Minnesota’s Green Path Designation Levels

Housing First Minnesota's Green Path program offers three green certification levels: Energy Tested, Advanced and Master. Please read below to find out if your homes qualify. Each level receives a Home Performance Report (HPR).

LEVEL #1: MN GREEN PATH ENERGY TESTED

The first level of MN’s Green Path. These homes have been tested and rated by a third-party, independent RESNET Rater.

  • Project is tested by a RESNET Certified Rater and receives a HERS Index

  • Built to Minnesota’s Energy Code

  • Project is issued a Minnesota Green Path Energy Tested Home Performance Report (HPR)

  • Builder is a Housing First Minnesota member

  • Provided at no-charge

LEVEL #2: MN GREEN PATH ADVANCED CERTIFIED

This mid-level green certification means a home has met a minimal energy testing standard plus includes additional green features.

  • Project is tested by a RESNET Certified Rater and receives a HERS Index <47

  • Built to Minnesota’s Energy Code; Builder confirms energy certified requirements, PLUS

    • 5 points in Energy Efficiency

    • 5 points in Indoor Environmental Quality

    • 5 total points from Water Conservation, Resource Management, or Site Development

    • 5 total points from any of the five categories

  • Project is issued a Minnesota Green Path Advanced Certified Home Performance Report

  • Application fee*

LEVEL #3: MN GREEN PATH MASTER CERTIFIED

This top-level green certification means a home has met a high energy testing standard plus includes additional green features.

  • Project is tested by a RESNET Certified Rater and receives a HERS Index <45

  • Built to Minnesota’s Energy Code; Builder confirms energy certified requirements, PLUS

    • 10 points in Energy Efficiency

    • 10 points in Indoor Environmental Quality

    • 10 points in Water Conservation

    • 10 total points in Resource Management

    • 10 total points in Site Development

  • Project is issued a Minnesota Green Path Master Certified Home Performance Report

  • Application fee*

Benefits

Builders/homes achieving Green Path Advanced or Master Certification will be …

• Highlighted on the Parade of Homes website (Green Path page)

• Promoted in select Parade of Homes social media

• Recognized in Housing First Minnesota’s The Voice e-newsletter

• Recognized in Housing First Minnesota’s The Digest magazine

• Recognized in Housing First Minnesota’s Housing Industry News publication

• Receiving a special Advanced or Master Green Path Home Performance Report

• Receiving graphics that can be used in marketing. promoting that you build some of the most energy efficient homes in the nation

*Application Fee -

  • Builders that build homes within Xcel Energy territory -

    • Xcel Energy will cover the $79.00 application fee (even if the home being submitted for Green Path Advanced or Master Certification is not within Xcel Energy territory).

  • Builders that do not build homes within Xcel Energy territory - 

    • There is a $79.00 application fee per home. Please include payment with your application(s).

 

Congratulations to the following builders that have received the following certifications for home projects entered:

Master Green Path Certification: Boyer Building Corp, Custom One Homes, Endres Custom Homes, Inc., Hagstrom Builder, The Landschute Group, Inc., Michels Homes, and Paltrin LLC

Advanced Green Path Certification: Amaris Homes LLC, Bald Eagle Builders Inc., DiGiacomo Homes Inc., Endres Custom Homes Inc., Erotas Custom Building Company, Fieldstone Family Homes Inc., Gorham Custom Homes LLC, Hage Homes, James Barton Design-Build Inc., JMS Custom Homes LLC, Lucid Builders, Mark D. Williams Custom Homes Inc., McDonald Construction Inc., Michels Homes, MyHomeSource Construction, Mill Creek Construction, Ridge Creek Custom Homes, Ron Clark Construction, Stinson Builders Inc., and TreHus.