LEED for Homes

How to Participate

  1. Please check the USGBC website and ensure you have a basic understanding of the program and whether you are likely to qualify for a certification level (minimum 45 credits).
  2. Request and submit an application with information about your project. (Applications are available for download below.)
  3. Download a LEED for Homes Rating System and California Checklist.

For more information on LEED for Homes or an application packet please contact us at .

  • To download an application for a new project in California, click here.
  • To download an application for a new project outside of California, click here.
  • If your project is 4 to 6 stories high, it falls under USGBC's LEED for Homes Mid-Rise Pilot. To download an application, click here.

Background


The U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED is a voluntary program designed to recognize and reward the nation’s top green builders in terms of environmentally sound construction. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.

Initially, LEED focused on commercial buildings. In 2006, the USGBC introduced a pilot version of LEED for Homes. A LEED certified home offers significant benefits to its owners, including:

  • Energy Savings (~30-70%)
  • Water Savings (~40%)
  • Improved Health: indoor air quality, safety, and thermal comfort
  • Improved Durability and Value
  • Homeowner Education
  • Environmentally Responsible

LEED certification gives homeowners confidence that their home is durable, healthy, and environmentally friendly.

For the LEED for Homes Pilot Program, Davis Energy Group was chosen by the USGBC as Provider in California and Nevada. More than 50 builders have joined DEG in the Pilot Program and a variety of homebuilders are participating, including: Production, Custom, Multi-family and Affordable homebuilders. Homes are being certified at all levels of the program: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. To see an example of a Platinum level certified LEED home, click here.

LEED for Homes Project Gallery

Please visit the LEED for Homes Frequently Asked Questions page for more details on the LEED for Homes certification process.

Services Offered by Davis Energy Group

Title 24 Analysis

Davis Energy Group can help you with your Title 24, whether you’re building a home to code or maximizing your credits for a green program.

Green Residential Design

Designing a green home can be daunting for the custom builder or even experienced production homebuilders. Davis Energy Group offers green residential design that will help clients maximize LEED or GreenPoint Rated credits. DEG is also a partner in Building America – a nationwide program with a goal of developing zero net energy homes.

Plan Review

Davis Energy Group’s familiarity with emerging technologies and alternative solutions attracts clients seeking improved interior comfort while conserving energy. DEG can help projects looking to optimize their HVAC design.

Integrated Design Process

The best-designed green home is one that incorporates the concepts and team members from the very beginning. Davis Energy Group helps clients achieve the home of their dreams with an Integrated Design Process. DEG helps the client assemble a team of experts to design homes where energy and green features are incorporated into the design – and not treated as an afterthought. Integrating the whole team from the beginning of the project will enhance the client’s goals while offering an opportunity to lower costs.

Design Consulting/Energy Modeling

DEG has special expertise in residential design with energy efficient HVAC systems, geothermal heat pump systems, hydronic heating, and evaporative cooling. DEG can provide a full range of services including: energy analyses and modeling, design and system recommendations, compliance documents, coordination of design consultants, and commissioning.

DEG works with our clients to optimize building and system designs and to estimate energy savings. Since 1981, we have provided hourly computer simulations using software such as DOE-2, Micropas, and Energy Pro. We pioneered the use of sequential analysis of energy measures, which allows utilities, government agencies, manufacturers, and architects to assemble cost efficient energy packages. Working with software developers, we continually improve our simulation algorithms and verify the results with our monitoring data. With this individualized service we help clients make informed decisions.

Green Ratings and Programs

Davis Energy Group has been a Provider for the LEED for Homes Program in California and Nevada since the program’s inception in 2005. We certified the first Platinum home in the U.S. and Canada and have certified more than 300 homes in the LEED for Homes program. In addition, we will soon offer cross certification with GreenPoint Rated through the DEG/BIG Equivalency Tool. Employees at DEG stay up-to-date with the latest trends in green building through networking, seminars and training. We advise municipalities throughout the state about implementing green building codes and ordinances.

What to Ask When Interviewing a Residential Green Building Consultant

Do you have residential building experience?

If so, what type? (Custom, multi-family, production single family, affordable)

How many projects?

Have you worked on any LEED for Homes projects?

How many completed LEED for Homes projects?

What was your role?

What projects have you worked on as the residential green building consultant?

What areas of green building are your area(s) of expertise?

Residential HVAC

Residential Ventilation & IAQ

Mechanical Design

Architectural Design

Title 24 energy modeling

Are you familiar with Title 24 for housing units? ASHRAE 62.2? Micropas or Energy Pro?

BUILD GREEN, EVERYONE PROFITS.

Disclaimer: Davis Energy Group and its Contractors do not make any guarantees about the performance of residential buildings participating in the LEED for Homes Program. The LEED for Homes Rating System is a voluntary verification system. The services provided by Davis Energy Group and its contractors for LEED for Homes relate only to the verifications as outlined by USGBC and LEED for Homes.