U.S. Green Building Council Doubles Local LEED for Homes Network
Growth Driven by Surging Interest in Green Homes
Washington, D.C. (Vocus/PRWEB ) February 7, 2008 -- 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, USGBC’s 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.
Additional Media Resources:
- High-resolution interior and exterior residential photos available for print
- B-roll demonstrating all phases of green construction and green home building techniques and strategies available in high definition
- Google maps of the local LEED for Homes Providers and LEED-certified and registered homes
- Online LEED for Homes press kit: www.usgbc.org/press
- Educational consumer Web site: www.thegreenhomeguide.org
About LEED for Homes
LEED for Homes is a national third-party certification system for leadership in green homebuilding. It was developed by USGBC through a consensus process that included leading building scientists, home builders, architect, and other diverse representation from the homebuilding community. LEED for Homes rates and certifies green homes based on six sets of criteria, including energy and atmosphere, water usage, sustainable sites, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and location and linkages. Additional consideration is given for extraordinary innovation. A comprehensive Reference Guide, instructor-led workshops, and online courses about LEED for Homes are available.
For more information visit www.thegreenhomeguide.org
About USGBC
The U.S. Green Building Council is a nonprofit membership organization whose vision is a sustainable built environment within a generation. Its membership includes corporations, builders, universities, government agencies, and other nonprofit organizations. Since UGSBC’s founding in 1993, the Council has grown to include more than 13,500 member companies and organizations, a comprehensive family of LEED® green building rating systems, an expansive educational offering, the industry’s popular Greenbuild International Conference and Expo (www.greenbuildexpo.org), and a network of 72 local chapters, affiliates, and organizing groups. For more information, visit www.usgbc.org.
Contact:
Taryn Holowka
Director of Communications, USGBC
202.828.1144
tholowka @ usgbc.org
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