LEED Residential
Here are some required features for a LEED home:
- Energy Star. All LEED Homes must be Energy Star compliant or better.
- Durability Plan. The builder must specifically address durability in the design of a LEED Home, using a design process specified in the Rating System.
- Waste Management Plan. All waste from building sites must be tracked and maintained below 2.5 lbs/sf of the home (i.e., approximately one-half the waste generated in constructing typical new homes).
- Site Protections. The builder must maintain at least 40% of the building lot undisturbed during the construction process. Further, the builder must install erosion controls to protect the soil and minimize surface water run-off.
- Owner's Manual. The builder must provide the homebuyer with an owner's manual and provide a detailed walk-though of the new home just prior to occupancy. The builder is to educate the homeowner on the proper care and maintenance of the new LEED features installed in the home.
- Health and Safety Measures. To minimize the potential for occupant exposure to combustion gases, all combustion gases appliances and equipment must have sealed combustion. Carbon monoxide monitors must be installed on each floor of the home. Also, a mechanical ventilation system must be installed in the home.
- Regional Applicability. The requirements for many LEED Home building measures vary with four climate zones and three precipitation zones.
- Home Size. The standard encourages the design and construction of more compact and efficiently designed homes.
- Locations and Linkages. LEED Residential rewards homes that are built close to existing infrastructure and to community resources. Multifamily housing is also encouraged.
- Landscaping and Irrigation. LEED Residential encourages the selection of plantings that are climate appropriate, that turf area is minimized and outdoor use of water is minimized.