ASHEVILLE – Western North Carolina Green Building Council has been selected by the U.S. Green Building Council to serve the local market as a LEED for Homes Provider, helping to certify new homes as green and energy-efficient.

LEED for Homes is a national third-party certification system for energy efficient, healthy, green homes. LEED for Homes Providers are selected by the USGBC based on their demonstrated experience and expertise in green homebuilding as well as their commitment to their local community. Providers are responsible for serving as a resource for builders and for overseeing qualified green home raters who complete the onsite inspections required for certification under LEED.

“We are excited to be able to serve WNC builders as they continue to expand their green design and construction services,” said Maggie Leslie, Program Director of the Western North Carolina Green Building Council. “WNCGBC is glad to continue to offer certification services for the statewide NC HealthyBuilt Homes program while expanding its services to provide locally based technical, marketing and verification support services to builders necessary for the national LEED certification.”

LEED for Homes was developed and is administered by the nonprofit U.S. Green Building Council. LEED certification provides third-party assurance to homebuyers that their home complies with rigorous technical requirements for energy and water efficiency, indoor air quality, non-toxic materials, and environmental performance. Typical green home features include high efficiency heating and cooling systems and windows; nontoxic paints and adhesives; recycled and renewable building materials; and drought-resistant landscaping that does not require irrigation.

Lower insurance rates, advantageous financing, and government incentives may soon be available for LEED-certified homes.

By Dale Neal

Source: Asheville Citizen-Times

Publication date: January 15, 2009 11:29 am