LEED for Homes - A Primer for Homebuyers

Are all new homes created equal? Homebuyers often expect that they are. Generally, a new home is perceived to be of better quality than an existing home, assuming that a new home offers the best available performance. New homebuyers often do not realize that the building codes define the lowest level of acceptable performance in new homes. In fact, most new homes are built to minimally satisfy the building code. which is the lowest level of performance allowed by the law.

Homebuyers have begun to look beyond code-built homes, to higher quality homes that are available. Among these options are homes certified through green homebuilding programs, like the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System for Homes. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) developed the LEED for Homes rating system as a tool to assess the overall performance of new green homes.
 
It is possible to buy a home that is designed and built to perform at a level that substantially exceeds the building code. As an example, an ENERGY STAR Home is designed to exceed the national energy code by 15-20% or more. New home buyers are also beginning to realize that there are other upgrade options available, beyond just energy efficient features. These performance options include health, safety and comfort features, durable designs, and more environmentally responsive designs and materials. And in some cases the whole community may be developed using a more sustainable approach. 

Consumers repeatedly raise a few important questions when researching green homes. What exactly is a green home? And, which programs can best help to differentiate a home with green features from a conventional (code-built) home?

The LEED for Homes program defines a green home as:

• Healthy
• Comfortable
• Durable
• Energy efficient, and 
• Environmentally responsible

One of the main purposes of the LEED for Homes program is to guide homeowners to new homes that meet this definition. A home buyer needs only to look for a certified LEED home to readily identify a true green home that has been third-party inspected and performance-tested. LEED homes substantially outperform conventional homes that are built to the minimum code.