LEED® Leads to Healthy Homes for the Mainstream

Sharon GrantEco Edge

Welcome! Today’s outcomes…

• Identify the LEED for Homes measures that most benefit human and community health

• Describe best practices that have emerged from dozens of LEED projects

• Translate these best practices to your own homes and professions

Background

• LEED AP Homes and BD+C

• Over 60 LEED projects

• Certified Sustainable Building Advisor

• Certified Healthy Homes Specialist

• Chair, USGBC Idaho

• Board Member, Idaho Smart Growth

• Host of Building a Greener Idaho

What is LEED?

LEED Facts and Trends

• Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

• Created by the USGBC as a tool to transform the built environment

• Over 120,000 LEED registered homes

• LEED projects in 150 countries

LEED for Homes Projects

How does LEED benefit human and community health?

Prerequisites

• Durability Plan and Management

• Basic Combustion Venting

• Basic Local Exhaust

• Good Filters (MERV 8)

• No HVAC in Garage

• Radon-Resistant Construction

• Basic Outdoor Air Ventilation

Innovation and Design

• Durability Management

• Innovative Design

Location and Linkages

• Site Selection

• Edge Development / Infill / Previously Developed

• Existing Infrastructure

• Community Resources / Transit

• Access to Open Space

Sustainable Sites

• Reduce Local Heat Island Effects

• Surface Water Management

• Non-toxic Pest Control

• Compact Development

Water Efficiency

• Water Reuse

• Reduce Irrigation Demand

• Very High-Efficiency Fixtures and Fittings

Materials and Resources

• Low Emission Products

• Locally Produced Products

• Construction Waste Reduction

Indoor Environmental Quality

• Fireplaces that meet EPA standards

• Back-draft Potential Test

• Moisture Control

• Enhanced Local Exhaust

• Contaminant Control

• Preoccupancy Flush

• Garage Pollutant Protection

LEED and Human Health Issues

• Radon

• CO

• Mold Mitigation

• Particulates

• VOCs

• Pests

LEED and Community Health Issues

• Smart Growth

• Responsible site selection

• Walkable, connected communities

• Locally produced materials

• Water conservation

• Stormwater retention

• Landfill diversion

Best Practices

Best Practices

• Durability planning and management• Smart site selection• Limit turf, install drought tolerant plants• Use efficient irrigation and plumbing• Retain stormwater on site• Nontoxic pest control (e.g. IPM)• Low emission and/or local materials• Track and divert waste

Best Practices

• CO monitors• No open combustion• Local exhaust directly to the outdoors• ERV/HRV• Shoe removal, walk-off mats • Preoccupancy flush for 48 hours• Radon-resistant construction• No HVAC in garage, detach garage

How can LEED benefit your health and community?