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LL6 – Access to Open Space
Here, we can get one point for being within 1/2 mile of a publicly accessible or community-based open space that is at least 3/4 acre in size. The open space requirement can be met by either one large open space or two smaller spaces totaling 3/4 acre. There is a...
LL5 – Community Resources / Transit
My initial thought was that we would totally rack up the points on this one. We live across the street from a trail where we can walk or bike to Walgreens, Whole Foods, several restaurants, an urgent care clinic, a dry cleaners, the fire department; the list goes on....
LL4 – Infrastructure
This point is for us, very straightforward: Select a lot that is within 1/2 mile of existing water service lines and sewer service lines. The intent for this point is that locating in places that already have utilities and roads reduces both the environmental impact...
LL3 – Preferred Locations
Similar to LL2 - Site Selection, this section awards points for the location of the home; this sub-section in particular encourages the building of LEED home near or within existing communities. The idea here is that there is less environmental impact if people build...
LL 2 – Site Selection
Welcome to the second section (out of eight) of the LEED for Homes Rating System! Wow, this sure is flying by. Location & Linkages has one path for Neighborhood Development, which is its own rating system designed for communities and developers -- clearly not our...
ID 3 – Innovative or Regional Design
This is the last part of the Innovation & Design Process section, and I am not yet sure if we will be getting any points. It really should be left to the end, as it fits more into the "other" category. I really like this section because it allows for variations...
ID 2.3 – Durability Verification
This credit requires that the "Green Rater" (who is hired by the builder and visually verifies that everything is, indeed, built to LEED standards) inspect and verify each measure listed in the durability checklist. This is worth 3 whole points! Since the Green...
ID 2.2 – Durability Management
This is the second prerequisite in this section (third overall). During construction, the builder shall have a quality management process in place to ensure installation of the durability measures. This can be satisfied by having the builder inspect and check off...
ID 2.1 – Durability Planning
This second section of Innovation and Design Process has two prerequisites and one additional credit worth up to three points. They all revolve around durability planning, management, and verification. The first prerequisite is as follows: 2.1 Durability Planning....
ID 1.5 – Building Orientation for Solar Design
Worth one point, this credit requires that the home be designed to maximize solar potential -- for heat in the winter and for solar collection panels. This is a pretty tough requirement, I think. It really is site-dependent. There are four pieces to this point, ALL...
ID 1.4 – Design Charrette
What in the world is a Design Charrette? That definitely sounds like a word made up by an architect. Indeed, according to Wikipedia, a design charrette "consists of an intense period of design activity." The origin of the term "charrette," according to...
ID 1.3 – Credentialed Professional
Here is where the United States Green Building Council rewards itself. You get a point toward certification if you have on your project team "a professional who is credentialed with respect to LEED for Homes as determined by the U.S. Green Building Council." At the...
Photo credit: Paul Crosby