Energy Conscious Housing Grows More Popular

With the recent award of the LEED Platinum certificate to Bernheim Arboretum Visitor Center (above), Kentucky now boasts multiple green developments. It’s certainly a trend that builders across the nation are embracing.

There are 33 LEED wannabes on the list, waiting for appraisal by the U.S. Green Building Council.

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and according to Wikipedia, is a suite of standards for environmentally sustainable construction. Builders need to comply with the standards, then apply to the council for certification. Here are their levels:

* Certified – 26-32 points
* Silver – 33-38 points
* Gold – 39-51 points
* Platinum – 52-69 points

If you’re interested, please read all of Diane Heilenman’s piece on this increasingly popular trend.