Austin Energy Green Building to Offer Dual-Certification

Austin Energy Green Building to Offer Dual-Certification with National Green Building Standard
November 3, 2010 – AUSTIN

New single-family homes can now earn both local and national certifications by complying with Austin Energy Green Building rating requirements. Austin Energy Green Building, which developed the first green building certification program in the country, has been approved by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) to offer the dual-certification.

Because Austin’s local energy codes are some of the strongest in the nation, a green building rating from Austin Energy is stronger than national averages. A dual-certification enables builders and homebuyers to compare their homes against green-rated homes across the country and to receive recognition through the nationally accepted standard known as the National Green Building Standard. Dual-certification through Austin Energy eliminates duplicated effort, inspections and paperwork that would result if the projects were rated independently. It also will allow for a better accounting community-wide of energy savings that can be counted toward the City’s Austin Climate Protection Plan goals.

As with Austin Energy Green Building ratings, a builder, developer or remodeler must incorporate a minimum number of features involving energy, water and resource efficiency, lot and site development, indoor environmental quality and homeowner education to receive the national certification. National certifications are Bronze, Silver, Gold and Emerald based on points that reflect the number and quality of green building features incorporated. A third-party also must inspect the project to verify that the green building practices a builder claims toward certification have been met. Green ratings increase the value and appeal of a home and are increasingly sought by buyers.

Austin Energy Green Building staff will participate in Home Builders Association of Greater Austin events throughout the year to provide members with information on how to seek dual-certification. Because Austin Energy also has extended its single-family rating program beyond its service territory, the dual-certification will be available to projects in 27 counties throughout Central Texas. For more information, contact Miki Cook at miki.cook@austinenergy.com or 512-482-5358.