All these programs are focused on constructing healthy, more efficient homes, while minimizing environmental impacts.  All three programs follow a systems approach to home building that stresses an understanding of how the different components of a home work together.  This approach results in a home that performs better, is more economical to maintain for the homeowner and costs little more to build than a comparable home built with standard construction practices.

Any size or style home at any price point can achieve compliance and certification from these green building programs by meeting certain criteria.  The guidelines are flexible, using point systems to achieve different rating levels.  Thus they allow for a variety of approaches to green construction.