Home Builders Association of Chester and Delaware Counties

HBA supported NAHB Green Standards get ANSI approval

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 2, 2009

HBA supported NAHB Green Standards get ANSI approval

West Chester, PA- The Home Builders Association of Chester & Delaware Counties (HBA) is pleased to announce its endorsement of the ANSI approved National Green Building Standard™, for all residential construction work including single-family homes, apartments and condos, land development and remodeling and renovations. ANSI stands for the American National Standards Institute.

The HBA formed a Green Building Task Force in April 2008 to examine the local, state and national green building programs in an effort to better educate members about the green building industry. HBA Executive Vice President, Michael McGee outlined the goals of this task force, “There are a number of standards in existence that could confuse builders and consumers. We wanted to explore the cost and benefits of these programs and provide guidance as to which standard provides the biggest benefits at the most reasonable cost.”

Ultimately the HBA decided to endorse the National Green Building Standard™, but had been waiting for the ANSI approval to be finalized before announcing its support. “We are excited to have the ANSI approval of the National Green Building Standards™,” commented HBA Green Building Task Force Chairman, Joseph Mingioni. “These will now be the national standards to which all Green Built homes are measured. Having a national building standard will make the implementation of Green Building easier as more homeowners and builders are looking for more sustainable and energy efficient homes. The HBA analyzed and endorsed this program at the end of 2008 and many of our members have already voluntarily begun to build to these standards.”

The standard defines what green practices can be incorporated into residential development and construction and how home owners can operate and maintain their green homes. But the National Green Building Standard also provides for flexibility - allowing home builders and home buyers to make green choices based on climate and geography as well as style preferences and budget.

As part of the stringent process required by ANSI, NAHB and the International Code Council gathered a fully inclusive and representative consensus committee composed of a broad spectrum of builders, architects, product manufacturers, regulators and environmental experts. The work of the consensus committee was administered by the NAHB Research Center, an ANSI Accredited Standards Developer.

The consensus committee deliberated the content of the standard for more than a year, held four public hearings and evaluated over 3,000 public comments in the development of the standard.

“Our endorsement of these standards is only the first step in the association’s efforts to provide members and consumers with green building resources,” said McGee. “While new construction is already more energy efficient than most existing homes, there needs to be greater awareness of the financial and social benefits of incorporating green elements into the construction process.”

The Home Builders Association of Chester and Delaware Counties (HBA) is a professional trade organization comprised of more than 400 companies involved in every aspect of the new home construction process. The HBA advocates for public policy initiatives and sustainable building techniques that balance the need for strong economic growth and environmental protection. The HBA is dedicated to providing and protecting the American dream of home ownership for current and future generations.

CONTACT:

Kira Barbieri
kirab@builderpa.com
(610) 692-7733