As more tenants and buyers prioritize sustainable lifestyles, it’s become increasingly important to guarantee that your property or portfolio is eco-friendly.
Sustainable building certifications can make your properties more attractive to environmentally conscious crowds and boost their market value. Implementing these standards will also help you increase operational efficiency and cut bills––a top priority for property managers everywhere. Likewise, it can help create a healthier, more sustainable space for residents and foster a tight-knit community of like-minded individuals.
This guide explores the benefits of sustainable building certifications and walks you through some of the most recognized and used sustainability standards for more efficient and eco-friendly properties.
If you are considering getting your property green-certified, read on to discover which ones could enhance your portfolio.
A sustainable building certification is a framework used to assess and recognize buildings that meet specific environmental and energy-efficient standards.
Often called "green building rating tools," these certifications promote practices that reduce a building's environmental impact and aim to improve resource efficiency, lower operating costs, and create healthier indoor environments for tenants and residents.
They also set industry benchmarks, encouraging companies, organizations, and governments to improve and innovate sustainability practices and standards in construction and building operations.
In a market where sustainability is highly valued, green certifications can increase property value and attract eco-conscious residents. These residents are often willing to pay more for homes that contribute to positive environmental change.
These accreditations can also be a distinctive feature that helps your properties stand out in a competitive landscape and sets your property management business apart from the competition’s.
Sustainable certifications often set energy efficiency and resource conservation standards, which directly translate into optimized operations, lower utility bills, and reduced maintenance costs.
By minimizing waste and refining systems for maximized efficiency, these buildings offer property managers a more cost-effective operational model, boosting profitability over time.
Smart devices like Minut can help meet and sustain energy efficiency standards by allowing residents to monitor indoor climate and optimize the use of AC or heating. By integrating Minut with thermostats such as Google Nest and tado°, users can remotely manage HVAC systems and automate actions according to their needs and schedules, so indoor climate systems are not left on when they are not needed.
Certified buildings are often designed with residents’ well-being in mind, incorporating features like better indoor air quality, natural lighting, and non-toxic materials. These elements foster a healthier living environment and promote overall wellness. The result is a more comfortable, inviting space that supports residents' physical and mental health and improves their quality of life.
Committing to sustainability enhances satisfaction and loyalty among tenants, especially those who prioritize leading an environmentally friendly lifestyle. When residents enjoy healthier living conditions and see transparency in sustainability efforts, they’re more likely to renew their leases.
This reduction in tenant turnover stabilizes property income and strengthens community bonds within the building.
If you are looking to get your property or portfolio certified, there are several options you can explore. The most important ones include:
The EnergyStar certification is administered by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Launched in 1992, it is estimated to have helped avoid more than $500 billion in energy costs and achieved 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions.
EnergyStar certifies homes (as well as products, industrial plants, and commercial buildings) that meet stringent energy efficiency standards and, as a result, often have lower utility costs and a reduced carbon footprint.
Managed by the US Green Building Council, LEED is one of the most widely recognized certifications globally, covering sustainable design, construction, and operations. There are currently 197,000 LEED projects in 186 countries around the world.
This certification is a holistic framework that, rather than focusing on one specific aspect, such as energy, water, or health, looks at the bigger picture, factoring in all critical components that work together to create the best building possible.
It applies to all types of buildings, including entire neighborhoods, and promotes water efficiency, energy conservation, and responsible material use, making it a comprehensive option for residential buildings.
BREEAM assesses and measures a building’s sustainability performance from design and construction through use and refurbishment. The framework aims to ensure that projects meet sustainability goals and continue to perform optimally over time.
This certification, launched in 1990, offers specific tools for multi-residential properties, focusing on energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and resource management.
NGBS offers four levels of certification for a range of residential building types, including apartments, condos, and single-family homes. It focuses on energy conservation, water efficiency, and indoor air quality, among other sustainable practices.
The WELL certification centers on residents’ health and well-being, emphasizing air quality, lighting, fitness, and comfort. The standard comprises over 500 design, policy, and operational strategies that can help improve the health and well-being of people living in the building. Properties can earn points based on performance outcomes for various policy, design, and operational strategies and achieve one of four WELL certification levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum.
WELL’s criteria are especially relevant for multifamily housing and settings such as senior accommodation, where tenant and resident wellness is a primary concern.
Sustainable certifications for residential properties bring tangible advantages, from increased property value and lower operational costs to improved tenant well-being and retention. And while green building practices and upgrades can mean a sizable investment, implementing them will help boost the property's value and, more importantly, support a long-term strategy of resilience, efficiency, and community wellness.
Want to increase your portfolio’s efficiency and sustainability? Discover how Minut’s indoor climate monitoring can help you.
