Issue link: https://www.cominghomemag.com/i/1543375
by Example LEED WHAT ECO-FRIENDLY CERTIFICATION MEANS FOR COMMUNITIES. WHAT'S LEED CERTIFICATION? WHAT DOES LEED MEAN FOR COMMUNITIES? HOW YOUR COMMUNITY CAN GO GREEN Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council in 1998, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is an international green building certification system that provides a framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building solutions. With LEED certification, a community demonstrates its commitment to environmentally conscious practices. Think: water and energy efficiency, sustainable materials and resources, and indoor and outdoor air quality. Put simply, LEED recognizes communities that prioritize the health and well-being of their residents while protecting the surrounding natural environment. Achieving LEED certification can unlock big benefits, including significant savings on monthly utilities, a smaller carbon footprint, and even increased property values. In fact, it's estimated that LEED homes use an impressive 20% to 30% less energy than non-green properties, and can save more than 100 metric tons of CO2 emissions over their lifetime. Further, some studies show that green-certified homes sell for 2% to 9% more than non-certified homes. While households and communities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico can apply for LEED certification, it's not the only way to go green. Your neighborhood can also lower its environmental impact by: • Installing energy-efficient light bulbs, like LEDs or CFLs, for interior and exterior lighting • Adopting a lights-off/power-down policy for common areas when not in use • Creating a community garden and planting local flowers to attract pollinators Don't forget to check your community's rules and regulations before establishing new procedures or taking on a major project. As community development and design continue to evolve, investors, buyers, and owners are eager for innovation. Green standards—like responsible use of renewable resources, a focus on indoor and outdoor air quality, and sustainable living practices—aren't just trends; they're paving the way for a brighter, healthier future. 36 COMING HOME MAGAZINE