Sustainable Building Certifications are reshaping how homes are designed and built in North America and the world. These various certifications focus on reducing environmental impact, improving energy efficiency, and creating healthier living spaces. However, with numerous certifications available worldwide, understanding their differences can feel overwhelming. Prominent certifications include LEED, known for its comprehensive approach to sustainability, and Passive House, which focuses on energy efficiency and occupant comfort.
Both have influenced construction practices globally, with growing adoption driven by consumer demand and building code requirements. These Green construction standards not only enhance home performance but also align with long-term goals like achieving net-zero emissions. Choosing the right certification depends on your priorities, whether energy savings, environmental stewardship, or market value. We have guides covering: LEED Homes, Passive House, Novoclimat, PSI, Zero Carbon Building, Living Building Challenge, Ecohome Renovation, Energy Star, FSC, WaterSense and more!
A certified Passive House in North America & Canada can be certified by the Passive House Institute PHI or PHIUS, the US certification system. Discover the differences to decide which Passive House certification is best for you. What is Passive House certification? The term “Passive House” was once obscure jargon…
Canada Green Building Council President Thomas Mueller calls Ecohome's Edelweiss House "A phenomenal achievement". A LEED Platinum home project overview As building rating systems drive building codes to greater levels of performance, the rating systems themselves need a periodic upgrade to stay ahead of the…
Holistic design, recycled materials, hempcrete, pushing the boundaries beyond Net-Zero, all of this and more at the UBC Vancouver campus in the form of the Third Space Commons building by Third Quadrant Design. Officially billed as displaying the best of 'carbon minimalism', Third Quadrant Design's Third Space…
Find the builders and see the homes that succeeded in the Net Zero Energy Canadian pilot project. In the EcoHome green building guide pages you can learn to build a Net Zero Energy Home that can withstand a climate change. Net Zero Energy Homes pilot program goals The goal of the R-2000 Net Zero Energy homes pilot…
The new Powerhouse standard factors the entire energy consumption and life cycle of buildings from cradle to grave. Powerhouse Paris Proof is a relatively new building standard that originated in Norway that is based on the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°Celsius target. The standard lists maximum and total CO2 emissions per…
Recounting the trials — and joys — of building a Canadian home to meets the "Passivhaus" standard. First, the background to this Passivhaus My partner and I are geeks. Our idea of a romantic dream was to build a house so well insulated you could heat it with a hairdryer. For added fun, we wanted to do this on a…
A Saanich, BC. home is the first certified with the CHBA's Net Zero Label. Net Zero Homes - the design & certification process In May of 2017, the Canadian Home Builders Association [CHBA] officially launched its Net Zero Home Labelling Program , following the successful completion of a 15-month pilot project to…
The owner of this beautiful prefab eco home, Roman Szumski, is a physician and pathologist & was deeply involved in the process of designing & constructing a healthy home for his family. Prefab LEED Platinum kit house in Montreal Ellen and Roman Szumski earned LEED® Platinum certification for their home in Labelle…
Follow owner/builders Sarah Cobb and William Murray as they build a home targeting both Passive House and LEED Certification. Building a Passive House that's also LEED certified This is an owner blog EcoHome posted following the personal experience of Sarah Cobb and William Murray of Rocket Construction Inc. as they…
As a part of their Greenest City Action Plan, Vancouver is helping builders get homes certified under the Passive House Standard. Vancouver has set a goal of being the greenest city in the world by the year 2020 . Some of the policies included in that plan are expanded public transportation, bike lanes, encouraging…
The North Park Passive House is a six-unit urban-infill condominium on Vancouver Island, BC. Passive House construction on Vancouver Island Building the first certified Passive House on Vancouver Island, a duplex shared with our son Mark’s family, convinced us that the market in Victoria was ready for Passive House…
The construction industry offers a wide array of green building standards and certifications, each addressing different aspects of sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmental stewardship. Whether the focus is on reducing carbon footprints, enhancing energy efficiency, or promoting water conservation, these certifications provide benchmarks for a more sustainable future.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) incorporates multiple facets of sustainability, including water efficiency, materials, energy, and indoor air quality. With levels from Certified to Platinum, it remains a popular choice for holistic sustainable building.
Originating in Germany, Passive House prioritizes airtight construction, superinsulation, and passive solar heating to reduce energy consumption dramatically. It is increasingly adopted globally as nations enforce stricter energy policies.
Widely recognized for its focus on energy efficiency, Energy Star-certified homes are at least 20% more efficient than code-built homes, using advanced systems such as HRVs, energy-efficient windows, and appliances.
A Quebec-based program that promotes energy-efficient homes through enhanced building envelopes, airtightness, and efficient mechanical systems. It aligns closely with Canada's goals for reducing residential energy consumption.
PSI encourages the use of passive solar design principles, focusing on energy reduction through optimal building orientation, thermal mass, and natural ventilation.
This certification emphasizes reducing carbon emissions during both construction and operation. It integrates renewable energy systems to offset the carbon footprint, aligning with global net-zero goals.
As one of the most ambitious certifications, this standard focuses on regenerative design principles. A living building produces its own energy, manages water sustainably, and creates a net-positive impact on the environment.
Though not specific to buildings, because of the way most new homes in North America are built FSC certification ensures that wood and other forest products used in construction are sourced sustainably, promoting responsible forestry practices.
Administered by the EPA, WaterSense certifies fixtures and systems that use water efficiently, helping homes reduce water consumption while maintaining performance.
While LEED Homes and Energy Star dominate global adoption rates, Passive House is rapidly gaining traction as countries prioritize energy efficiency and carbon reduction. Standards like Living Building Challenge push the boundaries of innovation, though they remain less common due to stringent requirements. Programs like Novoclimat and Ecohome Renovation play a crucial role in region-specific sustainability efforts, addressing local challenges and needs.
Combining multiple certifications—such as using FSC-certified materials in a Passive House or implementing WaterSense fixtures in a LEED-certified home—can amplify sustainability and improve a project's market appeal.
These standards collectively shape a greener construction landscape, offering options for homeowners, builders, and developers to align with their sustainability goals. Understanding their nuances ensures that projects achieve meaningful environmental impact while maintaining economic feasibility.
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