This Bayberry Ridge home in York is currently under construction by
Graystone Builders of Maine with anix LLC to be the first
LEED-certified home to southern Maine. Courtesy photos
YORK - With economic woes plaguing the nation, a decline in the sales and building of new homes and international concerns about energy conservation and environmental impact, two Seacoast area businesses have teamed up to bring the first U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design "LEED-certified" new home to southern Maine.
York's Graystone Builders of Maine recently teamed with anix, LLC, of Lee, N.H., to construct a single-family unit in Graystone's Bayberry Ridge development in York, which will join six other Maine properties currently registered in the LEED for Homes program.
According to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) definition, the LEED Green Building Rating System "encourages and accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through the creation and implementation of universally understood and accepted tools and performance criteria."
Earlier this year, York adopted LEED standards for new municipal building projects, following the efforts of then-York High School seniors Bridget Rhinehart and Hanna Mitchell to get the word out about the value of the program.
Walter Woods, owner of Graystone Builders, said he believes that even though housing market conditions have declined, this is the right time to enter the LEED arena and build more sustainable homes and buildings.
"The home is scheduled to be completed the week of January the 12th," Woods explained, adding the property has already been purchased by owners who "are excited about our decision on constructing this home to a Silver LEED Certification status."
Tim Nichols of the N.H.-based anix is providing the construction management services, sustainable building consulting and professional support to help Graystone achieve the LEED certification.
Although the USGBC released the first LEED standards for commercial buildings in 2000, as Nichols and Woods noted in an announcement of their joint effort, the LEED for Homes certification program was just released within the past year. The program's goal is to create homes with enhanced construction standards that conserve energy and reduce impact on the environment.
"LEED for Homes is a rating system that promotes the design and construction of high-performance green homes. A green home uses less energy, water and natural resources; creates less waste, and is healthier and more comfortable for the occupants," according to the U.S. Green Building Council, which is a nonprofit organization comprised of more than 15,000 entities that are committed to expanding sustainable building practices. "Benefits of a LEED home include lower energy and water bills; reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and less exposure to mold, mildew and other indoor toxins. The net cost of owning a LEED home is comparable to that of owning a conventional home."
To attain certification, all aspects of the development and construction of the Bayberry Ridge home will be evaluated and rated, with points earned in such categories as site selection, indoor air quality, and reductions in water and energy usage.
From their perspective, Nichols and Woods noted their companies are committed to affordably constructing buildings to meet LEED standards by utilizing practical methods and high-efficiency systems.
"Although the initial construction costs are somewhat higher, the lifecycle costs for the building are greatly reduced with the initial investment often paid back within the initial three to five years of ownership," according to anix's announcement of the York LEED project.
Woods and Nichols also noted that by reducing the use of non-renewable energy sources and carbon emissions while utilizing renewable natural resources, locally produced materials and responsibly harvested timber, such homes will make a positive impact on the environment. They added the LEED homes mean improved comfort for their occupants with such factors as air quality, noise reduction and temperature and humidity control requirements.
To learn more about LEED buildings, visit on www.usgbc.org.
