Home Innovation Research Labs Certifies the 600,000th Green Home in the NGBS Green Program

Home Innovation Research Labs proudly announces the certification of the 600,000th green home to the ICC-700 National Green Building Standard (NGBS). This achievement underscores the program's tremendous growth and momentum, with 2024 marking the first time in its history that over 100,000 homes have been certified in a single year.

The 600,000th certified home is a renovation of a single-family residence in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, completed by Consilium Holdings, LLC. This remarkable home achieved NGBS Green Certification at the Emerald level, the Standard’s highest tier, recognizing exceptional performance in energy efficiency, water conservation, and sustainability. It is the first home to receive the NGBS Green +RESILIENCE certification, highlighting its improved resilience and durability against natural disasters and further earned the EPA WaterSense Certification for outstanding water efficiency. Rebekah Phomsopha of Oxalis Advisors, LLC served as the NGBS Green Verifier for this project, ensuring it met the rigorous standards for both NGBS Green and WaterSense.

The NGBS Green program, renowned for its rigorous and holistic approach to sustainable home certification, has become a cornerstone of the green building movement. It provides a pathway for builders and developers to build and remodel homes that are energy-efficient, water-conserving, resource-efficient, and healthy for residents. The program's expansion reflects a growing commitment across the housing industry to sustainability, resilience, and environmental stewardship.

"This year’s milestone is a testament to the increasing demand for sustainable, high-performing homes," said Michelle Foster, Vice President of Sustainability at Home Innovation Research Labs. "The certification of 600,000 homes—achieved in record time—shows that builders, developers, and homeowners are embracing green building as a critical part of addressing today’s environmental challenges while delivering better living environments for future generations."

Driving Growth and Building Momentum

Since its inception, the NGBS Green program has set itself apart by offering certifications that are flexible, practical, and performance driven. Architects, builders, and developers have embraced the Standard’s pragmatic but impactful requirements, which accommodate projects ranging from single-family homes to large-scale multifamily developments.

"The momentum we’re seeing in the program isn’t just a reflection of the housing industry’s focus on sustainability," added Michelle. "It’s also about how NGBS Green provides a scalable and adaptable framework for projects of all sizes. This milestone shows we’re on the right path, but it’s only the beginning. Our goal is to keep driving innovation and resilience in green building for years to come."

About NGBS Green Certification

NGBS Green Certification is a leading green building program for sustainable and high-performance residential construction. Homes with this certification meet rigorous requirements in six key areas: lot design, resource efficiency, energy and water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and operations and maintenance. Based on the ANSI-approved ICC-700 National Green Building Standard, NGBS Green Certified homes are not only environmentally friendly but also healthier and more cost-efficient for residents. Home Innovation Research Labs, renowned for setting the gold standard in rigorous third-party oversight, proudly serves as the national certification agency for NGBS Green.

Learn more about the NGBS Green program by visiting HomeInnovation.com/NGBSGreen today.

ABOUT: Home Innovation Research Labs, located in Upper Marlboro, Md., is a full-service research, testing, and consulting firm determined to improve the quality, durability, affordability, and environmental performance of single- and multifamily homes and home building products – in short, we aim to perfect the home. Founded in 1964 as a subsidiary of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), our team has been integral in solving many of our client’s most difficult product and technology issues, and helping to introduce some of the most groundbreaking innovations in construction. Through an interdisciplinary research approach – including market research, building science analysis, laboratory testing, and standards development – we help to find a home for innovation in the construction industry.

NOTE TO EDITORS ON STYLE USAGE: To identify this company and its work correctly, first reference should be "Home Innovation Research Labs." In subsequent mentions, “Home Innovation” should be used; we are not identified by an acronym. Prior to February 12, 2013, the company was known as the NAHB Research Center.