LEED® for Homes
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.
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. Energy consumption of a LEED Certified home is an average of 30% less than a home built to the National Energy Code.
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.
What is the mission of LEED?
LEED is a voluntary program developed by USGBC to promote the transformation of the mainstream home building industry towards more sustainable practices. LEED 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.
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. Visit www.usgbc.org/leed/homes for a complete list. 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 standard for green home building that is developed and refined by a diverse cadre of national experts and experienced green builders.
How will the quality of LEED homes be assured?
The strength of the LEED program is rigorous third-party verification and documentation. Each LEED home will undergo both on-site inspections to ensure that the LEED features have been installed correctly, and thorough performance testing to ensure proper performance.
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 (listed at www.usgbc.org/leed/homes) offer training and educational information. USGBC is also in the process of developing a new online education resource on green home building. Details will be available soon.
LEED contact information
For questions about LEED, please call the USGBC at 202-828-7422 or e-mail leedinfo@usgbc.org.
Additional information
For more information about LEED, download the LEED FAQ (pdf).
LEED Certificate
Download the LEED Certificate (pdf).
