Frequently Asked Questions
Review answers to our most common questions.
- How much does it cost to register? » Answer
- What if I own more than one home? » Answer
- What if I sell my home? » Answer
- If I change household cleaners, will my score improve? » Answer
- How can I improve my home’s score? » Answer
- What are green building programs? » Answer
- If I am certified under a green building program, can I also register in GreenPLUS? » Answer
- If I am not certified under a green building program, can I register in GreenPLUS? » Answer
- How do I qualify? » Answer
- How do I get my certificate? » Answer
- How am I listed in the GreenPLUS Registry? » Answer
- Can I earn a certificate if I have a condominium? » Answer
- Can I earn a certificate if I rent my home? » Answer
- What is the highest/lowest possible score? » Answer
- How can I get more information about environmental stewardship and disaster-preparedness? » Answer
Answers How much does it cost to register?
There are no fees charged for rating your home, obtaining a GreenPLUS certificate, or listing your home in the GreenPLUS Registry. The homeowner will need to spend some time (approximately 30 - 45 minutes) completing the questionnaire.
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What if I own more than one home?
You may register multiple homes under one account. Each home will need to have a separate questionnaire completed. Each home will be issued a separate rating, earn a separate GreenPLUS certificate, and be listed separately in the GreenPLUS Registry.
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What if I sell my home?
The home is listed in the National GreenPLUS Registry. The rating and certificate remain with the home and may pass to the new owners. The account should be updated to identify the new owner; then, a certificate in the name of the new owner will be issued.
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If I change household cleaners, will my score improve?
Any changes to your home (or the maintenance of your home) can affect your rating. You may access your home’s account and revise your answers to the rating questionnaire at any time. A new rating and new certificate will be issued accordingly.
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How can I improve my home’s score?
The sources of additional information can help identify options for improvement. You may resubmit any time changes in the home or activities (for example, maintenance) are made.
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What are green building programs?
Green building programs provide design guidance in response to the growing awareness and understanding of environmental issues. Numerous local, state and regional agencies are adopting green building programs. These programs typically address new construction and require professional assistance in documenting compliance with the program requirements.
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If I am certified under a green building program, can I also register in GreenPLUS?
Yes. In fact, certification to a green building program can earn additional points.
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If I am not certified under a green building program, can I register in GreenPLUS?
Yes. Although there are several reasons why it may not be possible to certify your home under a green building program, none of these reasons materially affect the potential environmental stewardship of your home. Most green building programs:
• target new construction through the professionals associated with
design and construction.
• do not address existing homes.
• do not address disaster preparedness or the environmental issues
associated with disaster ‘events’.
• do not address operation and maintenance.
• are cost prohibitive for the average homeowner, costing thousands of dollars for registration, design and consulting services.
GreenPLUS recognizes not only new homes, but also exiting homes, disaster-preparedness, and operations and maintenance of your home and yard.
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How do I qualify?
Any score that is greater than zero (baseline) is considered to be a good score and qualifies for listing in the GreenPLUS Registry. Users are encouraged to register any positive score and to provide updates (revise answers to the questionnaire) reflecting improvements made to the home as often as necessary.
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How do I get my certificate?
After you qualify, you will be issued a certificate online. The certificate will open in a separate window from which you can print a copy suitable for framing.
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How am I listed in the GreenPLUS Registry?
After you qualify, your home will be assigned a registration number and the HSW score recorded in the GreenPLUS Registry. Your Personal Information will be protected in accordance with the GreenPLUS Privacy Policy. Neither the GreenPLUS Registry nor your Personal Information is posted online. Third-party service providers may be granted access to your Personal Information. For example, when you sell your home, your real estate agent may wish to confirm the authenticity of your certificate. Responses to verification requests are issued via email and are copied to the email for the homeowner on record.
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Can I earn a certificate if I have a condominium?
No. Currently, the GreenPLUS Registry includes only single-family homes. However, options for other types of buildings are being developed. Please check back.
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Can I earn a certificate if I rent my home?
If you are a landlord, you may register your rental property.
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What is the highest/lowest possible score?
The highest possible score is not likely to be achieved as it would necessitate certification to all available green building programs. However, for reference the highest and lowest possible scores for the current version of the GreenPLUS Registry are:
| Category |
High |
Low |
| Health |
65 |
-31 |
| Safety |
105 |
-22 |
| Welfare |
97 |
-26 |
Any score that is greater than zero (baseline) is considered to be a good score and qualifies for listing in the GreenPLUS Registry. Users are encouraged to register any positive score and to provide updates (revise answers to the questionnaire) reflecting improvements made to the home as often as necessary.
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How can I get more information about environmental stewardship and disaster-preparedness?
Sources of additional information are provided for each question/answer in the GreenPLUS questionnaire.
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