LEED for Homes in Canada case study

BuiltGreen

Project vivo is seeking BuiltGreen Renovation certification too.

Built Green™ is an industry driven voluntary program that promotes "green" building practices to reduce the impact that building has on the environment. It benefits the homebuyer, the community and the environment and is an opportunity for everyone to choose a "green" future.

BuiltGreen Renovation is a new rating system for renovations. it's so new in fact that we haven't even seen the checklist/rating system details yet because they're still being drafted. To take a look at the requirements and checklist currently being used for new construction, click here BuiltGreen 2009 Checklist

How Built Green™ Works

Members and home buyers have the flexibility of choosing their level of participation, thereby offering broader appeal. Bronze represents the minimum of achievement level, Silver is the next level, and Gold is the thrid level of recognition. As of January 1, 2008 the Platinum level is the highest level of achievement in the Built Green program.

The Built Green™ Checklist provides the foundation of the program's four achievement levels criteria which includes:

Rating and labeling the home through Natural Resources Canada’s EnerGuide for New Houses initiative; the mandatory energy efficiency component of the Built Green™ Checklist. EnerGuide for New Houses is delivered in Alberta by EnerVision (a not-for-profit organization owned by the CHBA-Alberta) and by the CHBA-BC in British Columbia.
A menu offering a wide variety of options addressing a range of "green" items from which the builder selects a minimum number to meet a chosen achievement level. Approved Supplier/Manufacturer member products that correspond to the Built Green™ Checklist are listed in our product catalogue.

Built Green™ Members have the opportunity to submit requests for changes (additions, deletions, point value, etc.) to the Built Green™ Checklist using the Checklist Change Request Form. The Checklist and the Checklist change requests are reviewed annually. The revised checklist is effective January 1 of each year.

The Built Green™ Certified Builder enrolls the new home on behalf of the purchaser/owner. (Or in the name of the builder in the case of a spec or show home.) Each home enrollment must include 1) the completed Home Enrollment Form, 2) the completed Checklist and 3) both HOT2000 "before" (Plan) and "after" (New) files.

To verify the energy efficiency, the builder schedules a blower door test/inspection for every home, conducted only by a trained and licensed third-party consultant (a Certified Energy Advisor) just prior to possession. A blower door test takes about an hour to complete. Work in the home can continue while the test is underway as long as all the windows and doors are closed. The builder is responsible for ensuring the house meets the minimum requirements.

Upon completion of construction and a satisfactory blower door test/inspection, the builder will receive an EnerGuide for New Houses rating label and report together with an official Built Green™ seal for the new home. The EnerGuide label and Built Green™ seal are affixed to the furnace in the new home to provide assurance of its Built Green™ status to the new as well as future owners.

To confirm selected checklist items are being included in the homes, 5% of enrolled homes will be audited at random during different phases of construction. The audit can consist of a consultant visiting the home to confirm the Checklist items or the builder may be requested to submit documentation and/or certificates as outlined on the Checklist.

Only those homes registered in the program that successfully achieve the program criteria may receive the Built Green™ designation. Look for the Built Green™ seal to identify a Built Green™ home.

LEED for Homes Canada

LEED Canada for Homes is a rating system that promotes the design and construction of high-performance green homes. A green home uses less energy, water and natural resources,creates less waste and as a result of all that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and operating costs. Green homes are also healthier and more comfortable for the occupants because there is lower likelihood for exposure to mold, mildew and other indoor toxins.

LEED Canada for Homes Rating System - The Rating System lists intents and requirements for each credit and includes the Project Checklist.

LEED for Homes Checklist (updated May 1, 2009) - The checklist helps project teams track their credits against requirements for certification.

Attachments:
File	File size	Last Modified
CaGBC LEED Canada for Homes 2009 Checklist 090601(1).xls	1541 Kb	14/07/09 22:50
CaGBC LEED for Homes Rating System English 090420.pdf	1900 Kb	14/07/09 22:52

LEED for Homes CaGBC Case Study Program

LEED for Homes in Canada case study

The building industry has a remarkable opportunity to make a significant impact on climate change in this country, and take leadership among all of Canada's business sectors.

The Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) has a goal of seeing carbon-neutral buildings and communities by 2030. Coupled with this, efforts are being made by the USGBC and other organizations across North America that will help to meet this 2030 challenge. Progress towards the CaGBC goal involves working with industry and partners to improve the performance of 100,000 buildings and one million homes through a 50 percent reduction in energy and water use in by 2015. This translates into a 50 megatonne potential reduction in GHG emissions.

Momentum continues to build for the LEED^® Canada rating system. With several LEED Canada rating systems already available for commercial, institutional and government buildings and large residential developments, interest is growing among homeowners for more efficient homes that are healthier places to live, and that have a lower environmental impact and lasting market value.

At the same time, builders of residential properties are seeing an opportunity to provide high performance homes to home buyers, while municipalities are looking at ways to embrace smart growth and sustainability principles in revitalized urban and new neighbourhood developments that contribute to overall greenhouse gas emission reduction and reduced demand on infrastructure.

To encourage greater adoption of green home developments, the CaGBC is working with the USGBC, and undertaking a LEED for Homes case study program for Canadian builders. More than 45 builders, representing close to 500 homes, are taking part in the case study. The input received from these case study participants will help CaGBC to adapt the US tool and introduce LEED Canada for Homes in the Spring of 2009.

By participating in the LEED for Homes case study program, residential home builders have access to ongoing support and troubleshooting from both the CaGBC and the USGBC, while being among the first group of building professionals in Canada to be exposed to developing expertise on this rigorous and highly-respected green building rating system. At the same time, case study participants are also providing valuable input on how the tool might be adapted to meet the needs of the Canadian market, with its diverse geographies and climate variations.

Once introduced next year, LEED Canada for Homes will give builders a key differentiator with the ability to offer a product that is becoming increasingly in demand. Homeowners will benefit from a home that uses less energy, water and natural resources, creates less waste, and is healthier and more comfortable to live in.