We just listed a home in Arboretum that is a Certified 3-Star Built Green® remodel (check it out here), but what does that actually mean?
First, to summarize the Built Green website (builtgreen.net), Built Green is a non-profit organization that is comprised of local architects, builders, developers, subcontractors, suppliers, lenders, and real estate agents working together to promote durable, environmentally friendly homes that are cost-effective to own and operate. These homes are crafted to exceed building codes and provide homeowners with years of healthy, quality living, while protecting families and the environment.
To become a “Built Green” property, builders and developers must first meet a basic set of established criteria to qualify. From there, they can select a number of upgrades (of which have a corresponding point value) that they would like to implement from an
approved Built Green checklist, which includes actions that will improve energy efficiency, conserve water, improve air quality, reduce waste, and more . Once construction is completed, the checklist indicating which upgrades were utilized is submitted to the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBA) for certification. Once received, the MBA will review the list and points value to determine the home’s Star rating, which ranges from 1 to 5 or Emerald Star level.
Since the program’s inception in 2001, over 4,5000 homes in the Seattle area have been certified as Built Green.