ABC Green Home Third-Party Certifications
Wellness Within Your Walls
Phius
Phius is the only passive building certification that combines a thorough passive house design verification protocol with a stringent Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) program performed onsite by Phius Raters and Verifiers.
RESNET HERS
The HERS Index is the industry standard by which a home’s energy efficiency is measured. It’s also the nationally recognized system for inspecting and calculating a home’s energy performance. HERS® Index relays the home’s energy efficiency, the lower the number, the more energy efficient the home. A typical home built to 2006 energy efficiency standards scores 100 on the HERS® Index. The Index takes into account a home’s exterior walls (both above and below grade), floors over unconditioned spaces, ceilings and roofs, attics, foundations, windows and doors, vents and ductwork, HVAC systems, water heating system and the thermostat. Learn More
Indoor AirPlus
Indoor AirPlus is a partnership and labeling program that helps new home builders improve the quality of indoor air by outlining construction practices and product specifications that help minimize exposure to airborne pollutants and contaminants. Developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the Indoor AirPlus certification includes the careful selection and installation of moisture control systems, heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems combustion-venting systems, radon resistant construction and low-emitting building materials.
LEED
LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a globally recognized green building standard by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). LEED certification offers a framework for healthy, efficient and cost-effective green buildings, providing environmental and social benefits. It serves as a globally recognized symbol of sustainability leadership, certifications are earned through a series of credit categories tailored for each rating system. Projects are awarded points that correspond to a level of certification: Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
NGBS
Green Point Rated
Fortified
FORTIFIED Home™ is a nationally recognized, science-based building resilience standard developed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) to help homes better withstand severe weather, such as hurricanes, high winds and hail. FORTIFIED realizes different homes have different needs, The program provides proven construction methods that go beyond typical building code requirements, reducing the risk of property damage and improving home safety.
Energy Star
ENERGY STAR is administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPA partners with thousands of home builders, developers, energy rating companies and utilities across the U.S. who construct, verify, promote and incentivize ENERGY STAR certified homes and apartments.
WaterSense
DOE Efficient New Homes Program
DOE Efficient New Homes is the successor program to DOE Zero Energy Ready Home. Every certified DOE Efficient New Home represents a whole new level of performance with rigorous requirements that ensure outstanding levels of energy savings, comfort, health, and durability. A DOE Efficient New Home is a high-performance home that is so energy efficient that a renewable energy system could offset most or all the home’s annual energy use.