Entries by Brett Little

New LEED for Homes Pre-approved ID: Food Garden

The White House isn’t the only residence earning accolades for having a food garden on its property.  With the newly-released pre-approved Innovation and Design (ID) credit, LEED for Homes projects that incorporate a food garden into the design will be eligible for an ID point, if certain specifications are met. The intent of the Food […]

Download the Energy Code for Free

The folks at ICC have made the download of the IECC 2009 Energy Code available at no cost – yes that’s right – you can download it for free at www.iccsafe.org/FreeIECC. The national model energy code of choice for states, cities and counties that adopt codes, the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) is referenced in […]

Bridge St Place. LEED Platinum

The land and building was purchased from the Diocese of Grand Rapids. The building was renovated into approximately 16 efficiency apartments with individual bathrooms and kitchenettes for homeless survivors of domestic violence. The name for the project is Bridge Street Place. It is permanent supportive housing project, serving single persons at 60% AMI The project […]

Fietler Residence LEED Gold Home

This home which includes a 700-square-foot garage with radiant heat, uses a 6-zone geothermal radiant heating and cooling system. Ninety-five percent of the lighting is LED. The insulation is wood-fiber cellulose and recycled materials. There is no carpet; all the floors are hardwoods, ceramic tile and linoleum. Automated clearstory windows for whole-house ventilation All the […]

Greenbuild Legacy Project uses LEED for Homes

The Greenbuild Legacy project is using one of USGBC’s latest additions to the LEED product line-up.  This overview is for those of you not familiar with the LEED for Homes program. In January of 2008, LEED for Homes officially became an active rating system for the residential market. Its introduction offered an opportunity for single […]

Healthy Home 2010 to Max out IEQ Points

A LEED home in Palatine offers exemplary design details, intending to max out the Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) section of the LEED for Homes rating system. In a groundbreaking partnership with industry leaders in green design, Healthy Child Healthy World plans to create a real-life, interactive, educational model for healthier living. Healthy Home 2010: Designer […]

Net-Zero Affordable Homes Come to Illinois

32 three-bedroom homes to lease for $590/month in Jerseyville, IL Solar panels, wind turbines to cut utility bill to $0; LEED Platinum preliminary rating The long-awaited promise of affordable, net-zero, green living will finally become reality in a St. Louis suburban cornfield in southern Illinois, where 32 single-family homes will be rented for $590 per […]