GreenHomeBuildingRatingSystems—ASampleComparisonPREPAREDFORNationalAssociationofHomeBuildersPREPAREDBYNAHBResearchCenter,Inc.400PrinceGeorge’sBoulevardUpperMarlboro,MD20774-8731March2008AcknowledgmentThisstudywasfacilitatedbymanyhomebuildingveterans,suppliers,andsubcontractorswhoofferedtheirtimeandexpertisetodevelopandhonetheapproachandcostestimates.Theauthorsaregratefultothosenamedbelow,aswellas,thosewhoparticipatedanonymously.AdvisoryGroupDonFerrier,FerrierCustomHomesLisaLondon,EdificeRandyMelvin,WinchesterHomesChipMerlin,K.HovnanianHomesClaytonTraylor,CentexHomesDisclaimerNeithertheNAHBResearchCenter,Inc.,noranypersonactingonitsbehalf,makesanywarranty,expressorimplied,withrespecttotheuseofanyinformation,apparatus,method,orprocessdisclosedinthispublicationorthatsuchusemaynotinfringeprivatelyownedrights,orassumesanyliabilitieswithrespecttotheuseof,orfordamagesresultingfromtheuseof,anyinformation,apparatus,methodorprocessdisclosedinthispublication,orisresponsibleforstatementsmadeoropinionsexpressedbyindividualauthors.Thisstudyoranyofitsconclusionsshallnotbereprintedwithoutthewrittenknowledgeandconsentofitsauthorsorsponsors.GreenHomeBuildingRatingSystemsComparisoniiGreenHomeBuildingRatingSystemsComparison1TABLEOFCONTENTSExecutiveSummary......................................................................................................................2Background...................................................................................................................................4Contents....................................................................................................................................4ComparisonMethodology..........................................................................................................5TeamMembers......................................................................................................................5BaselineHouseSpecifications...............................................................................................6CodeMinimumDefinition.......................................................................................................6GreenRating..........................................................................................................................6CostEstimates.......................................................................................................................8No-CostTasksActions...........................................................................................................8Results..........................................................................................................................................9CostComparisons.....................................................................................................................9DirectCosts............................................................................................................................9OverheadCosts.....................................................................................................................9RegistrationandCertificationFees......................................................................................10VerificationFees...................................................................................................................11RatingSystemCosts............................................................................................................12StringencyComparison...........................................................................................................12MandatoryMeasures............................................................................................................13OpennesstoAlternatives.....................................................................................................14Credibility..............................................................................................................................15OverallStrategy....................................................................................................................15Conclusion..................................................................................................................................17AppendixA..................................................................................................................................18LISTOFTABLESTable1.CostofComplianceA......................................................................................................2Table2.RatingLevelsforthethreeGreenBuildingSystems.....................................................4Table3.MinimumPointRequirementsforFirstLevel(Bronze,Certified)...................................5Table4.MinimumPointRequirementsforSecondLevel(Silver)...............................................5Table5.BaselineHouseSpecifications........................................................................................7Table6.Additiona