Spotlight Top Features Consumers Seek with NGBS Green+ Badges
This post has been updated.
Builders and developers can now earn special recognition through Home Innovation Research Labs for NGBS Green Certified homes that "go above and beyond" in certain areas of green practice.
A home or building can earn one or more NGBS Green+ badges based on the specific features that are included and verified on site by a third-party professional. Available badges include:
- Net Zero Energy
- Resilience
- Smart Home
- Universal Design
- Wellness
- Zero Water
NGBS Green+ is designed to offer additional recognition through a streamlined experience. Homes and multifamily buildings seeking NGBS Green certification under the ICC-700 2020 National Green Building Standard® (NGBS) are eligible to earn NGBS Green+ badges. The criteria for all badges is drawn from the 2020 NGBS, so that building practices that contribute toward NGBS Green certification may also contribute toward badge achievement.
The intent of NGBS Green+ is to clearly spotlight the specific features sought by today's consumers that may not be as readily apparent through marketing of a third-party green certification.
"NGBS Green+ offers builders another tool to further distinguish themselves from their competition. This tool is particularly important for builders and developers offering specialty products in competitive regional markets," said Troy Johns, owner of Urban Northwest Homes in Vancouver, Wash., and chair of the NGBS Green Advisory Group.
"While NGBS Green certification is a broad designation that showcases that a home is higher-performing across multiple areas, NGBS Green+ drills down further and helps builders tell the specific story of their homes' unique features, with the consumer promise that comes from Home Innovation's third-party verification and review," said Michelle Foster, vice president of sustainability at Home Innovation Research Labs. Builders and developers earning the NGBS Green+ badges for their homes and buildings are eligible to take advantage of new marketing resources that highlight unique project achievements, including new certification marks, customized NGBS Green certificate, and building plaques.
To learn more about the NGBS Green+ badge program, visit homeinnovation.com.
The 2020 NGBS is available for purchase or free PDF download.
Latest from NAHBNow
Legal
Mar 06, 2026
NAHB Commends Court Ruling Vacating HUD 2021 IECC MandateNAHB Chairman Bill Owens issued the following statement after the Eastern District Court of Texas issued its decision in a lawsuit brought by NAHB and 15 states challenging the legality of the HUD and USDA rule imposing the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code and the 2019 ASHRAE 90.1 standard on certain housing programs.
Membership
Mar 06, 2026
Bill Truex Seeks Certification as a Candidate for 2028 NAHB Third Vice ChairmanThe NAHB Nominations Committee announces that Bill Truex, president, Truex Preferred Construction in Englewood, FL, has submitted his Letter of Intent to seek certification as a candidate for NAHB 2028 Third Vice Chairman.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Mar 06, 2026
U.S. Economy Loses 92,000 Jobs in FebruaryThe U.S. labor market weakened in February, as payroll employment declined and the unemployment rate rose to 4.4%. The cooling labor market could place the Federal Reserve in a challenging position as policymakers weigh slower job growth against inflation pressures from rising oil prices.
Economics
Mar 05, 2026
Builders Identify Key Long-Term Forces Shaping Housing Demand and Industry HealthHome builders are keenly aware of the complex long-term outlook ahead for the home building industry. A recent NAHB/Wells Fargo HMI survey asked builders to assess the impact of 14 major trends and forces on the health of the industry and housing demand over the next 10 years.
Economics
Mar 05, 2026
Affordability Posts Mild Gains in Second Half of 2025 but Crisis ContinuesThough new and existing homes remain largely unaffordable, the needle moved slightly in the right direction in the second half of 2025, according to the latest data from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Cost of Housing Index (CHI).