frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Why The Green Building Institute?

In the U.S. alone, buildings represent 39% of primary energy use, consume 12.2% of our potable water (15 trillion gallons per year), and 40% of global raw materials.

Release of pollutants indoors can be 25 to 100 times greater than outdoors - an unsettling amount considering that people are estimated to spend about 90% of their time indoors.

Green buildings significantly reduce these environmental burdens, as well as provide a healthier place to inhabit. Additionally, the green building market presents increasingly exciting and plentiful business opportunities.

What will I gain from participating in a Green Building Institute course?

Learning the latest developments in green building techniques and products, you will be able to integrate these concepts into your existing structures to increase efficiency and decrease toxicity. Participants also enjoy learning from other Green Building Institute members, sharing ideas and collaborating on projects.

Who is best served by Green Buiding Institute coures?

Everyone interested in learning more about green building and materials, and alternative energy sources, from the general public to industry professionals, is warmly welcomed.

Why doesn't the Green Building Institute offer certification?

The Green Building Institute is focused on educating people about various elements of high performance and natural building methods. There are many certification programs that already exist to assist building professionals with the transition to green building.

Going forward, The Green Building Institute will collaborate with outside certification agencies to offer those classes. If you are interested in seeing a certain certification course being offered at the Institute, please let us know.

      What is The Green Building Institute's policy for class cancellations and refunds?

Cancellation Policy and Refund/Credits:

• All cancellations for a refund (minus 4.75% processing fee) or credit towards a future class must be made at least 7 days prior to the class date.
• You may re-schedule based on availability.
• No refund/credit will be issued if you cancel a class you have re-scheduled.

Does the Green Building Institute allow outside filming of classes?

No, as a non-profit organization, The Green Building Institute relies on its classes
to help cover some of the operational costs of running the organization.
We do NOT permit outside taping of Green Building Institute classes.

Where is the Green Building Institute located?

The Green Building Institute is headquartered at The Enviro-Center at 7761 Waterloo Rd.

in Jessup, Maryland. Directions

What is LEED?

The best way to find out about LEED is through the U.S. Green Building Council and its local chapters. USGBC offers courses specific to their certification process. Please visit http://www.usgbc.org for more information.

What are the tax benefits of installing solar in Maryland?

Senate Bill 485, the Solar Energy Grant Program sponsored by Senator Robert Garagiola, was signed into law on April 27, 2004. This program provides funding for a portion of the costs to install certain qualifying solar energy systems. The Maryland Energy Adminstration(MEA) will take applications for the third funding cycle on June 1, 2006 and will begin making grant offers in July 2006. The incentives are as follows:

• Solar water heating property: 20% of system costs up to a maximum grant amount of $2,000
• Residential photovoltaic property: 20% of system costs up to a maximum grant amount of $3,000
• Non residential photovoltaic property: 20% of system costs up to a maximum grant amount of $5,000

         I would like to get a copy of The Green Building Institute's financial statement.

         How do I get that information?

         A copy of the current financial statement of The Green Building Institute is available by writing

         Green Building Institute 7761 Waterloo Rd. Jessup, MD 20794 or by calling (443) 733-1234.         

         Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also

         available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Maryland Secretary of State,

         State House, Annapolis MD 21401, (410) 974-5534.