What Training Have You Received In saving Energy and “Green Building”?

Good contractors, the ones that consistently exceed expectations, are constantly seeking new opportunities to gain valuable training. These experiences enable us to give our clients the latest industry insights to make the best choices for their families.

With the recent proliferation of green building have come many special courses and certifications that contractors can achieve. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is one of them.

If you’re looking to really go green, it’s imperative that you interview your potential contractor correctly, asking the right questions. Here are some questions and terminology that you should be familiar with to get the greenest addition or remodel possible:

LEED: An acronym for “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” is a rating system that reveals just how green a certain building is. It was developed by an institute called the U.S. Green Building Council, (USGBC) which is in many ways on the forefront of the green movement.

Individuals that have extensive knowledge of green building are permitted to use the LEED Accredited Professional (AP) acronym after their name, indicating that they have passed a specific exam administered by the Green Building Certification Institute.LEED is directed to commercial buildings however the residential side is beginning to take shape.

For more information on laws and incentives here in Maryland, visit the Green Building Institute’s website at www.greenbuildinginstitute.org