Skip navigation

Education  Education


USGBC Updates

USGBC Launches Green Homes Web Site: The Green Home Guide will serve as a vital resource for both homebuyers and homeowners

November 13, 2007, Washington , D.C. – The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), with generous support from Newland Communities, has launched a new Web site that will give homeowners, homebuyers, renters, landlords and others the tools they need to ensure their homes are as healthy and environmentally friendly as possible.

“As Americans learn more about the importance of their actions on the health of their families and future generations, living a greener life becomes more vital,” said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “Where better to start than in the home?”

The Green Home Guide, www.greenhomeguide.org , details the ways green homes can benefit your health and your pocketbook, as well as reduce negative impacts on your community and the world. Green homes use, on average, 40 percent less energy and 50 percent less water than conventional homes, cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions, protecting our precious water resources and saving families money every month in utility bills. Green homes also make use of safe materials, such as paints and cleaning products that don't emit harmful chemicals into the air our families breathe. They are built with a focus on carefully selected materials – materials that are recycled, locally produced and created from sustainably grown, renewable resources.

The Green Home Guide was developed by USGBC with the generous support and insight from Newland Communities, the nation's largest planned community developer, with a focus on sustainable Healthy Living Systems, looking for ways to preserve the environment and restore the land to its natural state.

“Our alliance with USGBC is a perfect fit for us,” said LaDonna Monsees, President and Chief Executive Officer, Newland Communities. “We are attempting to incorporate sustainability into everything we do and educating consumers is a top priority. If consumers are educated and have access to all of the information they need, they will be able to make smart, healthy and sustainable decisions.”

The newly launched Web site illustrates how families have gone green with profiles of homes that have been certified under the USGBC's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design® (LEED) for Homes rating system. It offers details on the LEED for Homes system, including help in finding LEED builders and providers nearby. It includes checklists not only for new homes but also for renovating an existing home and retrofitting the home you live in now. The Green Home Guide offers fun, interactive ways to learn about the impacts of our personal habits on the world around us and provides scores of tips on how we can reduce that impact.

Increasingly, green homes are becoming a key part of the U.S. homebuilding market. They are present in all 50 states. Of the 15 million homes that have been built in the last 10 years, USGBC estimates that only about 15,000 of those homes are certified through a green home program. There are currently 350 LEED-certified homes and more than 10,000 in the LEED process. With each passing year, more and more green homes are popping up throughout the country, including both newly built homes and renovated existing homes. In 2005, just 2 percent of the country's new home construction market was green focused. By 2010, it is anticipated that number will climb to 10 percent, according to the 2006 McGraw-Hill Construction Residential Green Building SmartMarket Report. As green homes' popularity soars, their resale value is certain to outpace that of comparable conventional homes. In fact, the Solaire, a green residential high-rise in New York City , commands rents 10 to 15 percent higher than market rates, and in Rocklin , Calif. , the LEED-certified homes in the Carsten Crossings development outsold the competition 2-to-1. The Green Home Guide will serve as a valuable resource for consumers who are in the market for a new home or those looking to integrate green building into their existing homes.

Greenbuild365.org: Transforming Green Building Education, USGBC Launches Groundbreaking New Web Site with $1 Million in Support from UTC

CHICAGO , Nov. 6, 2007 – The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), with the generous support of a $1 million donation from United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX), has launched www.Greenbuild365.org to transform green building education through global, online access. USGBC has been a leading voice for expanded green building research and education to support the exponential growth of the green building movement.

Greenbuild365.org will feature free and fee-based courses on green building technologies and innovations, along with practical training to prepare professionals to successfully apply LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification to building design, construction and operation.

The site's debut builds upon USGBC's success in presenting online educational courses ranging from Carbon reduction strategies in the built environment to greening building operations; and will be a milestone in the worldwide availability of information on the latest green building practices.

Greenbuild365.org will be launched Wednesday, Nov. 7, immediately prior to a speech by UTC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer George David at Greenbuild, the green building industry's annual gathering. David will address opportunities for greater energy efficiency available using today's technology.

David's remarks, along with those of other Greenbuild conference speakers, including former President Bill Clinton, will be available via streaming video through Greenbuild365.org, along with attendee blogs, polling tools and other information.

Peter Templeton, Vice President of Education & Research, USGBC, explained, “We have the ability to accelerate change and positively influence the world for years to come; we can accomplish that through education.”

Andrea Doane, UTC Director of Community Affairs and Corporate Giving, said, “Research shows many in the building industries misjudge both the costs and benefits of building green. UTC is pleased to be the founding sponsor of Greenbuild365, an important tool in raising awareness of just how much can be done to increase efficiency and reduce energy consumption.”

United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford , Connecticut , provides a broad range of high technology products and support services to the building systems and aerospace industries. It is a founding member of the USGBC.

U.S. Green Building Council Unveils New Web Site 

November 6, 2007 (Washington, DC). – U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) today announced the re-launch of its Web site -- www.usgbc.org . The re-launched Web site is cleaner, smarter and more user friendly. Visitors will find everything they need with fewer clicks and less clutter while exploring the tens of thousands of pages of content available at www.usgbc.org .

“We're thrilled to announce the revamping of usgbc.org, just in time for Greenbuild 2007,” said Rick Fedrizzi, President and CEO of the USGBC. “The updated Web site was designed with the building community in mind, and will be an invaluable resource for all of our visitors.”

Highlights of the Web site include a resource section designed to make LEED project credit templates more accessible; easier access to online reference guides and LEED reference documents; more resources for members and chapters; a USGBC store to purchase workshop materials and publications; and a more comprehensive listing of educational offerings and workshops. The Web site is available at www.usgbc.org .