The NC HealthyBuilt Homes Program provides a certificate for homes meeting "green home guidelines" built by residential builders who practice sustainable, high performance building strategies making the home a comfortable, healthy and affordable place that reduces energy and water usage, promotes renewable energy use and helps protect the land where the home is built.

In a HealthyBuilt Home, building materials and processes are selected to reduce pollution and the waste of natural resources during the manufacturing and construction phases and throughout the life of the home. The builder is encouraged to provide homeowner education about the high performance features of the home and provide local resources for "green" living.

The NC HealthyBuilt Homes (HBH) Program encompass all aspects of environmental design and construction including:

• Site and Landscape: healthy outdoors by using erosion control and saving existing trees
• Water Efficiency: lower water bills by using high efficiency irrigation and plumbing fixtures
• Building Envelope: lower utility bills by using high efficiency windows and insulation
• Heating and Cooling Systems: higher comfort with efficiency equipment and sealed air ducts
• Appliances and Lighting: lower utility bills by using Energy Star appliances and lighting
• Indoor Air Quality: a healthy interior with non-toxic finishes and minimizing mold
• Materials: a low maintenance home using durable, local, and recycled content materials

Home Owner Benefits

• Lower Energy Bills: through energy efficient lighting, equipment, and appliances
• Healthier and Comfortable Indoor Environment: consistent temperatures and lower risk of mold growth
• Increased Market Value: higher resale value of a home
• 5% Discount from Progress Energy: receive a 5% discount on electric bills for the life of the building
• Financial Tax Incentives: state and federal tax credits for renewable energy and energy efficiency
• Performance Report: third party verification quantifying the home's overall energy score, annual energy cost savings, and pollution prevention
• Reduced air pollution through energy efficiency