Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
From Fine HomeBuilding - Energy Smart Homes
Even among buyers inclined toward green construction, the biggest hurdle green builders face is that most homebuyers don’t have the knowledge to evaluate competing claims of greenness. And in the building industry, a lot of people are claiming to be green. For the consumer, it can be a real challenge to pick legitimate green products and services from those that have been “greenwashed.” This is where LEED comes in.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC; www.usgbc.org) to encourage the consatruction of energy- and resource-efficient buildings that are healthy to live in. In the LEED for Homes (LEED-H) program, participating houses are awarded points based on materials, construction methods, and energy efficiency. The USGBC awards a LEED rating of certified, silver, gold, or platinum based on the number of points a house accumulates in the 136-point system. The point total for each grade listed below is for an average-size house. The point threshold in each rating category is lowered for smaller-than-average houses and raised for larger-than-average houses.
- Certified, 45 Points
- Silver, 60 Points
- Gold, 75 Points
- Platinum, 90 Points
The strength of the LEED-H program is that the rating is done by a third party. All of the material selection and construction techniques are documented, and the home’s energy performance is tested. A homebuyer doesn’t have to take the real-estate agent’s or the builder’s word that ccertain construction methods were used.
LEED-H has its critics, but devising a system that provides a comprehensive evaluation of the home-building process from design phase through homeowner posession - one that uses a consistent, meaningful grading scale regardless of locale-is an ambitious undertaking.
LEED-H now grades on a 136 point scale. Points are offered in eight categories for adopting specific building practices and for using certain materials or products. All homes in the program must adopt 18 mandatory measures. In addition, 16 points must be achieved to meet minimum requirements in four of the categories. Architects or builders are free to choose how they want to acquire additional points depending on variables such as site, climate, house design, and budget. Below is a breakdown of the LEED categories, the number of points available in each category, and the goals of each category.
Innovation & Design: 11 Points
Integrate knowledge of all the trades in the design process, plan to make the most durable house possible, and orient the house for solar design.
Location & Linkages: 10 Points
Choose a socially and environmentally responsible site.
Sustainable Sites: 22 Points
Minimize the impact of constructin and the house on the site.
Water Efficiency: 15 Points
Conserve water indoors and outdoors.
Energy & Atmosphere: 38 Points
Build a well-insulated and tight building envelope with efficient heating and cooling systems.
Materials & Resources: 16 Points
Reduce material waste during construction, and use green products.
Indoor Environmental Quality: 21 Points
Use appliances, installation methods, and ventilation measures to improve indoor air-quality.
Awareness & Education: 3 Points
Compile a homeowner’s manual covering the operation and maintenance of the house.
Related articles
- Never Mind the Earth, Green Your Home for Your Health
- Green building “LEED 2009″ will take effect next year
- LEED certified buildings on the rise! (greenmonk.net)
- Universities’ ivory towers going green (thestar.com)
