Built Green Checklists for Certification

This Built Green home has a 3kW photovoltaic array that returns electricity to the power grid. - Blip Design Architects of Seattle

Building and development projects are qualified using one of four Built Green checklists, depending on the type of project, organized into environmentally friendly action categories. Builders, remodelers, architects and developers use the checklists prior to construction to determine which features to include in the home. When construction is complete, builders send a signed copy of the checklist to the MBA, certifying that the home identified in the application contains the identified features.

Based upon the builder’s submission, and after reviewing the application, the MBA will award the appropriate Certificate of Merit indicating that the home has received a 1-, 2-, 3-, 4- or 5-Star rating. Member companies also receive a handbook that details each one of the credits contained within the checklists. The four checklists are available for your review as downloadable pdf documents:

• Single-Family New Construction (single family, custom and production)
• Remodeler (additions and renovations of existing structures)
• Multifamily 2008 (apartments, condominiums)
• Multifamily 2003 (apartments, condominiums)
• Communities (neighborhoods, developments)

Each Built Green checklist provides the framework for builders or developers to qualify homes or communities for inclusion in one of the four programs. There are several important areas that are addressed in the checklists:

Site and Water

The Built Green program places a high priority on water conservation and quality. The action items include practices to conserve water, protect natural features, prevent erosion, promote and to otherwise improve water quality.

Energy Efficiency

A Built Green home can be designed and constructed to maximize energy savings by reducing heat loss through a combination of design elements and building practices, thereby making the home more economical to operate.

Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air quality can be improved through a series of practices and features that reduce indoor pollutants such as installing low toxic finishes.

Material Selection

Builders use design and material selections that can result in conserving limited resources. Using recycled content products reduces the use of "virgin" materials. Using current waste minimizing practices can contribute to the overall efficiency of the project. Encouraging builders to use locally manufactured products also reduces the energy used to get them to the job site.