LEED Certified Home

What Is a LEED-Certified Home?

According to the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building project meets the highest green building and performance measures. All certified projects receive a LEED plaque, which is the nationally recognized symbol demonstrating that a building is environmentally responsible, profitable and a healthy place to live and work. There are both environmental and financial benefits to earning LEED certification.

LEED-certified buildings:

  • Lower operating costs and increased asset value.
  • Reduce waste sent to landfills.
  • Conserve energy and water.
  • Are healthier and safer for occupants.
  • Reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Qualify for tax rebates, zoning allowances and other incentives in hundreds of cities.
  • Demonstrate an owner’s commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility.”

LEED can be applied to new, rehabbed or multi-unit housing and also to neighborhood developments (called LEED ND). Under LEED, green building has been outlined according to five categories:

  1. Site (14 possible points and includes site selection and planning, reduction of construction waste stream, building orientation, landscaping, stormwater management)
  2. Energy/Atmosphere
  3. Water Efficiency
  4. Materials/Resources
  5. Indoor Environmental Quality.

Certification is based on 69 possible points, with rating based on number of points earned.

Site selection is critical.

Locate housing in close proximity to public and private services that homeowners use often, in order to reduce wasteful burning of fossil fuels. Consider multi-units, clustered housing. Build up, instead of out. Consider unbuilt land for green community spaces. Reduce waste stream through planning, advanced framing design, tracking and creative reuse and recycling. orient housing on site to capture the benefits of passive solar strategies. Plant vegetation that is both native and drought-tolerant (called xeriscaping). Make an intentional effort to save green space and trees on site. Create and follow a site management plan that outlines proper erosion control, conservation, and storm water management procedures.

Energy/Atmosphere Conservation.

At the very minimum, this includes energy Star® energy-efficient envelope, energy-efficient systems and products, lighting and appliances.

ROOF:

Use roofing materials having a Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) 3 equal to or greater than specified values based on slope of roof.

WINDOW:

An energy efficient envelope includes quality Energy Star windows.

THERMAL ENVELOPE:

Tightly-sealed, efficient envelope includes rightly-sized and efficient heating/cooling/ventilation systems, and the use of raised heel or energy trusses for better insulation coverage in the attic. foundations encased by rigid foam sheathing. Minimization of the transfer of heat or cold to conditioned spaces.

LEED Certified Home

BASEMENT:

All mechanical systems should be properly sized (J-Manual). Energy Recovery Ventilators maximize the use of heat energy often expelled through a vent or chimney. The intent of the system is to reduce ozone depletion.

KITCHEN:

Must include energy-saving appliances and low flow faucet heads on all fixtures.

EXTERIOR LIGHT:

Only light areas as required for safety and comfort. Do not exceed 80% of the lighting power densities for exterior areas and 50% for building facades and landscape features. With interior lighting, minimize light trespass from the building and site.

WATER EFFICIENCY:

Includes installing efficient toilets and fixtures, as well as smart landscaping.

LANDSCAPING:

Reduce the size of lawn to little or no yard coverage to minimize water consumption. plant native and drought tolerant shrubs and trees instead of ornamentals and invasives (not native to local area).

INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL (AIR) QUALITY:

Includes proper ventilation, healthy indoor air quality, and mold and moisture reduction. the issues of ventilation, mold and moisture, combustion safety, radon risk reduction and healthier interior products that reduce asthmatic conditions are all addressed.

MATERIALS/RESOURCES:

Includes systems and products that are more efficient, durable and environmentally friendly, that may be independently certified and may have post-recycled or reclaimed content. Some examples of these are engineered framing systems, sustainably harvested lumber, long-lasting interior flooring, recycled-content and reclaimed materials, formaldehyde and fiberglass-free insulation.