Minnesota GreenStar is a Green building standard and certification program for both existing and new homes that promotes healthy, durable, high performance homes. MN GreenStar was designed from the ground up to be the best system for Minnesota, giving builders and remodelers the tools to excel, and providing homeowners the knowledge with which to compare the performance of their homes. MN GreenStar embraces Minnesota’s climate extremes and natural resources and leverages its building codes and national leadership in such areas as clean water and combating climate change.
Green building is a whole-systems approach applying the five (5) key concepts of Green building – energy efficiency, resource efficiency (including durability), indoor environmental quality, water conservation, site and community – to the eight (8) components of the traditional building process – outdoor and site, building envelope and systems, mechanicals, electrical and lighting, plumbing systems and fixtures, finish materials and coatings, waste management – in order to improve the impact of building on individuals, their families, the community, and the environment
Third-party verification is fundamental to the rating system and assures homeowners that the new home or remodeling project performs as designed. The rating system is supported by a mandatory education program for architects, designers, builders and remodelers, as well as general education for homeowners, lenders, real estate agents, and public officials.