2010 Media Releases & Alerts
Delaware Launches "Green for Green" Rebate Program
July 1, 2010, Upper Marlboro, Md. - Delaware recently launched a "Green
for Green" rebate program that provides homeowners with rebates at settlement
for newly constructed homes certified by the NAHB Research Center to the
National Green Building Standard. The rebates range from $3,000 for homes built
to the Silver level of the standard, to $5,000 for Gold and $6,000 for the
Emerald level.
It is estimated by the NAHB Research Center that a Silver-certified home can
expect to save about 16% in electric bills over other newly constructed homes,
and a Gold-certified home can expect to save an additional 20%, or 36% savings
in electric bills over other newly constructed homes.
"Improving energy efficiency is both financially and environmentally
responsible," said Delaware Governor Jack Markell. "We want smarter, more
sustainable home building that drives down energy use and energy cost. By
encouraging green building, we are creating new opportunities in the building
industry and ultimately, new jobs."
To qualify for a rebate, all homes must be independently verified and then
certified by the NAHB Research Center.
NAHB Research Center President Mike Luzier said the Delaware program is another
indication of the strength of the National Green Building Standard, the first
residential green building rating system to be certified by the American
National Standards Institute.
In addition to energy efficiency, the standard rates new homes for resource and
water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and lot and site development,
and the standard can also be used to score, verify and certify remodeling
projects and residential developments.
The rebate program is a partnership between home builders and the state
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.
According to NAHB President Bob Jones, "This is also a case study for assembling
the right ingredients in a successful public-private partnership: in this case,
the state's home builders, environmental officials, and the third-party NAHB
Research Center. Delaware's 'Green for Green' is poised to be a home run."
For more information, check out these resources:
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