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Thursday, January 29, 2009

What Makes a LEED® Certified Home Different?

The homes in Brytan are all LEED-H certified - which means that they are registered with the US Green Building Council LEED for Homes program before construction is started, a group of experts (including an architect, the builder, the developer, the green consultant) all carefully scrutinizee the plan and chenge the home to make it more durable, more efficient, healthier and more sustainable.   There is not a standard checklist, the builder and developer can choose to incorporate items that are appropriate to the location of the home and can also choose a level of certification.  For instance, in Florida we are concerned about moisture intrusion, hurricanes and certain pests.   So those risks must be evaluated and mitigated during construction.  Also, during the building process, a third party follows the building process and verifies that the home is built as planned. 

Some homeowners think this process happens with every home.  However, typical builders consider floorplan, cost per square foot, and a trendy facade (the latest finishes that sell the house - round top windows, stone veneer, granite countertops).  Durability is considered equal to code compliance and Energy Star certification is sometimes offered since buyers are showing more interest in lower utility bills.  Often, Energy Star and other energy conservation measures are marketed as "green", even though that is the only green component of the project. 

LEED for Homes certification (and other similar programs, when properly administered) offer more than just energy efficiency.   Additional areas that are addressed include the following: 

Sustainable Sites:   Most people think only of the structure when thinking of a green building, however the design of the site can have a significant environmental impact.   Managing stormwater onsite, landscaping appropriate to the region, plants that are easy to care for without fertilizers and pesticides, removal of invasive species, and minimization of other adverse impacts. 
Water Efficiency: Water efficiency measures in new homes can save an average of 30,000 gallons per year per home with little to no impact to the homeowners through appropriate water saving fixtures and careful planning of landscaping and management of irrigation.   This not only saves water, a limited resource, but saves the homeowner money in both water use and sewage fees.  
Energy and Atmosphere:  Energy conservation can be demonstrated through Energy Star certification in the LEED for Homes program.  In addition, there are incentives to use refrigerants that have less environmental impacts and to incorporate simple energy saving strategies such as insulated water lines. 
Material and Resources:  Choosing the best building materials is more than just putting in a bamboo floor and using VOC-free paint.   Using wood products from sustainably grown forests, providing recycling for the waste generated during the building process, and designing the building to take advantage of pre-cut lengths of wood all contribute to a sustainably built home. Products that are locally produced, the contribute to indoor air quality, and that contain recycled materials are encouraged in the program.  
Indoor Environmental Quality: We spend much of our time indoors, and due to energy efficient building, levels of pollutants within the home can grow to unsafe levels.  Preventing problems from moisture which leads to mold and mildew, limiting use of materials containing formaldehyde and other chemicals, and adding fresh air ventilation all contribute to healthy indoor air.   
Innovation and Design:  This area of the program addresses long term durability and regional issues and also allows for improvements and innovations that may not have been addressed when the program was designed.  
Awareness and Education:  Homeowners may be overwhelmed by everything they hear about their new home, and there may be systems they are unfamiliar with.  The LEED for Homes program requires builders to familiarize buyers with their home and teach them to operate it effectively.  In addition, each home comes with an "Operating Manual" incorporating all of the instructions and warranties for not only the appliances, but for all the fixtures and finishes installed in the home.   It also can provide information about the neighborhood, transit, and local amenites, making it especially valuable to someone unfamiliar with the community.
Location and Linkages: Location and linkages not only addresses the impacts of the location of the site itself (selection of location that promotes environmentally responsible land use patterns) but also the neighborhood. Credit is given for infill and redeveloped areas with existing infrastructure, connection to sustainable transportation options (such as transit, cycling and walking), and proximity to community resources (schools, stores, services) to minimize dependence on automobiles. 

Future blogs will address some of the specific areas in more detail.   For more information, check out the USGBC website and specifically, the USGBC's LEED for Homes program.   More questions?  Shoot me an email! 

Brytan Blog Kicks Off

Welcome to Brytan's brand new blog! Be on the lookout for new information to be posted weekly by the Founder, the Brytan Town Architect, the Brytan Green Consultant, and many more.