The Ultimate in Green Homes
Greentips: November 2010
The United States’ approximately 123 million residences consume 22 percent of the country’s energy and 74 percent of its water, while generating 21 percent of its global warming emissions. You can minimize these impacts, and save money on your utilities, by buying or building a home certified as energy- and resource-efficient.
Federal and state certification programs vary in their criteria and costs. We’ve chosen to describe below three of the most well-known labels, which are all independently verified for compliance:
LEED for Homes. This program, managed by the nonprofit U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is considered by many to be the most rigorous. Four certification levels are available based on multiple criteria including site selection, resource efficiency, material use, indoor environmental quality, and proximity to transportation and shopping. LEED-rated homes are between 20 and 60 percent more energy-efficient than homes built to the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). The key drawback is cost: typically between $2,000 and $4,000. Because LEED standards apply only to new construction, remodeling projects can be certified under the USGBC and American Society of Interior Designers’ REGREEN program (see the Related Resources).
National Green Building Standard. The National Association of Home Builders and International Code Council oversee this program, which is approved by the American National Standards Institute. Like LEED, homes can qualify for one of four certification levels based on multiple criteria; certified homes are between 15 and 60 percent more energy-efficient than 2006 IECC-rated homes. The program is less expensive than LEED (typically less than $1,000) and is applicable to remodeling projects, but is less rigorous in its assessment of energy-efficiency measures.
Energy Star for Homes. This program uses Environmental Protection Agency criteria to rate new and remodeled homes based on energy efficiency only. Energy Star-certified homes are at least 15 percent more energy-efficient than those built to the 2004 International Residential Code (similar to the 2006 IECC). There is no certification cost beyond what the homeowner must pay for independent verification. More rigorous Energy Star standards will be released in 2011 to ensure certification remains meaningful as overall building efficiency continues to improve.
If you’re interested in building a home that meets one of these standards, look for program-accredited builders and verifiers before construction begins. If you’re looking to buy or rent an already “green” property, consider working with a realtor trained on the subject (see the Related Resources) and hiring an accredited verifier to ensure the home lives up to its billing.
