| LEED HOMES – LEED is the nationally accepted benchmark we use to assess these critical areas and ensure the quality and serviceability of our new homes.
Sustainable site development ensures no environmentally sensitive areas were affected by the construction process or the siting of the building. Also sensible considerations like water table proximity to surface and soil conditions.
Water savings as determined by water saver shower heads and aerators for faucets, as well as appliances and toilets certified as water saving. Also included can be cisterns for catching rainwater for use outside. Landscaping that uses only rainwater and doesn’t need irrigation is encouraged.
Energy efficiency is a huge area involving everything from the efficiency of the furnace and air conditioning, to the installation of the insulation, windows, and doors. The framing design can contribute to energy efficiency and efficient use of materials. Overall one of the most important areas is sealing of all leaks and cracks between the inside and outside air. Efficient lighting, use of daylight and solar energy are strongly encouraged.
With materials selection the LEED program encourages the use of locally produced materials, minimizing shipping whenever possible. Materials selection is also judged by recycled content, low volatile organic compounds (v.o.c.’s), and sustainability.
Indoor environmental quality is affected by off-gassing of products put into the home, such as carpets, paints, and varnishes. Therefore LEED evaluates all products and finishes, and also encourages whole house ventilation and point of use powered vents in areas of high humidity or unwanted interior air pollution.
Sustainability As you can see many areas of the LEED certification process are interrelated. Sustainability is a criteria that cuts across all others. The goal of the USGBC in adopting and promoting LEED standards is to encourage building that saves resources and creates healthy living environments.
Durability is also assessed during LEED certification, because all materials and procedures affect durability and a product that won’t last needs to be replaced or repaired more often – and that doesn’t make sense for economic or environmental reasons.
LEED is a whole building approach to sustainability:
• sustainable site development
• water savings
• energy efficiency
• materials selection
• indoor environmental quality
• sustainability
• durability
|
