Two Trails is focused around meeting the sustainable design requirements of LEED Energy & Atmosphere (EA) Prerequisite 1 (Fundamental Commissioning) and EA Credit 3 (Enhanced Commissioning), including preparation and submittal of all required documentation via the USGBC online submission system. These services include the following tasks:

Fundamental Commissioning 

Review Owner's Requirements and Basis of Design | Ensure owner’s expectations are met throughout design and construction.
Commissioning Plan | Strategies for systems being commissioned (lighting, water, HVAC, associated controls).
Bid Documents | Integrate requirements into construction bid and contract documents.
Pre-Functional Checklists and Functional Performance Test Procedures | Documents contained in commissioning plan are carried out with construction commissioning team.
Commissioning Report | Documented results of commissioning activities.

Enhanced Commissioning 

Commissioning Design Review at Mid-Construction Document Phase | Provide owner with independent assessment of system design.
Review of Contractor Submittals | Review contractor submittals; ensure no deviations from specifications impacting systems.
Development of Systems Manual | Provides operating staff information needed to understand and optimally operate commissioned systems.
Verify Completion of Operating Staff Training | Ensure implementation of training for all personnel operating and/or maintaining systems.
Develop Plan and Conduct 8-10 Month Operation Review | Develop plan to access operation of energy and water using equipment after 8-10 months of building operation.

National Green Building Certification is based on the ICC 700-2008 National Green Building Standard™.  The goal of NGBCP is to establish a much needed and nationally recognizable standard definition of green building.  NGBCP is the only residential green building rating system to undergo the full consensus process and receive approval from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The Standard defines green building for single and multifamily homes, residential remodeling and site development projects while still allowing for the flexibility required for regionally appropriate best green practices.  The Standard includes five categories incorporated into the everyday process of home building: energy efficiency, water and resource conservation, sustainable or recycled products, and indoor air quality.  NGBCP certified projects have the opportunity to achieve one of four green certification levels for homes available in the Standard; Bronze, Silver, Gold and Emerald.

Two Trails has a great relationship with the Home Innovation Research Labs and the NAHB Suppliers Council.  Two Trails was chosen for a third year to be the Green Building Consultants and verifiers for The NAHB 2013 New American Home and has been chosen to be on The 2014 New American Home project team.  The New American Home is one of NAHB’s most successful and visible programs produced and presented by the NAHB Leading Suppliers Council. The design, construction and amenities are market driven, and showcase the latest in innovative products for the future of home building. The show home demonstrates “Builders’ Best Practices:” concepts, materials, designs and construction techniques that can be replicated – in whole or in part – in housing built any place and in any price range.  Incorporating such elements as the ICC 700 National Green Building Standard, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, safety and universal design as well as market value is a principal goal of The New American Home program. Its mission is to show that housing performance can be incorporated into the most simple or most complex homes, and that it’s equally as important as aesthetics.  The Homes Design/Build Team, introduced many unique and cutting edge design elements while keeping in mind the importance of incorporating green building techniques.  With the advisement of Two Trails the home was able to achieve a National Green Building Standard Emerald level designation, USGBC LEED Platinum designation and EPA Indoor AirPlus designation.

The Florida Green Home Standard developed by the Florida Green Building Coalition, Inc.(FGBC) includes best practices in 8 categories, including:

1. Energy Efficiency – HERS Rating, plus additional items


2. Water conservation – fixtures, irrigation, landscape strategies


3. Lot choice - land use strategies, infill site


4. Site Impact –erosion control, protection of existing vegetation


5. Health – indoor air quality, moisture control, ventilation


6. Materials – recycled content, durability


7. Disaster Mitigation – termite, hurricane, flood,  fire resistant building practices


8. General – remodeling of existing structure, builder provided home owner’s manual/education, guaranteed energy bills

To achieve the Florida “Green Home”, the structure’s score must meet a minimum score of 100 on the Florida Green Home Checklist.  The maximum number of points a home can achieve is 250.

As a registered Certifying Agent for the FGBC we have the experience to help achieve green home standards at any point during the construction process.  However, the sooner we get involved the more cost effective it is for our customers.

Since site selection is one of the key dimensions in the FGBC Green home standard, it makes since to discuss potential site locations with while you are searching.  Once decided we can work with you to help ensure the correct building principles are integrated into your home’s design including orientation, building and product specifications, and universal design principles.

The Florida Water Star program is a voluntary certification program for new residential and commercial construction and existing home renovation. The program encourages water efficiency in appliances, plumbing fixtures, irrigation systems and landscapes, as well as water quality benefits from best management practices in landscapes. Based on estimates, an average Florida Water Star homeowner can save up to 20 percent of water use annually. The program outlines standards for a broad range of homes — from a condominium with no yard to an older home on a half-acre lot with an aging irrigation system. Commercial properties save even more, thereby lowering operating costs by reducing water and energy bills.

EPA created Indoor airPLUS certification to help builders meet the growing consumer preference for homes with improved indoor air quality. EPA developed additional construction specifications to help improve indoor air quality in new homes.

Construction specifications include the careful selection of and installation of moisture control systems; heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems; combustion-venting systems; radon resistant construction; and low-emitting building materials. Ask about the Indoor airPLUS qualification for your next new home.

How Does a New Home Become Indoor airPLUS Qualified?

A builder must first design a home to earn the ENERGY STAR  — the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency. The result is a home that is significantly more energy efficient than a home built to minimum code, helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

To earn the Indoor airPLUS label, the builder then adds up to 30 home design and construction features to help protect qualified homes from moisture and mold, pests, combustion gases, and other airborne pollutants. Before the home officially earns the Indoor airPLUS label, it is inspected by an independent third-party to ensure compliance with EPA’s rigorous guidelines and specifications.

What are the benefits to building an Indoor airPLUS home?

By constructing homes that meet EPA's Indoor airPLUS specifications, builders can distinguish themselves by being among the first recognized by EPA to offer homes designed to truly deliver better indoor air quality. Participating builders can expect higher levels of quality assurance, improved reputation, reduced callback and warranty costs, and less business risk. Partners are also eligible to use Indoor airPLUS marketing materials and tools to help promote their qualified homes as well as access technical and marketing assistance.

An energy model is an indispensable tool for green building design that helps to maximize energy conservation, decrease environmental impact, and generate savings over the life of your building. The model is a computer generated simulation used to analyze different energy conservation measures and compare them to a baseline design so that Two Trails can identify the best solutions. When conducted early in the life-cycle of the project the energy model will determine the best way to lower energy costs while attaining LEED credits for your certification.

Life cycle cost analysis is a method for assessing the total cost of facility ownership. By taking into account all costs of acquiring, owning and disposing of a building or building system, an analysis can benefit all types of ownership. An analysis maximizes net savings by comparing project alternatives that fulfill the same performance requirements, but differ with respect to initial costs and operating costs. For example, an analysis will help determine the cost effectiveness of incorporating a high-performance HVAC or glazing system, which requires initial costs but result in dramatically reduced operating and maintenance costs.

Green Building products and services are more educational and brand focused for marketing and communication teams.

The marketing cycle stages are the same: audience, investigation, comparison, negotiation, sales and follow up. The Green Building movement has a passion and an involvement which is shaping the industry. The people that are receptive to Green marketing believe that Green products and services are better than others. Consumers select the standard that they believe in: LEED by The U.S. Green Building Council, National Green Building Standard Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with their product certifications, Department of Energy (DOE) with their Energy Star Certifications and many other organizations are being adopted as trusted brands by the public.

Sustainable products and services by their very nature are more advanced and efficient. Everyone likes to save money and have a better quality of life; these are the major benefits of sustainable products and services. As energy costs rise and quality of life decreases; more and more people will be turning to sustainable practices to preserve their lifestyle. Education and the peer sharing of these inexpensive methods and practices will continue to grow the industry.

Each certification standard has a specific way in which you can market your project.  We work with you in developing a message about your project. A few areas that we can assist in:

• Press Releases


• Websites/Mobile Websites/Tour sites


• Brochures/Cut Sheets


• Marketing Copy


• Social Marketing & Media

Green Education and Speaking Engagements

As a leader in the Green Building Industry, Two Trails provides knowledge and professionalism for keynote speaking and educational seminars.  Two Trails has spoken at hundreds of events.  Audience participation is encouraged.  Being one of the nations experts on Green Building allows for a unique insight on what the future will hold.

Two Trails has several speakers available for webinars, education, sales team training and more.  Topics range from Green Building, Sales and Marketing, Real Estate, and Construction Industry related topics.

Green Building University

Green building University is a division of Two Trails Inc.  Our courses are designed to assist developers, builders, building trade professionals, sales professionals, students, homeowners, and interested individuals that would like to learn about the concepts surrounding the science of Green Building.  As a leader in the Green Building industry, numerous individuals and communities nationwide asked us to provide information that is easy to understand and implement no matter where the individual or project is located.

Our teams knowledgeable Green Building Consultants are some of the most respected individuals in the industry.  We have taken their combined knowledge and developed courses that will explicitly explain green building concepts.

Our founders have been involved with writing the healthy home standards that were adopted by the American Lung Association for the "Health House".  They were also instrumental in writing the standards for the Florida Green Building Coalition and the memorandum of understanding for the Florida Home Builders Association.  The founders have been chosen by government agencies to assist with defining green building concepts and how to implement green standards.

Being involved with the U.S. Green Building Council, National Association of Home Builders and individual state standards committees and boards has provided our team with the knowledge and expertise that is unparalleled within the industry.  Our goal is to share that knowledge and ensure that people who would like to support green building efforts are informed decision makers.

www.greenbuildinguniversity.com