A certified LEED Home offers the following benefits over standard construction:

•  Healthier indoor air

• At least 30% greater energy efficiency

• At least 30 % greater water efficiency

• Improved durability and more environmentally-friendly building materials

• At least 30% less storm water run-off

• Climate-appropriate landscaping

• Higher market value

Basic Green Design Strategies

Energy Efficiency

• High-efficiency thermal envelope

• High-efficiency heating/cooling equipment

• High-efficiency water heating equipment

• High-efficiency lighting and appliances

• Use of renewable energy sources

Water Efficiency

• Rainwater harvesting

• Graywater systems

• High-efficiency irrigation systems

• Low-flow fixtures

Sustainable Use of Land                      

• Sensitive site selection

• Plant/tree preservation

• Water-conserving landscaping

• Surface water management

• Non-toxic pest control

Sustainable Use of Materials               

• Appropriate home size

• Efficient use of structural materials

• Use of locally produced products

• Use of durable materials

• Use of environmentally preferable products

• Minimizing construction waste 

Indoor Environmental Quality   

• Combustion safety/venting

• Fresh air ventilation and exhaust systems

• Supply air filtration and distribution

• Protection from contaminants (radon, vehicle emissions, VOCs, etc.)

Cost of a LEED Home

            Cost of a LEED-certified home is estimated to be about 3 to 4 percent more than a home built to code, including the cost of third-party LEED certification. Costs are difficult to generalize because construction and land costs vary substantially across the U.S. As an example, a traditionally-built 2,000-square-foot home costing $300,000 would cost an additional $9,000-$12,000 for LEED certified green measures. Amortized over a 30-year mortgage, at today’s interest rates with a 20% down payment, the monthly cost of these green measures would be approximately $45 to $60 per month, or about $1.50 to $2 per day for better health, comfort, durability, and environmental stewardship.

            However, utility bills for a Certified LEED Home will be 25 to 35 percent lower. Where energy bills for a typical home built to code might be about $2,000 a year, or $167 a month, a LEED home would yield energy savings of $40 to $55 a month. Water savings could be an additional $10 to $15 a month. So the monthly utility savings from a LEED Home almost exactly offset the additional cost of the green measures. The bottom line is that the monthly cost of a code home and a Certified LEED Home are the same, including both the mortgage payment and the utility bills.

Adapted with permission from Ultimate Home Design magazine, Jan/Feb. ’06, www.ultimatehomedesign.com,     951 676 4914.