Articles or news that emphasize the economic value of green building.

Platinum LEED Homes use 51% less heating energy

/0 Comments/in /by

Initial results from an analysis of LEED Platinum homes certified by the Alliance shows projects located throughout the Midwest use half as much energy as the typical baseline home.

Performance of LEED Platinum homes vs Baseline homes

Read more

New analysis: Green Homes Outsell the Market

/0 Comments/in /by

In a real estate market such as this, any edge helps. What if your home sold for 9.1% percent more than the competition? Why might a home do this you ask – because it is a certified green home, such as a LEED home. Read more

LEED for Homes Myth #3: The costs are expensive

/0 Comments/in , /by

Recently, many people have told me they thought a LEED for Homes certification was going to cost many thousands of dollars – even over $10,000.  This simply isn’t true, at least not when using the Green Home Institute () as the LEED for Homes Provider.  So let’s bust this myth. Read more

Northbrook rebates permit fees for LEED buildings

/1 Comment/in /by

The Village of Northbrook has a great incentive program for green building. to promote Green building techniques in public and private sector construction projects, they are giving rebates for LEED-certified buildings.

Northbrook uses the LEED rating system to distinguish different levels of sustainability in construction projects. In turn, for building green, there is a rebate for Covered Permit Fees (permits issued by Northbrook’s Building & Development Department for new buildings, additions, demolitions, alterations and site work) based on the LEED rating of the project.

LEED Certification
Rating Permit Fee Rebate
Certified 10%
Silver 20%
Gold 30%
Platinum 40%

Bonus: if you’re one of the first LEED-certified buildings in a property class, the permit fee is completely waived!

So builders, what are you waiting for? Here is a link to Northbrook’s Green page, where Green Building Incentives are covered. Or click here to view the full green building incentive policy.

LEED Homeowners: Save 5% on Green Home Insurance

/1 Comment/in /by

There are two types of green insurance policies for homeowners.

One covers buildings that already meet stringent efficiency and sustainability standards. The other offers the option to replace any losses incurred on the property with more environmentally sensitive materials.
Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co. of Novato, Calif., was one of the first companies to introduce homeowners policies that feed into consumer desire to make homes more energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable. For people who already own LEED-certified homes, Fireman’s offers a 5-percent discount off regular annual insurance premiums, saving homeowners around $100 per year. Read more