Until recently, U.S. green building rating systems have largely failed to address renovations of existing homes, particularly so-called multi-family dwellings like apartment buildings. That is set to change thanks to Berkeley-based nonprofit, Build It Green. The group has secured grants to expand its existing GreenPoint Rated system to include such larger residential buildings, hopefully within a year.

This is great news for homeowners, apartment dwellers, and planet earth alike. While new homes tend to get a lot of attention from green raters, it is existing residential buildings, especially older homes and apartments, that account for the majority of energy use and that, in many ways, have the most to gain from green makeovers.

The new rating system also bodes well for green developers since buildings certified as green tend to be more valuable than their less-green peers, sell more quickly, and retain tenants longer, according to industry watchers.

Build it Green’s innovative efforts won them a Flex Your Power Award in 2008 and their rating system continues to help ensure that California homes are cutting energy use and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

• Read background: “Build It Green’s Next Step: Apartment Retrofits,” by Jusitn Moresco (earth2tech, 3/20/09).
• Related: “LEED Buildings Saving Money and Energy,” (e-Newswire, 12/03/08)
• Related: “21 Ways to Save Energy and Water in an Apartment,” (e-Newswire, 3/10/09)