Overlay of a logo on an apartment building with balconies, featuring green squares and the words "Home Innovation" and "NGBS Green Verifier".

NGBS Green

Certification

Certified Build Homes – Third-Party Verified
for Health, Sustainability, & Purpose

What Is NGBS Green?

The National Green Building Standard (NGBS) is the only ANSI-approved residential green certification in the U.S., backed by Home Innovation Research Labs and the International Code Council (ICC). It’s a third-party verified pathway to building high-performance homes that are energy-efficient, healthier, and environmentally responsible.

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Every Certified Build home is: 

  • Certified to NGBS Silver at minimum 

  • Eligible for Gold and Emerald Tiers with Bespoke Upgrade Packages 

  • Built for Climate Zone 5 – Advanced Energy and Moisture Control Strategies 

  • Eligible for the 45L Federal Tax Credit 

  • Supporting Veterans & Faith-Based Recovery Programs through every sale

    Our work reflects our belief: a home should serve its family, its community,
    and its Creator — built with purpose, craftsmanship, and care for the Earth.

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Certification Levels — What They Mean

The NGBS Green program offers four levels of achievement — each building upon the last across six performance categories: energy, water, resource use, lot design, indoor air quality, and homeowner education. Certified Build starts at Silver and offers optional upgrades to Gold and Emerald for those seeking the highest levels of sustainability, resilience, and stewardship.

Each level is supported by product upgrades and building practices that align with performance targets:

  • Bronze: May include ENERGY STAR appliances, water-saving plumbing fixtures, basic insulation, and standard lighting.

  • Silver: Features like low-VOC paints, smart thermostats, advanced framing, efficient water heaters, and MERV-13 air filters.

  • Gold: Adds sealed and insulated ducts, triple-pane windows, heat pump HVAC, low-embodied-carbon sheathing, and smart irrigation control.

  • Emerald: Includes rainwater harvesting systems, continuous exterior insulation, geothermal or high-SEER HVAC, solar-ready wiring, and sustainable interior finishes (e.g., reclaimed wood, FSC-certified cabinetry, and zero-VOC coatings).

    The NGBS Green program offers four levels of achievement — each building upon the last across six performance categories: energy, water, resource use, lot design, indoor air quality, and homeowner education. Certified Build starts at Silver and offers optional upgrades to Gold and Emerald for those seeking the highest levels of sustainability, resilience, and stewardship.

TIER

PERFORMANCE LEVEL

IDEAL FOR

Bronze

Silver

Gold

Emerald

 Basic Green Performance

Strong Efficiency & Healthy Indoor Air

Advance Energy + Water + Resource

Elite Sustainability & Optimized Systems

Code Minimum Homes with
Entry Level Savings

All Certified Homes (Base Standard)

Certified Homes & Clients
Focused on Resilience

Bespoke Clients & Legacy Builds

 Bronze – The foundational level of green building. While Certified Build homes exceed Bronze performance, this tier still represents meaningful steps toward energy and water efficiency.

 Silver – Our baseline standard. Includes verified improvements in energy use, indoor air quality, water conservation, and resource-conscious material selection — required for every Certified Build home.

 Gold – An upgrade option that adds enhanced durability measures, greater material transparency, and superior HVAC and ventilation strategies.

 Emerald – The highest level of NGBS Green certification. Includes all the rigorous benchmarks of Bronze, Silver, and Gold — plus enhanced performance thresholds across every category. Emerald homes may include rainwater harvesting or smart irrigation systems, ultra-high R-values, reduced embodied carbon materials, and are ideal for mission-driven families seeking legacy-level sustainability.

A backyard with a modern house, pool, patio furniture, a large tree, and a well-maintained lawn under a partly cloudy sky.
Front porch of a modern house with double wooden doors adorned with green wreaths, supported by four wooden columns, and decorated with potted plants and outdoor seating, surrounded by a lawn and concrete pathway.

Six Pillars of NGBS Green

1. Lot Design & Site Development
Preserving God's Creation — Erosion Control, Native Planting, Thoughtful Grading
2. Resource Efficiency
Advanced Framing, Low-Waste Practices, Sourcing from Sustainable and Faith-Aligned Manufacturers
3. Energy Efficiency
Aligned with DOE Zero Energy Ready Home, ENERGY STAR, and Indoor airPLUS
4. Water Efficiency
Rainwater Harvesting, Efficient Fixtures, Soil-Conscious Irrigation
5. Indoor Environmental Quality
MERV-13 Filtration, Low-VOC Materials, and Moisture Control for Lasting Health
6. Owner Education & Stewardship
Detailed Manuals and Walkthroughs — Equipping Families to Care for their Home and Legacy

Why It Matters

  • Third-party verified – NGBS Green Verifiers Inspect and Document Performance 

  • Stackable with other certifications – ZERH Indoor, airPLUS, and ENERGY STAR 

  • 45L Tax Credit eligible – Up to $5,000 Per Home 

  • Foundation for long-term value – Better Durability, Lower Operating Costs 

  • Mission-aligned – Every Home Sold Funds Veteran Trauma Recovery, HRT Access, and Nonprofit Support Through Wounded Heroes

Purpose-Driven, People-Focused

NGBS certification isn’t just about green checkboxes — it’s about:

  • Building For Families

  • Restoring Honor and Health to our Veterans

  • Respecting the Earth and it’s Resources

  • Reflecting Timeless Values Through Timeless Design

    We build homes with integrity — because we believe they should stand for generations, just like the values they’re built on.

Construction workers building the exterior of a house with large windows and wooden framing, on a sunny day.
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