Green Ratings Defined

Green Ratings: HFHMGC participates in a number of green building rating programs. These programs offer third-party verification of sustainable, energy efficient, and durable building practices to ensure that our homes are designed and built to exceed standard building codes. Most certifications are awarded on a point system and place emphasis on items such as energy efficient heating and cooling systems, insulation values, highly insulated windows, and Energy Star electric appliances. Place your cursor over the green ratings below to learn more about each rating program.

Energy Star V2.0: Implemented in 2007 by the Department of Energy, the Energy Star program assures homeowners that their home has met standard energy requirements. Systems within an Energy Star home such as the heating and cooling systems, appliances, programmable thermostat, and lighting have been inspected by a certified Energy Rater and are assured to operate properly and efficiently. The home has also been inspected as per the thermal inspection checklist, which verifies certain sealing and weatherization techniques have been completed. For more information about the Energy Star program, visit http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=new_homes.hm_index

Energy Star V2.5: A transitional version of Energy Star, Version 2.5 begins to incorporate new checklists and inspection points for heating and cooling contractors, as well as stricter requirements in the thermal inspection checklist. For more information about the Energy Star program, visit http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=new_homes.hm_index

Energy Star V3.0: Energy Star Version 3.0 will be a minimum standard for new HFHMGC homes starting in January 2012. The updated standard places greater emphasis on the heating, cooling, and ventilation system to assure that the air inside the home is clean, healthy, and well-conditioned. New inspection points are incorporated to measure the air flow through the home to verify the temperature and air pressure will be comfortable for the homeowners. Stricter requirements for lighting fixtures are also mandatory in Energy Star Version 3.0. For more information about the Energy Star program, visit http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=new_homes.hm_index

MS Power EarthCents: Developed by Mississippi Power Company, the EarthCents program is awarded on a point system and can assure a new homeowner that their home is highly insulated and equipped with an efficient heating and cooling system. Various other points that may be awarded for a new home include: energy-efficient windows, efficient hot water heater, programmable thermostat, and Energy Star appliances. To learn more about the features in an EarthCents home, visit http://www.mpc.com/earthcents/ec_homeprogram.asp

LEED for Homes: Developed by the USGBC (US Green Building Council), the LEED for Homes (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program is a nationally recognized benchmark for high-performance, energy efficient, and sustainable homes. A LEED certification is awarded on a point system and incorporates different levels of certification–Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels (listed in increasing order). The LEED for Homes program mandates each home to be Energy Star certified; additional LEED measures include site selection, water efficiency, indoor air quality, and environmentally preferable products. For more information on the LEED for Homes program, visit http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=147

National Green Building Standard: Developed by the NAHB (National Association of Home Builders), the National Green Building Standard is a nationally recognized benchmark for high-performance, energy efficient, and sustainable homes. An NAHB Green Building certification is awarded on a point system and incorporates different levels of certification–Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Emerald levels (listed in increasing order). The National Green Building Standard incorporates measures such as lot development, resource efficiency, water efficiency, indoor air quality, and energy efficiency. For more information on the NAHB Green Building Standard, visit http://www.nahbgreen.org/NGBS/default.aspx

EarthCraft Program: Developed by the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association and Southface, the EarthCraft Program was designed as a means of measuring the energy efficiency and durability for homes located specifically in the Southeast. An EarthCraft certification is awarded on a point system and incorporates different levels of certification–Certified, Gold, and Platinum levels (listed in increasing order). The EarthCraft Program incorporates measures such as site planning, energy efficiency, resource efficiency, water conservation, and indoor air quality. For more information on the EarthCraft Program, visit http://www.earthcraft.org/house