LEEDing the Way

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) wants to see greener homes being built, and its LEED for Homes® program can help your new home be one of them.  

LEED ( Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a voluntary rating system created by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to make it simpler for homebuyers anywhere in the country to identify green homes.

Developed by a diverse group of national experts and experienced green builders, the LEED for Homes Green Building Rating System provides a consistent measurement for sustainability, addressing such aspects as:

• Is the home location responsible in its relation to the larger community? 
• Does the use of space minimize the project's impact on the site and natural surroundings? 
• Does it enable efficient use of water indoors and outdoors? 
• Is the home energy efficient? 
• How do materials used and waste created affect the environment? 
• How is the indoor air quality? 
• Has the owner/ tenant been educated about the green features? 
• Does the design and construction improve upon the program suggestions? 

For more information about LEED for Homes, go to the USGBC website.
To learn more about home Green Certification Programs, download this fact sheet (pdf) from the Florida Energy Systems Consortium.