LEEDS For Homes

LEED For Homes

Acronyms can be confusing. Take LEED for example, a term people recognize as having something to do with eco-friendly homes. What do those letters really stand for? Who started it? And what does it all mean to someone planning to build a home?

HISTORY
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green built rating system provides a nationally accepted benchmark for the design and construction of high performance green buildings. The rating system was developed in 2000 by a nonprofit organization group, U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and originally aimed at new commercial construction. The program was so successful that the USGBC launched a pilot test of LEED for Homes in 2005.

WHY LEED?
Simply put, a LEED home uses less energy, water and natural resources. It’s also healthier for occupants because of reduced exposure to mold, mildew and other indoor toxins. “Leed homes will outperform conventional homes in many ways,” said Mike Holcomb, president of the Alliance for Environmental Sustainability and a LEED inspector. “Utility bills in a LEED home are 50 to 70 percent lower. And the homes are more durable and have less impact on the environment.”
A LEED certification tells consumers that the home has been third-party inspected, performance-tested, and certified to perform better than conventional homes. LEED is a voluntary program to promote the transformation of the home building industry towards more sustainable practices.

THE RATING SYSTEM
LEED is a collaborative initiative that involves all sectors of the home-building industry and recognizes performance in five key areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. The rating system has four levels – certified, silver, gold and platinum, with platinum the highest.
“Building a LEED home is really about making smart choices,” said Nate Gillette of USGBC. “Some of the choices are simple, such as installing a heating and cooling system appropriate for the size of the home.” Energy Star appliances and energy efficient showers earn more points. So does building a home close to public transportation, or planting drought-tolerant plants that require less watering. Other factors include a durability plan that addresses such issues as how to protect a home against termites or tornadoes.

IS LEED AFFORDABLE?
Sounds expensive, yet the net cost of building a LEED home is comparable to that of building a conventional home. Holcomb said the initial investment can be as little as $3,000.  “Some people may choose to install such pricey new technology as wind generators and geo-thermal heat pumps,” Holcomb said. “But that isn’t necessary. We have some Habitat for Humanity homes that are LEED – even one home that rated gold. They know they can pay back the extra investment in two years with energy savings.”

FIND OUT MORE
Contact the U.S. Green Building Council for information on how to build a LEED home. Visit the website at www.usgbc.org or call (202) 828-7422.