Green Credentials

Memberships
As a member of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) and the joint Energy Star Program from the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy, Cottage & Castle has committed to leading the way in building a more sustainable Nantucket. In order to provide our clients with the best information regarding green building, all of Cottage & Castle’s project managers have obtained LEED Professional Accreditation from the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). In addition, we make a regular effort to educate ourselves on the latest green technology. Most recently our project managers attended GREENBUILD, the nation’s largest Green Building conference.
Our beneficial relationships with the USGBC and Energy Star allow us to stay abreast of the latest in green technology and design. These organizations each offer third party verification of green construction practices, and will certify buildings as having met performance thresholds.

What is a LEED Accredited Professional?
“LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Professional Accreditation distinguishes building professionals with the knowledge and skills to successfully steward the LEED certification process. LEED Accredited Professionals have demonstrated a thorough understanding of green building practices and principles and the LEED Rating System.”

What is the LEED certification process for buildings?
The LEED rating system was developed by the USGBC in order to provide a standardized means of measuring building performance characteristics and environmental impact, basically how green a building is. The rating system is based on the accumulation of points which are earned across a range of categories. For example, points are earned if insulation used in the building envelope exceeds certain requirements, if a certain percentage of material used is recycled, reclaimed or produced through sustainable processes, or if efficient heating and cooling systems are incorporated. Different levels of certification as a LEED building are achieved based on accumulated point totals established by the USGBC. Cottage & Castle is qualified to build LEED Homes.

What is the benefit of certifying a LEED building with the USGBC?
LEED building certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building project meets the highest green building and performance measures. All certified projects receive a LEED plaque which is the nationally recognized symbol demonstrating that a building is environmentally responsible and a healthy place to live and work. Certification is a useful marketing tool and nationally recognized signifier of quality and value. Green buildings qualify for both state and federal tax credits as well as rebates from local utility companies. LEED certified buildings demonstrate an owner's commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

What is Energy Star and why certify your home with Energy Star?
Energy Star is a program jointly founded by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with the aim of “saving money and protecting the environment through energy efficient products and practices.” Energy Star is best known for its appliance rating system which certifies appliances that achieve certain energy use standards. The Energy Star program has been extended to include the certification of energy efficient homes. “To earn the ENERGY STAR, a home must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These homes are at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC), and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20–30% more efficient than standard homes.” The benefits of certification include increased marketability, increased value, measurable performance improvements, lower operational costs, state and federal tax credits, and rebates from local utilities. In many growing real estate markets, the Energy Star logo has become an expected quality credential.

“I know how projects are properly managed in the real world, which rarely occurs on Nantucket… Jamie exceeded my expectations. While no contractor/owner relationship or project is perfect, this one was as close as I ever expect to get.” - Gary W. Beck, Residential Clientt