The U.S. Green Building Council provides guidelines and training to architects, developers and contractors on environmentally sensitive construction. The Washington, D.C.-based non-profit group's rating system, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, has been the industry standard and has the most rigorous and stringent requirements for determining whether a green building is Earth-friendly to the core.
But LEED had been available only for commercial buildings until November 8, 2007. The green council has rolled out a new rating system for residential construction, called LEED for Homes. New homes and major renovations will be rated for environmental performance in several categories, including site choice and preparation, energy and water use, building and finishing materials, quality of indoor air and even for making sure the occupants know how to keep things running smoothly and efficiently.
LEED inspectors award points for performance in each category. For example, a dual-flush toilet that saves 10,000 gallons of water a year would earn some water efficiency points, while a gray water system, which diverts filtered wastewater from sinks and showers into that low-flow toilet, would earn even more.
The more points earned overall, the higher the LEED category awarded. Solidly green homes will get the "certified" label. Those that have an even lighter touch on the environment can attain silver, gold or platinum status.
