In my last entry, I committed to writing about each of the 35 sub-categories that I need to fill out in order to get points. Here is the framework.
Everything revolves around the LEED Checklist. Within each of the eight sections of the checklist, you can gather a certain number of points. Below are the sections and the maximum number of points attainable (total available: 136):
In this system, all points are created equal. But clearly, some areas like energy efficiency are more highly valued.
Now, there are four different levels of certification. In order to be certified, you have to get 45 points. For silver, you need 60 points; gold: 75; platinum: 90. Here’s the rub: those points are only relevant for “neutral” sized homes. Meaning, if you have a 3-bedroom home, it should be no more than 1,900 square feet. A five bedroom home should be 2,850 square feet. If the total square footage of the home is more or less than “neutral”, the point requirements are adjusted.
Our home, while technically only 3 bedrooms, can have 5 bedrooms. So we go with 5 bedrooms. But it is larger than neutral — partly because we built a home office for me above the garage, partly because we built a basement because it was the cheapest square footage to add. The LEED for Homes Reference Manual offers a logarithmic equation to make the point adjustment based upon more/less square footage. Really? Logarithmic? Does it have to be that complicated?
In any case, I think we need to add 13 points to the above numbers in order to attain those levels of certification. What is our goal? Since we are adding solar panels this year, I’d like to think we could make Gold. So, that’s 88 points. Let’s see what we’ve got.