Minnesota Custom Home Blog

Minnesota’s Leading Green Building Program

Written by Price Homes | Apr 14, 2025 1:00:00 PM

At Price Homes, we are proud to be recognized as a Designated Green Path Builder, a distinction awarded by Minnesota's Green Path program to industry leaders in energy-efficient residential construction. This designation reflects our commitment to testing at least 75% of our newly built homes annually and participating in ongoing professional development focused on green building practices.

Understanding Minnesota's Green Path Program

Established in 2011 by Housing First Minnesota, Minnesota's Green Path is the state's premier energy efficiency and green building initiative for the residential construction sector. The program aims to promote green building certifications, implement consistent testing, and enhance education and access to energy efficiency data. A key feature of the program is the Home Performance Report (HPR), which provides homeowners with a clear overview of their home's energy efficiency. This report includes the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index score, a nationally recognized metric for assessing a home's energy performance.​

Certification Levels

Minnesota's Green Path offers three certification levels, each receiving an HPR that reveals the HERS Index for the project:

  1. Energy Tested: Homes built to Minnesota's Energy Code and tested by an independent, third-party rater.​

  2. Advanced Certified: Homes that meet the Energy Tested criteria and achieve a HERS Index below 55, along with additional points in categories such as indoor environmental quality and water conservation.​

  3. Master Certified: Homes that meet the Advanced Certified criteria with a HERS Index below 45 and earn further points across multiple Green Path Certification Checklist categories.​

These certifications provide homeowners with confidence in the energy efficiency and sustainability of their homes.​

 

 

Benefits for Homeowners

Choosing a Green Path-certified home offers numerous advantages:​

  • Energy Efficiency: Lower HERS Index scores indicate reduced energy consumption, leading to cost savings on utility bills.​

  • Environmental Impact: Energy-efficient homes contribute to a smaller carbon footprint, supporting environmental sustainability.

  • Enhanced Comfort: High-performance homes often provide superior comfort through improved insulation and air quality.​

Our Commitment at Price Homes

As a Designated Green Path Builder, Price Homes is dedicated to constructing homes that not only meet but exceed energy efficiency standards. Our participation in the Green Path program underscores our commitment to sustainability, quality, and transparency in homebuilding. By choosing Price Homes, you are investing in a home that offers lasting value, comfort, and a reduced environmental impact.​

For more information about Minnesota's Green Path program and how it benefits homeowners, visit Minnesota's Green Path.