2024 International Builder's Show (IBS) Recap | The 2024 IBS occurred February 27TH - 29TH in Las Vegas. Many Home Innovation staff were in attendance, including Michelle and Katie from the NGBS Green Team! They enjoyed meeting with many NGBS Green Partners, including NGBS Green Certified Product Manufacturers! See Katie's blog for a recap. | |
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Michelle Foster, VP Sustainability at Home Innovation Research Labs, presented a session in Multifamily Central on "Are Multifamily Green Building Certifications Worth the Trouble?" (see first photo below). Greg Coolidge, Director of Design Coordination, of Crescent Communities joined Michelle for the discussion.
If you are interested in doing a Lunch-and-Learn with this session, contact us!
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Michelle presenting "Are Multifamily Green Building Certifications Worth the Trouble?" Contact Us to schedule a virtual presentation. | |
Many NGBS Green Certified products were showcased within the IBS Exhibit Halls, including FlowGuard® Gold Pipe & Fittings from Lubrizol. | |
Michelle presents the Emerald-level NGBS Green Certification at The New American Home media night. The home also earned certifications for NGBS Green +NET ZERO ENERGY and NGBS Green +WELLNESS. Learn more about the home’s features in TNAH 2024 Case Study. | |
NEW NGBS Green Policy Handbook | |
NEW NGBS Green Policy Handbook
NGBS Green certification policies were removed from the Builder’s Resource Guide and are now available in the NGBS Green Policy Handbook. Please be sure to share this link with your energy modelers and testing professionals who previously accessed the EE Modeling and Testing Policies within the BRG.
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The NGBS Green team has published three new and important interpretations and issued a revised Interpretation. See all NGBS Green Interpretations and Clarifications here.
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Things are Heating Up! New Fire Testing Lab | |
Here at Home Innovation Research Labs, we are proud to announce the upcoming opening of our all-new fire testing lab in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Our lab combines 26 tests through 7 furnaces, all under one roof, with one team dedicated to producing consistent, accurate, and reliable tests. This state-of-the-art facility is designed to provide the best customer experience using today's most sophisticated fire testing technology. Let's light it up!
We're taking reservations for private tours and testing now - talk to our Lab Director, Deanna Seale, PE, to get your product into the lab with the best equipment on the market. Contact Us, if you are interested!
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SEC Climate-Related Disclosures Ruling | |
On March 6th, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced the adoption of their Climate Disclosure Rule. The final rule scaled back many requirements from the proposed rule in March 2022. The SEC received over 24,000 comment letters in feedback of the initial proposal, more than any other SEC rule.
Under the final rule, large filing public companies are required to report their Scope 1 and 2 emissions and allows more time for companies that are required to report on emissions. To read more on what the final adopted rule requires, see the SEC press release here.
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Volusia County, FL Draft Disaster Recovery Plan | |
Volusia County, FL has published their draft Transform386 Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery Plan, which outlines their approach for utilizing the $328.9 million received following Hurricane Ian. The draft plan identifies that all rehabilitation, reconstruction, and new construction must meet NGBS Green +RESILIENCE, ENERGY STAR, Enterprise Green Communities, Indoor airPLUS, LEED, or an equivalent. Home Innovation has contacted the County to advocate for NGBS Green certification without the +RESILIENCE add-on be sufficient to meet their threshold requirement.
Some states/counties mention NGBS Green +RESILIENCE as a green building option for CDBG-DR in their action plans. NGBS Green Partners should note that RESILIENCE badge is not required and only NGBS Green certification is sufficient to be eligible for CDBG-DR grant in any location since this has been approved by HUD.
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BEWARE! Requirements for Additional Third-Party Review | |
We have intel that at least one housing finance agency has implemented a requirement for "confirmed ratings from a QA Provider" for all recognized green building programs. The agency requires NGBS Green Verifiers to secure additional third-party review from an outside organization on their energy modeling and compliance documentation for NGBS Green certification.
Unlike some other energy and green programs, the NGBS Green certification process does not include a Provider-level review. Rather than authorizing QA Providers to review and certify buildings, Home Innovation Research Labs performs 100% review of all projects and issues certification. Additional expectations for third-party review are unnecessary, add cost, and engage professionals who do not have certification authority or a formal business relationship with Home Innovation.
If you encounter issues like these, please contact us! We can work with you to engage the authority and share information about the NGBS Green certification process.
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The federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program requires each state agency that allocates tax credits, generally called a housing finance agency, to have a Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP). The QAP sets out the state's eligibility priorities and criteria for awarding federal tax credits to housing properties. | |
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 are 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. | |
Idaho
The Idaho Housing and Finance Association (IHFA) has an open call for comments to inform their 2025 QAP. The 2023 QAP requires funded projects to either demonstrate compliance with one of the following programs via sign-off from a licensed architect: NGBS; Enterprise Green Communities; Indoor airPLUS; LEED for Homes; NW ENERGY STAR; PHIUS or PHI; or ZERH. Alternatively, the project team can meet the threshold requirement by incorporating several prescriptive energy efficiency measures. Home Innovation submitted comments to praise the inclusion of credible, third-party green building programs; recommend that IHFA better distinguish between single- and multi- attribute green programs; and recommend that the prescriptive requirements be modified or eliminated to ensure that all projects meet similar performance levels. To see our comment letter, contact us.
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Indiana
The Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority (IHCDA) released a draft 2025 QAP and accepted public comments through February 5th. The draft QAP would require all funded projects to achieve one of the following certifications: NGBS Bronze; Enterprise Green Communities; or LEED. Two competitive points are available when a project achieves one of the following: NGBS Silver; Enterprise Green Communities; LEED Silver; Passive House; or equivalent.
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Kentucky
The Kentucky Housing Corporation published their draft 2025-2026 QAP. The draft QAP does not recognize any comprehensive green building programs.
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Louisiana
The final 2025 Louisiana QAP has been published. This QAP advanced green building requirements by establishing "basic" and "advanced" tiers for green building compliance. At the basic level, a project must be certified to NGBS Green, EarthCraft, Enterprise Green Communities 2020, or LEED to earn 4 points. At the advanced level, a project must earn NGBS Green +NET ZERO ENERGY, Enterprise Green Communities Plus 2020, or LEED Zero to earn 6 points. We commend Louisiana Housing Corporation for advancing green building requirements for affordable housing!
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NGBS Green Product Spotlight | |
Viance EcoLife
Discover our Family of Treated Lumber Preservatives
Ecolife® Stablized Weather-Resistant Wood is an advanced wood protection system, utilizing a fully integrated wood preservative with built-in stabilizer for maximum weathering protection and enhanced performance. Ecolife has been certified for its termite-resistant properties and earns 2-6 points under NGBS 602.1.6.
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CertainTeed Solstice Shingles Wins IBS Award | |
CertainTeed Solstice Shingles Awarded Best of IBS™ Award for Best Energy Efficient Product
Solar Solutions That Shine
CertainTeed's Solstice Shingle seamlessly integrates into the roof, which gives homeowners a sleek, low-profile look while providing a clean energy solution. Solstice was recognized as one of the most technologically advanced and reliable solar shingles on the market and earned the Best of IBS™ Award for Best Energy Efficient Product.
Congratulations to CertainTeed! View NGBS Green Certified products from CertainTeed here
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See the full directory of all NGBS Green PROs featured on our website. | |
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Welcome Green PROs!
Congratulations to the latest professionals to earn the NGBS Green PRO designation!
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About NGBS Green PRO
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 ICC 700 National Green Building Standard and the NGBS Green certification program.
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Are you a student interested in green building?
Register with your ".edu" email address and use the discount code NGBSStudentEDU to reduce the course fee with a special discount for students.
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Bluebird Supportive Housing | |
Location: Boulder, Col.
Developer: Element Properties
Verifier: Sarah Hong, Group14 Engineering
Green Features: Bluebird Permanent Supportive Housing is a 40-unit affordable multifamily building that provides housing to Boulder residents experiencing homelessness. The building is energy-efficient—boasting an Energy Use Intensity (EUI) that is 21% lower than Colorado’s benchmarking target—and features an on-site solar photovoltaic system. Other green features include ENERGY STAR appliances, water-conserving low-flow fixtures, and location near bike path and trainings to reduce resident vehicle emissions.
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Federal Incentives for Energy Efficiency Webinar Series | |
NAHB is hosting a special free webinar series this April to connect builders and contractors to federal incentives for energy efficient home construction and improvements made available through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Register here.
Single-Family New Homes Programs: Federal Incentives - ENERGY STAR and Zero Energy Ready Homes | Tuesday, April 16 at 1 p.m. ET
This webinar will introduce you to the single-family new homes versions of both EPA’s ENERGY STAR and DOE’s Zero Energy Ready Homes programs — explaining which home types are eligible to participate, providing an overview of the key elements of the requirements, defining the fundamental components of the tax credit, and discussing how builders can get started.
Multifamily New Construction Programs: Federal Incentives - ENERGY STAR and Energy Ready Homes | Wednesday, April 17 at 1 p.m. ET
This webinar will introduce you to the multifamily new construction versions of both EPA’s ENERGY STAR and DOE’s Zero Energy Ready Homes programs — explaining which home types are eligible to participate, providing an overview of the key elements of the requirements, defining the fundamental components of the tax credit, and discussing how builders can get started.
Energy Efficiency for Remodelers: Federal Incentives - ENERGY STAR Home Savings Tool & Home Upgrade | Thursday, April 18 at 1 p.m. ET
The ENERGY STAR Program has developed two new offerings that can help home owners and contractors identify how they can best leverage significant increased federal incentives in the IRA.
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Latest Case Study: The Camille | We have been adding to our case study library and the webpage is newly reorganized. Case studies are an excellent avenue for highlighting and recognizing the variety of projects receiving NGBS Green certification. See our latest one, The Camille, featuring an upscale multifamily development earning Emerald certification. | |
Continuing Education. We Have Options... | |
If you or a client are interested in scheduling virtual or in-person training on the 2020 NGBS, contact us about scheduling a Lunch-n-Learn! We have AIA and ICC-approved programs that we'd be happy to deliver.
Know of a program that may be of interest to our NGBS Green partners? Let us know.
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Get Started with NGBS Green How-to... | Contact us to schedule a FREE 15-minute consultation with a member of our Green Team to get started. | |
If you know of a program that may be of interest to our NGBS Green program partners, please let us know. | |
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Every other Tuesday, 2:00 PM ET | Join us here
Open Forum for questions, chatting, and whatever you need.
Upcoming dates - Mark you calendars!
- April 2
- April 16
- April 30
- May 14
- May 28
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04/02/2024 - HI Office Hours - Open Discussion, All Welcome | Register here
04/07/2024 - National Rental Home Council (NRHC) 2024 Industry Leaders Conference (3 days) | Houston, TX
04/16/2024 - HI Office Hours - Open Discussion, All Welcome | Register here
04/16/2024 - NAHB Special Webinar Series, 1 of 3 | Register here
04/17/2024 - NAHB Special Webinar Series, 2 of 3 | Register here
04/18/2024 - NAHB Special Webinar Series, 3 of 3 | Register here
04/30/2024 - HI Office Hours - Open Discussion, All Welcome | Register here
05/14/2024 - HI Office Hours - Open Discussion, All Welcome | Register here
05/21/2024 - Getting to Zero Forum (three days) | Charlotte, NC
06/04/2024 - National Association of REALTORs (NAR) Sustainability Summit (2 days) |Minneapolis, MN
06/11/2024 - NAHB Spring Leadership Meeting (4 days) | Washington, DC
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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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