The two most popular (and standardized) programs are the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Homes and the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) National Green Building Standard. As hot as green building has become, both organizations have recently announced new green standards for residential homes and are positioning themselves to become the consensus national standard of the homebuilding industry.

Both programs use a points rating system to certify green homes: LEED for Homes has eight categories of measurement and the National Green Building Standard has seven. A home accumulates points within the categories to achieve a level of certification. LEED’s highest level is platinum; National Green Building Standard’s is Emerald. What’s the major difference between the two? LEED requires on-site, third-party verification throughout the building process. NAHB’s program recommends the same, but allows for a builder to self-certify in some instances. 

Our first two LINKS Green House communities are headed in separate directions in their choice of national standard. Reynolds Plantation is planning to follow NAHB’s guidelines, while Seven Falls has chosen LEED for Homes. No matter their divergent paths, their goal is the same: building green.