Mark Berman's blog

In my last post, I discussed alternatives to the LEED for Homes Rating System, but now I'd like to explain why we do indeed need LEED:

In the last several years, the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System (LEED) has seen tremendous momentum in the commercial building sector. Many states and municipalities now require that buildings built on their behalf or for their occupancy be built to the LEED standard. Until recently, the LEED program was only available for commercial buildings. Last year, the USGBC introduced the pilot program for the residential sector, LEED for Homes.

The LEED for Homes rating system is a tool for recognizing homes that are designed to be sustainable. These homes are built to be energy and resource efficient, durable, less costly to maintain and healthy for their occupants. The LEED for Homes Rating System is targeted at the best 25 percent of homes and can be applied to both single and multi-family units.

Do we need a rating system like LEED?

Unquestionably, more and more consumers and builders recognize the need to reduce energy consumption and emissions. They’re driving the market to build more sustainably. But just what is a “green home”? LEED for Homes provides a road map to get to the objective. Homes built to green standards offer a number of benefits:

• Lower and energy and water bills;
• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions;
• Improved comfort;
• Reduced maintenance;
• Health benefits such as reduced exposure to mold, mildew and other indoor toxins; and
• Third party inspection, testing and verification of the home’s green characteristics.

To be certified in the LEED for Homes program, the project must meet a number of prerequisites as well as achieve a minimum number of points within seven credit areas, including items that pertain to location, the project site, energy use, use of materials and resources, water efficiency, indoor environmental quality and homeowner awareness. When the minimum number of points are achieved, the home is certified. If more points are achieved, Silver, Gold and Platinum ratings are available.

More information about this program is available at www.usgbc.org/leed/homes. In California and Nevada, homebuilders can contact Davis Energy Group by e-mail at leed[at]davisenergy.com. Davis Energy Group has been designated by the U.S. Green Building Council as the Provider of the LEED for Homes Program. Providers are responsible for training, coordination, and oversight of the rating and ultimate certification of houses according the program criteria.

LEED for Homes is not the only green building rating program.  This is a good thing, since LEED is targeting builders that are at the upper end of the sustainably scale.  What about builders who are motivated to build greener houses, but are new to the discipline? 

LEED for Homes is generally not the best program for builders embarking upon this journey.  In California, another very good program is available entitled GreenPoint Rated.  GreenPoint Rated was developed by Build-It-Green, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting green building in the state. Build-It-Green and our company, Davis Energy Group, have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding that coordinates the GreenPoint Rated and LEED for Homes programs in California.

GreenPoint Rated provides a credible, yet accessible point of entry for builders embarking on green building.  As builders become more experienced in this arena and want to build yet greener housing units, they can achieve dual branding of their houses according to both the LEED for Homes and GreenPoint Rated systems.  Build-It-Green and Davis Energy Group are now working on developing the tools needed to easily accomplish this with one set of inspections and tests.  For after all, the ultimate goal isn’t certifications, tests and paperwork, it’s healthier, more sustainable housing units that benefit society and residents for years to come.