LEED for Homes

Energy & Environment Friendly Homes in New York

A LEED for Homes (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a green design and building program (of the US Green Building Council, USGBC) seeking to provide residents with the peace of mind of living in a healthy environment with maximized energy efficiency. A green home is designed to have a positive impact on energy efficiency, environmental performance, and human wellbeing. LEED is a point-based certification system that measures how well a home performs as a green home. Every phase of construction is third party verified by an independent green rater. LEED for Homes is a seal of quality.

  • LEED IS A TOOL
  • LEED IS A SCORECARD
  • LEED IS A SEAL OF QUALITY

LEED RECOGNIZES PERFORMANCE IN EIGHT AREAS.

  1. Indoor Environmental Quality - A LEED home is designed to maximize fresh air indoors and minimize exposure to toxins and pollutants.
  2. Energy Efficiency - All LEED homes are also Energy Star certified. They use between 20% and 60% less energy than conventional homes.
  3. Water Efficiency - LEED homes use innovative strategies to reduce water 
  4. Site Selection - LEED encourages homes close to schools, shopping, work, transit, minimizing wasted time, and reducing carbon flows.
  5. Site Development - LEED homes avoid destructive construction practices and protect the site during development.
  6. Materials Selection - LEED homes use recycled, reclaimed, and responsibly obtained materials everywhere possible.
  7. Residents Awareness - LEED is proactive in educating homeowners about the homes green features and high performance.
  8. Innovation - LEED encourages innovative ways to promote durability and promote a high performance home.

Location, Location, Location - Remember that where a home is built is as important as how it is built.

A Tight Envelope - You can keep the winter cold and the summer heat outside by choosing insulation with high R-value and by making sure there are no gaps, cracks, or leaks in your home's envelope.

Smart Materials Selection - From insulation to flooring, homes use a lot of materials. Look for wood that is sustainably harvested, materials that are recycled and produced locally, and the most durable products that won't soon need to be replaced.

A More Natural Yard - Landscaping with native plants prevents nonnative species from taking over. Plant diversity, not monoculture like lawns. Smart landscaping reduces the need for toxic pest control and fertilizer runoff.

Energy Efficiency - High efficiency light bulbs, fixtures, and appliances reduce energy use. Low energy lighting produces less heat, cutting your cooling bills. Programmable thermostats and room by room control allow the right level of comfort without wasting energy. High efficiency windows and doors keep conditioned are inside.

Water Efficiency - You can use less water with Water Sense labeled toilets and faucets. Use high efficiency dishwashers and washing machines. Recycle rainwater to water landscaping. Use drought-tolerant landscaping.

Clean, Fresh Air - Improve indoor air with heat recovery ventilation systems and filtration of outside air coming in. Use low VOC paints and finishes.

Alternative Energy Sources  - Install alternative energy sources such as solar panels, geothermal heating, and cooling. Many utility companies allow you to buy alternative energy directly from them.

Smart Material Management

LEED homes use recycled, reclaimed, locally produced, and responsibly obtained materials wherever possible. And LEED requires builders to minimize waster during construction, while diverting unavoidable waste into the recycling and reuse programs.

Water Efficiency

Faucets, showers, baths and toilets typically account for two-thirds of a home’s daily indoor water use. Outdoor water usage accounts for 30% of the daily consumption of potable water in the US. LEED rewards homes that install high-efficiency fixtures and fittings, and encourages use of rainwater or recycled graywater to reduce unnecessary consumption of potable water.

Clean, Fresh Air Indoor

The quality of air indoors is often two to five times worse than outdoor air. LEED encourages improving indoor environmental quality through the use of efficient HVAC systems that bring filtered outdoor air inside, and by sourcing non-toxic carpets, paints, and finishes wherever possible.

Location, Location, Location

Where a home is built is almost as important as how it is built. LEED rewards homes that are close to schools, shopping, work and transit, working in harmony with the LEED for Neighborhood Development Rating System to encourage smart growth and pedestrian-friendly design.

A Sustainable Site

LEED requires landscaping with native plants, and discourages monoculture (like turf) on the site, promoting biodiversity in the surrounding ecosystem. Mandatory erosion controls during construction help keep dirty, polluted water out of nearby waterways. And smart landscaping reduces the need for toxic pesticides that can endanger your family and pets.

All Systems: GO!

The performance and durability of a LEED- certified home depends on its appropriate use and maintenance throughout its lifecycle. LEED for Homes doesn’t stop when construction is complete, ensuring that every homeowner is knowledgeable of the systems, technologies and features that make up their high-performance, sustainable, green home.

Energy Efficiency

LEED takes a whole-house view of energy efficiency, incorporating everything from envelope tightness through high efficiency light bulbs, fixtures and appliances. Building on the strength of the ENERGY STAR for Homes program, LEED-certified homes use 30-50% less energy, on average, than homes built to code. Less energy use means lower utility bills throughout the life of a home.

Third-Party Verified Performance

Every home certified under LEED for Homes has undergone rigorous, third-party performance testing in addition to on-site visual inspections throughout the construction process. LEED is a scorecard - like a nutrition label - that gives a clear, concise picture of all the ways a home performs at a higher level.

Renewable Energy Sources

Although not required for certification, LEED rewards the incorporation of on-site renewable energy systems - like solar panels and geothermal heating and cooling - which can help meet a substantial portion of a home’s electricity demand, greatly reducing the amount of greenhouse gases generated over the life of a home.

Robert Schwagerl LLC

Water Mill, NY Residence “Green” Attributes

  • Third Party Tested and Verified:

    1. Energy Star 5 Star Plus rating
    2. Leed for Homes – Silver Rating

  • A Tight/Dry Envelope:

    State-of-the-art Moisture barriers and insulation:

  • Roof:

    Double Thickness Pressure Treated Cedar Shakes (50 yr warranty)
    Entire roof area has Ice and Water Shield membrane

  • Gutters

    Durable large 6” Copper Gutters w/ 4” copper leaders draining all roof runoff to dry wells

  • Dry Wells

    (2) 8’ x 8’ drywells engineered to handle all roof and driveway runoff on-site w/ 16 lawn drains

  • Foundation

    “Slow Cured Concrete” Method to eliminate foundation cracking. Ultra dry basement.
    Exterior foundation walls and footings sprayed with Elastomeric “Tuff n’
    Dri” waterproof membrane
    Walls covered with add’l Drain Board “Warm n’ Dri.”
    Site graded to whisk water away from foundation
    Backfill entire foundation with clean sand.

  • Insulation

    Spray in foam insulation (closed cell) 2-4” thick on all roof, wall and basement wall surfaces. Additional layer of Roxul “Rock Wool” for better insulation, fireproofing, and sound attenuation.
    HVAC ducts fully sealed and tested
    HVAC ducts insulated in attics/basement
    All water pipes insulated R4 throughout
    Showers use concrete board, (ultra dry) and long lasting custom fiberglass shower pans.

  • Lighting

    Air Sealed Recessed Lighting Fixtures 

  • Painting

    All windows, doors, and woodworking double primed on all sides for durability. Total 4 plus coats.

2 Pauls Lane bath

Energy Efficiency

  • HVAC

    Professionally Engineered and Tested HVAC System
    12 Zones Heating and Cooling
    Internet Controlled Thermostats
    Radiant Heat Bathroom Floors

  • Windows

    Energy Star Windows and Doors, Double paned, Low e, Argon filled by Le Page – also blocks UV rays and minimizes condensation buildup

  • Appliances

    Energy Star Appliances

  • Lighting

    Energy Star, Dark Sky, and CFL Light Fixtures

  • Insulation

    Entire interior space insulated roof to basement. Spray on Foam and Roxul Rock Wool. Roof, R 50, Walls, R-30, Basement R -20

  • Wine Cellar

    Custom designed with closed-cell spray in foam insulation surround, 4 inches thick insulated door, passive cooling in basement, minimal cooling required.

Alternative Energy Sources

  • Geothermal

    Heating and Cooling System for the entire house

  • Solar

    Panels 5200 kW system

  • Pool Pergola

    Designed to hold 20 black on black solar panels with a dual purpose of electricity creation and shade outdoors.

Water Mill South

Water Efficiency and Management

1124
  • Water Sense

    Plumbing Fixtures and Fittings

  • Enhanced Irrigation Techniques

    to conserve water usage: 5 Zones, check valves, head to head, drip irrigation. Rain sensor timed clock, pressure regulator. On site well for irrigation water.

  • Energy Star

    Washer and Dishwasher (uses less water)

  • Large Dry Wells

    All runoff contained in site

Clean Fresh Air - HVAC System

  • Air Filtration

    Merv16 air filters on all intake

  • Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV)

    custom designed to continuously remove stale air from bathrooms and replace with fresh conditioned air 24 hrs/day

  • Humidification System

    Central system
    Garage Door to house sealed to prevent vapor leakage

1

  • Smart Material Selection

    Low VOC paints
    Green Label Plus carpet
    Local bluestone
    Local gravel
    FSC certified lumber
    Pre-engineered beams

  • A More Natural Yard

    Light colored local gravel permeable driveway
    Drought Tolerant Plantings (local and native)
    Drought Tolerant Lawn
    Shade garden on North Side
    Shade areas mulched, not planted
    All Shrubs mulched
    No Invasive Plants
    Original topsoil stockpiled, protected and redistributed on site

Green Building Process

  • Detailed Framing documents

    lumber cut sheet less than 5% waste factor

  • Recycled

    98% of job site waste sorted and recycled

  • Third-Party

    inspection for Leed for Homes/Energy Star by independent green rater

  • Slow Cured Concrete

    to prevent cracking

  • Pre-Dried Framing

    before wall finishing to prevent settling and cracking

  • Drywall

    Glued and mechanically screwed to eliminate cracking.

  • Site Protection

    Site Top Soil and existing plants and trees protected with hard barriers during construction

Useful Websites to Learn More:

Green Home Guide
Energy Star

  • P.O. Box 2271, Amagansett, NY 11930