Category: On-Demand Green Home Videos

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Chicagoland’s Northern Illinois MLS going Green

We’re pleased to share developing news that Northern Illinois’ Mulitple Listing Service (MLS), will be adding support for green building features in 2010. This development is something we at LEEDforHomesIllinois.org have been keeping a close eye on, and are very pleased to see this implemented. An official announcement is likely forthcoming in the new year.

The Green MLS will consist of many new categories for identifying property characteristics for a green home. These new MLS features will allow competent real estate agents to be able to market a green home’s building components, such as water efficient appliances, insulation type, and recycled content of building materials. Building technologies such as solar energy systems, insulated concrete forms, and structurally insulated panels (SIPs) can also be indicated in the Green MLS.

In addition to specific building features, a home’s overall “greenness” can be indicated in the Green MLS by some of the third-party certifications that are available. Homebuyers will now be able to tell whether a home was designed to a green building standard, such as LEED for Homes Silver or 3 stars in the Chicago Green Home program. A home’s energy efficiency can be listed, indicated by its HERS index. Even better, homes that are third-party verified, through a program such as a LEED for Homes certification, will be listed in the MLS. This will help consumers know that a home was not only designed to be green, but also constructed properly and tested to truly perform as a green building. Real estate professionals will be able to assist buyers locate a LEED-certified home.

If you’re reading this from an area that does not currently have a green MLS, consider how implementing a green MLS can help properties become more competitive in the tight real estate climate gripping most of the nation.

The Green MLS is coming to Illinois

The availability of this information is exciting. Looking forward, once people start buying and selling green homes, there will be data for green Chicagoland market transactions. Appraisers will be able to use this data and perform adjustments to see how much more people are willing to pay in the Chicago market for items such solar energy or a LEED-certified home. Other metropolitan areas that currently have a green MLS have seen higher selling premiums and lower marketing times for a green home, and we anticipate this trend will translate in the Chicago and northern Illinois markets.

All of this will strengthen an already-sound economic arguement for green building, persuading more builders to construct or renovate to LEED for Homes standards. Even better, the Green MLS will help idenify market shifts. Eventually, those NOT building green will run the risk of creating a home that will be obsolescent much earlier than a green home, lowering that non-green building’s property value.  Of course, a thorough market analysis is a long time off, but these are certainly exciting times for green builders in northern Illinois.

What can real estate professionals do to prepare for the Green MLS? Well, clients will likely need an agent’s guideance to complete the homeowner’s green disclosure document. If you or your agent is unfamiliar with terms like U-value, HERS, LEED, ERV, or VOC, consider getting more education, either through the NAR GREEN designation, or by becoming a certified EcoBroker. In fact, by taking the Eco Broker courses through Eco Achievers, you can become a certified EcoBroker at a discounted rate through January for just $375.

UPDATE Jan 7, 2010: Chicago Magazine has more information on this, including a screenshot of the new Green MLS.

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Watercress. Pentwater LEED Platinum

This homes siding is a hand hewn cedar log siding from Homestead Timbers with Anderson windows. The project will be topped off with a burgundy metal standing seam roof. The interior will be using a lot of recycled content, including cabinets for the wet bar and laundry room. Vanity tops for two bathrooms various columns and the mantel will come from tree’s at building site. This home will sit on the shores of Pentwater Lake with two spring feed creeks that flow into it. The creeks are lined with Watercress, which is where the project gets its name. View Project Profile

Logix ICF Foundation, SIP’s Panel Construction, Michigan White
Cedar Log siding & trim, Low-E argon gas filled Andersen
Windows Barrier free/Lifetime Design, Soy based insulation,
Stained Concrete Floors,Bamboo flooring,FSC Certified Kitchen
Cabinets,Recycled glass counter tops by Vetrazzo, Programmable
thermostats, Mechanical ventilation Radon venting,
Dual flush toilets by Toto,Zero VOC (volatile organic compounds)
paint High efficiency lighting fixtures

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LEED for Homes Myth #2: Documentation Requirements

How difficult is it to document a LEED for Homes project? Many people are familiar with LEED projects done under the commercial rating systems, such as Interior Design and Construction (ID+C) or New Construction, now known as Building Design and Construction (BD+C). Or perhaps you have heard about the large binders of documentation that a project team has to assemble and submit to the USGBC for review and final LEED certification.

If you think LEED for Homes has equally difficult documentation requirements, think again.  The reality is that documenting a LEED for Homes project is quite simple.  The main submission is a small packet of pre-formatted documents, the LEED for Homes Project Checklist, which are generated from a single MS Excel file with multiple tabs for different submission information. Best of all, the forms are bundled together in the one single Excel file.

To further clarify the final submission package, so that you understand the terminology and names of the individual documents, the key submittal components include:

  1. LEED for Homes project summary information
  2. LEED for Homes checklist (both a summary and detailed view)
  3. Durability evaluation form (identify potential risks to the building such as heat loss, flooding, etc)
  4. Durability checklist (identify strategies to address each durability risk)
  5. Accountability forms (described below)
  6. Other supporting documentation (water use calculations, multi-home and multi-family forms, thermal bypass checklist)

And that’s it! So what’s not included in the final submission? Well, instead of having the manufacturer’s spec sheets for all of the materials and resources, or extensive templates for each credit, etc, etc, blah blah blah. Instead, in a LEED for Homes project, the final submission simply includes accountability forms that are signed off by the relevant parties.

Separate accountability forms are submitted by the builder, architect, general contractor, landscape professional, or other relevant parties. The accountability forms are fairly straightforward, requiring the responsible party to initial next to each LEED for Homes credit that is pursued. The team does need to have backup documentation if any questions arise or if the project is audited, but much of that backup documentation is not submitted as part of the LEED certification, and is typically provided as part of the required homeowner’s manual anyway.

Another unique aspect of a LEED for Homes project is an evaluation of the home’s durability and a plan of strategies to address any risks. For example, a home in Illinois may be located in a high radon zone, and may also be at high risk for high air infiltration and heat loss.  Each of these factors should have some design strategies that address these issues. The project team may already be planning some of these strategies, such as having a radon mitigation system, improved air sealing, and high insulation in the building. For documentation, the project team simply maps these design strategies to the durability risks. In many cases, the durability strategies are the same from project to project, and quite possibly are what the local building code would require for permit.

In summary, all required documentation for a LEED for Homes project is contained in one Excel file, making the documentation requirements for a LEED for Homes project much simpler than what is needed for other LEED projects. This can be particularly attractive for a builder doing a multi-home subdivision or multi-family development. Download the LEED for Homes checklist to explore the documentation requirements further, or contact us with any questions.

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Fairway Pine Golf Cottage. LEED Silver

It’s Green! It’s Golf! It’s Grand! Fairway Pines is Minnesota’s first golf community to feature homes exclusively with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) certification. This “green” cottage is nestled on The Pines golf course amongst Grand View Lodge Resort’s amenities. It consists of 1,344 square feet of one-level resort living.

View & Download LEED project Profile

Sustainable, luxurious finishes include reclaimed beams, wainscotings, hand scraped, engineered wood flooring with recycled content, granite countertops, ceramic tile baths, Energy Star® appliances, dual-flush toilets, lighting and mechanical equipment efficiency along with Low-E Integrity® windows for an energy-efficient and air-tight building envelope.

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Tour a LEED for Homes Project on Dec 12

Ever wonder what goes into making a LEED Platinum candidate home? Now is your chance to tour a home going through the LEED for Homes program that is substantially complete. And best of all, the tour is free.

This unique project has been a labor of love by the homeowner, and includes features such as:

  • reclaimed copper roof
  • remnant stone from blast fragments as a facade
  • vegetative green roof
  • geothermal heat pump system
  • soybean spray foam insulation
  • super-efficient cold cathode lighting
  • solar photovoltaic panels
  • vertical axis wind turbine
  • Net zero power consumption

Illinois LEED for Homes project targeting LEED Platinum

Join us on Saturday, Dec 12 (following the Illinois Solar Energy Association membership meeting at 10:00 AM) for a tour of this unique green home located on the Northwest side of Chicago.

This home has not yet been certified, but a LEED Platinum level is anticipated.

Start Date: Dec 12, 2009
Start Time: 2:30
Price: FREE

Register for the tour on our Events page.

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LEED Spec Homes for sale in Chicagoland

LEED for Homes projects in Chicago’s western suburbs are being listed on the Northern Illinois MLS for prospective home buyers. JB Architecture Group‘s community within Hannaford Farms in Sugar Grove, IL is planned to be one of the first collections of custom green homes in the Fox Valley area. The homes address eight categories of sustainable design to help ensure the house is smart for the environment and safe for its occupants.

LEED for Homes Bungalow in Sugar Grove

LEED for Homes Bungalow in Sugar Grove

Four models are available ranging from 3,000 – 3,600 square feet, each featuring 4 bedrooms and 3+ bathrooms. All models are targeted at the Certified level within the LEED for Homes rating system, although upgrades are available that may improve the certification level.

Each of the homes will feature:

  • Efficient resource use
  • Highly insulated thermal envelope
  • Durable and sustainable exterior finishes
  • Energy Efficient components and design
  • Responsible water usage
  • Homeowner awareness strategies
  • Responsible site selection and development
  • Healthy home environment

The model homes are priced between $551,000 to $619,000, and include:

While the homes aren’t pre-certified at a given LEED level, we’re confident the design and construction team will build to the standard, and end up developing a truly green home for the future owners.

View other LEED Homes For Sale

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Solar energy rebates available for Illinois homes!

Residential green building enthusiasts and LEED for Homes projects can rejoice as the state of Illinois has re-established their solar rebate program after a 1+ year hiatus.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced yesterday the opening of the Solar & Wind Energy Rebate Program.  The rebates can total 30% for residential and business applicants, and 50% for public sector and non-profit entities with a maximum of $50,000.  Applications will be due April 30, 2010.  For more information, go to the IL DCEO website.

This is great news for those building LEED homes that are considering renewable energy systems. While a renewable energy system isn’t required for a LEED home, it can help lower the home’s HERS rating, which in turn translates to more points in the final LEED for Homes rating.

With the 30% state rebate, in addition to the 30% federal income tax credit, these incentives substantially reduce the  initial cost for solar energy systems. For instance, a solar thermal system in Illinois can receive a payback period of around 7 or 8 years if installed a super energy-efficient LEED home! This is an important note: An initial investment in energy efficiency to improve building performance is necessary before adding any kind of renewable energy system.

Learn more about solar energy in Illinois by visiting the Illinois Solar Energy Assocation or by taking an introductory online course.

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Seminar on Dec. 1: Demystifying LEED for Homes

A number of building professionals have questions about LEED for Homes. How feasible is it for single-family homes? Why certify through this rating system instead of through other LEED systems?  How difficult is the documentation? What are the soft and hard costs associated with LEED for Homes?

To answer these questions and more, the Green Home Institute has put together a two and a half hour seminar to help builders, architects, real estate developers, and other professionals to learn about the LEED for Homes rating system. The first seminar offering will be Tuesday, December 1, 2009 in Chicago.  Here are the details:

Title: Demystifying LEED for Homes for Building Professionals

Description:

An overview of the LEED for Homes rating system with specific focus on differences from other LEED rating systems. LEED for Homes covers major home renovations and new construction of single-family homes, multi-family apartments and condos, and mixed-use residential buildings. Learn how LEED homes are healthier, more comfortable and have lower utility bills. Common myths such as cost and complexity will be dispelled, and the benefits of the LEED for Homes rating system will be featured, using local Chicago projects as case studies.

Date: Tuesday Dec 1, 2009
Time: 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Chicago Center for Green Technology (CCGT)
445 N. Sacramento Blvd
Chicago, IL 60612
Cost: Only $20.00 $10.00

Register Now!

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Hyacinth Place receives LEED for Homes Gold certifications

Illinois LEED for Homes recently got a big boost when the 11 townhomes built by Brinshore Development in Highland Park received their LEED Gold certifications.  The best part is, the affordable housing project captured regional and national attention for its ability to be replicated in other communities.

The ambitious project, known as Hyacinth Place, is a fantastic example of how LEED Homes can be accessible and do not have to be expensive.  The attached single-family townhomes were built with affordability in mind, targeted towards teachers and nurses.

Hyacinth Place, Highland Park – LEED for Homes Gold

The 3 bedroom/2.5 bath, 1550 square foot townhomes feature a highly energy-efficient design as well as a geo-thermal heating and cooling system which is expected to reduce utility costs 50%-75%. Other green features include wind turbine energy generation for common area lighting, attractive courtyard permeable paving stones, an energy-efficient reflective roof, energy-star appliances, bamboo flooring, eco-friendly cabinets and carpeting, and landscaping that incorporates native plants.

Hyacinth Place serves as the City of Highland Park’s model demonstrating affordable, eco-friendly, transit-oriented housing. Each home includes a balcony, basement with an additional 300 square feet and an attached, two-car garage. Townhomes are located within blocks of the Ft. Sheridan Metra station, bus routes, and bike path.

Permeable pavers at Hyacinth Place allow rainwater infiltration as well as sequester carbon.

The townhomes were sold for $239,000 by the Highland Park Illinois Community Land Trust (HPICLT) to households earning up to 120% of the Area Median Income (approximately $90,000 for a household of four). The HPICLT is a nonprofit organization established by the City of Highland Park to develop high-quality, affordable housing. For more information, visit www.hpiclt.org

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LEED for Homes Myth #1: FSC lumber

Sometimes, a LEED for Homes project team comes to the table with the expectation that they are required to use FSC-certified lumber in their LEED for Homes projects. Perhaps this comes from confusion with other LEED rating systems used for commercial construction, which does have a prerequisite for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) lumber.

However, in residential construction under LEED-H, this is not the case. There are certainly points available to reward and the use of FSC lumber as an under the Materials and Resources credit MR 2.2 Environmentally Preferred Products (EPP) , but using FSC lumber is not explicitly required.

Note: The only caveat is that any tropical wood used in a LEED for Homes residence must be FSC-certified. So, if you’re planning on Brazilian cherry flooring in a LEED home, then it must be sustainably harvested. However the 2×4 lumber used in the interior wall framing does not have to meet this requirement. This prerequisite is explained in MR 2.1 FSC Certified Tropical Wood.

LEED recognizes that the residential building market doesn’t have the capacity to support FSC lumber as a requirement, so it rewards its use, rather than requiring it. Unless of course the lumber may come from a tropical source. One common, real-world example of this is with luan underlayments. If a project team simply specfies when ordering products such as luan by name, simply state on the purchase order that the Certificate of Custody must be furnished. Since all lumber is required to show the country of origin anyway, this isn’t a difficult requirement.

Actually, project teams choosing to use sustainable lumber on a LEED for Homes project in Chicago have a variety of options open to them. Under LEED for Homes, lumber using any combination of reclaimed, sustainably harvested, or locally produced can earn credit as an environmentally preferred product.

Here are some local resources worth investigating:

  • Hines Lumber carries all kinds of FSC lumber.
  • Green Depot also carries FSC lumber on special order.
  • FSC-certified lumber is even starting to appear in local “big box” retailers.

For studs and interior wall framing, also consider getting reclaimed and locally harvested 2x4s and other lumber from:

For wood trim, also consider getting reclaimed wood from the sources above, and reclaimed wood that has been re-milled from:

  • Horigan Urban Forest Products mills and kiln dries reclaimed hard wood for interior trim, floors, and exposed beams.

And for other resused building materials, there are ten (10)Habitat ReStores in the state of Illinois:

  • Habitat for Humanity ReStores in IL

We hope this has helped demystify LEED for Homes for you. Any questions? Call the premiere LEED for Homes service provider in Illinois toll free at 888-LEED-AP-H (888-533-3274).

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