The Important thing to remember is:

• all three programs promote the design and construction of high-performance green homes. 

• the best program is the one that fits your needs, budget, and is feasible for your location.

All three programs will help your home:

• use less energy, water and, natural resources - or recycle or create their own resources;

• create less building and occupant waste, and

• be more durable and comfortable for occupants improving indoor air quality and reducing the maintenance of building materials.

• help your home an a positive impact on your budget and may offer tax advantages. 

• require extensive design and pre-construction planning

The short answer: 

Southern Evergreen Recommends the Certified Green Program.  The NAHB's Certified Green program is preferred for its economy and efficiency.

We have the resources and expertise to manage both LEED and Certified Green

We encourage you to contact Southern Evergreen and schedule an appointment to discuss your options and visit the websites to do your own homework.

The features, misconceptions, pros, and cons (the long answer):

• LEED Residential joins the other LEED programs (New Construction and Major Renovation  and Commercial Interiors) and shares many aspects of their rating systems.  It is part of the U.S. Green Building Council and receives subsidies from the government.

  • Features: LEED Residential incorporates ENERGY STAR standards.   There are no special training or prerequisite required to apply, review, or certify a residence LEED.  LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.  This program includes ALL aspects of the building including eeenergy efficiency, site conditions, water efficiency, clean air or water, sustainability, and recycling. It also addresses renewable or sustainable eeenergy technologies including passive solar and net-zero philosophies.

  • Misconception 1:  LEED Residential is the best program available for homes.  Every project, budget, and scope is different, but in general, there are many different programs available in almost every state that address eeenergy and sustainability by addressing different aspects of the design and construction.  Do your homework.

  • Misconception 2: You must be a LEED AP to manage the process.  This is not correct.  Any professional with a background in design or construction can manage the process.  Having an AP designation will allow the project to receive 1 credit for Innovation in Design.

  • Pros: LEED Residential, like its counterparts, is very comprehensive.

  • Cons:  LEED Residential is very complicated and expensive for MOST residential applications.  The expenses will be in both the management AND the construction costs.  The life cycle costs of the home should be lesser than a non-LEED home over the long term.

• Certified Green by the National Association of Home Builders' Research Center (NAHB).  It is funded by the membership of the NAHB. The Certified Green designation is similar to LEED residential.  It was developed by the National Association of Home Builders as an alternative to LEED to encourage builders and home owners to pursue high-performance construcion at the residential scale.

  • Features: It shares many of the testing and certification requirements.  the Certified Green designation incorporates ENERGY STAR as a major contribution to the certification process.   It also addresses renewable or sustainable eenergy technologies including passive solar and net-zero philosophies.

  • Misconceptions: Building Green is a LOT more expensive.  If you are pursuing LEED, you are probably correct - depending on your definition of "a lot".  The Certified Green program has much lower management fees, and, depending on your location, the extend of your commitment to the program, and available trades, the added costs for construction and certification can be much less then LEED.  Again, the life cycle costs of the home should be lesser than a non-Certified Green home over the long term.

  • Pros: The benefit of the program is that it is much cheaper to implement at the residential scale.  It takes less time, and less paperwork, therefore it is cheaper.  It is also more accessible - it does not require an extensive team of experts to apply, review, or certify a residence.  However, it is recommended that the building professional managing your project, usually an architect or builder, be a Certified Green Professional.

  • Cons:  Limited only to residences.

• ENERGY STAR  To earn the ENERGY STAR, a home must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

  • Features: These homes are at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC), and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20-30% more efficient than standard homes.

  • Misconception 1:  ENERGY STAR is well know for certifying appliances, TV's, computers, ect.  That is a small part of the program.

  • Misconceptions 2: an ENERGY STAR home must have ENERGY STAR rated windows and appliances in it - that is not necessarily correct - every project is different, but windows and appliances are not always required to meet the standards

  • Pros:  Energy Star certification is included as a rating standard in both LEED and Certified Green because it concentrates on the EFFICIENCY of a building.  Unlike LEED and Certified Green, ENERGY STAR requires a professional rater.

  • Cons: The program does not address site conditions, water efficiency, clean air or water, sustainability, or recycling.  This program is best used in conjunction with LEED or Certified Green.