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What are the benefits of getting a LEED certification for our residence? How do we go about doing it?
The Expert Answer:
Any type of certification (LEED or Energy STAR) will increase your home’s resale value, significantly lower operating costs and create a healthier environment. Is your home already constructed? Today, there is only LEED certification programs for newly constructed buildings. If you are planning to build a new home or considering buying a LEED home, the Green Building Council is a good resource www.usgbc.org

You can pursue a Energy STAR audit for both new and existing homes. Here your home will be assigned a HERS (home energy rating score) based on analysis of the existing insulation, appliances in place as well as leakiness of the house (through a blower door depressurization test). The HERS rater will also be able to do return-on-investment analyses to for efficiency improvements (home sealing, furnace replacement, new insulation, etc) and prepare documents necessary to obtain many energy efficiency loans.

For more information, see Energy STAR® or to find a local HERS rater see www.natresnet.org.

June 11, 2009 at 9:15 pm :: Comments to date: 0

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