“The residential sector contributes greatly to climate change and is responsible for 21% of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions,” said Nate Kredich, Vice President, Residential Market Development, U.S. Green Building Council. “Green homes like Pa Ka Makani Farm are an immediate and measurable way individuals can make a difference for the environment, and this project will serve as an example to the community of the benefits of building green.”
What are Green Homes?
Generally speaking, a green home is designed and built to be:
- Healthy
- Comfortable
- Durable
- Energy efficient
- Environmentally responsible
A common misconception is that all new homes, built to the minimum building codes, are high quality and high performance homes. However, many new homes do not achieve several of the benefits listed above. Green homes are built to substantially exceed the performance levels offered by conventional, code-compliant new homes.
Also, while many new homes may claim to be green, they differ in how thoroughly they achieve the benefits above. In other words, they achieve different degrees of green, depending on the degree to which they deliver these benefits.
Why Green Homes?
Homes have a very significant environmental impact. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, all homes in the U.S. account for:
- 22% of the total energy consumed
- 21% of carbon dioxide emissions
Also, certain indoor air pollutants can often be four to five times higher than outdoor levels.
Construction and demolition waste (including both residential and commercial buildings) represents 40% of the solid waste in the U.S. Homes also have a significant impact on the amount of water consumed, on the amount of chemicals (e.g., fertilizer, pest control chemicals) that can damage nearby water bodies, and other consequences.
Shifting towards the design and construction of more sustainable homes can have enormous benefits for the environment, as well as for the occupants.
What is LEED?
LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification program, providing third-party
verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance, increasing energy savings and water efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts, and improving indoor environmental quality.
What is LEED for Homes?
LEED for Homes is a consensus-developed, third party-verified rating system that promotes the
design and construction of high-performance green homes. The rating system measures a home's
performance based on eight categories: site selection, water efficiency, materials & resources, energy & atmosphere, indoor environmental quality, location & linkages, awareness & education, and innovation. Within each of these areas, projects earn points toward certification. Each LEED-certified home undergoes onsite inspections and thorough performance testing to ensure proper performance.
Why should I consider building a LEED-certified home?
A home that achieves LEED certification has been designed to maximize fresh air indoors, minimizing exposure to airborne toxins and pollutants, and has the potential to use 20-30% less energy – and some up to 60% less – than a home built to the International Energy Code Council’s 2006 code. Less energy use means lower utility bills every month throughout the life of the house.
Beyond energy, achieving LEED certification is a mark of leadership in green design, clearly differentiating a home as among the best in the country. For the homebuyer, LEED is like the nutrition label that demonstrates in measurable terms that a home incorporates efficient techniques and features, and that the final product has been third party-verified and performance tested.
Who Designed this LEED Home?
Green Sand Architecture + Sustainability was the designer and architect for the Pa Ka Makani project. For more information go to www.greensandinc.com or call (808)457-1360. Green Sand specializes in deep green, healthy sustainable projects.
Pa Ka Makani Farm LEED Status
Pa Ka Makani Farm established a goal of LEED Platinum and to be an example to the community from the very inception of the project. As such Pa Ka Makani is a registered LEED for Homes project and has been built to achieve a Platinum rating. The project is currently tracking to Platinum and incorporates such features as:
- 100% self-sufficient and off the utility grid using Photo Voltaic panels and batteries to store power.
- Rainwater harvesting and storage sufficient to provide for potable and non-potable water needs for the project.
- Natural ventilation
- Daylighting and views
- Natural and local materials
Certification is pending final inspections upon completion of the final details of the project. See the following LEED Checklist for details regarding the points and strategies used by the design team for this particular project and specific micro-climate.