NAHB Green Building Systems for Residential Construction

The National Association of Home Builders offers two approaches to home builders that are choosing to green their construction practices and new homes. The NAHB Model Green Home Guidelines and the National Green Building Standard™ offer builders a choice, depending on their preferences.

NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines

(http://www.nahbgreen.org)

In 2005, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) developed guidelines for mainstream home builders to incorporate green practices into their building methods. These guidelines, which are still popular, cover seven areas: Lot Preparation and Design, Resource Efficiency, Energy Efficiency, Water Efficiency/Conservation, Occupant Comfort and Indoor Environmental Quality, Operation and Maintenance, and Homeowner Education.  The guidelines have three certifying levels for new single-family housing—bronze, silver, and gold.  Numerous local green programs endorse the Guidelines or variations of the Guidelines. 

ICC-700 2008 National Green Building Standard

(http://www.builderbooks.com)

The National Green Building Standard™ (NGBS) is the first green building rating system to be developed under the national consensus process of the American National Standards Institute.  Sponsored by the International Code Council and the National Association of Home Builders, the NGBS was approved in January 2009 as a model rating system for new single-family construction, multifamily construction, remodeling, and site development.  A similar point system is available for each of the three home construction sectors, and a separate point system is available for site development. 

Four levels of achievement are available: bronze, silver, gold, and emerald.