University of Florida Study Confirms Benefits of Green Advantage Certification

Significant increases in health and environmental benefits recognized in projects using Green Advantage certified builders

WASHINGTON, DC (August 24, 2009) – The University of Florida has completed a pilot study that examines the use of Green Advantage® certified personnel on construction projects pursuing LEED certification. The study found that projects using Green Advantage® Certified Practitioners achieve greater health and environmental benefits than projects without, and that the more Green Advantage certified personnel, the greater the benefit achieved.

Dr. Charles J. Kibert, Director of the Powell Center for Construction & Environment and supervisor of this research effort stated that, “This pilot study confirms field reports that several positive benefits can be realized by utilizing Green Advantage personnel in green building construction projects.  Owners, developers, architects and contractors can use information from this study to achieve desirable building and workforce results for their projects.”

Principal participants in projects that utilized Green Advantage certified practitioners were surveyed to assess their opinions about the effectiveness of this innovation. In addition to the health and environmental benefits, the study also shows positive attitudinal and behavioral effects among building crews using Green Advantage Certified Practitioners.  Individuals surveyed reported a dramatic increase in collaboration on the job site, greater ability by crews to spot problems that would affect green building performance, and more instances of crews finding ways to cut costs when compared to other projects.

“This report represents the first quantitative analysis of [the certification’s] impacts, particularly as it relates to its achievement of the Green Advantage LEED Innovation Credit and its impact on health, environmental and attitudinal indices,” the study reports. “In general, [it] confirms the findings that have been expressed by project principals, architects, trainers and others as to their favorable experiences in using GA Certified personnel.  Health, environmental, and attitudinal changes are attributed to the use of GA Certified personnel and in this case, ‘more is better.’”

About the Study

The study was undertaken by Kristen Gray, a research assistant at the University of Florida’s Powell Center for Construction and Environment under the supervision of Dr. Charles Kibert. Green Advantage, Inc. assisted in the project. For more information about the study visit http://www.cce.ufl.edu

About the Powell Center

The University of Florida’s Powell Center for Construction and Environment is primarily a research organization dedicated to the resolution of environmental problems associated with planning, architecture, and construction activities and the determination of optimum materials and methods for use in minimizing environmental damage. The Center develops sustainable building codes for residential construction, conducts seminars, symposia, professional conferences and courses on the subject of sustainable development and construction related environmental regulations, activities and research. It also serves as a clearing house for information on planning, architecture and construction matters related to sustainable development.

About Green Advantage

Green Advantage® is the longest-standing third-party green certification for building practitioners of its kind in the United States.  The Green Advantage® Certification was launched in 1998 with funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and has also received support from the Nature Conservancy, Science Applications International Corporation and the University of Florida.  Green Advantage® Certification is primarily designed for contractors, subcontractors and tradespeople, with architects, engineers, code officials, realtors, and others in the building industry also participating.  Green Advantage, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Contacts:

Liz Boastfield

Director of Communications

Green Advantage, Inc.

info@greenadvantage.org

Charles Kibert, P.E., Ph.D.

Professor and Center Director

University of Florida

Powell Center for Construction and the Environment

ckibert@ufl.edu

www.cce.ufl.edu

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