State and Local Programs
Each region faces different challenges when it comes to sustainability; in Minnesota homeowners are concerned with keeping heat in while the opposite is the goal in Austin. Look into one of these programs tailored to your local conditions:
Austin Energy Green Building Program
A local utility company evaluates homes based on energy and water use, materials efficiency, health and safety, and testing and community, and then rates them on a scale of 1 to 5.
Boulder Green Points Program
In Boulder, participation is mandatory for residential new construction, additions and renovations. A point threshold must be met and each project must demonstrate compliance.
Build It Green
A nonprofit organization created the GreenPoint Rated Existing Home program, which provides homeowners with two options: Elements and Whole House. To qualify for the Elements label, homes must meet requirements in four categories and stay on track with additional improvements over time. More extensive requirements must be met to achieve a Whole House label.
Built Green
Homes in the Seattle area may achieve certification by checking off environmental qualities on the "remodeler" list. Categories include site and water, energy efficiency, indoor air quality and material selection. Ratings are based on a 1 to 5 star system.
EarthCraft House
This program certifies homes in the Atlanta metro area as well as other parts of Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Virginia. Atlanta contractors must be members of the Greater Atlanta Homebuilders Association and join the EarthCraft program to participate. Before work begins, an EarthCraft Technical Advisor must assess the home and write a report recommending features to include in the project.
Green Built Home
A Wisconsin partnership, including the Madison Area Buildings Association along with other utilities and organizations, this program reviews and certifies new homes and remodeling projects that meet sustainable building and energy standards.
Minnesota GreenStar
Also a point-based program, GreenStar's requirements vary depending on the scope of your project. Four types of renovation categories include those that do not add conditioned space; those that add conditioned space without changing the shell; renovations that change the shell but utilize the existing foundation; and finally renovations that add to the foundation.
For more local green home renovation certification programs, click here.