Frequently Asked Questions

What is LEED for Homes?

LEED for Homes is a green home rating system for ensuring that homes are designed and built to be energy and resource efficient and healthy for occupants. LEED can be applied to single and multi-family homes and is intended for both market-rate and affordable housing. The non-profit organization U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) originally developed the LEED green building rating system in 2000 for new commercial construction. Following LEED’s success in the commercial sector, USGBC began the pilot test of LEED for homes in August 2005. There are currently over 8,200 homes across the U.S. involved in the LEED for Homes pilot program and 336 that have already been LEED certified as a green home.

What is a green home?

A green home uses less energy, water, and natural resources; creates less waste; and is healthier for the people living inside.

What are the benefits of a LEED home?

LEED homes are safer, healthier, more comfortable, and more durable than conventional homes. The benefits of a LEED home include economic benefits such as lower energy and water bills; environmental benefits like reduced greenhouse gas emissions; and health benefits such as reduced exposure to mold, mildew and other indoor toxins. Even better, the net cost of owning a LEED home is comparable to that of owning a conventional home.

How can consumers compare green homes?

One of the many challenges faced by a home buyer is comparing a green home to another home. Any one home can be called "green," but how does the homeowner know that it really is green? LEED certification is something that consumers can look for to readily identify green homes that have been third-party inspected, performance-tested, and certified to perform better than conventional homes. The LEED certification ensures that the home you are purchasing was designed to meet the highest standards and is operating exactly the way it is supposed to.

What does “shades of green” mean?

The phrase "shades of green” is often used to refer to various levels of achievement in adopting resource efficiency in a home. Homes with one or two green measures are sometimes called light green while homes with several green measures are called dark green. The LEED rating system has four levels (“shades”) of green: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, with Platinum being the highest level of LEED certification.

What exactly is the LEED Rating System?

The LEED Rating System is a voluntary program developed by USGBC to promote the transformation of the home building industry towards more sustainable practices. LEED is targeted at the top 25% of the market and recognizes and rewards the top performing new homes in terms of resource efficiency and environmental stewardship. LEED is a collaborative initiative that actively involves all sectors of the home building industry including builders, home owners, product manufacturers, service providers, and affordable housing developers. Rather than encouraging mandatory policies for the private sector, USGBC believes incentives will support market leadership, which is a principal driver towards market transformation.

How was the LEED for Homes rating system developed?

The LEED for Homes rating system was developed via USGBC’s open, consensus-based development process. The LEED for Homes Committee, a group of USGBC expert volunteers carefully selected to be representative of the entire home building industry, has primary responsibility for the development and ongoing refinement of the rating system. In addition to the pilot testing phase, the rating system will undergo a public comment period, which is an opportunity for all interested parties and stakeholders to provide their feedback. The final step in the process is a member ballot of the rating system.

What is the difference between LEED for Homes and other green home building programs?

There are currently more than 70 local or regional green home building programs in the United States. Each of these programs is unique, with its own specifications and requirements. For example, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has created guidelines which explain how builders can incorporate green building concepts into a project. Unlike LEED, however, these guidelines do not require documentation and independent, third-party verification. LEED is the only national homes rating system that clearly defines and establishes benchmarks for the features of a green home. It enables builders anywhere in the country to obtain a green LEED rating that can be recognized by homebuyers nationwide. LEED is a consensus-based national system for green home building that is developed and refined by a diverse cadre of national experts and experienced green builders.

Does LEED include affordable and multifamily homes?

Yes, LEED for Homes ia applicable to both affordable and multifamily homes. These projects’ participation and associated activities are funded by a generous grant from The Home Depot Foundation. In order to address the unique needs of affordable housing, the LEED Homes Committee has formed an expert Affordable Housing Working Group to make recommendations for specific measures that need to be refined, removed and/or added to the rating system to better meet that market's needs.

Can Existing Homes get LEED Certified?

LEED for Homes is focused on the construction of new homes. USGBC is also working with the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) to develop a green home rennovation guide, which is a checklist that homeowners can use to green their existing home.

Who is responsible for rating a LEED home?

LEED homes are rated by LEED for Homes Providers, local organizations with demonstrated experience and expertise in their region's market. A LEED for Homes Provider has three primary roles in a given market:
• Marketing LEED to builders;
• Providing green home rating support services to builders;
• Training, coordinating, and overseeing LEED qualified inspectors and builder support staff.

LEED for Homes Providers are located around the country and contracted through the USGBC to provide services to builders. They have demonstrated outstanding abilities and have a proven record of supporting builders in the construction of high performance, sustainable homes. See the list of providers at www.usgbc.org/leed/homes.

How much will it cost to earn a LEED Home rating?

Ffees for LEED are established by each local LEED for Homes Provider. Fees for the initial verification tasks range from $500 to $2,000 per home. The cost of verification will vary with size of the home, the LEED performance tier (i.e., Certified, Silver, Gold, Platinum), travel time required by the rater, the number of homes being built, and the builder’s experience with green home building techniques. Certain areas may have cost incentives provided through utilities, state energy organizations or corporate sponsors.

How can I stay up to date on the progress of LEED for Homes?

USGBC members interested in LEED for Homes Committee activities can join the LEED for Homes "Corresponding Committee" e-mail listserv; sign up online in the Your Account section of the USGBC web site (www.usgbc.org/YourAccount). Your Corresponding committee members receive committee meeting minutes, periodic updates and announcements regarding LEED for homes volunteer opportunities.

Interested parties who are not USGBC members can join a public announcement distribution list by request via homes@committees.usgbc.org.

Where can I find out more about green home building?

There are many green home building resources available on the internet. Many of the existing local green home building programs offer training and educational information.