Green Built Home's Regenerative Certification

A home can achieve an additional Regenerative Certification through completing all of the checklist items on the GBH + Regenerative Tab. These points, in multiple categories, identify opportunities for a home to offset environmental impact in a way that conserves and produces more energy than it consumes. Regenerative processes are also highlighted in green on the checklist, as listed below. Required points are available together on the GBH + Regenerative spreadsheet tab. For the complete list of items on our checklist, and to download the print checklist, see our Certification Levels page.

Homes of every certification level are eligible for this additional Regenerative Certification when all of these GBH + Regenerative checklist items are completed, and all other program requirements are met. If you have questions, please contact our Green Built Homes Project Manager by emailing homes@greenbuilt.org or calling 828.254.1995.

PHASE 1:

Site & Landscape

Healthy outdoors by using erosion control and saving existing trees.
Min 5 pts required

Site Disturbance

2. OR Design and install permanent stormwater management system*

* Calculating Stormwater Runoff
a. Quantify the stormwater created based on 10 year storm (NOAA – Precipitation Rates) (2)

b. Install stormwater control systems to manage a 10 year storm (EPA WaterSense Smart Outdoor Practices) (1-10)

NOTE: Cannot be taken in conjunction with Site Opportunity #1

3. Preserve and cover topsoil onsite for reuse (1)

4. Remove existing invasive plant species* from the landscape (3)

* List of Invasive Species

5. Develop and implement a tree preservation plan (2)

NOTE: Identify areas to be preserved and develop a strategy for avoiding mechanical and chemical damage, grade changes, trenching, filling, and compaction. An arborist (sometimes available through the local planning department) can help you decide which trees can be saved and can work with the builder to protect the trees throughout each construction phase. It is important to involve a knowledgeable professional during this planning phase to ensure actual survival of trees but not required. The end result should be a document (written or graphic) that can be physically posted on the job site. The Tree Preservation Plan shall be reviewed with subcontractors and posted on the job site at the beginning of the project.

8. Tree planting (minimum 12 trees per acre of developed land) (2)

9. 80% of stumps and limbs ground for mulch (1)

10. 80% of cleared logs milled (2)

Location

13. Do not build on any of the following: (2)

a. Land within 100 ft. of any water body (including wetlands)

b. At or below the 100 year floodplain elevation (FEMA Flood plain maps)

c. Prime farmland (USDA Soil Map)

PRIME FARMLAND NOTES:
1. visit Web Soil Survey
2. Enter address under the “Area of Interest” tab at the top and then “Quick Navigation” on left menu. Use the zoom tool if needed.
3. Select the “AOI rectangle” from the tools menu at the top of the map and draw a rectangle around the project area.
4. Select the “Soil Data Explorer” tab at the top.
5. On the left menu, click on “Land Classifications,” then “Farmland Classification.” Select “View Rating” to see a list of all soils types on the site. Under the map is a key explaining the symbols.
6.Confirm that none of the soils are prime farmland. Record the data or take a screen shot if needed.

FLOODPLAIN NOTES:
1. Visit FEMA Flood Map Service Center
2. Enter Address
3. Select “Dynamic Firmette”
4. Record the date or take a screen shot if needed.

14. Home located close to business district. (Choose ONE):

a. Walk Score greater > 30 (1)
b. Walk Score greater > 50 (3)
c. Walk Score greater > 70 (5)
Calculate your Walk Score

15. Access to Bike Paths (Choose ONE):

a. Bike Paths within 1 mile or bikescore >20 (1)

b. Bike Path/Lanes within 1 mile that connects to business district
or bikescore > 40 (2)

16. Bus access within 1/2 mile of home

Landscaping

19. Landscaping techniques that utilize perennial native, pollinator-friendly and/or edible plants* (Choose ONE):

* NC Extension Agency Rain Garden Guide
a. Design provided to be at least 50% of the landscaped area (1)

b. Installed in at least 50% of the landscaped area (Native Plants or NWF Native Plant Finder) (2)

c. Installed in 100% of the landscaped area (Edible Landscaping) (3)

d. Permaculture Landscape Installed (must be designed by certified Permaculturist) (Permaculture) (4)

20. Food production (Choose ONE):

b. >100 sq ft of raised garden beds for single family home (2)

NOTE: The food garden must have solar access
For multi-family buildings or multi-home developments with shared space, the food garden must comprise at least:
15 square feet per unit for one point, 30 square feet per unit for two points

PHASE 2:

Water Efficiency

Lower water bills by using high efficiency irrigation and plumbing fixtures.
Min 5 pts required

1. Calculate the indoor water use of the project

Using HERS H20, WERS, or other equivalent calculation tool approved by GBA. (3)

NOTE: The HERSH2O program by RESNET currently has limited adoption. The WERS tool is used often in the desert southwest, and in Florida.
For purposes of this credit the predicted water use only has to be calculated.

2. Calculate the outdoor water needs of the project

Using the Water Sense water budget tool. (3)

Outdoor

3. Drought Resistant Landscaping Techniques*

* EPA WaterSense Smart Outdoor Practices
Includes xeriscaping, mulched areas, forest, meadow, no-mow grass and/or drought tolerant plants (excludes conventional turf). (1-10)
(1 point per 10 percent of landscaped area)

NOTE: No Mow Grass mixes must be approved on a case by case basis.

4. Rainwater Harvesting
(Choose ONE):

NC DEQ Rainwater manual
a. ≥ 50 gallons (1)
b. ≥ 150 gallons (2)
c. ≥ 500 gallons (3)
d. ≥ 1500 gallons (4)
e. Rainwater system designed to capture enough rainwater to provide 100% of outdoor and indoor water needs (may be in conjunction with other methods). (Rainwater Harvesting: Guidance for Homeowners) (10)

5. Code approved system for indoor rainwater use (Choose ONE):

a. Pre-plumbed for non-potable use (NC DEQ Rainwater manual) (3)

b. Non-potable use (5)

c. Potable use (Case Study: potable use of rainwater) (10)

6. Reuse of greywater (Credit available for ALL of the following):

a. Pre-plumbed for outdoor use (3)

b. Pre-plumbed for toilet flushing (Oasis Design: Stub out for greywater) (3)

c. Code approved system for outdoor use only (Plumb with Greywater) (4)

NOTE: Site must be designed to handle the water

d. Code approved system for toilet flushing (5)

e. 100% of greywater captured, reused and/or treated onsite (6)

PHASE 3:

Building Envelope

Lower utility bills by using high efficiency windows and insulation.
Min 5 pts required

2. Additional Energy Efficiency Program Participation. Choose ONE of the following:

* ENERGY STAR New Homes Requirements
a. Energy Star for Homes Certification (5)

b. DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Certification (8)

PHASE 4:

Heating & Cooling Systems

Higher comfort with efficiency equipment and sealed air ducts.
Min 5 pts required

PHASE 5:

Appliances, Lighting, Renewables

Lower utility bills by using Energy Star appliances and lighting
Min 5 pts required

Renewables

16. Renewable Energy system* contributes to home’s total annual energy use (Credit available for ALL of the following):

* Database of Incentives for Renewable Energy
* NREL: PV Watts Calculator
a. On-site renewable electricity generation (1-75)
Percentage of total annual energy use

b. Renewable energy system sized to provides 2800 kWh/year excess for charging plug-in vehicle. (5)

PHASE 6:

Health & Indoor Air Quality

A healthy interior with non-toxic finishes and minimizing moisture
Min 5 pts required

1. House complies with the EPA Indoor airPLUS* Program (10)

* EPA Indoor airPLUS

Contaminant Control

8. Whole house ventilation system:

* DOE: Whole House Ventilation Systems

b. Balanced Ventilation System (required for Platinum Level Certification) (3)

NOTES: A Balanced Ventilation System must have both supply and exhaust, measured to be within 20% of each other

12. Home is all electric (3)

NOTE: Homes with wood burning fireplaces can still get this credit if there is no other combustion equipment in the home.

PHASE 7:

Materials

A low maintenance home using durable, local, and recycled content materials
Min 7 pts required

Construction Material Waste

4. Jobsite recycling* – 75% diversion rate per component achieved (Credit available for ALL of the following):

* Construction Waste Management Guide
* Builders Field Guide to Residential Construction Waste
a. Wood (1)
b. Cardboard (1)
c. Metal (1)
d. Plastic (1)
e. Drywall (1)
f. Other (1) NOTE: vinyl, carpet, asphalt, concrete

NOTE: Cannot be taken in conjunction with #5

5. OR Total Construction waste reduction/material reuse (Choose ONE):

* Construction Waste Management Guide
* Builders Field Guide to Residential Construction Waste

lb/sf construction waste (if below 4.2 lb/sf) (1-8)

Percent of existing structure reused; 1 pt per 10% reuse (2-10)

NOTE: Cannot be taken in conjunction with #4

Durability and Moisture Management

6. ENERGY STAR Water Management Checklist inspected by site supervisor and copy provided to homeowner (1)

* Energy Star Water Management Checklist

Environmentally Preferable Materials

24. Environmentally Preferable Materials (1)

* Choosing Green Materials
* Building Green Product Guide
* SCS recycled content verification info
(credit available for ALL of the following): Rapidly Renewable, Engineered, Third Party Certified Wood, Recycled Content, Locally Produced, Low Embodied Energy, Salvaged Materials:

a. Concrete (25% Fly Ash only) (1)
NOTE: Points only available if concrete is 25% or greater fly ash (Points are available for Locally Manufactured under “flooring” (“n” or “o”) below if the concrete is the finished floor material)

b. Wall framing members – Interior (2)

c. Wall framing members – Exterior (2)

d. Floor framing members (2)

e. Roof framing members (2)

f. Headers (doors, windows, etc.) (1)

g. Insulation (Min. 50%) (1)

h. Insulation (Min. 100%, should be awarded in addition to “g”) (1)

i. Roofing (2)

j. Siding (2)

k. Doors (1)

l. Closet shelving (1)

m. Kitchen Cabinetry and Casework (1)

n. Interior Trim (1)

o. Countertops (1)

p. Flooring (Min. 25%) (1)

q. Flooring (Min. 75%, should be awarded in addition to “p” ) (1)

r. Decking and Outdoor Structures (2)

s. Furnishings (Min. 3 pieces) (1)

t. Other (1)

NOTE: Unless otherwise specified: A material must make up 90% of the component
Local Production=extracted, processed and manufactured within 500 miles of the home
Recycled Content=25% Post-Consumer or 50% Pre-Consumer Third Party Certified Wood=FSC

PHASE 8:

Bonus Points

Bonus points encourage Homeowner education, facilitate Builder relationships, and support Green Built Homes program visibility
Min 3 pts required

1. Homeowner Education* (credit available for ALL of the following):

* Green Built Alliance Homeowner Resources
a. List of high performance and green building features (a copy of their final checklist and HERS certificate) (1)

b. Green Built Alliance homeowner resource link provided (2)

c. Product manufacturer’s manuals or product data sheet for installed major equipment, appliances, and fixtures. (1)

d. Provide a diagram showing the location of safety valves and controls for major home systems. Minimum systems include HVAC & water distribution. (1)

e. Provide a thorough walkthrough to the homeowner covering items a-d (2)

f. Pre-schedule an evaluation by a certified Healthy Homes Evaluator* for 6 months after occupancy (2)
* BPI Healthy Home Evaluator

2. Kitchen Waste Handling (credit available for ALL of the following):

a. Built-in kitchen recycling center (1) NOTE: Kitchen recycling centers are modified kitchen cabinets or other systems that neatly conceal recycling bins.

NOTE: Kitchen recycling centers are modified kitchen cabinets or other systems that neatly conceal recycling bins.

b. Indoor composting system*, demonstrated to homeowner (1) * Sustainable Building: Home Recycling

c. Provide backyard compost bin or designated compost area with enclosure (1)

3. Integrated Project Management*: conduct a preliminary meeting with the key members of the project team as early as practical. (2)

* Whole Building Design Guide Approach
Complete a Green Built Checklist indicating the credit items being targeted, and listing the team member responsible for providing the required documentation for each credit.

4. Include a minimum of three biophilic design architectural elements (2)

* Medium: 3 Simple Ways to Design a Biophilic Home
* Biophilic Design Guidebook
* BiophilicDesign.net Viewing Guide

NOTE: Biophilic design attempts to create connections between humans and nature. Provide a narrative describing each element included in the home and how it achieves this goal.

5. Offset the homes embodied carbon footprint from construction (2)

* Build Carbon Neutral
* Building Transparency

6. Offset the homes carbon footprint for one year (1)

* CutMyCarbon.org

8. Submit Advocacy letters to suppliers/manufacturers to remove red list chemicals (2)

9. Submit regulatory appeal for use of greywater/rainwater* (2)

* Oasis Design: Greywater law

10. Market the Green Built program* (credit available for ALL of the following):

* Green Built Website
NOTE: Contact the GBH Program Manager for access to logos, brochures and yard signs

c. Company website includes a page of educational information about green building including the features and benefits of certification (1)

e. Publish newspaper or magazine article on the home
NOTE: Online articles may be acceptable on a case by case basis. (2)

f. Make presentation on Green Built to group of 10 or more (2)

h. Participate in a Green Building Tour or Parade of Homes (2)

11. Builder is a Certified Living Wage Employer (2)

* Just Economics

Green Built Home’s Regenerative Certification