There are several reasons to consider a sustainability or “green” certification for your multifamily project. If well executed, the final product will be a more durable, lower maintenance building with lower utility bills for your tenants.
For years, sustainability certifications have been associated with high cost and unrealistic expectations. Our team has designed an offering that eliminates both of those concerns.
Most of our projects seek sustainability certifications in order to take take advantage of the MIP reduction available through HUD financed deals. Desert Skies Energy has partnered with Home Innovation Research Labs to offer NGBS Certification (ICC 700) for multifamily buildings. We have chosen to offer this certification in lieu of others (e.g. LEED) due to the comprehensive nature of the program and the affordability of the program. This certification meets HUD standards for the green building requirement.
NGBS Certification requires a certified inspector to inspect 100% of multifamily units at rough for air sealing, insulation and duct sealing details. This lofty requirement has helped our team find significant building failures such as completely disconnected ducts and entire wall systems that were sheetrocked before insulation was installed. Our team is able to provide both the energy and sustainability inspections meaning that the process is more direct and streamlined.
Because of this level of inspections, ownership is typically drawn to this service. Costs are controlled because we are only performing visual inspections. Diagnostic testing (e.g. blower door, duct testing) is reserved only if the project is seeking advanced certification. Projects seeking certification that will be completed after December 31, 2021 will need to discuss additional program requirements.
Creating a spec that meets NGBS criteria can be challenging for architects and owners who are not familiar with the program. Even if your specifications do meet the intent of the program, there are often feasibility issues that arise once the inspection process begins. The issues that cause the most headaches are also typically the ones that occur the most frequently. It is highly advisable that you bring our team onto the project prior to the construction drawings being finalized so that we can help score the project appropriately and provide a simple and affordable spec that can be discussed with all parties.