How Green is your Building/Product?

April 2010

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Learning Objectives: 1. Assess various sustainable building

and product certifications and their similarities and differences

2. Discuss which certification is applicable for different building and product types

3. Recognize when “greenwashing” or unsubstantiated environmental claims are being made

4. Apply knowledge about sustainable certifications to your ongoing projects

Outline: 1. Building Certifications

2. Professional Credentials

3. Green Building Codes

4. Green Product Certifications

Building Certifications

LEED

Run by USGBC/GBCI

Comprehensive in Nature- Seven Categories: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor Environment, Innovation and Design, Regional Priority

Relies on Documentation- No On-Site Testing

Different Rating Systems are Available for Different Types of Projects

Certification Lasts Forever (except O+M)

LEED

LEED

ENERGY STAR

Run by the Federal Government

Primarily Focused on Energy Use

Actual Energy Use, not Expected

Compares your Building to Others

No Certification Fees

Certification Lasts a Year

Not all Building Types are Eligible

One level of Certification Available

GREEN GLOBES

Certification Program that began in Europe

Operated in the US by the Green Building Initiative

Comprehensive in Nature- Seven Categories: Energy, Indoor Environment, Site, Water, Resources, Emissions and Project Management

Relies on Certified “Assessors” to Verify Compliance

Includes Life Cycle Assessment Tools

Certification Fees are similar to LEED

Available for New Construction, Existing Buildings and Residential

GREEN GLOBES

National Green Building Standard

Developed and Administered by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)

Comprehensive in Nature- Six Categories: Lot Design, Resource Efficiency, Energy Efficiency, Water Efficiency, Indoor Environmental Quality, and Operations, Maintenance and Education

Relies on Certified “Assessors” to Verify Compliance

Certification Fees are similar to LEED (Slightly Less)

Only Available For Residential Projects

National Green Building Standard

Each level has increasing minimum energy performance requirements.

Building Energy Quotient

Developed by ASHRAE

Based on a Building Labeling System in use in Europe

Only Deals with Energy Use

Two Labels Available: “As Designed” and “In Operation”

Will rely on Certified Professionals for Energy Modeling and in Operation Verification

Still in Pilot Phase- Scheduled to Launch in 2010

Building Energy Quotient

GREENGUARD

Developed by Greenguard Environmental Institute

Certifies Building Projects that Prevent and Manage Moisture Intrusion During Design, Construction, and Operation

Focuses Solely on Mold Prevention and Indoor Air Quality Protection

Available for New Commercial and Residential Buildings and Major Renovations.

Professional Credentials

LEED Administered by GBCI

Requires Passing an Exam and Experience Criteria

Three Levels Available

Five Specialties Available

Attractive to Professionals in Many Industries, Including Lawyers, Insurance Agents, Janitorial Companies, etc.

Now Requires Continuing Education

Currently Recognized as the Top Sustainable Design Credential

Certificetion also Available for “Green Raters”

GREEN GLOBES

Two Types: Green Globes Assessor (GGA) and Green Globes Professional (GGP)

Requires an Industry Experience, Application, Training and Passing an Exam

Ongoing Training is Required as the System Evolves

The Certification Must be Renewed Every Two Years

A Person Cannot be an GGA and a GGP

Green Advantage

Requires Passing an Open Book Exam

Two Types Available: Commercial and Residential

Certification is Good for 3 Years

Specifically Aimed at the Building Industry

Gaining Traction in the Construction Industry as a Beneficial Certification

Green Building Codes

International Green Construction Code Standard 189.1:Standard for the Design of High Performance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings

Developed by ASHRAE, ICC, USGBC and IES

Comprehensive- covers water use, energy use, indoor environmental quality, materials and resources, and site design

Not a Certification

Meant to be Adopted By Local Jurisdictions as Part of the Building Code

No Longer Voluntary: Would be Enforced by Code Officials

Green Product Certifications

GREENGUARD Developed by Greenguard Environmental Institute

Certifies a Wide Range of Product Types, Including Adhesives and Sealants, Casework, Cleaning Products, Insulation and More

Focuses almost Exclusively on Indoor Air Quality Protection

Uses Chamber Testing to Evaluate VOC, Formaldehyde, Particulate, Carbon Monoxide and Carbon Dioxide Levels.

Has a Certification Program Specifically for Children and Schools

Used by LEED for Furniture and Furnishings

Green Seal Certifies a Wide Range Cleaning/Maintenance and

Building Products and now Entire Companies

Focuses on Indoor Air Quality and Life Cycle Assessment

Certification is Based on Whether or Not the Applicable Standard has Been Met

Used by LEED for Paints and Coatings, Adhesives and Sealants and More.

Green Label Plus Developed by the Carpet and Rug Institute

Certifies Carpet, Cushions and Adhesives

Focuses on Indoor Air Quality, Focusing on Low VOC Content

Uses Chamber Testing to Evaluate IAQ Impacts of Carpet Systems

Used by LEED for Carpet Systems

FloorScore Developed by the Resilient Floor Covering Institute

Certifies Vinyl, Linoleum, Laminate, Engineered Hardwood, Ceramic and Rubber Flooring and Wall Base

Focuses on Indoor Air Quality, Focusing on Low VOC Content

Uses Chamber Testing to Evaluate IAQ Impacts of Carpet Systems

Used by LEED for Flooring Other than Carpet

Cradle to Cradle Developed by MBDC

Certifies just about Any Consumer or Building Product Type you can Think of

Assess a Wide Variety of Sustainability Criterion with an Overall Focus on Life Cycle Assessment

Uses a Complex Assessment Chart that Looks at Materials, Material Reutilization, Energy, Water and Social Responsibility

Has Multiple Levels of Certification: (Basic, Silver, Gold and Platinum)

Can be Used to Achieve a LEED ID Point

FSC Certification Developed by the Forest Stewardship Council

Certifies Forestry Practices and Manufactures that Work with FSC Certified Materials

Different Certifications Available for Wood and Paper Products

Looks at the Three Ps of Sustainability

Currently the Only Acceptable Wood Certification for LEED

EcoLogo

Developed by Environmental Choice

Certifies a Wide Range of Product Types, Including Cleaning Supplies, Product Packaging, Paper Products, Printing Products and even Events

Focuses on Many Aspects of Sustainability for Indoor Environmental Quality to Emissions and Resource Conservation

Used by LEED for Cleaning Supply Standards

Environmental Choice Develops their own Standards for Use in Certification

Thank you! Any questions?

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