Build It Green Joins Groundbreaking ABC Green Home Project as Certification Partner

    OAKLAND, CA, September 25, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Build It Green (BIG) has joined the ABC Green Home Project as a Certification Partner. BIG will offer its support in educating raters and builders about how best to verify cutting-edge best practices in high-performance housing, on display in these two new demonstration homes. The Affordable, Buildable, Certifiable (ABC) home designs show builders and contractors that a net zero energy, solar-powered, sustainable home can be constructed and certified using available materials, technology and appliances at a cost that is competitive with conventional housing.

As a Certification Partner, Build It Green will work to educate building professionals about how to make certification an integral part of their construction process, whether they're building a cutting-edge net zero green home or a more typical modern home.

"The ABC Green Home Project is delighted to welcome Build it Green on board as our Certification Partner," said Nick Slevin, Publisher of Green Home Builder magazine and a project organizer. "Independent third-party certification like GreenPoint Rated is critical to ensuring a home is designed and constructed properly, that it is truly energy efficient and will meet the standards expected by the homeowner for years to come. Build it Green's reputation for excellence and quality with great attention to detail makes them an ideal partner on the all-important certification process for the ABC Green Home Project."

The ABC project is a collaboration between Green Home Builder magazine, Southern California Edison (SCE) and Irvine's Great Park. Two demonstration homes built through the project will be used to educate and train builders, students, industry groups, and thousands of visitors. The ABC Green Home 1.0 (single story) opened in October 2012 in Irvine, CA, and recently received its GreenPoint Rated certification with a score of 231 -- in the top 1% of certified homes. ABC Green Home 2.0 (two-story) is under construction in Walnut, CA, and like the first home, will be donated to a wounded U.S. veteran.

"Build It Green is proud to play a role in demonstrating to thousands of people the value and promise of today's green buildings, as well as the importance of green home certification and independent verification and performance testing of green materials and systems," said Nathan Krantz, Director of Technical Services at BIG. "The ABC Green Home 1.0 achieved an outstanding GreenPoint Rated score. The innovative technology and building practices showcased in this home will inspire builders and homeowners across the country."

"Since the 'C' of ABC Green Home stands for Certification, we are so pleased to include a rating organization like Build It Green as our partner," said Nicole Feenstra, Project Manager, ABC Green Home. "The process of certification can be overwhelming for builders. In telling our story, we look forward to working with Build It Green and the Green Point Rated System to show step by step how easy it can be."

The ABC Green Home 2.0 will be on display at the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2013, to be held Oct. 3-13 at the Orange County Great Park.

Website: http://www.builditgreen.org

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