A green home uses less energy, water, and natural resources; creates less waste; and is healthier and more comfortable for the occupants. A LEED certified home can have lower energy and water bills; reduced greenhouse gas emissions; and less exposure to mold, mildew and other indoor toxins.
(Source: USGBC)

The LEED for Homes Rating System developed by the U.S. Green Building Council is a third party certification program that rates the level of sustainability a home has achieved. The rating system consists of both mandatory and optional credits. There are four levels in the rating system: Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum. LEED for Homes certification is managed by a LEED for Homes Provider.  Projects must work with a Provider as well as a Green Rater in order to certify their home.

Fore Solutions is a USGBC LEED for Homes Provider. If you are a homeowner, builder, or developer interested in building a LEED home, please contact us to help guide you through the process and certify your project.

The LEED for Homes Process with your Provider

• Pre-construction Design Review and Preliminary LEED Project Assessment
  • This critical step involves a meeting of all design team members, builder and owner/developer with the Provider and Green Rater
  • A strategic discussion of each LEED for Home credit in the checklist
  • A discussion of the durability plan proposed for the project
• Green Design Charrette
  • This optional step uses an integrated design approach to address all aspects of the design and innovative approaches to energy efficiency and other environmentally responsible practices.
• Work with the Green Rater During Construction
  • Determine Energy Star compliance though an energy model of the home’s design
  • Complete a durability plan and schedule on-site inspection related to envelope air leakage, insulation, mechanical systems and other checklist items
  • Work with the Green Rater on Testing of envelope air leakage, duct leakage, supply air flow and refrigerant charge.
• Technical Assistance During Construction
  • Areas for improvement during construction
  • Discussion of materials choices
• Provider Review and Final Certification
  • Gathering of documentation
  • Final review of documentation provided by builder and design team
  • Certification call with USGBC

The LEED for Homes process is a collaborative effort between the entire project team; the owner, design team and builder. Providers are considered a third-party reviewer of the documentation provided by the project team. All project team members are expected to gain knowledge of the LEED for Homes Rating System, including reviewing the LEED checklist to ensure compliance with mandatory prerequisites and to reach a general understanding of where the current design will score in the rating system.

Fore Solutions provides the design team and builder with a LEED for Homes electronic packet of required information and forms at the beginning of the project including a Preliminary LEED Credit Checklist, Accountability Forms, a Durability Evaluation Form, and a Durability Checklist. This entire file will be completed by the design team and owner and returned to the Provider with all forms signed after construction completion.

Visit our LEED for Homes Projects page to see examples of our work.

View the LEED for Homes Certfication Process video.

Visit the USGBC LEED for Homes webpage.