With a continued focus on sustainable building practices and delivering energy-efficient MEP designs, VP Engineering is proud to announce that Senior Project Manager, Daniel Payne, is a National Green Building Standard (NGBS) Verifier.
This NGBS service offering not only highlights VP Engineering’s dedication to sustainability and green building practices but also underscores our commitment to supporting clients who prioritize green building initiatives.
By integrating NGBS verification into our services, we can now provide clients with a trusted process to meet the rigorous NGBS certification standards and feel confident their projects are energy-efficient, sustainable, and contributing to a healthier environment.
What is the National Green Building Standard (NGBS) Certification?
The National Green Building Standard (NGBS) is the only green building rating system for homes and apartments approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), as an American national standard. Provided by Home Innovation Research Labs, an independent research and testing organization, NGBS certification offers a comprehensive blueprint for builders, guiding the design and construction of both new and renovated single-family homes and multifamily apartment buildings to meet green standards.
With NGBS certification, homes and multifamily buildings can achieve one of four performance levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Emerald. To attain any of these levels, all applicable mandatory provisions must be correctly implemented, ensuring that every certified building meets rigorous environmental and sustainability standards.
Why Does NGBS Certification Matter?
NGBS certification is the only residential green certification program that requires higher point thresholds across ALL categories to achieve the next certification level, ensuring homes and buildings are not just energy efficient but comprehensively green and meeting rigorous indoor environmental quality standards.
As a result, these green buildings are built better – they are designed and constructed to be healthier, more comfortable, durable, and cost-effective, with lower operating costs and reduced maintenance. By incorporating advanced building science and products, these buildings also support a sustainable lifestyle and consistently outperform code-minimum homes.
Why Receive Third-Party Verification?
Many builders claim their buildings are green, but without an NGBS certification, these claims are unverified. Employing an NGBS Green Verifier – an inspector who is independent from the builder and design team – provides independent, third-party validation that a building meets nationally recognized green standards and allows builders to officially obtain the NGBS certification.
What is the NGBS Certification Process?
Every NGBS Certified building undergoes at least two in-person inspections by an experienced NGBS Green Verifier. These inspections occur before the drywall is installed and again after the building is complete to ensure all green practices are correctly implemented.
For a building to achieve certification, it must implement green practices in each of the following six categories: lot and site development, resource efficiency, energy efficiency, water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and owner education.
The NGBS Green Verifier thoroughly reviews construction and completes each verification report to confirm accuracy and compliance. Upon successful inspections, the project will be issued an NGBS Certificate.
What Does This Mean for VP Engineering Clients?
Daniel Payne’s role as an NGBS Verifier will ensure clients’ projects meet the stringent requirements of the NGBS, offering our clients peace of mind their buildings have met certification requirements, and they will be issued an NGBS Certificate. Additionally, clients have the opportunity to market their projects as NGBS Green Certified buildings, setting themselves apart by highlighting the building’s sustainable attributes – whether to attract residents or for resale purposes.
About VP Engineering
VP Engineering is a premier Charlotte-based MEP design firm with a proven track record in senior living, multi-family, hospitality, and retail/commercial markets. Our extensive experience and commitment to excellence ensure every project is executed with the highest standards of quality and innovation. Learn more about our services and how we can support your project at vpce.com.
