LEED for Homes FAQs for Homebuilders
This is copied in its entirety from the USGBC’s website
What is LEED®?
LEED®is a national third-party certification system that recognizes leadership in green building. It is developed by a consensus process by volunteer members of the U.S. Green Building Council who contribute their expertise to its technical development. LEED®was first introduced in March 2000 for new commercial construction, and has since grown to include specialized versions for homes, neighborhood development, commercial interiors, high-performance building operations and maintenance, and core and shell development. More than 3.2 billion square feet of real estate in the U.S. and in 60 countries are pursuing LEED® certification.
LEED®for Homes, which launched in February 2008, measures green homebuilding performance based on eight categories: site selection, water efficiency, materials & resources, energy & atmosphere, indoor environmental quality, location & linkages, awareness & education, and innovation. Within each of these areas, projects earn points toward certification. LEED® has four levels of certification: Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum, with Platinum representing the highest level of achievement.
Why should I build a LEED® home?
LEED® certification recognizes and celebrates leadership in high-quality green homebuilding, and allows you as a builder to clearly differentiate your work.
For the homebuyer, LEED® is like the nutrition label on the side of a box of crackers: It clearly labels in measurable terms that the home has healthy, green, efficient features that have been third-party verified.
What is the difference between LEED® for Homes and other green home programs?
LEED®is a national third-party certification system for green homebuilding. It is designed to recognize leadership, so the program is rigorous and focused on measurable results. LEED®for Homes features lots of support for builders who choose to work with the rating system, including Reference Guides, instructor-led workshops and online courses.
There are also more than 70 highly regarded local or regional green home building programs in the United States. Each of these programs is unique, with its own specifications and requirements. By reviewing the checklists for LEED® and other available local or regional programs, you can choose the rating system that works best for your goals.
What types of homes can use the LEED® certification system?
The LEED®for Homes certification system is tailored for the construction of new singlefamily or low-to-mid-rise multifamily buildings. Existing homes undergoing extensive renovations are also eligible to participate in the program. Contact a LEED for Homes Provider to determine if your project is suitable.
What about remodeling projects?
For green remodeling projects, USGBC and the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) partnered to create REGREEN, the first nationwide green residential remodeling guidelines for existing homes. The REGREEN guidelines are available for free download at http://www.greenhomeguide.org.
What about affordable housing?
Affordable housing is also addressed by LEED®for Homes, and funding from a generous grant from The Home Depot Foundation is available to help offset costs associated with LEED® certification, including local rating and verification services.
Contact a LEED for Homes Provider and visit www.greenhomeguide.org/affordable for more information.
How can I participate in LEED® for Homes?
First, check out http://usgbc.org/LEED/homesto download the LEED® for Homes Rating System and Checklist. These documents are an easy way to familiarize yourself with the program, so you can decide if you want to take the next step and register a project.
OK, so I’m ready to register a project for LEED® for Homes certification…
– Connect with the LEED for Homes Provider of your choice. They’ll walk through the checklist with you so that you can see how LEED® for Homes applies to your project. Your Provider will also help you complete a HERSrating or other onsite inspections that may be required to submit your project for LEED® certification.
– Set your green goals. LEED®is a flexible system, so you’ll need to choose which credits are aligned with your project’s green goals. Your goals should include which level of LEED certification – Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum – you’re aiming for.
– Register your project. You can register your project online through the USGBC Web site. Registration fees apply.
– Document and verify. Working with your Provider, you’ll need to complete a HERSrating (if necessary), and onsite inspections of the project to document that you’ve met the LEED® credit requirements that reflect your green goals.
– Certify. Once your project is complete and your documentation is ready, your Provider will submit your final LEED® checklist to USGBC for certification.
Following a rigorous review, your project will be awarded its final certification.
– Celebrate! We want to help you to celebrate your achievement with a certification packet you can share with your homebuyer and a PR toolkit to shares the good news with your community.
How can I stay up to date on the progress of LEED® for Homes?
Get involved in one of the many USGBC committees. USGBC members interested in LEED®for Homes Committee activities can join the LEED®for Homes Corresponding Committee e-mail listserv. Just sign up online in the Your Account section of the USGBC website (www.usgbc.org/YourAccount). Corresponding Committee members receive committee meeting minutes, periodic updates and announcements regarding LEED® for Homes volunteer opportunities.
Non-USGBC members can join a public announcement distribution list by sending a request to homes@usgbc.org.
What does it cost to register a home with LEED®?
USGBC members are eligible to receive significant cost discounts for program participation. Registration and certification fees vary based on housing type:
Single-Family
Registration: $150 Members/$225 Non-Members
Certification: $225 Members/$300 Non-Members
Multifamily
Registration: $450 Members/$600 Non-Members
Certification: $0.035/sqft Members/$0.045/sqft Non-Members
What if I’m building a lot of homes all at once?
If you’re registering more than one home at a time – or a multifamily building with more than 50 units – volume pricing discounts may apply. Please contact your LEED® for Homes Provider for more information.
How do I contact USGBC?
You can call USGBC at (202) 828-7422. Please mention that you’re a homebuilder interested in LEED® for Homes, and our receptionist will transfer you to a member of the Homes team.
Filed under: green building, LEED, USGBC | Tagged: green building, home builders, LEED, real estate, REGREEN, USGBC | 1 Comment »
more than 3.2 Billion square feet of real estate currently seeking LEED® certification.
Revised Draft Water-Efficient Single-Family New Home Specification – Public comment period until July 7
Source http://www.epa.gov/watersense/specs/homes.htm
Update
EPA will conduct a public meeting on June 10, 2009 from 8 am – 5 pm (Eastern Time) at the Holiday Inn Capitol – Washington, DC . To register for the meeting, please fill out and submit the Water-Efficient Single-Family New Home Public Meeting Registration Form by June 3, 2009.
EPA will hold an additional public Webinar on June 22, 2009 from 1 pm – 4 pm (Eastern Time) for those unable to attend the Washington, DC meeting. To register for the Webinar, please fill out and submit the Water-Efficient Single-Family New Home Public Meeting Registration Form by June 17, 2009.
Revised Specification Information
EPA released a draft specification for water-efficient single-family new homes on May 22, 2008. Based on substantial feedback and significant revisions, EPA released a revised draft specification on May 8, 2009.
This specification establishes the criteria for water-efficient new homes under EPA’s WaterSense program. When finalized, it will be applicable to newly constructed single-family homes and townhomes, three stories or less in size.
In addition, to meet the Landscape Design Criteria (Section 4.1.1), the builder may choose to comply by completing a water budget. EPA has developed a tool to guide these calculations. The first version of the tool, released on November 20, 2008, was based on methodology developed by the irrigation industry as described in Irrigation Association’s Landscape Irrigation Scheduling and Water Management (2005). This second version incorporates additional research and recommendations suggested by stakeholders as part of the public comment process.
The third-party verification of WaterSense labeled new homes is intended to confirm that the builder has met the criteria of EPA’s specification for water-efficient single-family new homes. The inspection and irrigation audit guidelines explains how inspectors verify that the criteria have been met and must be followed in conjunction with the specification. These guidelines have been revised to incorporate revisions to the specification criteria and methods by which they will be tested.
Inspection Guidelines and Inspection Checklist (PDF) (21 pp, 208K, About PDF)
EPA is interested in obtaining input from all interested parties on the revised draft specification materials. The public comment period is open for 60 days and ends on July 7, 2009. Please send any comments or suggestions regarding the revised draft specification materials to <watersense-newhomes@erg.com>. All comments become a part of the public record.
In order to facilitate the consistency and utility of comments received, please submit your comments using the Template for Public Comment Submission (MS Word) (1 pp, 50K). You may either download and save this document template and directly insert your comments, or attach your comments in your own document, provided that you clearly reference the text/section in question, your recommended changes, and why you think these changes are needed.
Additionally, WaterSense will be conducting a public comment meeting in June 2009. Additional information will be posted as it becomes available.
For more information about the water-efficient single family new home specification process, including the first draft, public comments, and EPA’s response to the public comments of the specification and water budget tool, please see the Water-Efficient Single-Family New Home Specification Background Materials page.
Filed under: EPA, green building, LEED, water conservation, watersense | Tagged: EPA, irrigation, LinkedIn, New Home Specification, Public comment, Water-efficient single family new home, watersense | Leave a comment »