Extra efforts are required to plan and document factors that transform conventional homebuilding practices to produce a certifiably Green dwelling. Products and systems installed in the home must meet rigorous standards designed to protect human and environmental health. Independent third party testing and review, conducted at key points in the construction period, insures building performance and consistency with national standards.

By investing in the processes required to achieve certification, the participating builders and owners are setting influential standards of integrity and quality for the business of Green homebuilding in St. Louis.

The specific criteria in Green building rating systems guide both homeowner and builder in making choices to reduce the home's consumption of water, energy, and building materials while safeguarding natural features around the home. Outcomes of these choices will be maximum comfort and value in a healthy, attractive living space—with utility bills significantly lower than monthly costs for a comparable conventional home!

As of 2008, new homes in the St. Louis region are certified by:

• ENERGY STAR Homes—This familiar consumer standard, developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, can be applied to an entire home. ENERGY STAR certifies EPA's performance guidelines for windows, HVAC systems, insulation, lighting, and home appliances. ENERGY STAR criteria are widely used to evaluate the energy factors defined in other rating systems. Review ENERGY STAR Homes criteria.
• Green Building Initiative—The National Association of Homebuilders rating system promotes healthy resource-conserving mainstream homes. GBI guidelines also educate homebuilders seeking to transition from conventional to certifiably Green working methods. Locally, Laclede Gas partners in these efforts, providing third-party verification services. Review GBI verification criteria.
• LEED-Homes—The U.S. Green Building Council's rating system has been developed with national consensus input from many areas of the homebuilding industry. LEED-Homes customizes the high performance Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards, initially used only for commercial buildings, for use in residential building. Review LEED-Homes certification criteria.

A house that earns one of these certifications will guarantee for its owners exceptional quality in a human living environment that minimizes impact on Earth's living systems.