LEED for Homes Illinois: Healthier, Greener Living Across the Midwest
Explore how the Alliance for Environmental Sustainability (AES) helps Illinois homeowners, builders, and real estate professionals pursue third-party verified green homes through the LEED for Homes program.
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Illinois LEED Homes Keep Growing
As autumn winds arrive, it is a good moment to look back at recent local market figures. Green construction keeps expanding across northern Illinois. Statewide, 633 units are registered to pursue LEED certification, including 433 multifamily homes and 200 single-family homes. More than 80 units have already achieved LEED certification in Illinois, split between 11 multifamily and 70 single-family homes.
Registered LEED homes are increasingly appearing in the regional green MLS maintained by MRED, which flags third-party tested and certified properties such as LEED. Although only a handful of certified homes have changed hands so far, anecdotal reports point to higher appraised values in several cases. As sales data accumulates, the real estate finance community is likely to respond more favorably to green building value, particularly given recent research indicating a 32% lower default risk — reassuring for investors. The trend clearly supports continued growth of certified LEED homes in northern Illinois. To learn how to certify your own project, reach out to a LEED for Homes Green Rater.
Naperville Residence Achieves LEED Certification
Like many families today, the couple building their dream home at 639 N Wright Street made a healthy, efficient environment for their two young children the top priority. Their family's well-being drove the creation of one of Naperville's healthiest homes. Zoned, fully controllable HVAC paired with dual energy recovery ventilators and strong indoor air sealing established a high-performance baseline that complemented the home's other efficient features. A HERS score of 48 reflects outstanding energy efficiency achieved through numerous OVE framing techniques plus affordable, effective air sealing and insulation.
The most impressive aspect of the project was not installed during construction at all — it was the abandoned foundation the home was designed to sit upon. Reusing the existing insulated foundation paid off both financially and environmentally. It avoided disposal costs for the old foundation and saved resources far beyond concrete. Keeping the foundation also sharply reduced the disturbed site area during construction, limiting impact on existing trees and landscaping. Those savings made room for an on-site rain garden in the front yard that would otherwise have been impossible.
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Green Homes Available in Chicagoland
A recent analysis by UCLA Berkeley researchers found that homes carrying a green label (LEED for Homes, NAHB Green, Energy Star, and similar) hold measurably higher value than standard homes. Adapted from an LA Times article, the research shows green home labels typically add nearly 9% to a California home's value. Third-party certified green homes commanded a 9% price premium in California, rising closer to 12% in areas with a strong "Prius factor" — a high number of Toyota Prius drivers.
Illinois readers may wonder how this translates to local real estate values, especially in areas with plenty of Prius drivers. Informally, it is early, but the market appears to be evolving well. Two separate homeowners reported that their LEED project financing was appraised up to 20% higher in one case, thanks to green features and the third-party LEED for Homes certification they pursued. Another home in Elgin, rehabbed from foreclosure, earned LEED Platinum — and its final sales price exceeded the listing price. This summer also brought a wave of LEED homes to the local market as sellers leverage green MLS fields across Chicagoland. Here is a snapshot of local LEED homes currently listed:
- Bloomingdale, IL — Illinois' first LEED single-family home, certified LEED Silver in 2009
- Lemont, IL — a home whose construction is being meticulously filmed for national television
- Hawthorn Woods, IL — a speculative subdivision of custom homes designed for LEED certification
- Chicago, IL — a high-end LEED Platinum gut-rehab pushing the boundaries of sustainability
What stands out is not only the volume of green building but also agents beginning to use the green MLS fields appropriately. As more people learn about green homes — through AES Workshops or the free Green Appraisal Seminar on Oct 24 — more green homes will come to market.
Elgin LEED Platinum Profile Peluso Silver Project Profile View Image
LEED Workshops Across Illinois
Earn the LEED Green Associate (LEED GA) credential and deepen your knowledge of LEED for Homes at an upcoming workshop. Sessions include HOMES 252: Understanding the LEED for Homes Rating System in Madison, WI on Wednesday, July 11, and in Chicago, IL on Wednesday, August 8. Sign up for both the 8/8 and 10/5 workshops for just $349. An additional Chicago session is scheduled for Thursday, Sept 27.
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Sign up for LEED for Homes updates and browse the newsletter archive. Questions about LEED for Homes? Call us toll-free at 888-LEED-AP H (888-533-3274) or email [email protected]. The Alliance for Environmental Sustainability (AES) is a 501c3 non-profit organization and welcomes your donations.
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