Washington, DC–Dramatically expanding local access to green homebuilding expertise, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has doubled its network of LEED for Homes Providers across the United States.
Launched by the nonprofit USGBC in December 2007, LEED for Homes is a national, third-party certification system for green homes. Green homes certified using LEED must complete a rigorous on-site inspection to verify performance in energy efficiency, water conservation, non-toxic materials, and other features. To date, more than 540 homes have been recognized at LEED certification levels of Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum; and an additional 12,940 have registered under the program and are currently under development.
Local LEED for Homes Providers help homebuilders, architects, and designers use LEED to build new homes, and offer the rating and verification inspections required by the program.
We are not powerless against the enormous environmental issues we face today, commented Michelle Moore, USGBCs Senior Vice President of Policy and Market Development. By choosing a green home, individual Americans can lower their utility bills, make a difference, and have a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle for themselves and for their families.
Green homes, on average, save 30-50% on energy bills and reduce CO2 emissions by a similar amount. In the U.S., homes account for 21% of all CO2 emissions. Green homes also use less water, create less waste, and have dramatically better indoor environmental quality than conventionally built homes. For the people who live in a green home, the result is lower utility bills and a healthier, better place to live. Green home owners also cite fewer instances of mold and mildew, and fewer incidences of asthma.
According to McGraw-Hill, 85% of green homeowners are more satisfied with their new, green home than their old, conventional one.
