Summer 2009
LEED for Homes was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council in conjunction with a variety of
interested organizations, including Local green-building programs, production builders, the National Association of Realtors,
Energy Star for Homes, and major corporations involved in insulation and HVAC systems. Much like the commercial LEED
program from which it came, LEED-H is highly esteemed for its rigorous standards and has quickly
gained recognition in the construction industry and the housing market. At present, LEED-H has certified more then 2500 homes
and has another 12,000 in the pipeline. LEED-H offers certification at four levels: certified, silver, gold
and platinum. To reach certification, a project must meet a few prerequistes, then earn points from eight categories, such
as site selection, water efficiency, materials and resources. As certification levels increase, the point requirements increase.
The results are verified through HERS (home-energy rating system) specialists. The certification process is facilitated through
one or more than 60 LEED providers located throughout North America.
Cost
Enrollment for a single-family home requires a $225 registration fee
and an additional $300 for certification (for nonmembers of the USGBC) Multifamily dwellings cost slightly more, and affordable
housing slightly less. Verification and consultation both vary by market and degree of involvement required, but fees range
from $700 to $5000 for a single-family home. In all, certifying a 2500-sq.-ft house at the entry level averages about $2500.
However, discounts are available to production builders who build large numbers of certified houses.
Unique Requirements
Even at the
most basic level of certification, meeting LEED standards can be challenging. Their requiremnets are less lenient on details
that many other programs would consider insignificant or combersome. When ordering lumber, for instance, LEED requires that
you order no more than 10% extra to account for waste, weather or not you plan to return unused stock.
Choice it because...
...You want
recognition from the most well-known, most demanding green-building program currently available. If a project is certified
LEED, few people will question the proformance of the home or the builder. This is largely by design: To generate market pull,
LEED-H certification was intended to recognize the top 25% of builders in the country. "The power of emulation is what
they're after", says Ann Edminster, who chaired LEED-H through much of its inception. "As you start to recognize
and publicize leaders in the industry, other builders want to be like them. If the market rises up to meet LEED, it's expected
that LEED willl raise its standards as well". Builders may find themselfs in frequent need of re-education.
