Renovation/remodel ratings?
GBA Editor
| Posted in General Questions on
After a brief search I’m not finding a rating/verification system that applies standards to remodels or renovations that fall short of the so-called “deep energy retrofits” which, I believe, are eligible for LEED certification. Can you point my way to anything?
Yes, a HERS test is a good functional guide, but I’m wondering if anyone has developed a merit badge like you can plaster on a new home … once some of the pustulation (cf: James Morgan) and crenellations (cf: Martin Holladay) has been repaired.
As always, thanks in advance.
Joe
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Replies
Joe,
Here's a Web site with information on the topic for remodelers:
http://www.ecohomemagazine.com/green-remodeling/going-green-a-review-of-national-training-and-rating-programs.aspx
Perhaps the best-known green labeling program for remodeled homes is Regreen. For more information on Regreen, visit these two pages:
https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/regreen
http://www.regreenprogram.org/about
Thanks for the link, Martin, and apologies for any confusion -- as I said, I'm interested in a rating system for a remodel LIKE the systems and labels available for new construction.
I knew you'd have something!
Joe - Since it appears that you are in Georgia, you should look into the EarthCraft Renovation program. It provides guidelines and certification for almost any type of home renovation, provided it meets a minimum level of energy improvement. It has been around for about 10 years now but hasn't had as much market penetration as I would have like to have seen. Also, if you are a Georgia Power customer you may be eligible for up to $2200 in rebates, and the City of Atlanta offers another $2000 for their residents through different but related programs for qualifying homes. http://www.earthcraft.org
A few points of clarification: LEED for Homes certification can apply to renovation projects, but generally they must be full gut/remodel jobs. ReGreen is only a set of guidelines and while USGBC offers classes on the subject, there is currently no building certification or individual designation for this program. NAHB's National Green Building Standard offers a renovation certification, however the most robust and successful programs are the local ones, most of which are referenced in the EcoHome article that Martin linked to.
One more comment: although the program isn't of much use to Joe in Georgia, any California readers of GBA should know that Build It Green offers their "GreenPoint Rated" label to remodeled as well as new homes.
Here's a link to today's GBA story on the program: ‘GreenPoint Rated’: A Green Label for California Homes.
Thank you Martin, and Carl. For anyone else interested in Zones 2, 3, or 4, here's the direct link to EarthCraft for Renovation:
http://www.earthcraft.org/renovation
Joe