The homebuilding industry has a massive carbon blind spot. This free webinar focused on the imminent ANSI standard 1550, which will streamline the measurement of embodied carbon, will change the way you build.
Every new home constructed in the U.S. pumps an average of 55 tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere before a single light switch is flipped. Multiply that by millions of new homes each year, and the embodied carbon from construction reaches astronomical levels.
The shocking truth? Most builders don’t even measure carbon today. But that’s changing quickly.
The homebuilding industry has long focused on operational energy, or energy used from heating, cooling, and powering homes. But the conversation is decidedly shifting to embodied carbon, or the emissions locked into the materials, transportation, and construction of buildings before they’re even occupied.
Enter ANSI Standard 1550
In an effort to define embodied carbon in residential structures and streamline its measurement, RESNET put together a working group to create the ANSI Standard 1550, a game-changing framework that standardize the way embodied carbon is measured, reported, and ultimately reduced in residential projects.
While admittedly not perfect or comprehensive, once released, ANSI 1550 will provide a clear methodology to quantify and report the carbon footprint of materials and construction processes.
With accurate data in hand, builders, developers, and policymakers can identify the biggest carbon culprits—like cement, steel, and certain types of insulation—and then make more informed, lower carbon choices.
With ANSI 1550 exposing the worst carbon offenders, manufacturers will be forced to adapt. Expect a shift toward carbon-sequestering materials, low-impact concrete, and recycled steel as builders look to meet new embodied carbon benchmarks.
Materials previously considered fringe, like mass timber, hempcrete, and low-carbon concrete, will likely have their chance to shine as a result of this new way of looking at design, construction, and product specification.
Furthermore, with an ANSI standard in place, municipalities will have a framework that they can use to create and implement low carbon codes, regulations, and mandates.
The true impact of embodied carbon—and why ignoring it is no longer an option
How the RESNET Standard 1550 will transform carbon tracking and reporting
Which building materials are the worst offenders—and how to choose better alternatives
Real-world case studies of affordable, low-carbon homes already changing the game
If you’re a builder, developer, architect, or sustainability professional, this webinar is your wake-up call. Don’t get left behind in the next era of homebuilding.
As cofounder and CEO of Green Builder Media, Sara is a visionary thought leader and passionate advocate for sustainability. A former venture capitalist, she has participated in the life cycle (from funding to exit) of over 20 companies, with an emphasis on combining sustainability and profitability. She lives in Lake City, Colo., with her husband, where she is an avid long-distance runner, snowboarder, and Crossfit trainer. She is also on the Board of Directors at Dvele, runs the Rural Segment for Energize Colorado, and is a former County Commissioner.
Cracking the Code on Embodied Carbon
The homebuilding industry has a massive carbon blind spot. This free webinar focused on the imminent ANSI standard 1550, which will streamline the measurement of embodied carbon, will change the way you build.
Every new home constructed in the U.S. pumps an average of 55 tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere before a single light switch is flipped. Multiply that by millions of new homes each year, and the embodied carbon from construction reaches astronomical levels.
The shocking truth? Most builders don’t even measure carbon today. But that’s changing quickly.
The homebuilding industry has long focused on operational energy, or energy used from heating, cooling, and powering homes. But the conversation is decidedly shifting to embodied carbon, or the emissions locked into the materials, transportation, and construction of buildings before they’re even occupied.
Enter ANSI Standard 1550
In an effort to define embodied carbon in residential structures and streamline its measurement, RESNET put together a working group to create the ANSI Standard 1550, a game-changing framework that standardize the way embodied carbon is measured, reported, and ultimately reduced in residential projects.
While admittedly not perfect or comprehensive, once released, ANSI 1550 will provide a clear methodology to quantify and report the carbon footprint of materials and construction processes.
With accurate data in hand, builders, developers, and policymakers can identify the biggest carbon culprits—like cement, steel, and certain types of insulation—and then make more informed, lower carbon choices.
With ANSI 1550 exposing the worst carbon offenders, manufacturers will be forced to adapt. Expect a shift toward carbon-sequestering materials, low-impact concrete, and recycled steel as builders look to meet new embodied carbon benchmarks.
Materials previously considered fringe, like mass timber, hempcrete, and low-carbon concrete, will likely have their chance to shine as a result of this new way of looking at design, construction, and product specification.
Furthermore, with an ANSI standard in place, municipalities will have a framework that they can use to create and implement low carbon codes, regulations, and mandates.
Want to get ahead of the curve?
Watch this recorded webinar and learn how to crack the code on embodied carbon with ANSI 1550. During this webinar, Chris Magwood, Manager of Carbon-Free Buildings at RMI and Director of HomebuildersCAN, will explore:
If you’re a builder, developer, architect, or sustainability professional, this webinar is your wake-up call. Don’t get left behind in the next era of homebuilding.
By Sara Gutterman
As cofounder and CEO of Green Builder Media, Sara is a visionary thought leader and passionate advocate for sustainability. A former venture capitalist, she has participated in the life cycle (from funding to exit) of over 20 companies, with an emphasis on combining sustainability and profitability. She lives in Lake City, Colo., with her husband, where she is an avid long-distance runner, snowboarder, and Crossfit trainer. She is also on the Board of Directors at Dvele, runs the Rural Segment for Energize Colorado, and is a former County Commissioner.Also Read