| The construction industry has developed guidelines | | | | Silver, Gold and Platinum. |
| for certification for the Green building friendly, | | | | Apply for LEED status find an accredited professional |
| offered through the U.S. Green Building Council. | | | | at the USGBC website where you can find the forms |
| (USGBC) has a unique scoring system and method to | | | | to apply expect to pay anywhere from a few |
| score a building as Green qualified called "leadership in | | | | thousand dollars to as much as $10,000 for |
| Energy and Environment Design. (LEED) has been | | | | certification. |
| considered the industry standard in defining the | | | | LEED is a good tool if you just want to know how |
| guidelines for developing high-performance, | | | | to make your home more green even if you don't |
| sustainable green buildings, these are currently | | | | get the certification. |
| voluntary. | | | | Here is what the USGBC offers for the following |
| LEED is still in the developmental stages so there are | | | | versions of LEED certification: |
| revisions and refinements on going, builders have to | | | | 1. LEED-ND: Neighborhood development |
| use their own knowledge of green building practices | | | | 2. LEED-NC: New commercial construction and major |
| and then apply for certification through voluntary | | | | renovation projects |
| consensus by others who are in the process of | | | | 3. LEED-CI: Commercial interiors projects |
| setting the standards. | | | | 4. LEED-CS: Core and shell projects |
| The LEED point system of categorizing the points | | | | 5. LEED-EB: Existing buildings |
| which are taken in 6 areas. | | | | 6. LEED-H: Homes |
| 1. Water conservation | | | | Side benefits from getting a LEED certified home; |
| 2. Sustainable site | | | | 1. LEED certification attracts potential buyers. |
| 3. Energy and atmosphere | | | | 2. LEED certification increases the value of the home. |
| 4. Indoor environmental quality | | | | 3. LEED certification may qualify you for tax breaks, |
| 5. Energy and atmosphere | | | | speeds up your permit process, and offer other |
| 6. Green design innovations | | | | benefits. |
| The number of points earned by the builders | | | | Learn the methods of green building's a reap the |
| guidelines above determine the certification levels of | | | | rewards of efficiency and saving's. |