Help with Green

[Artsee77]

We are not a Green builder, yet. I do however see it coming around the corner. (If going under doesn't come first) Any way, I printed off a LEED for Homes document to start reading and also one from the NAHB. I have no previous experience with this construction, but I catch on rather quick. To be honest, I am a little taken back by the amount of information out there telling you to do this or do that. Does anyone here have a good article or outline of: 1. What programs are out there, NAHB, LEED, etc. 2. Comparison, pros/cons of them. 3. Certifications needed, training, education. and anything else that would help navigate this maze?

[Mark G]

If you search these forums for LEED you find some good discussions, here and Business Strategies for two.

[Dancing Dan]

I'd focus on knowing how to build the kind of houses you want to build rather than worrying about the various certification programs. We're starting our 3rd LEED-certified house, but we've worked a lot harder on figuring out the construction details we want to use than on learning the ins and outs of LEED. If you have specific questions I'd be glad to answer them if I can but I think you're going about it wrong.

[toobiloo]

I agree with Dan on this one, get the "mechanics" of your building method how you like, (i.e. stacked framing, more better insulation, durable exterior details, etc) and viola, your a green builder. Also, if you participate in something like energy star you can work with one of there home raters and pick his brain, all on the fed's dime.

-Tobias

[jrmabe]

I don't know much about LEED for Homes, but I just completed LEED for Commercial Interiors (I am a commercial upfit contractor, only). At the end of the day, passing the certification test is really just the beginning. Certification means you have some basic understanding of the not-so-basic LEED point system.

What's more important is getting a handle on the materials, systems, etc. (and subs who use them) that you want to use and just start doing it.

I use some basic "green" or sustainable methods in our upfits and many clients don't have a clue. We just do it because it seems right to us.

[Allan Edwards]

Interesting houses.

http://www.chron.com/life/photogalle...REEN_HOME.html

[ThingOfBeauty]

I find the rating systems to be a decent introduction--you have to think about how you're doing so many parts of building that it reminds you about most of the things you might consider.

The Regreen program from USGBC is a great jumping-off point, they have ten 'projects' with what to think about for each one, no points to add up but does get you considering what to do on your particular project.
I've tried a few educational opportunities, here's my reviews:

LEED for Homes Technical Review
a one-day course on LEED for Homes, you score a house you are familiar with as you go through, thereby learning the basics of how LEED works and some about green building. highlight: argumentative audience member demanding to know whether Icynene is worth it.

NAHB Certified Green Professional: besides the 'business' course you are obliged to take if you don't already hold an NAHB designation, there's a two-day course. Currently it's structured around the NAHB Model Green Building Guidelines which verge on greenwashing--they are quite weak--but you'll learn some about green building as you go along. Highlight: argumentative audience member demanding to know whether Icynene is worth it.

NARI Green Building Education Program: 2 hour classes once a week for 12 weeks, also 'homework' in books & websites. More education than the two systems above. Delivered locally in rare instances and via a 'webinar' setup on a regular basis. Webinar is kind of a pain; local can be uneven but gives opportunity for climate-appropriate info. (disclosure: i took the webinar and instructed the course locally). I think this is the best thing out there right now. Highlight: argumentative audience member demanding to know whether Icynene is worth it.

Green Advantage: two day course with 'certification': I haven't taken this one but heard it's kind of aimed at psyching you up to want to do green building and a little light on concrete info.

LEED for Homes future certification of some kind: next spring we'll see what this adds up to. Current "LEED-AP" program is a test that is very much oriented toward the LEED-NC commercial building standard and its administration; many have noted that it doesn't really test for green building so much as LEED building. Hopefully LEED for Homes will be a little better.

<waits for constructive criticism>