Understanding LEED-H Scorecards
Reports from three case studies outline what it takes to achieve LEED for Home's silver, gold, and platinum ratings
LEED-H grades on a 136-point scale. Points are offered in eight categories for adopting specific building practices and for using certain materials or products. All homes in the program must adopt 18 mandatory measures. In addition, 16 points must be achieved to meet minimum requirements in four of the categories. Architects or builders are free to choose how they want to acquire additional points depending on variables such as site, climate, house design, and budget. Below is a breakdown of the LEED categories, the number of points available in each category, and the goals of each category.
| Points | Catagory | Goal |
| 11 | Innovation and Design | Integrate knowledge of all the trades in the design process, plan to make the most durable house possible, and orient the house for solar design. |
| 10 | Locations and Linkages | Choose a socially and environmentally responsible site. |
| 22 | Susatinable Sites | Minimize the impact of construction and the house on the site. |
| 15 | Water Efficiency | Conserve water indoors and outdoors. |
| 38 | Energy and Atmosphere | Build a well-insulated and tight building envelope with efficient heating and cooling systems. |
| 16 | Materials and Resources | Reduce material waste during construction, and use green products. |
| 21 | Indoor Environmental Quality | Use appliances, installation methods, and ventilation measures to improve indoor-air quality. |
| 3 | Awareness and Education | Compile a homeowner’s manual covering the operation and maintenance of the house. |
Keeping score: Gold-, silver-, and platinum report cards
Below, you’ll find a list of specs that contribute to the homes’ silver, gold, and platinum ratings. Click on the links to view their complete reports and see how these LEED-H homes earned each and every point.
Rating: LEED Silver
Home Details
Size: 1566 SQ. FT.
Cost: $120 per sq. ft.
Completed: 2007
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 21⁄2
Location: Boise, Idaho
Architect: Roxana Vargas Greenan
Builder: Jay Story
Insulation: Walls, R-21 cellulose with spray foam on kneewalls; ceilings, R-38 cellulose
Heating system: Forced air with 92%-efficient gas furnace
Cooling system: 14 SEER central air conditioner
Windows: Milgard doubleglazed; U-factor 0.3
Green splurge: Heat-recovery ventilator and Kliptech counters
Rating: LEED Gold
Home Details
Size: 1886 SQ. FT.
Cost: $280 per sq. ft.
Completed: 2007
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 21⁄2
Location: Bainbridge Island, Wash.
Architect: Russell Hamlet
Builder: Geoffrey Hobert
Insulation: Soybased spray foam; R-22 walls, R-42 ceilings
Heating system: Radiant floor and woodstove on first floor; auxiliary electric heat on second floor
Cooling system: None
Windows: Pella
Rating: LEED Platnium
Home Details
Size: 3200 SQ. FT.
Cost: $230 per sq. ft.
Completed: 2006
Bedrooms: 4, plus office
Bathrooms: 21⁄2
Location: Freeport, Maine
Architect: Richard Renner
Builder: Wright-Ryan Construction
Insulation: Walls, R-21 dense-pack cellulose; ceiling, R-49 loose-fill cellulose
Heating system: Radiant floor and woodstove
Cooling system: None
Windows: Thermotech triple-glazed; U-factor 0.15
Green splurge: 2kw PV and solar hot water ($30,000)
To learn more about LEED for Homes, read Making the Green-Building Dean’s List from Fine Homebuilding‘s annual Houses issuse, 195 (Spring/Summer 2008), pp.94-101.
