BUILT GREEN® Programs & Training
Our programs are for BUILT GREEN® builders, renovators, restorers and developers. They encourage the use of advanced building technologies, helping the build work as a system, or a sum of its parts. Looking at everything from site orientation, building materials, HVAC equipment, windows, plumbing, and builder practices is part of how Built Green guides builders towards using the latest technologies to ensure higher durability, lower environmental impact and increased comfort in BUILT GREEN® third-party certified builds.
Our Certification Programs
We label homes and buildings that have met the compliance requirements for energy performance as well as the other seven key areas of sustainability outlined in our holistic program listings. There are levels of achievement—Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Net Zero Energy+ and Net Zero Energy Ready+—each requiring incremental increases in both energy performance scores and overall checklist points. See Net Zero eligibility requirements below.
Certification recognizes the authenticity of a project, offering third-party verification of the build's energy efficiency and green features—proving sustainability claims. For Single Family housing types, the BUILT GREEN® label and EnerGuide label should be on the electrical panel, whereas bigger buildings like High Density projects display their glass plaque in the lobby.
Our Single Family program is applicable semi-detached, row housing, whole-house renovations and restorations (without a secondary suite).
This certification is a two-in-one: the EnerGuide label through Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and the BUILT GREEN® label through Built Green Canada. The builder hires an NRCan licensed Energy Advisor for the EnerGuide label, which rates the energy performance, while the checklist rewards green features across our eight sections of sustainable building, including: Energy & Envelope, Materials & Methods, Indoor Air Quality, Ventilation, Waste Management, Water Conservation, Occupant Wellness and Business Practices.
This program's certification includes the optional Water Efficiency Rating Score (WERS®) instead of meeting requirements for Water Conservation. WERS is the first performance-based water rating to come to Canada.
Our MURB program applies to Multi-Unit Residential Building (MURB), and is also applicable for semi-detached, row housing, whole-house renovations and restorations (with a secondary suite).
The certification is two-in-one: the EnerGuide label through Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and the BUILT GREEN® label through Built Green Canada. The builder hires an NRCan-licensed Energy Advisor for the EnerGuide label, which rates the energy performance, while the checklist rewards green features across our eight sections of sustainable building, including: Energy & Envelope, Materials & Methods, Indoor Air Quality, Ventilation, Waste Management, Water Conservation, Occupant Wellness and Business Practices.
This program's certification includes the optional Water Efficiency Rating Score (WERS®) instead of meeting requirements for Water Conservation. WERS is the first performance-based water rating to come to Canada.
Single Family Renovation
Our Renovation program considers the scale of the renovation and its ability to impact greater energy efficiency and overall sustainability. The certification is based on the performance improvement of the home at the time of completion as compared to the home’s original performance, alongside points for green features across the eight BUILT GREEN® Checklist sections: Energy & Envelope, Materials & Methods, Indoor Air Quality, Ventilation, Waste Management, Water Conservation, Occupant Wellness and Business Practices.
There are three renovation types:
- Whole House (75% or more): EnerGuide required (Single Family Checklist applies).
- Renovation (40 – 70%) as well as a secondary suite: EnerGuide required.
- Small Home Improvements: Room Renos (less than 40% and/or bathroom, or kitchen, or basement): EnerGuide is encouraged and rewarded, but not mandatory.
*As an option, the energy performance improvement can also be based on the results at the time of completion to Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)’s reference house.
For those renovation types that require an EnerGuide label, the renovator hires an NRCan-licensed Energy Advisor to model and test the home.
High Density Renovation
The HD Renovation program is contained within the High Density New Construction program checklist. The main differences affect Energy & Envelope, Materials & Methods, and Waste Management; further details are outlined here. HD Renovation types include: multi-storey residential tower, mixed-use, adaptive reuse and heritage.
The renovator works with an engineer who models and verifies the building's energy performance using NECB or ASHRAE. They also work with a BUILT GREEN® Verifier who works alongside the renovator to collect documentation required for auditing purposes.
Our Restoration program is applicable to single family, multi-family residential homes and small commercial; it is currently in pilot phase.
The certification is two-in-one: the EnerGuide label through Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and the BUILT GREEN® label through Built Green Canada. The builder hires an NRCan-licensed Energy Advisor for the EnerGuide label, which rates the energy performance, while the checklist rewards green features across our eight sections of sustainable building: Energy & Envelope, Materials & Methods, Indoor Air Quality, Ventilation, Waste Management, Water Conservation, Occupant Wellness and Business Practices.
Each year, homes and buildings across Canada are affected by natural disasters and severe weather, and given the increase and severity of both, largely due to climate change, sustainable restorations are needed more than ever. Built Green offers disaster preparedness options, improving a home's resiliency, helping reduce the need for future restorations.
Our High Density program is applicable to multi-storey, residential towers, mixed-use, HD renovations [incl. office to residential conversion] and HD restorations.
This certification requires that the building's energy performance is modelled and verified by a professional engineer using NECB or ASHRAE; meanwhile, the BUILT GREEN® Checklist rewards green features across our eight sections of sustainable building: Energy & Envelope, Materials & Methods, Indoor Air Quality, Ventilation, Waste Management, Water Conservation, Occupant Wellness and Business Practices.
All HD projects have a BUILT GREEN® Verifier who works alongside the builder to collect documentation required for auditing purposes. Once the project has passed the audit, a BUILT GREEN® High Density plaque is awarded for display.
Our Communities program applies to a community that consists of three or more buildings, and at least 50% of the structures must contain residential units. It is currently in pilot phase.
From a building perspective, a community is a development addressing people’s needs through diverse infrastructure. The BUILT GREEN® Communities certification program offers developers a framework that addresses performance on a human, neighborhood, and global scale. Program considerations include health; resiliency; lifecycle sustainability; new urbanism; greenhouse gas emissions; green space; and resource consumption.
The program provides participating developers with a competitive advantage—an avenue to showcase their leadership: in developing and third-party certifying greener communities, which may help with permitting and sales. And, BUILT GREEN® developers can influence a broader base—helping progress others in the industry including setting a standard for other developers to aspire and/or requiring builders buying lots to certify BUILT GREEN®.
Program guiding principles include being achievable, practical, as well as measurable and verifiable. It’s understood that community development is inherently complicated, and no two communities are the same: therefore, the program offers flexibility, including a phased-in certification process, and openness to explore nuances community-to-community. And, as with all Built Green’s programs, it’s affordable.
We are committed to keeping the verification process straightforward, and to ensuring your development can be certified in a timely manner. This process is streamlined with a BUILT GREEN® Verifier, who works with the developer to collect documentation, and who will make site visits, as some of the documentation may be provided through photos.
Recognizing the length of time required to build a community, we offer developers the opportunity to certify in phases.
Our Commercial programs are currently in pilot phase.
Consistent with our other programs, our Commercial certifications include energy performance and the BUILT GREEN® plaque through Built Green Canada which rewards green features across our eight section of sustainable building, including: Energy & Envelope, Materials & Methods, Indoor Air Quality, Ventilation, Waste Management, Water Conservation, Occupant Wellness, and Business Practices.
Small Commercial
- For mixed-used building, the commercial portion must account for at least 50% of conditioned space.
- This certification is a two-in-one that requires that the building’s energy performance is modelled and verified by an Energy Advisor, licensed by Natural Resources Canada, to produce an EnerGuide label.
Buildings of 3-stories in height or less, are less than 600 m2 in floor area, and follow part 9 of the building code.
Medium Commercial
- For mixed-used building, the commercial portion must account for at least 50% of conditioned space.
- This certification requires that the building's energy performance is modelled and verified by a professional engineer using NECB or ASHRAE, producing an energy report signed and bearing the seal of the professional engineer.
Buildings of 3-stories in height or less, are less than 600 m2 in floor area, and follow part 9 of the building code.
All Commercial projects have BUILT GREEN® Verifier who works alongside the builder to collect documentation required for auditing purposes. Once the project has passed the audit, a BUILT GREEN® Commercial plaque is awarded for display.
Our Schools' program is currently in pilot phase.
Building energy performance is modelled and verified by a professional engineer; meanwhile, the BUILT GREEN® Checklist rewards green features across our eight sections of sustainable building. All schools' projects have a BUILT GREEN® Verifier who works alongside the builder to collect documentation required for auditing purposes.
On average, Canadian children spend six hours a day in school. Beyond the health of the school, its environment affects student behaviour and considers the physical, psychological and social surroundings—important considerations for the overall health of the child.
At the request of industry, the Schools’ Program has been in development for two years. Consistent with Built Green’s other third-party certified programs, the framework takes a holistic approach, focusing on Energy & Envelope, Materials & Methods, Indoor Air Quality, Ventilation, Waste Management, Water Conservation, Occupant Wellness and Business Practices.
Built Green Canada is encouraging government and industry to participate in the program during this pilot phase. The organization is looking for input from those on the ground. Across all 10 of the country’s provinces and its three territories, climate change is integrated into the curriculum from elementary to high school. The path forward has extended beyond the curriculum to the bricks and mortar of the schools’ being built with key sustainability concepts in mind. This provides the opportunity to move the curriculum to active learning and experiential education onsite.
The BUILT GREEN® Schools’ program may especially appeal to schools that are smaller and / or rural and / or special needs.
Participation is affordable, and in select markets, incentives and rebates are available.
Schools' Building Certification
We certify projects that have met the compliance requirements for energy performance as well as the other seven key areas of sustainability outlined in Built Green's holistic programs. We provide a checklist that guides the builder through the program, offering options on green features to integrate into their projects.
Through the Schools’ program, building performance is modelled and verified by a professional engineer using NECB or ASHRAE; meanwhile, all projects have a BUILT GREEN® Schools’ Verifier who works alongside the builder to collect documentation required for auditing purposes. Once the project has passed the audit, a BUILT GREEN® Schools’ plaque is awarded for display.
The Schools’ program was informed by Entuitive, Enerspec Energy Consulting, Introba, Kasian Architecture Interior Design and Planning, Remedy Energy Services, SMP Engineering, and Built Green’s Technical Standards Committee.
Net Zero Eligibility
Our certification programs' levels of achievement go up to Net Zero Energy+ and Net Zero Energy Ready+.
BUILT GREEN® Net Zero Energy+—applicable for all BUILT GREEN® Gold or Platinum projects that reach net zero energy, providing additional eligibility requirements (below) have been met. While Built Green's Net Zero Energy+ program must reach net zero achievement, it takes a holistic approach (as with all of Built Green’s programs) that goes beyond energy—represented in the program’s title, with the plus sign. Eligibility requirements: 1) builder has taken Built Green Net Zero Energy for New Construction training course; 2) has used an Energy Advisor who has also passed this course.
Built Green can also certify those projects earning BUILT GREEN® Net Zero Energy Ready+, which requires the submission of a solar-design report that reflects that the home has been designed to accommodate future solar PV system installations, ensuring compliance with applicable Energy Code requirements.
Training
All builder and renovator members are trained in BUILT GREEN® procedures prior to enrolling their projects, with updated training required every two years. To ensure accessible and affordable options, we provide online training courses: on-demand, self-guided options for all industry, with a discount for our members.
Program Tools
Built Green Canada offers program-specific tools, including a checklist, a corresponding guide, and a process flow, available to members for the purposes of BUILT GREEN® certification. To learn more, please email us.
Product Sourcing
Builder Support
We are committed to supporting our builders and ensuring the successful certification of their projects. Beyond our training courses, we can provide builders with assistance, including technical advice and on-the-ground support from other experienced builders and industry professionals.
We Value Your Feedback
Annually, the BUILT GREEN® Checklists are reviewed and updated, in part, based on industry input. Submissions are reviewed by Built Green Canada and our Technical Council for consideration of the next iteration of the checklists. Submit here or email us if you require clarification on a checklist item(s).