12.17.2011

Prepping the Site

Digging out the pad for the foundation

Installation of the silt fence

The silt fence is part of credit SS 1.1 Erosion Controls During Construction, which is a prerequisite. The fence helps control storm water runoff from the site, which can get yuckier than normal during a construction project and can also be more voluminous if the site around the building gets compacted during construction.

We are happy LEED encourages our project team to do its part to keep our local waterways clear!


9.27.2011

Benefits of a LEED Home

 


Benefits of a LEED Home from U.S. Green Building Council on Vimeo.

The USGBC produced the useful video above, with homeowners discussing the benefits of having your home built to LEED for Homes standards and having it certified as such. Here also are just a few of the benefits of building and owning a LEED Home, with something for everyone:

For the "Healthy Greens"
  • LEED homes reduce allergens and triggers for asthma and chemical sensitivity
  • LEED homes use non-toxic materials that lower exposure to mold and mildew
  • LEED homes are thoughtfully designed to eliminate uncomfortable rooms

For the "Forest Greens"
  • LEED homes reduce the impact of a home’s construction
  • LEED homes use less energy reducing pollution from fossil fuel sources
  • LEED homes use materials more efficiently
  • LEED homes create/support a market for sustainable services and products

For the "Greenback Greens"
  • LEED homes are durable structures that are built to last and easier to maintain
  • LEED homes enjoy reduced electricity, natural gas, and water bills
  • LEED homes can be eligible for local, state, and federal government incentives and rebates
  • LEED homes can receive discounts on homeowner's insurance

5.08.2011

Keeping Score: Credit Category Basics

A question that our previous post begs is, "How do I know how green I can get?" The answer is that we sat down, before we even started design, with our Green Rater and performed a preliminary evaluation of the credits we felt we could acheive given our site, our climate, our personal goals, and of course, our budget. As we take you through the construction process, we will get into specific credits and how we approached them, but here is a quick overview of the eight credit categories in the LEED for Homes rating system.

  • Innovation & Design Process (ID)
  • Location & Linkages (LL)
  • Sustainable Sites (SS)
  • Water Efficiency (WE)
  • Energy & Atmosphere (EA)
  • Materials & Resources (MR)
  • Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ)
  • Awareness & Education (AE)

4.13.2011

How Green Can You Go: The Many Shades of Certification

A LEED for Homes project can achieve one of four different levels of recognition under the current rating system: Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum. The point threshold for each level changes slightly based on a ratio of the number of bedrooms you have compared to your home's overall square footage. The idea is to reward more compact living spaces.

We are aiming for Silver. Of course, Mr. Grovewood would like to get to Platinum, but Mrs. Grovewood (who is also the project team's Professional Credentialed with Respect to LEED for Homes) is more of an under-promise, over-deliver kind of lady.

3.23.2011

LEED for Homes Process

1. Decide you want to build a LEED for Homes Certified Home.

2. Locate a local LEED for Homes Provider and a LEED for Homes Green Rater. They will work together the ensure that your project team is, in fact, designing and building a LEED for Homes Certified project.

3. Register your project. (Then you get to use the cool LEED for Homes logo.)

4. Identify a project team, including an architect or designer, a landscape architect, a general contractor, and key subcontractors. If one of your team members is a LEED for Homes AP (Accredited Professional), then congratulations! You've already earned a point.

5. Build the home to the stated goals. That should be easy enough, right?

6. Certify the project as a LEED home.

7. Move in and enjoy!