LEED for Homes could see changes in the future. Eco Home magazine reports that revised LEED for Homes requirements are projected to be released in November 2012. The purpose for the LEED for Homes updates is to create a more streamlined certification process that will reduce paperwork and shift to a performance-based criteria.
LEED for Homes Technical Development Manager Asa Foss said during the 2010 Greenbuild conference that “LEED has always pushed codes… And whenever we stretch the LEED requirements we try to balance how far to go and how fast.”
Some of the proposed changes include the following:
- Changing the certification points scale from 136 points to 100 points to align with other rating systems.
- Updating Energy and Atmosphere credits to meet new Energy Star for Homes Version 3.0 requirements.
- Requiring all projects to complete Energy Star 3.0 HVAC inspection checklists.
Eco Home magazine also reports that this new approach to LEED-certification would “reward design decisions that affect performance in ways that a prescriptive path can’t, and offer fairer comparisons between homes – including existing homes.”
What do you think about the proposed changes for LEED for Homes? Share your thoughts with us! If you would like more information on LEED for Homes, please visit www.ecohomemagazine.com or www.usgbc.org.
Photo credit: Ecohomemagazine.com.
