Features and Benefits of a LEED Certified Home
There are many benefits to owning a LEED certified home. Compared to a conventional home, these include:
- cost less to heat and cool
- are more comfortable
- are more environmentally friendly
- are more durable and require less maintenance
- are less polluting
- are less wasteful to build
There are four major areas where green homes surpass conventional homes:
- Greater energy efficiency
- Improved indoor air quality
- Better use of resources
- Lower impact development
Let's look at the specific measures we took to acheive benefits that surpass most home building projects:
Greater Energy Efficiency
- Advanced Framing:
This home was sized and engineered to be built with fewer materials than an average house and increased the insulation capabilities of the wall system.
- Extra Insulation
The foundation, interior walls and attic have open cell and closed cell foam insulation to increase efficiency.
- Energy Star Appliances
ll appliances are Energy Star certified to save energy and money.
- Air Sealing
This home is 50% tighter than an average home so that it is less drafty, more comfortable, and cheaper to heat. The sealing is verified with tests and the house is ventilated with a special fan so the house isn't too tight.
-High Efficiency Water Heating
The hot water is heated by solar panels at 92% efficiency; this is 50% more efficient than a conventional hot water heater.
-Energy Star Windows
Extra efficient Low E glass means the windows are warmer so the house is more comfortable in the winter and the summer.
-Spray-in Foam Insulation
This insulation seals and insulates much better than conventional fiberglass insulation.
-Insulated Hot Water Pipes
All of the hot water pipes are insulated so the hot water stays hot and gets to the faucets faster.
-LED Lighting
90% LED recessed lights. This is perhaps the best way to reduce energy use.
-Correctly Sized Heat System
Oversizing heat systems wastes energy. Most heating systems are oversized; very efficient LEED houses require smaller heating systems.
Improved Indoor Air Quality
- Low VOC paints
These special paints are made to reduce indoor air pollution. Indoor air is three times more polluted than outdoor air, and according to the EPA, is considered to be one of the top 5 hazards to human health. Paints and finishes are among the leading causes.
- No Carpet Hardwood flooring is use to avoid the off-gassing and air pollution that comes with carpet.
- Energy Recovery Ventilator
"Build tight, ventilate right" is the motto. Some houses are built too tight without anyone realizing it. Too tight is bad for the house and the occupants. This home has a high performing heat transfer system that continuously brings outside air into the house while exhausting an equal portion of indoor air to maintain a safe air change ratio.
- EPA Indoor Air Quality Certified The house passes a 75 point checklist to ensure the house is durable and the air quality is good.
-Passive Radon System Radon is found all over the U.S. and is the No. 2 cause of lung cancer. This system mitigates the presence of radon.
Sealed Combustion Appliances The high efficiency boiler gets it's air from outside which is more efficient and ensures that carbon monoxide stays out of the house.
Resource Conservation
-Well Designed Home This home was designed to Maximize efficiency and comfort while minimizing space required.
- Engineered Wood Flooring, trusses, engineered beams, and engineered joists all reduce the amount of trees cut down to make the house.
- Smart Molding All interior trim was crafted from reclaimed wood.
- Spray Insulation This insulation insulates and seals much better than conventional insulation.
- Professional Drought Tolerant Landscape Design The house is professionally landscaped to beautify the neighborhood. Only native and hardy plants are used so the landscaping should stay beautiful with minimal care.
- High Efficiency Faucets Special faucets are carefully chosen to use less water without seeming stingy. Using less water in your house means that less water needs to be pumped and cleaned by the City. This reduces energy use.
- No Tropical Hardwoods Not using these woods reduces the cutting of old growth forests worldwide. FSC (Forest Steward Certified) wood was used throughout the home in stead.
Low Impact Development
- Fully Developed Site
The house is built on a previously developed lot with full utilities.
Green Space For downtown houses, there is over ½ acre of green space and parks within ¼ mile.
- Urban Living is Efficient
People living in a city can walk or bicycle to where they want to go, whether it is to the grocery store, the doctor, or the library. This Georgetown home has an outstanding number of these resources nearby.
