Charles & Hudson - Latest Comments in LEED Certified Homes for the Middle-Class?

Re: LEED Certified Homes for the Middle-Class?

Jeff — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 06:56:46 -0000

I agree with you Lesley. Changes are happening so fast that LEED being common is not that far away. This would greatly benefit us all.

Re: LEED Certified Homes for the Middle-Class?

Lesley LEED AP — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:08:27 -0000

I am not entirely surprised by this post. I know Lowe's Home Improvement is striving to create tools and fixtures that are as green as possible. It is one of their prime concerns. These tools should already be out in stores, or will be soon. LEED is currently a thing of the future, but I believe it will be very common very soon. I definitely believe LEED certified homes will be available, if not common, for the middle class.

Re: LEED Certified Homes for the Middle-Class?

charlesandhudson — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:30:55 -0000

Thanks for clearing that up! Sometimes these certifications seem arbitrary but we tend to forget the exterior landscaping and the impact that can have on the rating. BTW Frank is a LEED AP and regularly contributes to JetsonGreen, he's also the author of a few green building books for children.

Re: LEED Certified Homes for the Middle-Class?

Frank Robbins — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:06:36 -0000

It's a tough thing to put your finger on, it all comes down to points. There are a whole host of sections to LEED that one can gain points on. When I spoke with Mark Jupiter, one of the founders of New World Home, he mentioned that his homes come out of the factory somewhere between silver and gold certifiable. If we take that as true, I would say that the thing that makes this particular home LEED Platinum where the home is placed (Sustainable Sites) and how the landscaping is handled (low irrigation needs, native plants that need less or no watering etc.) Hope that was helpful.

Re: LEED Certified Homes for the Middle-Class?

charlesandhudson — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:38:18 -0000

Can any LEED AP's chime in on what makes the difference between Gold and Platinum certification? Thanks for sharing Gene.

Re: LEED Certified Homes for the Middle-Class?

DIYGene — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:49:35 -0000

Here in Oakland, Habitat for Humanity East Bay has been building low-income housing that's LEED Gold rated.