Build Green Connecticut^TM presents the "Building Greener Homes" series, educational seminars for industry professionals. The next seminar is "Creating a Better Building Envelope," to be held on December 16, 2009.  For more information, please click here.

The Home Builders Association of Connecticut is bringing green to the mainstream with Build Green Connecticut.  This effort is based on the National Green Building Program^TM, which includes the first and only ANSI-certified, green building standard in the nation.  In late September, 2008, the HBACT Build Green Connecticut was one of the first in the nation to formally affiliate with the NAHB green building program.

What is green building?

Green homes incorporate environmental considerations and resource efficiency into every step of the building and development process to minimize environmental impact.

What does Build Green Connecticut offer?

Build Green Connecticut offers resources to anyone interested in green building.

• JOIN the HBACT Green Homes Council: The Council provides a forum for professionals in the residential building and remodeling industry in the state to learn about and share information on green building. Membership is available to all professionals in the residential construction and development industry.   Click here for an application.

• NAHBGreen Program Video Available on YouTube:  Members interested in building and certifying green homes can now go to YouTube to get an overview of green building and how to certify a green home through the NAHB Research Center.  The eleven minute video is available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hf8xvxnQsGk

• Model Green Home Building Guidelines - Published in 2005, the voluntary guidelines cover seven areas: lot design and preparation; resource efficiency; energy efficiency; water efficiency; indoor environmental quality and comfort; operation, maintenance, and homeowner education; and global impact. The guidelines are the basis for the National Green Building Standard^TM.

(Click the image above to order your copy of the Standard; at the BuilderBooks site, click on Codes & Regulations)

• A free, online Green Scoring Tool that allows builders and consumers to gauge how green their projects will be.

• A certification program that enables builders and consumers in Connecticut to assure their homes are green. 

• Verifier training and accreditation to insure that certification is accurate, consistent, neutral, and technically rigorous.  Interested in becoming a verifier?  Sign up and attend the March 11 verifier training in Stratford.  Click here.

• Educational programs, including a two-day, green building course offered locally.

• A Certified Green Professional designation that enables housing industry professionals to gain and market green experience.  See CGPs in Connecticut. 
  

For more information on Build Green Connecticut, please contact George Rafael, AICP, by email at grafael@hbact.org or by phone at 860-521-1905.

© 2008-2009 Home Builders Association of Connecticut, Inc. All rights reserved.

See Build Green Connecticut^TM on October 13-14, 2010, at 

See our Energy Efficiency & Green Building Code Statute page.

Comparison to LEED

Critique of the LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Rating System  - Note: the LEED rating system has not been approved as a standard by any objective, standards development organization (9-2008)
US Green Building Council responds to the critique  - USGBC is the private group that created the LEED rating system (9-2008)
NAHB National Green Building Brochure  - explains the NAHB National Green Building Guidelines and Standard; also contains a cost comparison to LEED
Problems with LEED Standards in City and State Building Codes  (Nov. 2008, from ICSC)

Other Green and Energy Efficiency Resources

Home Energy Audits:  Want to know how energy efficient your home is?  Home Energy Solutions Program does a whole-house analysis of energy use.  The Home Energy Audit Program evaluates the heating systems in homes heated by oil, propane, or kerosene.  More information can be found at the following websites.

Home Energy Audits - State of CT Overview

Clean, Tune, and Test of Heating Equipment

CL&P Home Energy Solutions

Connecticut's Zero Energy Challenge - Are you up to the challenge?  Get the details on this program to encourage energy-efficient homes in the state.  If you are interested, contact Justin Lindenmayer, 860-832-4915. The deadline is May 1, but there may be time to enter if you call today.

Expiring Federal Energy Tax Incentive Extended - from NAHB (10-6-2008); including Tax Credits for Existing Home Improvements (Remodelers and home owners - take note)

Energy Efficiency & Conservation Programs  - An exhaustive report from the State legislature's Program Review & Investigations Committee on the state's and utilities' programs related to energy efficiency and conservation (9-25-2008)

CT Clean Energy Fund - Information on incentives & rebates for installing clean energy technologies.

CT Energy Efficiency Fund - Information on incentives & rebates for installing energy efficient technologies.

National Green Building Standard^TM Receives ANSI Approval - Read the press release.

Green and Affordable: Can Our Homes Be Both?  George Rafael, AICP represented the HBA of CT in a panel discussion and talked about NAHB's Green Building Program at this seminar on May 22, 2008. 

Green Building Demand Keeps Business Pumping, Survey Says (6-24-2008)

Certified Green Professional Ranks Continue to Grow (6-24-2008)

Energy Efficiency Codes & Standards - Information on green building codes, the so-called "30% Solution" and more.

Before You Build Green - A Primer to Avoid Liability  - from NAHB (10-14-08)

Green Liability Issues  - from Shipman & Goodwin LLP (10-21-08)

Study Shows How to Combine SIPs Roofs and Concrete Walls - from NAHB (10-28-2008)