Description

Residential

The Boulder Green Points Building Program is a mandatory residential green building program that requires a builder or homeowner to include a minimum amount of sustainable building components based on the size of the proposed structure. Similar to the US Green Building Council’s LEED program, the Boulder Green Points program awards points for a menu of sustainable building practices. Renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies are among the optional components a builder can use to earn points.

New construction projects also must show energy efficiency compliance through the Home Energy Rating System (HERS). The required HERS index varies according to the size of the dwelling.

Multi-family residential units are also included, and each dwelling in a multi-unit dwelling is required to meet the green point requirements separately.

Commercial

Commercial buildings in Boulder are required to meet the city’s Energy Conservation Code. The Code specifies that new commercial buildings and remodels must exceed the energy efficiency requirements of ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1 or 2012 IECC by at least 30 percent.

Buildings larger than 20,000 square feet must demonstrate compliance through third party performance modeling that is approved by the city manager.