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 is healthier and more comfortable for the occupants.

Benefits of a LEED home include lower energy and water bills; reduced greenhouse gas emissions; and less exposure to mold, mildew and other indoor toxins. The net cost of owning a LEED home is comparable to that of owning a conventional home.

LEED Canada for Homes is suitable for single family homes and multifamily buildings up to 3 stories.

By recognizing sustainable design and construction in homes nationwide, LEED Canada for Homes helps homebuilders differentiate their homes as some of the best homes in their markets, using a recognized national brand. Furthermore, homebuyers can more readily identify third-party-verified green homes.

While there are already a number of local or regional green homebuilding programs, LEED Canada for Homes is attempting to provide national consistency in defining the features of a green home and to enable builders anywhere in the country to obtain a green rating on their homes. LEED Canada for Homes represents a consensus standard for green homebuilding developed and refined by a diverse cadre of national experts and experienced green builders. The LEED Canada for Homes Rating System is part of the comprehensive suite of LEED assessment tools offered by the CaGBC to promote sustainable design, construction, and operations practices in buildings nationwide.

The LEED Canada for Homes Rating System measures the overall performance of a home in eight categories:

1. Innovation & Design Process (ID). Special design methods, unique regional credits, measures not currently addressed in the Rating System, and exemplary performance levels.
2. Location & Linkages (LL). The placement of homes in socially and environmentally responsible ways in relation to the larger community.
3. Sustainable Sites (SS). The use of the entire property so as to minimize the project's impact on the site.
4. Water Efficiency (WE). Water-efficient practices, both indoor and outdoor.
5. Energy & Atmosphere (EA). Energy efficiency, particularly in the building envelope and heating and cooling design.
6. Materials & Resources (MR). Efficient utilization of materials, selection of environmentally preferable materials, and minimization of waste during construction.
7. Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ). Improvement of indoor air quality by reducing the creation of and exposure to pollutants.
8. Awareness & Education (AE). The education of the homeowner, tenant, and/or building manager about the operation and maintenance of the green features of a LEED® home.

The LEED Canada for Homes Rating System works by requiring a minimum level of performance through prerequisites, and rewarding improved performance in each of the above categories. The level of performance is indicated by four performance tiers - Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum - according to the number of points earned.

For further details:

Resources on this web site
Resources on the CaGBC's web site