new home construction. The program requires certain construction practices and product specifications. These steps help minimize exposure to airborne pollutants and contaminants.
Website
DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Program
The DOE Zero Energy Ready Home is a compelling way to recognize builders for their leadership in increasing energy efficiency, improving indoor air quality, and making homes zero energy ready. The program builds upon the comprehensive building science requirements of ENERGY STAR® for Homes Version 3, along with proven Building America innovations and best practices.
Website
NGBS Green Certification
The NGBS Certification certify homes to the rigorous requirements of the National Green Building Standard™ (NGBS) – the first residential green building rating system approved by ANSI as an American National Standard. The NGBS provides practices for the design and construction of all types of green residential buildings, renovations, and land developments.
Website
LEED Certification
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Available for virtually all building types, LEED provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership.
Website
Living Building Challenge
LBC 4.0 focuses on the relationship between impact and effort. While LBC 4.0 continues the standard’s mission of visionary, but attainable building goals, it also recognizes that not all projects face the same challenges or share in the same opportunities. Regenerative design should be attainable to everyone, everywhere. With 4.0, we are creating a streamlined approach focused on maximizing positive impacts specific to the place, community, and culture of the project.
Website
PHIUS+ Certification
The PHIUS+ Certification Program is the leading passive building certification program in North America. It is the only passive building certification that combines a thorough passive house design verification protocol with a stringent Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) program performed onsite by highly skilled and specialized PHIUS+ Raters and Verifiers.
Website