LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) homes are green homes, and they are transforming the residential market and people’s lives around the world. LEED homes are built to be healthier and safer by providing cleaner indoor air. They use less energy and water, leading to monthly savings on utilities, and maintain their value over time. More than 131,400 residential units have earned LEED certification as of July 2017, and both certified single-family homes and multi-family projects are selling faster and for more money than comparable, conventional homes.
“Since 2005, the green share of new single family residential construction has grown dramatically—increasing from 2 percent in 2005 to 23 percent in 2013. This 23 percent market share equates to a $36 billion market opportunity,” according to a study on green labels in the California housing market.
Green homes create value

• Nationwide, the typical household spends about $2,150 on residential energy bills each year, but LEED-certified homes are designed to use about 30 to 60 percent less energy. Over the seven or eight years the typical family lives in a home, this adds up to thousands of dollars in savings. Levels of indoor air pollutants can often be four to five times higher than outdoor levels, and with people spending an average of 90 percent of their time indoors, the average American suffers from significant exposure to unhealthy indoor environments. LEED residential units provide significant value to consumers through dramatically improving upon these environmental health factors.
• Green homes are built to be energy-efficient, ensuring that they can be comfortably heated and cooled with minimal energy usage. They are individually tested to minimize envelope and ductwork leakage and designed to minimize indoor and outdoor water usage.
• Green homes are increasingly desirable. More than half of consumers rank green and energy-efficiency as top requirements for their next homes, and LEED certification is a top individual attribute of apartment rentals, second only to location near a central business district.
• Green homes can be built for the same cost as—and sometimes less than—conventional homes. Average upfront costs of 2.4 percent are quickly recouped, as a homeowner will save money for the duration of his or her green home’s lifespan.
• Green homes sell at higher prices and faster than comparable, conventional homes. According to a 2016 report, “What Is Green Worth? Unveiling High-Performance Home Premiums in Washington, D.C.," by real estate appraiser and author Sandra K. Adomatis and the Institute for Market Transformation, high-performing single family and multi-family homes with green features in Washington, D.C. will sell for 3.5 percent more than those without green features.

Green homes are growing

• It is estimated that by 2018, the green, single-family housing market will represent about 40 percent of the market, and 84 percent of all residential construction will have sustainable features.
• More than 131,400 residential units have earned LEED certification as of July 2017 around the world, and this number continues to rise in countries like the United States., Canada, Saudi Arabia and China. Within the United States, states with the most LEED-certified homes include California, Texas, New York, New Jersey and Georgia.
• The 2015 Green Building Economic Impact Study, released by USGBC and prepared by Booz Allen Hamilton, found that the residential green construction market is expected to grow from $55 million in 2015 to $100.4 million in 2018, representing a year-over-year growth of 24.5 percent.

Green homes are healthier and safer

• The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that indoor air is two to ten times more polluted than outdoor air. LEED-certified homes are designed to maximize the quality of indoor air and minimize exposure to airborne toxins and pollutants. They require proper ventilation, high-efficiency air filters and measures to reduce mold and mildew.
• Each LEED-certified home undergoes onsite inspections, detailed documentation review and performance testing to ensure the health and safety of home dwellers.

*About Green Homes," U.S. Green Building Council, 21 Sept. 2017, www.usgbc.org/articles/benefits-green-homebuilding

Let’s face it: Reducing your home’s negative impact on the planet will likely require a huge amount of work.
But solar panels and temperature-regulating walls aren’t the only ways to help your household adopt more eco-friendly practices. There are a ton of easy — and fun — ways to conserve energy.
Luckily for us, UK-based magazine Good To Be Home has some clever ideas on other ways to do it.
Being green doesn’t require spending lots of money on fancy gadgets. An environmentally-responsible home not only saves you money, but saves the earth too.
Living Room:

1. Replace bulbs: you will save 66% more energy by replacing incandescent light bulbs with Compact Flourescent Light Bulbs (CFL).
2. Use CFL Light Bulbs: it will save 400 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions if you trade in 1 incandescent light bulb for 1 CFL light bulb.
3. Use Extension Leads: by using multi socket extension leads and turning it off when not in use, you can reduce your home’s energy consumption by up to 15%.
4. Unplug: TVs are typically left on standby for 17 hours per day. Unplug you TV when not in use to save electricity.
5. Bamboo is Better: bamboo is the fastest growing plant on earth. This quick rate of replenishment means it’s more environementally friendly than timber trees to use as hardwood flooring.
6. Open the Blinds: 10% of energy can be saved on heating when you open the blinds during the day to let the sunlight in.
7. Cuddle UP: 13% of people cuddle their cats or dogs as an alternative to keep warm.

Kitchen:

1. Shady Fridges: having your refrigerator in the sunlight will force it to work harder to keep it cool. Move your refrigerator into the shade.
2. Refrigerator Gazing: peeking into the refrigerator can cost $24 - $49 per year. So, decide what you want before opening up the door!
3. Low Energy Appliances: ‘Energy Star-Qualified’ appliances use 10%-50% less energy than standard models.
4. 7.6 cm: the recommended space between the refrigerator and the wall to ensure proper airflow.
5. Compost Kitchen Scraps: separating and composting kitchen scraps not only reduces the amount of household waste in landfill but also eases the costs associated with rubbish collection.
6. Clean with Vinegar: it’s a natural way to kill bacteria, germs and mold. 
7. Use a Microwave: 50% less energy is used by a microwave oven than a conventional oven.
8. Smart Dishwashing: save energy by avoiding pre-rinsing, always run a full load and air-drying dishes at the end.
9. Multitask in the Oven: use both oven racks at the same time to bake, roast, or warm up food.
10. Keep it Closed: the oven temperature can drop by 149 F when opening the door for 30 seconds. Don’t be tempted to keep unnecessary checking-in on your cooking!

Bedroom:

1. Eco-Scents: instead of chemicals and synthetic fragrances, opt for 100% essential oils and non-aerosol scents.
2. Grow Houseplants: be literally green and improve the air quality in your bedroom.
3. Use Eco-Friendly Paints: they contain very low levels of volatile organic compounds.
4. Repurpose: get creative! Reuse and repurpose old furniture instead of buying brand new.
5. Sleep on Organic Sheets: cotton linens account for 25% of the world’s insecticide use. Switch to organic cotton or sustainable bamboo instead.
6. Wool not Polyester: if you have a choice between wool and polyester blankets, go for wool. It’s more eco-friendly to produce.
7. Energy-Efficient Windows: energy-efficient windows will keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter due to their better insulation.

Bathroom:

1. Turn it off: when brushing your teeth, remember to turn off the tap.
2. Install a Low-Flow Toilet: flushing toilets account for 30% of total indoor water use.
3. Stop Leaks: 182 liters of water is lost per week from a leaky tap.
4. Buy Recycled Toilet Paper
5. Open Your Windows: excess humidity causes mold. If there’s no toxic mold, there’s no need to use any harmful chemicals. 
6. Shave Smart: use a cup of warm water to rinse your razor rather than using the tap.
7. Install a Low-Flow Showerhead: A family of four can annually save 160,000 liters of water by installing a low-flow showerhead.
8. Get A Spider Plant: having a spider plant in the bathroom will help purify the air.
9. Fix Leaky Toilets: A leaky toilet can waste 757 liters every day. If it’s leaking, get it fixed ASAP.
10. Shower: Taking a shower can use as little as 14% of water used during a bath.

Laundry Room:

1. Hang Dry: 4 – 6 lbs. of carbon emissions is produced for every hour a dryer is in use. Hang dry your clothes instead.
2. Wash at 86 F: Washing clothes at this temperature uses around 40% less electricity than washing at higher temperatures, saving $18 annually on energy bills.
3. Energy Star: An Energy Star washing machine can save 50% more water, compared to a standard model.
4. Cold is Better: 85% - 90% of energy goes into heating water when washing clothes. Use cold water instead.
5. Use Concentrated Detergent: These have reduced packaging and a smaller carbon footprint due to their cheaper transport cost.

Garden:

1. Install A Water Butt: Water butts can reduce your council’s water system strain by 70%.
2. Compost Organic Matter: Composting organic waste can reduce the need for water, fertilizers, and pesticides.
3. Fire Pit: Burning logs made out of alternative materials will release 80% fewer emissions than regular wood when burned. Options include logs made out of recycled sawdust, used coffee beans, and soy.
4. Native Landscaping: Protect your local environment by planting plants that are native to your area.
5. Use Home Made Pesticides: Chopped tomato leaf spay or garlic oil spray are just a few recipes that can keep bugs away.

Small things do make a big difference. Even if you can do a few of the actions above, you’ll be one step closer to living on a greener planet.
 
*Anderson, Cumberbatch Jessica. (n.d.). 50 Cost-Efficient Ways To Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly. Retrieved from, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/01/eco-friendly-home-50-ways-to-do-it_n_5916442.html.