What Relevance Do the LEED Standards Have With Painting My Home?

In part 1 and 2 of my series about LEED standards (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) I’ve covered what the standards are; how they’ve been adopted and implemented by the city of Vancouver; and how they help reduce the carbon footprint left by builders and owners.

For this post I’m going to cover how the LEED standards are relevant to the average homeowner thanks to the long-term benefits that they offer: reduced waste and emissions, tax incentives and increased property values.

LEED Canada standards were adopted from the U.S. and tailored for Canadian climates, construction practices and regulations. We already know that LEED is a rating system that promotes the design and construction of green buildings that use less energy and water, create less waste, and are healthier for those working and living in them. For someone with a LEED-designed home, this translates to lower energy bills, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and less exposure to mould and other indoor toxins.

Okay, so who doesn’t want to pay less when it comes to paying their bills? If this isn’t motivation enough, there is a second reason for building a LEED-designed home or retro-fitting their current home: tax incentives. That’s right, the Federal Conservatives have an ecoEnergy Retrofit programme that offers up to $5,000 in tax rebates.

Yet another pot sweetener for going green with your home is how it can increase the value. Last year, stats collected by Seattle-based Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) revealed that green homes certified by a third party sold for a 10.55% premium on a square foot basis.

Simon Baston is CEO and founder of Leading Homes, a company that develops high-end green buildings on Vancouver’s North Shore. His passion for developing buildings that are eco-conscious and sustainable began in his native Wales and ultimately brought him to Vancouver, where Leading Homes is currently putting the final touches on B.C.’s first LEED-certified gold home. Baston says that this project in particular has taught him that “you can build high performance homes that significantly lower your carbon footprint, are massively energy efficient and sustainable.”

So what relevance do the LEED standards have with painting your home? As I strive to make Renaissance Painting practices more eco-conscious, I’m hoping that by sharing this information I will have planted a seed, and one day we will all be striving to make our homes and lifestyles much more eco-conscious.

For more information on LEED standards and certified homes, please visit the following links:

1.Canada Green Building Council
2.Leading Homes
3.Tax Incentives (Government of Canada Natural Resources site)
4.Light House