LEED Process

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.  Therefore the LEED for Homes Certification Process is designed to ensure that both the design & construction process and the end product are “Green”.   This result is not hard to achieve, because good building processes lead to good buildings.

The LEED for Homes Process

The LEED for Homes Process starts with an early decision.  It is best to discuss LEED for Homes Certification in the beginning of the design process.  Deciding to build a LEED Home sooner than later will make the entire certification process easier.   Deciding early also helps guide you throughout the process and ultimately leads to a better built home.  Once the decision has been made you will contact a LEED for Homes Provider, in this case E3 Building Sciences.

During the Design Phase you will become familiar with your Green Rater.  E3 will either assign you a rater or give you a list of Green Raters from which to choose.  You should also be putting together your Project Team.  A Project Team consists of professionals from various disciplines (architect, builder, engineer, landscape architect, etc.) who can add ideas and expertise to your project.  A Design Charrette, a meeting to discuss Greening your project, will take place between the Green Rater and the Project team.  Your Green Rater will help guide you through the LEED for Homes Rating System and Checklist.  It may be very important for you to complete Energy Modeling at this time.  Energy Modeling can help you decide how to get the most “bang for your buck” when considering system improvements.  Energy Modeling should be completed by a Class 1 HERS Rater, also known as an Energy Rater.  E3 can help you with any and all of your Energy Modeling needs.  During the Design Phase you will also learn from the Green Rater how to validate LEED credits your team is pursuing.

During Construction the Green Rater will inspect your home and verify that all construction elements necessary for LEED points are present in the home.  The Green Rater will conduct at least two inspections.  The first will be a pre-drywall inspection.  The second will be conducted at construction completion.  The Energy Rater will conduct a Thermal By-Pass Inspection prior to drywall.  He/she will also conduct performance testing of the home at construction completion.

Once all verification steps have been complete, the Green Rater will submit the final Submittal Package, consisting of three documents, to the Provider (E3 Building Sciences).  The documents are the LEED Checklist, Durability Forms and Accountability Forms.  Although the Green Rater initially has to turn in three forms, he/she may ask for more documentation in order to verify different LEED credits.  The Provider will review the submittal package and conduct any follow up with the Green Rater.  Once a full review is complete the Provider will submit the package to the USGBC for final review and certification.  At that time the USGBC will conduct a certification call with the Provider.  Finally, your project becomes certified.

Time to Celebrate!!!  You just built a Green Home.  Congratulations!!!