Has Green Building and Remodeling Hit the Tipping Point?

The National Home Builders Association reported in recent weeks that more than 3,100 builders, remodelers, designers and others in the construction business have earned the designation Certified Green Professional. Maybe you're among the growing, enterprising group, who have jumped into the green movement with your hammer and power tools ready. And if you're not, maybe you should be.

More than 200 single-family homes, remodeling projects and developments in 43 states have received National Green Building Certification--and another 300-plus are scheduled for inspections.

A Bright Spot in the Construction and Remodeling Market

"We've said for a while that green building is a bright spot in a down market," said NAHB Chairman Joe Robson, a home builder and developer in Tulsa, Okla. "However, the growth of the NAHB National Green Building Program exceeds even our most optimistic expectations."

It makes sense, too. Just think about how many tax credits, rebates, and other perks are available for greening your home. Now is a terrible time to sell your home. But it's a great time to replace your windows, add solar panels, replace your siding or beef up your insulation.

In the short-term, you can benefit from the savings a more energy efficient house will bring. In the long-term, your home should be more attractive to future buyers, who may weigh your home's benefits against those of other non-green homes. And if you're an old house remodeler who fixes up homes for fun and profit, you know how important it is to get up to speed with the latest and greatest in green building practices.

Jumping on the Green Bandwagon

About 100 state and local home builders associations are now affiliated with the NAHB National Green Building Program.

Certified homes must meet benchmarks set for energy, water and resource efficiency; indoor environmental quality, lot and site development and home owner education and home maintenance. Green building practices are incorporated into every step of the home building and land development process to minimize environmental impact.

Become a Master Green Builder

Next year, the NAHB plans to add a Master Green Builder-Remodeler designation that incorporates additional building science and project management coursework. To learn more about becoming a Certified Green Professional or finding one --or to simply see a gallery of certified green homes--visit www.nahbgreen.org.