MAY 2022
Insider Update
Practical information and resources for NGBS Green Certification program partners. Find out more about the program, its tools & resources, and available marketing materials online. If you were forwarded this message or do not receive Insider Update regularly and would like to, sign up online.

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NEWS
COMING SOON! Certified WRI Ratings
Until now, certified WRI scores were only available for buildings seeking NGBS Green certification concurrently. Now, WRI will be available as a stand-alone offering for any new home, even those that are not pursuing green certification.

Join our NGBS Green Partner webinar on July 13th at 2:30PM ET to learn more. Register here.

2024 NGBS Development Kick-Off
Thank you to the many NGBS Green Partners – including Verifiers, builders/developers, and product manufacturers – who submitted applications to serve on the Consensus Committee and Task Groups for the 2024 NGBS Consensus process!

All discussions are open to the public, which means that you can still participate and help shape the next NGBS version, even if you did not apply for a formal role. Visit www.HomeInnovation.com/NGBS to view all process updates and upcoming meeting dates.
Learn about Fenestration Trends at the WDMA Technical and Manufacturing Conference
Home Innovation's Cindy Wasser and Ed Hudson will present about the 2020 NGBS fenestration practices and trends in the residential window and door market, respectively.

2020 National Green Building Standard (NGBS): An Overview & Fenestration Requirements
June 15, 2022 | 1:00PM-2:00PM CT
Cindy Wasser, Senior Manager of Green Building Programs

Closing Keynote: Trends and Opportunities in the Residential Window and Door Markets
June 16, 2022 | 11:00AM-12:00PM CT
Ed Hudson, Director of Market Research Services

If you are attending the conference, be sure to connect with them!
NFRC Sustainability Network Webinar: Residential Green Building Demand and Certification Trends
Join this NFRC Sustainability Network webinar to gain insight into the demand for green homes and discuss the impact on the demand for energy-efficient window and door products.

June 1, 2022 | 2:30PM ET

Learn more and register here.
NGBS Green PRO
Latest Professionals to Earn NGBS Green PRO – Robert Watson, John Marusich
Robert Watson, PE, Principal, NOI Engineering, and John Marusich, Principal, Marusich Architecture, have both completed the NGBS Green PRO training.

Congratulations, Robert and John!

Will you be the next to earn this professional designation?
Robert Watson
John Marusich
About NGBS Green PRO
Industry professionals! Earn your NGBS Green PRO professional designation to validate your expertise in green design, construction, and building certification.

Successfully earning the NGBS Green PRO designation demonstrates advanced understanding of the National Green Building Standard ICC-700 and the NGBS Green certification program.

Training for the designation – consisting of four self-paced modules, each with its own mastery check – is live and available 24/7 at the NGBS Green Pro Training site. Completion of a single NGBS Green PRO module earns 1LU Elective from AIA or 0.1 CEU credit from ICC; completion of the entire course earns 4LU Elective from AIA or 0.4 CEU credit from ICC.

Learn more and get started today – download the Overview document and discuss the benefits of this professional development opportunity with your supervisor and colleagues.
POLICY
NEW! Green Mortgage Insurance Premium Reduction for Residential Care Facilities
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced that it intends to implement significant reductions in the upfront and annual mortgage insurance premium (MIP) it charges for residential care facilities where the facilities meet industry-recognized green building certifications and achieve meaningful, measurable energy and water efficiency improvements. Learn more here.

NGBS Green Certification is among the green building programs recognized by FHA. The NBGS is recognized alongside other credible green building programs, including Enterprise Green Communities, LEED, EarthCraft, and Earth Advantage. 

The 2020 NGBS features an expanded scope that includes residential care facilities, including assisted living and memory care.
Notice of Funding Availability: Up to $1M for Affordable Housing Development and Rehabilitation in Baltimore
Baltimore City's Department of Housing and Community Development is making up to $6M available from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to support new construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing. Per the City's Green Building Standard, all projects must earn NGBS Green or LEED certification or meet ASHRAE 189.1 or IgCC provisions.

Applications are accepted from April 27 through June 10 at 4PM ET. Learn more here.
Provide Feedback on Oregon's $422 Million Disaster Recovery Plan
Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) published a draft Action Plan for a $422M disaster recovery grant, funded by HUD. The effort, known as "ReOregon", will support individuals, households, and communities that continue to recover from the 2020 Labor Day fires.

All rehabilitation, reconstruction, and new construction must earn NGBS Green, ENERGY STAR, Enterprise Green Communities, LEED, Indoor airPLUS, or equivalent label.

Comments are accepted until June 1, 2022 12:59 PT. Details on submitting comments can be found here. NGBS Green Partners are encouraged to submit comments praising OHCS for referencing third-party green building programs, including NGBS Green.
QAP Watch
The following states have or will revise their Qualified Allocation Plans (QAP) for the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. The summaries below indicate if NGBS Green certification is incentivized and provide information on how to submit comments or stay informed. If you're aware of any current QAP activity in your state or locale not listed here or included in our online QAP Round-Up, please contact us.
Colorado:
Indiana:
  • The Indiana 2023-2024 QAP was approved in March 2022. All projects must earn one of the following: NGBS Green Silver-level, Enterprise Green Communities, LEED Silver, Passive House, or equivalent certification.
New Hampshire:
  • New Hampshire Housing has updated its Technical Design and Construction Standards for Rehabilitation. These standards, which went into effect on May 9th, apply to newly-acquired or refinanced projects with a limited scope of work. Notable changes are related to lead standards, provisions for radon testing and mitigation, broadband provision, and climate resilience.
South Carolina:
Utah:
  • The Utah 2022-2023 QAP was approved on April 21, 2022. All new construction projects must be ENERGY STAR certified. All rehabilitation projects must be ENERGY STAR certified or enhanced to the extent feasible. Enterprise Green Communities certification earns the project 5 points. Alternatively, NGBS Green and LEED can be substituted, but no points are available for those options.
PRODUCTS
Product Spotlight
In each issue of Insider Update, Home Innovation profiles products that can help builders achieve points toward NGBS Green Certification. To browse all NGBS Green Certified products, visit the online directory.
Innovative Dehumidifier IW25-4 On Wall Dehumidifier with Bi-Polar Ion Generator
The IW25-4 On Wall Dehumidifier with Bi-Polar Ion Generator removes excess moisture to reduce the risks associated with mold growth.

The dehumidifier has been certified as an additional dehumidification system under 903.3(1) and contributes toward achievement of NGBS Green+ WELLNESS certification.
NGBS Green Partners Recognized by Green Builder Media for Innovative and Sustainable Products
Two NGBS Green Certified products were recognized in Green Builder Media's Sustainable Products of the Year list. Check out these innovative products and learn how they contribute toward NGBS compliance!

And, congratulations to all the NGBS Green Partners that were recognized as Brand Leaders in Green Builder Media's 2022 Green Builder Brand Index!
DuPont
#1 in Building Wrap
#1 in Countertops

James Hardie
#2 in Siding

CertainTeed
#6 in Decking
#6 in Roofing
#8 in Insulation
#8 in Roofing
#8 in Siding
#9 in Building Wrap
Niagara
#1 in Plumbing

Weyerhaeuser
#1 in Structural

Panasonic
#1 in Ventilation
#4 in Photovoltaic Systems
#8 in HVAC

Viance
#8 in Decking

Niagara Conservation Sweeps Q2 Sustainable Product Award Competitions
Niagara Conservation and its leadership were recognized by several organizations for its high-efficiency residential toilets. Congratulations to Niagara!

  • Bronze for Sustainability in Water Conservation

  • Bronze for Product Management/Development Executive of the Year – Carl Wehmeyer

  • Bronze for Business-to-Business Products – the Pro Line

  • Bronze for Product Management Department/Team of the Year – David Jones, Kathy Liu, and Kevin Kennedy

  • 2022 Sustainable Product of the Year – Shadow 0.8 GPF
RESOURCES
Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) Webinar Recording
On May 11th, we hosted a webinar on Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and their application in green building projects, with Heather Schrock of the Bonneville Environmental Foundation. If you missed the live session or wish to revisit, view the recording.
Latest Blog Posts
Why is it Important that the NGBS is Part of the I-Codes?
The NGBS is a value-add to the existing suite of building codes. The NGBS sets the current IRC, IBC, and IECC as its baseline and then provides a comprehensive, complementary system by which a building can be designed and constructed to one of four performance levels above the baseline codes. It acts as both code and rating system. Read Michelle's blog to learn more about how the NGBS both aligns with and adds value to the building codes.
Market Reflections: Home Kitchen Remodeling in 2021
Home Innovation recently published our 2022 Consumer Practices Reports, based on the latest survey of households on home improvements and repairs in 2021. Kitchen remodeling is still hot – maybe even a bit "overheated" – and changes in material choice trends have been very fast-paced. Read Ed's blog to gain insight on the material and design choices popular in kitchen countertops and cabinets.
2022 Consumer Practices Reports Available
The results of Home Innovation's 2022 Consumer Practices Survey (CPS) on home remodeling are in and analyzed! The top overall finding is that U.S. and Canadian home remodeling purchases are still very strong, two years into the pandemic. The DIY purchaser segment is back to near-historical levels after a spike in 2020, and the outdoor living category is still blazing hot. See Ed's blog to learn more.
#WillItCorrode: Digging into Types of Corrosion
April showers bring May...corrosion testing of a garden shovel! The latest specimen tested in our #willitcorrode series was a "heavy duty carbon steel" garden hand shovel. See Deanna's blog for the results.
Latest Case Study: The Gladstone
Urban NW's Gladstone was the first home in Washington state to earn 2020 NGBS Green Certification and attained the NGBS Green+ WELLNESS and UNIVERSAL DESIGN certifications. This aging-in-place home offers a healthy, durable, and energy efficient environment. View our case study.
Quality Assurance Highlights: Independent, Third-Party Verification
As an accredited laboratory and third-party certification agency focused on the home building industry, Home Innovation Research Labs is uniquely suited to manage a residential green certification program, and quality assurance is central to NGBS Green certification. Insider Update editions highlight key tenets of Home Innovation's quality assurance program.
Independent, Third-Party Verification
NGBS Green Verifiers must operate as independent third-party professionals and render judgments that are impartial. Home Innovation has a strict prohibition against conflicts of interest that would impair a verifier's objective judgment. We also strictly prohibit the appearance of a conflict of interest. Our focus is on the nature of our verifiers' relationships with their clients. Page 11 of the Builder's Resource Guide details the factors that would make an NGBS Green Verifier ineligible to provide verification services for a specific project.
Quick Links to Marketing Materials & Guidance One-pagers
Recently, we've been posting case studies on some unique and exemplary NGBS Green Certified projects. If you haven't had a chance to check them out yet, be sure to go to our Resources page – there are several there already and we're adding more each month. While on the page, be sure to check out the wide range of guidance documents, comparisons, and other helpful resources we've created for our NGBS Green Partners, including:










And, you can also find LOTS of great resources by visiting the following pages – #BookmarkWorthy:



UPCOMING EVENTS
As we strive to keep up with events of interest around the country,
we welcome your input!
If you know of a program that may be of interest to our NGBS Green program partners, please let us know.

Join these upcoming events:
Continuing Education
And, if you or a client are interested in scheduling virtual (or, eventually, live) training on the 2020 NGBS, contact us – we have AIA and ICC-approved programs that we'd be happy to deliver.
WE'RE HIRING!
Career Opportunities
Mechanical/Electrical/Civil/Architectural/Structural Engineer Building Scientist – Sustainable Construction
We seek a recent college graduate with engineering degree and practical knowledge of residential building technologies, process, and trends to join our Building Science Division. This person will conduct analytical and experimental research.

Research Analyst - Building Science and Sustainable Construction
We seek a recent college graduate with a technical (non-engineering) construction management or accounting degree to join our Building Science Division. This person will be responsible for the analysis of residential and mixed-use construction.

Customer Service and Market Research Assistant
We seek the right person to join as a Customer Service and Market Research Assistant. This person will support the Market Research Division, including its builder and consumer practices survey program and custom research projects.

Project Manager – Building Science and Construction
We seek a skilled project manager with a technical background and experience with federal contracting. This person will manage multiple technical projects, while coordinating staff and resources.

WE WELCOME YOUR OPINION
Share Your NGBS Green Program Feedback
Take this 1-minute survey and let us know what you think of our delivery of NGBS Green certification and our customer service.

Give Us Your AXIS Feedback
Complete a 1-minute NGBS Green AXIS Feedback Survey.
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