Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Join us as we compare the main residential green building programs at a high level, considering applications to single-family, multifamily, new construction, and existing home improvements. We will discuss each program and how it compares or differs through the lens of the five pillars of green: Energy, Health, Materials, Water, and Place.
Whether you are trying to decide which program to select or want good resources to build better, you will learn more about these programs and where to get more information.
Continuing Education Units (CEUS) submitted 1 hour in*
• Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI)
• Building Performance Institute (BPI) NonWholeHouse
• Submitted for American Institute of Architects - AIA (HSW)
• Certified Green Professional (NARI & CGP)
• Certified GreenHome Professional (CGHP) Pillar(s): Energy, Health, Materials, Water, Place
• American Institute of Building Designers (AIBD)
• State Architect / Builder License may be applicable
• Building Science Institute (BSI) Verifier
• Passive House Consultant US (CPHC)
• Society of American Registered Architects (SARA)
Lessons Learned
1. Review how Green Certification programs prioritize healthy housing environments for occupants by incorporating features like good ventilation and using non-toxic building materials, which can help improve the overall health of residents.
2. Understand by requiring green building certifications, buildings meet and exceed safety standards.
3. Articulate how Green Certification programs provide affordable housing & utilities for low-income households, improving residents' overall welfare by ensuring they have access to safe, decent, and affordable housing.
4. Analyze the green building programs through the Integrative Process to determine which green program works best for your project.
Need CEUS?
Take the Quiz here:
greenhomeinstitute.thinkific.com/courses/comparing-the-residential-green-building-certifications
Speaker
Brett Little, GHI Education Manager, has served at GHI since 2011 and, since then, has helped oversee the LEED for Homes program, ensuring certification over nearly 10,000 units across 100’s of projects. Brett helps to instruct or moderate education sessions that are both online and in-person, frequently conducting more than 50 per year. He serves as a LEED for Homes Green Rater on small, affordable housing projects in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area. Additionally, he helps administer the DOE Home Energy Score Partnership and Enterprise Green Communities Technical Assistance on Low-income Housing Projects across the Midwest region.
Comparing Green Certifications Cheat Sheet Reference:
docs.google.com/document/d/1uVO_TI1fDrd0bk9SfHm4J0OV4spIFR_TemtK7CyickU/edit?tab=t.0
GreenStar Homes Certification Program Details:
greenhomeinstitute.org/home-certification-programs/greenstar-homes/greenstar-homes-certification-manual
Join us as we compare the main residential green building programs at a high level, considering applications to single-family, multifamily, new construction, and existing home improvements. We will discuss each program and how it compares or differs through the lens of the five pillars of green: Energy, Health, Materials, Water, and Place.
Whether you are trying to decide which program to select or want good resources to build better, you will learn more about these programs and where to get more information.
Continuing Education Units (CEUS) submitted 1 hour in*
• Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI)
• Building Performance Institute (BPI) NonWholeHouse
• Submitted for American Institute of Architects - AIA (HSW)
• Certified Green Professional (NARI & CGP)
• Certified GreenHome Professional (CGHP) Pillar(s): Energy, Health, Materials, Water, Place
• American Institute of Building Designers (AIBD)
• State Architect / Builder License may be applicable
• Building Science Institute (BSI) Verifier
• Passive House Consultant US (CPHC)
• Society of American Registered Architects (SARA)
Lessons Learned
1. Review how Green Certification programs prioritize healthy housing environments for occupants by incorporating features like good ventilation and using non-toxic building materials, which can help improve the overall health of residents.
2. Understand by requiring green building certifications, buildings meet and exceed safety standards.
3. Articulate how Green Certification programs provide affordable housing & utilities for low-income households, improving residents' overall welfare by ensuring they have access to safe, decent, and affordable housing.
4. Analyze the green building programs through the Integrative Process to determine which green program works best for your project.
Need CEUS?
Take the Quiz here:
greenhomeinstitute.thinkific.com/courses/comparing-the-residential-green-building-certifications
Speaker
Brett Little, GHI Education Manager, has served at GHI since 2011 and, since then, has helped oversee the LEED for Homes program, ensuring certification over nearly 10,000 units across 100’s of projects. Brett helps to instruct or moderate education sessions that are both online and in-person, frequently conducting more than 50 per year. He serves as a LEED for Homes Green Rater on small, affordable housing projects in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area. Additionally, he helps administer the DOE Home Energy Score Partnership and Enterprise Green Communities Technical Assistance on Low-income Housing Projects across the Midwest region.
Comparing Green Certifications Cheat Sheet Reference:
docs.google.com/document/d/1uVO_TI1fDrd0bk9SfHm4J0OV4spIFR_TemtK7CyickU/edit?tab=t.0
GreenStar Homes Certification Program Details:
greenhomeinstitute.org/home-certification-programs/greenstar-homes/greenstar-homes-certification-manual
