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Introduction to LEED for Homes
What is LEED for Homes?
- Created by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) in 2000, LEED is a leading edge rating system for certifying the greenest buildings in the world. LEED establishes clear and specific environmental goals which promote high performing and sustainable green buildings. LEED is completely voluntary and open to residential builders, new home buyers and current home owners.
How does LEED define a Green Home?
- Energy Efficient
- Healthy and Safe
- Durable
- Water Efficient
- Environmentally Responsible
How do consumers benefit from a LEED home?
LEED certified homes are:
- 30-50% More Energy Efficient
- More Durable
- More Comfortable
- Environmentally Responsible
- Appraised at Higher Property Values
- Associated With Healthier Indoor Environments
What defines a LEED certified home?
- Seven categories serve as the base criteria for becoming a LEED certified home:
- To obtain certification USGBC awards points based on the following:
| Innovation and Design |
Includes special design methods and unique regional credits and exemplary performance levels. |
| Location and Linkages |
The placement of homes in socially environmentally responsible ways in relations to the larger community. |
| Sustainable Sites |
The use of the entire property to minimize the projects impact on the site. |
| Water Efficiency |
Water-efficient practices, both indoor and outdoor. |
| Energy & Atmosphere |
Energy efficient, particularly in the building envelope and heating and cooling design. |
| Materials & Resources |
Selection of environmentally preferable materials and minimization of waste during construction. |
| Indoor Environmental Quality |
Improvement of indoor air quality by reducing the creation and exposure to pollutants. |
| Awareness & Education |
The education of homeowner, tenant and/or building manager about the operation and maintenance of a LEED home. |
- USGBC has four levels of LEED consensus based standards:
- Certified (48-62 points)
- Silver (63-77 points)
- Gold (78-92 points)
- Platinum (93-136 points)
- USGBC is continuously researching market trends to provide innovative and updated standards.
What’s the need for LEED in Florida?
- Buildings are the heaviest consumers of natural resources, accounting for 48% of the green house gas emissions annually which affect climate change.
- Florida is the 5th highest CO2 producing state, accounting for 259 million tons of carbon dioxide per year.
- Indoor air pollutants are associated with serious health risks such as cancer and asthma.
What is the status of the LEED standard in Florida?
- As of March 1, 2008, there are four LEED homes in Florida:
- 1 Gold
- 2 Silver
- 1 Certified
- Gainesville, Sarasota, Orange and Miami/Dade Counties offer fast track building incentives to LEED projects.
- Both the University of Central Florida and the University of Florida have adopted LEED for buildings that are new or undergo renovations.
- In 2007, Governor Crist issued an executive order, adopting LEED new construction (NC), for any new building constructed for or by the state. New buildings must strive for platinum certification-the highest level possible.
What is LEED’s place in the Future?
- LEED is quickly becoming a market standard for residential and commercial building:
- Since 2000, USGBC’s membership has increased ten fold, currently at 91,000 actively engaged individuals.
- By 2009, 80% of corporate America is expected to be engaged in green at least 16% of the time, and 20% will be engaged in green 60% of the time. (McGraw Hill Construction, Greening of Corporate America SmartMarket Report, 2007)
- By 2010, approximately 10% of commercial construction starts in the United States are expected to be green.
- As of February 1, 2008, 27 states offer some form of LEED initiative.
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