The United States Green Building Council announced that more than 20,000 homes in the U.S. has been LEED-certified, referring to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Homes a rating system used for sustainable housing.
There is now twice as much «LEED for Homes»-certified houses in the country compared with last year, after reaching the 10,000 mark in April. A McGraw-Hill Construction study predicts the growth of «green» homes in the residential construction market to reach 29 to 38 percent by 2016, worth around $87 to $114 billion.
«There are green homes, and then there are LEED homes. This milestone is evidence that the residential market is increasingly recognizing this fact,» said Nate Kredich, vice president for residential market development at the Green Building Council. «LEED for Homes is moving the residential market further and faster towards high-performing, healthy homes that save residents money.»
The certified homes are varied – from multi-family to single family and from market rate to affordable housing. Over half of the total is categorized in the affordable housing category.
Notable projects that have been given the certification include eight LEED Platinum certified homes in Coconut Cove development in Florida; two low-rise multi-family buildings in Texas; and a LEED for Homes International Pilot program in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Since launching in 2008, LEED for Homes has completed roughly one-fifth of its target of 100,000 certified homes.
EcoSeed Staff – EcoSeed
