Types of Green Buildings

LEED Certification

• Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification began in March of 2000. Both commercial and residential buildings can become LEED-certified by scoring well in five areas: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality. A 100-point scale weights each category to reflect potential environmental impact; bonus points are awarded based on design innovation and regional priority. In the LEED universe, buildings are deemed certified (40 points), silver (50 points), gold (60 points) or platinum (80 points).

The National Green Building Standard

• The National Association of Home Builders and the International Code Council teamed up to create the ICC 700 National Green Building Standard, which defines green building for site development projects and residential construction -- both new projects and remodeling tasks. The standard focuses on energy, resource and water efficiency, as well as indoor environmental quality, lot design and preparation, and building owner education. In each category, a point scale places a particular project in one of four categories: bronze, silver, gold and emerald. According to the standard's website, more than 2,000 projects have been green certified at the time of publication.

Energy Star Homes

• Often seen on household appliances, Energy Star certification can also extend to residential homes. Any home of three stories or fewer that meets the EPA guidelines for energy efficiency can qualify for Energy Star certification. It is suggested that such homes have effective insulation, high-performance windows, tight construction and ducts, efficient heating and cooling equipment, and energy-saving lighting and appliances. Third Party verification is conducted by home energy raters.

Beyond Green Performance Awards

• Established in 2001 by the Sustainable Buildings Industry Council, the Beyond Green High Performance Building Awards recognize exceptional contributions to sustainability. The SBIC claims the awards fit into the organization's larger commitment to sustainability and high-performance, green construction. The objectives of a good project, by SBIC guidelines, should include accessibility, aesthetics, cost considerations, functionality, safety and security, occupant health/productivity, historic preservation and sustainability.