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:

• 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.