Blog Feed: LEED for Homes Illinois - residential green building advocates and LEED for Homes Provider

LEED Workshops in Illinois

Published on 2012-04-12 10:35:49

Earn the LEED Green Associate (LEED GA) and/or learn about LEED for Homes in an upcoming workshop! Mon. May 21 – Bolingbrook, IL – LEED GA: Core Concepts and Strategies Tue. May 22 – Bolingbrook, IL – HOMES 252: Understanding the LEED for Homes Rating System Sat. June 2 – Chicago, IL – LEED GA: [...] > read more

LEED Workshops in Illinois

Published on 2012-04-12 10:35:49

Earn the LEED Green Associate (LEED GA) and/or learn about LEED for Homes in an upcoming workshop! Mon. May 21 – Bolingbrook, IL – LEED GA: Core Concepts and Strategies Tue. May 22 – Bolingbrook, IL – HOMES 252: Understanding the LEED for Homes Rating System Sat. June 2 – Chicago, IL – LEED GA: [...] > read more

2012 IECC Energy Code vs Above Code Green Certifications

Published on 2012-04-10 17:27:43

On June 30, Illinois will become one of five states in the USA to implement the latest version of internationally-agreed upon energy code standard, the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).  This raises the bar in construction design for residential and commercial structures, and as a result, architects / engineers / contractors building to the new [...] > read more

Builder Shows Green Remodels are Affordable

Published on 2012-02-16 16:31:05

Brandon Weiss of Weiss BD is the latest builder to show that green remodeling can be affordable and doable.  His recent gut renovation of a foreclosed home in Elgin, IL recently became the world’s first project to earn both LEED Platinum and NAHB Emerald Remodel certifications. The home features new windows, thorough insulation, water efficient [...] > read more

Affordable LEED for Homes Workshop on 1/31

Published on 2012-01-06 10:39:56

In partnership with the Better Buildings Better Business (B4) conference for residential building professionals, AES will be offering a full day LEED for Homes Workshop on Tues. January 31, 2012 in Schaumburg, IL. As shown in the photo, this workshop pulled in 20 developers, designers, builders and architects when held on Nov. 11 in Chicago, [...] > read more

Better Buildings, Better Business Conference in IL

Published on 2011-11-10 16:59:01

Early Bird Rate just $299 ends Nov 15! The residential building and remodeling community in Illinois will have an opportunity to prepare for new energy efficiency standards at the Better Buildings: Better Business Conference®, Jan. 31 – Feb. 2, 2012 in Schaumburg, Ill. As part of the conference, AES will be offering a full-day pre-conference [...] > read more

LEED for Homes Workshop Coming to Chicago

Published on 2011-10-25 09:38:05

On Friday, Nov. 11 the Alliance for Environmental Sustainability is partnering with USGBC Illinois to bring a LEED for Homes workshop to the Chicago area. This is in response to the increasing demand for LEED projects and desire for building professionals to be more educated. This full-day workshop is also something approved for LEED specific [...] > read more

New Appraisal Form for LEED Homes

Published on 2011-10-11 14:41:41

The Appraisal Institute, the nation’s largest professional association of real estate appraisers, has made it easier to identify attributes of green homes. Last week, they released a form intended to help analyze values of energy-efficient home features. It is the first of its kind intended for appraisers’ use, and can identify LEED homes. The new [...] > read more

22 Tips to Build a LEED Home Affordably

Published on 2011-06-06 13:54:52

AES recently summarized an article that outlines how any project can incorporate many strategies of LEED that can result in an affordably built LEED home. Learn more about these 22 tips for a LEED home at the main Alliance for Environmental Sustainab > read more

Builder Takes Foreclosed Home to LEED Platinum

Published on 2011-05-19 15:29:52

Finding diamonds in the rough has been the strategy for many a house-flipper, and there are plenty of people doing that with the number of foreclosed homes available on the market.  However, a new spin on this is taking a foreclosed home that needs > read more

Tax Credits Return for Energy-Efficient Homes

Published on 2011-03-28 11:14:45

Builders of energy-efficient homes are now eligible for a business tax credit up to $2,000. This is retroactive to Jan 1, 2010 when the previous tax credit expired. Since every LEED home receives a HERS rating, this gives builders a great incentive t > read more

Photo Tour of LEED Platinum home

Published on 2011-03-10 17:24:07

Chicago Magazine recently profiled a gut rehab home that achieved LEED Platinum certification, and included a photo tour of the home along with affordable green home remodel. View details at the Chicago Magazine online blog. > read more

Free Deconstruction Training for Contractors

Published on 2011-02-23 11:43:00

Delta Institute is partnering with local deconstruction professionals to offer deconstruction training for contractors. In this two-week session, learn the basic deconstruction techniques on a residential structure and expand your career opportunitie > read more

LEED Midrise – The new multi-family rating system

Published on 2011-02-18 09:40:51

The US Green Building Council has released the LEED Mid-Rise rating system, designed to allow multi-family and mixed-use buildings of 4-6 stories a way to earn LEED certification more affordably than by pursuing the commercially-focused LEED for New > read more

Prefab LEED Home Focus of Green Magazine

Published on 2011-01-06 11:08:12

Chicago’s green consumer magazine, Mindful Metropolis, released their January issue with an article focusing on the first prefabricated LEED home in the city of Chicago.  The project, which AES toured in December, is the focus of a two-page co > read more

Musings on LEED and Passive House

Published on 2011-01-05 13:02:11

Significant changes in the next iteration of the LEED for Homes rating system will be even more performance-oriented, which should play well to Passive House customers. Especially those customers who want not only energy-efficient performance and goo > read more

AES Report Shows Increased Value of LEED Homes

Published on 2010-12-17 13:20:44

In a newly-released report, the Alliance for Environmental Sustainability (AES) analyzed data from LEED-certified homes in the Midwest found that the homes averaged 40% less energy use and utility costs annually when compared to conventional homes. L > read more

LEED for Homes 2012: Overview of Changes

Published on 2010-12-01 04:37:30

The first public comment period is open for LEED for Homes changes that will go into effect in 2012.  The comment period closes at the end of this year – Jan 14, 2011.  You can download the full version at but as a LEED for Homes Provider, AE > read more

Free webinars on ENERGY STAR ver 3

Published on 2010-11-24 09:39:56

Builders of ENERGY STAR for Homes will need to learn more about Energy Star v2.5 going into effect January 1, 2011, as it leads us to v3.0 as well as Energy Star Indoor Air Quality options. Changes are coming – now is the time to learn how thos > read more

Northbrook’s First LEED Home – Permit Rebate

Published on 2010-11-23 07:50:05

This article republished from patch.com As the first planned green home in Northbrook, the 4,500-square-foot, 2-story, 4-bedroom house will take advantage of the land’s orientation and unique flood, solar, and energy conservation characteristic > read more

Public comment for the next LEED, and new ID credits

Published on 2010-11-11 07:39:31

LEED has had its share of detractors lately whether it be concerns over post-occupancy performance, alignment with ENERGY STAR version 3, collaboration with Passive House, or the impact of green buildings on human health. There are many voices that h > read more

Passive House, LEED Platinum, HERS 3

Published on 2010-11-01 12:54:19

Imagine that every building maintained the ecological balance needed to sustain life on earth. An immensely complicated goal?  Maybe.  But if we put our fears of failure at the back of the bus, we will maximize the possibility of success. An Ecolog > read more

Durability Planning and Prerequisites in LEED Homes

Published on 2010-10-26 11:23:49

Those familiar with the LEED for Homes rating system know there are many prerequisites that all projects must meet prior to Certification. These are spread across the credit areas, so there are prerequisites in Indoor Environmental Quality, Energy, M > read more

Greenbuild Affordable Homes Tour: 11/20

Published on 2010-10-21 08:42:12

Affordable and Green: Greenbuild Legacy Home Project November 20, 2010 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Early: Member $45/Non-Member $45 Regular: Member $65/Non-Member $65 Organizations like Habitat for Humanity have been successful in providing affordable housing to f > read more