Players & Roles

To understand the USGBC LEED for Homes certification process, you must also know the different players and their roles in the process.

USGBC     Provider     Green Rater     Energy Rater    Project Team

USGBC

The US Green Building Council (USGBC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community of leaders to make green buildings available to everyone within a generation.  The USGBC:

• Created and maintains the LEED for Homes standards
• Acts as final certifier of projects
• Provides technical information
• Reviews Innovative Design (ID) requests and Credit Interpretation Requests (CIRs)

Provider

LEED for Homes Providers (i.e. E3 Building Sciences) is selected by the USGBC for its experience and expertise and are trained by the USGBC.  Providers:

• Deliver the program on behalf of the USGBC
• Train and educate Green Raters
• Provide technical support to Green Raters
• Submit project to the USGBC for final review and certification
• Provide Quality Assurance
• Work with local USGBC Chapters

Green Rater

Green Raters are trained by LEED for Home Providers.  Some Green Raters are consultants by trade.  Others have a building industry background.  Green Raters:

• Shepherd the Project Team through the certification process
• Complete LEED Credit Verification
  • Document Verification
  • In-Field Inspections (at least once before drywall and once after completion)
• Complete LEED for Homes Checklist
• Submit submittal package to Provider
• Cannot build or design project

Energy Rater

Energy Raters must be RESNET Class 1 HERS Raters.  Energy Raters:

• Complete Energy Modeling (necessary for performance method of Energy & Atmosphere (EA)
• Complete pre-drywall Thermal By-Pass Inspection (required by EPA)
• Complete Duct & Envelope Testing (Blower Door) at completion

Project Team

The Project Team consists of design and construction professionals (Architects, Builders, Engineers, Landscapers, Interior Designers, etc).  The home owner may also want to join the team.  Project Teams must have a team leader who organizes the team and sees that objective are met.  Project Teams:

• Develop project goals
• Identify potential challenges and solutions
• Ensure the completion of project goals