Our intention for this remodel was always to use best building practices, use sustainable materials and green products, reuse as much material from the house as possible, and make the house very energy-efficient. During design, we learned about the standards of LEED: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, and realized that we were already well on our way toward meeting certification requirements. At the encouragement of our design and building team we decided to seek LEED certification for the house.

At the time of this writing, we have not yet received certification for the home, but we are seeking Platinum LEED certification, the highest level.

See this brief video about the benefits of a LEED home:

In short, LEED remodeled homes are

• Comfortable. “Best practices” used in construction result in a non-drafty house that stays cool in summer and is easy to heat in winter.
• Healthy. Homes use non-toxic construction materials and have low levels of dust, allergens, mold, and mildew.
• Durable. Homes are built to last.
• Energy-efficient. Homes are well-insulated and are easy to heat and cool.
• Environmentally sound. A high degree of material re-use keeps it out of the landfill. New materials are procured from vendors who deliver them from sustainable resources. Homes can produce their own energy, using photovoltaic or solar thermal panels (for example).

Our LEED for Homes advisor and rater is Pete Kennedy.
Bright Green Strategies
Santa Cruz, CA.

U.S. Green Building Council
Washington, DC