Third Edition of National Green Building Standard Now Available

Sets the bar for sustainable, high-performance residential construction

WASHINGTON — The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) announced that the third edition of the ICC/ASHRAE 700-2015 National Green Building Standard (NGBS) has been approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and is available for public use.

First published in 2009, the NGBS sets the bar for sustainable, high-performance residential construction and provides a pathway by which builders and developers may seek third-party certification of their new homes, developments, and remodeling projects. Although voluntary, the NGBS serves as the basis for several federal, state, and local green building programs. In addition, builders, developers, and consumers whose projects are NGBS-certified may receive incentives.

The third edition brings together three industry leaders — ASHRAE, the International Code Council (ICC), and NAHB — who have combined their expertise, knowledge, and credibility to facilitate the development of the next generation of the NGBS. Home Innovation Research Labs served as secretariat, or administrator, of the standard development process, as it has done in previous iterations.

According to the organizations, the 2015 edition better aligns the NGBS with the I-Codes, expands the application of innovative practices, and builds upon years of building and certifying to the NGBS. Green practices such as energy, water, and resource conservation; IAQ; lot and site development; and building operation and owner education remain largely intact.

“The standard’s thorough review and revision process allows builders to follow the most proven and effective sustainable practices,” said Ed Brady, NAHB chairman. “As the ‘green’ revolution continues to expand, we will find more and more builders relying on this standard.”

“The updated NGBS provides designers, contractors, developers, and policy makers with the most innovative options for minimizing a building’s environmental footprint,” said Dominic Sims, CBO, ICC’s chief executive officer. “Consumers will benefit as well with lower utility bills, greater comfort, reduced maintenance, and increased value.”

Some significant changes to the 2015 edition are the Energy Efficiency chapter referencing the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code®; expanded builder options by including environmental product declarations for both specific and industry-wide products; and revamped stormwater management options that focus on low-impact development.

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“There are expected to be 140.6 million dwelling units in the United States by 2030, so we must take the lead in ensuring these homes are as sustainable as they can be,” said David Underwood, ASHRAE president. “ASHRAE has been pleased to be a partner in the NGBS, and honored to provide its technical and standards guidance to help guide the homebuilding industry.”

A complimentary electronic copy of the standard can be accessed at www.builderbooks.com/ngbs. Additionally, hard copies will soon be available for purchase.

Publication date: 5/10/2016

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