Account & Registration Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I get started with Green Globes Rating/Certification
The first step in the process to obtain a Green Globes Rating/Certification is to register for Green Globes and purchase a subscription to either the New Construction (NC) or Existing Buildings (CIEB) tools, then complete the online assessment. To purchase a subscription Register
2. Why am I having difficulty with registration?
The email address you entered may exist in our system which means that you already have an account with GBI or someone else has registered using this email address. If you took a 30 day free trial, you already have an account with GBI. Please register with a different email address or login to your existing account. If you forgot your password you can get your password sent to your email address.
3. I registered but I can't login, what do I do?
After registration, you should have received a confirming email from the GBI with a link to activate your account. Please click on this link and leave the window open to allow activation to complete. If you know the email address you registered with you can have your password sent to you. Send me my password. If you continue to have problems logging in please contact GBI site administrator.
4. I didn't receive the activation email, what do I do?
You may have you activation email resent to you. Click on appropriate link at login screen (resend activation email by entering address). Please contact the GBI at: 877.GBI.GBI1 or email: info@thegbi.org
5. Why can't I log in, my username and password are correct?
First, make sure you have activated your account, per the instructions in item 2 above. If you still can't login, please contact the GBI site administrator to look into your account.
6. Can I get a free trial to both CIEB and NC?
The GBI currently offers a single free trial to customers, you must choose from either CIEB or NC. Please note that the CIEB free trial has limited functionality in the trial phase. After testing the software, you are welcome to subscribe to either tool.
7. My free trial expired, is the data I entered lost?
The building information you entered into Green Globes is retained for at least 90 days after expiration of a free trial or subscription. Once you register (subscribe) to Green Globes, you will be able to retrieve and continuing using your account and the data you previously entered into the tool(s).
8. Can I transfer building data from one user account to another user account ?
Not at this time.
9. My free trial expired, I can't get access to Green Globes™, what do I do?
Purchase a subscription to NC or CIEB by logging in and choosing the "Subscription Information" option on the Account Home page. From the "Manage Your Subscription" page you can purchase NC and CIEB projects/buildings.
10. How can I subscribe to NC or CIEB after my free trial expires?
You may subscribe to NC or CIEB by logging in to your account and choosing the "Subscription Information" option on the Account Home page. From the "Manage Your Subscription" page you can purchase NC and CIEB projects/buildings. In order to purchase subscription for NC, click on the appropriate link for 1,3, or 10 NC Projects, then fill out the registration page, add payment information, then click the submit button and follow the links. In order to purchase CIEB subscription(s), fill in the quantity of buildings in the box after " Add Continual Improvement for Existing Building projects", then click the button that says "Add this many projects/buildings at $1,000 each", then fill out the registration page, add payment information, click the submit button, and follow the links.
11. I have an account already, how do I add subscribe to NC or add NC projects?
You may add NC Projects/buildings by logging in and choosing the "Subscription Information" option on the Account Home page. Then click on the appropriate link for either 1,3, or 10 NC Projects, then fill out the registration page, add payment information, then click the submit button, and follow the instructions.
12. I have an account already, how do subscribe to CIEB or add building projects?
You may add CIEB Projects/building subscriptions by logging in and choosing the "Subscription Information" option on the Account Home page. Enter the number of building subscriptions you wish to purchase into the entry box and click the button for "Add this many CIEB building subscriptions" then enter payment information, click the submit button, and follow the instructions.
13. If I select "pay with company check" or "pay by credit card, call in later", when can I start using my subscription?
Once your check or credit card payment is received, GBI will activate your subscription.
14. If I pay with a credit card, when will my account be activated?
When you pay with a credit card your subscription will be active immediately. You will need to activate you GBI account through the activation email sent to the email address you registered with. If you did not receive your activation email, you may have you activation email resent to you. Re-send me my activation email.
15. What if I want to register more than 10 buildings in CIEB?
You are able to register a maximum of 10 buildings on the registration page on your initial registration. Once you have activated your account you will want to login and select the "Subscription Information" option on the Account Home page. From the "Manage Your Subscription" page you can now enter and purchase any discrete quantity of CIEB Building subscriptions.
16. How do I change my registration or contact information?
You may change your registration or contact information by logging in and choosing the "Modify my Account Information" option on the Account Home page.
17. How do I change my password?
You may change your password by logging in and choosing the "Change my Password" option on the Account Home page.
18. How do I know if my check was received?
Your account will be activated, enabling you to login to your account. By choosing "view my payment history" you can determine if your check was received or not. If your account does not enable you to login or the payment history has not been updated, feel free to contact the GBI at 1-888-GBI-GBI1.
19. How can multiple users work on one Green Globes™ project?
If you are going to have multiple users work on one Green Globes project you will have to share a single email account. Setting up an account with a generic email address and password would be advisable, and then this account user name (generic email address) and password will need to be shared with the team of users that will be using the account. It is important that only one user at a time be logged in and use that account, otherwise data can be overwritten or lost.
20. Why won't Green Globes™ allow me to add a buildings/project?
You may be at your limit of buildings/projects subscriptions that have been previously purchased. You may purchase additional NC or CIEB projects/buildings by logging in and choosing the "Subscription Information" option on the Account Home page. From the "Manage Your Subscription" page you can purchase additional NC and CIEB projects/buildings.
21. When should I order a third party assessment?
Green Globes® users can order a Green Globes third party assessment at any time, upon purchasing a subscription, during the completion of the questionnaire, or after completion of the questionnaire. For existing buildings you can order an Existing Building Third party assessment. For New Construction projects, you can order either NC Stage I, NC Stage II or both NC Stage I and II assessment services. For those NC and CIEB assessments that are done onsite, users must select a payment option for assessor travel costs. Assessments will be scheduled and completed after both order and payment are received by the GBI.
22. How do I order a third party assessment?
How do I order a third party assessment ?
After logging in to your Green Globes user account, users are presented with their account home. Click Order Certification/Rating Services and you will be taken to an order entry page. Select the type of assessment, enter the building, project contact, and payment information in the online form and submit your order. For onsite assessment services, users must also pay assessor travel costs. Two options are provided a) Pay a flat fee upfront, or b) Have GBI bill you actual travel costs (Plus 20% overhead and handling fee) upon completion of the assessment.
23. How long does the Green Globes Building certification process take?
In general, a building can be Green Globes certified from start to finish in about 3 months.
Once users have completed the online evaluation and ordered/paid for a third party assessment, they should plan for at least 5 weeks lead time and allow a 1-2 week scheduling window of dates before the third party on-site assessment can be performed. For New Construction, the Stage 1 assessment will take approximately 1 week for review of the construction documents and an additional 2 weeks to generate the assessment report. The New Construction Stage 2 as well as the CIEB assessment will generally take 1/2 days for the on-site visit followed by 3 weeks for generating the assessment report.
GBI will do our best to accommodate customer requests to complete third party assessments on a faster schedule or within a narrow timing window. Assessments will be scheduled and completed after both order and payment are received by the GBI.
24. How do I order recognition items related to Green Globes®?
A certificate will automatically be sent to you upon completion of the certification. A plaque or other recognition items can be ordered from the Green Globes user account home at any time in the process by clicking on Order Assessment / Certification Services, and selecting the item from the registration/payment page.
25. When can I order Green Globes recognition items?
Recognition orders can be ordered once you have decided to pursue a third party assessment. A certificate will automatically be sent to you upon completion of the certification. A plaque can be ordered from the Green Globes user account by clicking on Order Assessment / Certification Services. Please note, the plaque order cannot be processed until the official rating is determined by the 3rd party assessor. Normal processing time is 4 weeks upon completion of the certification. If the plaque needs to be on hand in time for a specific recognition event, please contact GBI customer service to schedule accordingly.
26. How does Green Globes® functionality differ for a free trial?
The functionality of Green Globes CIEB and NC are limited for 30 day free trials. Users may enter data and fully complete the questionnaire for all sections during a free trial, and this data is stored and retained within Green Globes; however only one or few category scores, report sections, and improvement reports are available. At any time during or after a free trial, users may upgrade to a paid subscription, and at that time full functionality will be available.
27. How to I request a custom quote?
If the building is over 250,000 square feet in size or departing significantly from standard commercial building complexity it will need to be custom quoted prior to assessment services being performed. Please contact the GBI at: 1-888-GBI-GBI1 for more information. Once a custom quote is generated by the GBI you will receive an email with the quote details. The assigned quote number can then be entered when ordering the assessment from the user Account Home page by clicking on Order Assessment / Certification Services.
28. How do I know if I need a custom quote?
Custom quotes are needed if:
- The building is over 250,000 square feet
- The building departs significantly from standard commercial office building complexity
- A custom energy analysis is required
Please contact the GBI at: 1-888-GBI-GBI1 if you have questions or need more information.
29. How do I use a custom quote?
Once a custom quote is generated it will be assigned to your user account and you will receive an email with the quote number. That quote number can then be entered on the Order Assessment / Certification Services page of the user account when placing an order. If the quote is for multiple buildings, each 3rd party assessment will need to be ordered separately from the user account home but the quote number will apply to all buildings.
