Green Florida: Solidly Mainstream

The conference is sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) as part of its National Green Building Program, a combination of initiatives encompassing promotion, education and certification.

Although attendance at other national building
events has slumped in the wake of the economic downturn, this year’s green confab boasted the second highest attendance ever, according to NAHB Chairman Joe Robson.

“The surprisingly strong attendance figures are a very encouraging sign that builders see the bottom of the downturn, and a clear indication that our industry will be greener than ever as it comes back to thrive,” Robson says.

Green Labels
At the event, more than 30 educational classes on topics such as building science and renewable energy were offered for conference attendees, who could earn credits toward becoming an NAHB Certified Green Professional (CGP).

About 3,100 builders—200 in Florida—have already earned CGB certification. Among the local CGB pros are St. Petersburg builder Jeff Wolf of Jeffrey M. Wolf General Contractor and remodeler John Marzulli of Emerald Contractors.

“I wanted to improve my knowledge on green building,” says Marzulli. “I’ve always been a believer in constantly improving myself and constantly staying ahead of the curve—and the green credential is a recognized certification. It adds credibility.”

A Master Green Builder-Remodeler designation, which incorporates additional building science and project management coursework, is slated to be unveiled next year.

In addition, about 7,500 people have earned the U.S. Green Building Council’s (LEED) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional designation since that program was launched in 
2001. Many of those certified through the two programs also are members of the Florida Green Building Coalition, which certifies green projects within the state.

That’s a lot of construction industry pros going green. Why? Because builders are responding to customer demand, says Kevin Morrow, program manager for green building standards at the National Association of Home Builders.

“Consumers are beginning to 
understand that protecting the environment also has personal benefits, such as lower utility bills and better indoor air quality,” he says.

About 100 state and local home builders associations in 40 states now are affiliated with NAHB’s National Green Building Program. More than 200 projects in 43 states have been certified using either the new National Green Building Standard or the Model Green Home Building Guidelines with at least 300 more projects in the pipeline.

Many more homes have been certified through other programs such as the Florida Green Building Coalition and LEED.

McGraw-Hill Construction’s Green Outlook 2009: Trends Driving Change report estimates that the green building market will more 
than double by 2013, which is why builders and remodelers aren’t the only ones gearing up for the greener marketplace.

Last year, the Green REsource Council and the National Association of Realtors (NAR) Green Designation were established by the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council, an NAR subsidiary.

More than 1,250 members have earned the group’s Green Designation. And by the end of this year, the council estimates that the number will top 3,000.

The council is also pushing 
for a green Multiple Listing Service 
system that would identify a pro-perty’s green features and certifications. That would help builders and property owners better market their eco-projects, Medina says.

New this year is the NAHB Research Center’s “Green Approved” product seal, which endorses build-ing products that comply with spec-ific green guidelines outlined by the National Green Building Standard. The NAHB Research Center is a subsidiary of the National Association of Home Builders.

Thinking green these days are product manufacturers who want a share of the green marketplace. Nearly 100 exhibits at the conference showcased green businesses and products such as eco-friendly doors from Tampa-based Masonite Corp.

The company produces doors manufactured with DorCor, which is produced from rapidly renewable wheat straw fiber and wood products that are certified for sustainable forest management. Find 
out more about the product at www.masonite.com.

Water Conservation
Also on display at the conference was the Original Rainwater Pillow, a rainwater collection system that has been certified as a Green Approved Product.

“Water in Florida and most places in the country nowadays is a concern and we need to start preserving it and reusing,” says Darren Brinkley, president of Real Building in St. Petersburg.

Channeling rainwater from your roof into rain barrels or collection tanks is one way to get free water for irrigation, adds Marzulli who uses rain barrels at his own home.

The Rainwater Pillow, which is designed to be stored in a crawl space or under a deck or porch, is a collection system that includes a pillow made from a heavy-duty fabric, filter, pump, remote and control, and necessary fittings. To find out more about the product, visit www.rainwaterpillow.com.

A booth at the green conference was set up to explain to attendees the WaterSense program, which is sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The program promotes water efficiency by helping consumers find high-performance products such as toilets and bathroom fixtures.

To earn the WaterSense label, products must complete a third-party certification process that includes independent laboratory testing to ensure they meet EPA criteria.

Al Medina, director of NAR’s Green Designation, put it best 
during a conference session on valuing green homes. Said Medina: “If you’re not building green, you’re building obsolete.”