LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, an ecology-oriented building certification under the auspices of the U.S. Green Building Council. The residential certification measures a building’s performance on a 136-point scale in eight areas, including site sustainability, water efficiency, energy usage, materials and indoor environmental quality.

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Castalia Homes is developing LEED-certified homes in the Villages of Eastmoore in Mooresville. The homes use the latest technology and materials for positive environmental impact. PHOTO: Marc Lebryk for Custom Publications

To minimize construction waste, the LEED process starts from the beginning with site selection and design. With careful management, a LEED-certified home doesn’t have to cost much more than a standard home, and the benefits of lower utility bills and improved air quality pay off in the long run.

Utility savings come from high-performance windows and insulation, on-demand water heaters, high-efficiency water faucets and other fixtures. Improved air quality comes from using materials such as carpet, paint and cabinet finishes made from sustainable products or that emit minimal or no harmful chemicals.

Green charm
In the Villages of Eastmoore in Mooresville, Castalia Homes is developing LEED-certified homes that use the latest technology and materials for positive environmental impact.

Frank Redavide, owner of Castalia Homes, said the development is one of Indiana’s first LEED communities. He called LEED houses “high-performance homes,” and to help homebuyers understand what goes into a green home, Redavide left an upstairs room in the model unfinished.

“People can see that we take a whole-house approach,” Redavide said. “We can increase the owner’s standard of living and give them a more comfortable home. And people with asthma and allergies do well in these homes.”

What’s it mean to be green?
Redavide noted that building a green home incorporates all facets of the project, not just the heating system or flooring from a sustainable source. To save on transportation costs, minimize pollution and support regional businesses, Castalia sources materials from within 500 miles of the homesite when possible.

“We’re building very affordable green homes without increasing the cost,” Redavide said. “We can reduce utility bills from 50 percent to 80 percent compared to a standard home.”

To attain LEED certification, builders must call in an independent company to verify that the home’s systems meet LEED standards. In addition to adhering to LEED guidelines, Castalia follows National Association of Home Builders green building codes, and the homes earn the Energy Star rating from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“With the third-party verification, the owners don’t have to take the builder’s word for it,” Redavide said. “It’s very comprehensive testing.”

A LEED snapshot
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is an internationally recognized green building certification system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. It offers a framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green-building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.

LEED provides third-party verification that building projects meet the highest green building and performance measures. LEED-certified buildings are designed to:

Lower operating costs and increase asset value.
Reduce waste sent to landfills.
Promote stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impact.
Increase energy savings and water efficiency.
Improve indoor environmental quality.
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Qualify for tax rebates, zoning allowances and other incentives.

Source: U.S. Green Building Council

—By Gary Wollenhaupt, For Custom Publications

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