GreenStar Homes Certification logo
Pillar
Tier
Project

GreenHome Institute · Manual v4

The GreenStar Homes Standard

A residential green-building certification for new construction, renovations, and gut rehabs. Four progressive tiers — Certified, Silver, Gold, Platinum — plus optional achievement badges for projects that go further in specific areas.

About the program →
GreenHome Institute GreenStar Certified seal
Tiers
4
Pillars
5
Requirements
54
Badges
16

Certification tiers

Four progressive levels

Each tier requires all requirements from the tiers below it.

Tier 1

Certified

The entry GreenStar tier. Covers mandatory safety, water, energy, and material assessments that every certified project must complete.

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Tier 2

Silver

Silver requires all Certified requirements plus tighter water/energy targets, improved filtration, basic ventilation upgrades, and documented occupant training.

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Tier 3

Gold

Gold requires all Certified + Silver requirements, plus electrification of major appliances, balanced ventilation, in-home air quality sensing, and a 15% embodied-carbon reduction in new construction.

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Tier 4

Platinum

Platinum requires all lower-tier requirements plus full electrification, heat- or energy-recovery ventilation, humidity control, real-time water leak detection, solar/EV readiness, and a 30% embodied-carbon reduction in new construction.

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Pillars of green

5 categories

Each requirement is tagged with a pillar. Pillars are also used to organize the badges.

Pillar 1

Energy & Climate Resilience

Reduce a home's energy use, electrify its mechanical systems, and harden it against future climate risks. Covers Home Energy Score, heating/cooling, water heating, cooking, ventilation, and air-leakage targets.

Pillar 2

Indoor Air Quality & Health

Keep occupants safe from combustion gases, radon, mold, and indoor pollutants. Covers gas/CO testing, MERV filtration, radon mitigation, kitchen/bath exhaust, and humidity control.

Pillar 3

Water Efficiency & Management

Cut indoor and outdoor water use without sacrificing function. Covers fixture flow rates, leak prevention, plumbing pressure testing, and (at Platinum) real-time leak detection.

Pillar 4

Moisture & Structural Integrity

Keep water out of the building envelope and shed it correctly at the site. Covers moisture assessments, gutter and grading systems, certified wet-area assemblies, and duct quality.

Pillar 5

Materials & Environmental Impact

Lower the embodied-carbon footprint of new construction, avoid hazardous legacy materials, and source certified wood and floor finishes.

Achievement badges

16 optional badges

Any certified project can add badges by meeting additional criteria.