LEED for Homes Illinois: Greener, Healthier Homes Throughout the Midwest
The Alliance for Environmental Sustainability (AES) is a 501c3 nonprofit that assists Midwest homeowners and builders in earning LEED for Homes certification. Browse our events, project tools, and resources to begin.
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In the News
- Jan 10, 2010: Chicago Tribune
- Aug 3, 2010: Chicago Tribune
- Aug 10, 2010: Real Estate Rama
- Aug 13, 2010: Daily Herald
- Aug 25, 2010: New York Times
- Sept 1, 2010: Appliance Design
- Nov 13, 2011: Green Gut Rehab Goes Platinum
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Recent Articles
22 Tips to Build a LEED Home Affordably
June 06, 2026 :: Posted by Jason :: Category - Common Myths, LEED Credits
AES recently condensed an article explaining how any project can apply many LEED strategies to build an affordable LEED home. Discover more about these 22 tips on the main Alliance for Environmental Sustainability website.
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Musings on LEED and Passive House
January 05, 2026 :: Posted by Jason :: Category - LEED Credits
LEED for Homes has long required ENERGY STAR (a HERS rating of 85) as a prerequisite and awarded more points for lower HERS ratings. Major changes in the next version of the rating system (LEED 2012) will be even more performance-focused, which should appeal to Passive House customers—particularly those seeking energy-efficient performance and good IAQ while adding broader sustainability features to their homes. This is where Passive House and LEED intersect.
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LEED for Homes 2012: Overview of Changes
December 01, 2025 :: Posted by Jason :: Category - LEED Credits
The first public comment period is now open for LEED for Homes changes taking effect in 2012. The comment period ends at the close of this year—Jan 14, 2011. You can download the full version, but as a LEED for Homes Provider, AES has summarized some highlights for you. This information comes from the LEED for Homes Specialty Update presented Nov. 19 at Greenbuild 2010.
Implementation Timetable: (all dates approximate)
- First Public Comment: NOW through Jan 14, 2011 download and comment
- Second Public Comment: July 1 - Aug 15, 2026 (tentative schedule)
- Revisions released for balloting: August 2012
- Implementation: Nov 2012
Note: In addition to the public comment periods, ongoing feedback can be given online via the Stakeholder forum at LEEDuser.com.
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Public comment for the next LEED, and new ID credits
November 11, 2026 :: Posted by Jason :: Category - LEED Credits
LEED has drawn its share of critics recently, whether over post-occupancy performance, alignment with ENERGY STAR version 3, collaboration with Passive House, or the effect of green buildings on human health. Many voices have discussed ways to improve the LEED for Homes rating system. Now, those who want to shape the future of green building have until the end of the year to make their voices heard. All versions of LEED, including LEED for Homes, will be finalized in 2011, due to launch just over a year later at the start of 2012.
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Durability Planning and Prerequisites in LEED Homes
October 26, 2026 :: Posted by Jason :: Category - LEED Credits
Anyone familiar with the LEED for Homes rating system knows there are many prerequisites every project must satisfy before Certification. These are distributed across the credit areas, so prerequisites exist in Indoor Environmental Quality, Energy, Materials and Resources, and more. One area that can be somewhat confusing is the Innovation and Design prerequisite for Durability Planning and Management (ID prereq 2). It is a two-step process that helps ensure homes are durable and built to last by mitigating local climate variables affecting the home. The first step is to identify risks, and the second is to identify strategies to address those risks.
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New LEED for Homes Pre-approved ID: Food Garden
October 07, 2026 :: Posted by Jason :: Category - LEED Credits
The White House isn’t the only home earning praise for a food garden on its grounds. With the newly released pre-approved Innovation and Design (ID) credit, LEED for Homes projects that include a food garden in the design can qualify for an ID point when certain specifications are met. The purpose of the Food Garden credit is to offer a functional, sustainable way to help meet the homeowner’s food needs.
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USGBC Releases Green Homeowner Manual
August 27, 2026 :: Posted by Jason :: Category - LEED Credits
To help green building project teams and LEED for Homes project teams, USGBC has created a LEED for Homes Homeowners Operations and Maintenance (HOM) Manual. The HOM Manual was developed to support the LEED for Homes prerequisite AE 1: Education of the Homeowner or Tenant, and to offer tips on maintaining a LEED-certified home. Be sure to read the Project Team Instructions on how to properly use and customize the manual.
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Double-Up Points in MR 2.2 with Reclaimed Materials
August 19, 2026 :: Posted by Jason :: Category - LEED Credits
The Materials and Resources (MR) credit 2.2 is one of the more challenging areas of LEED for Homes to get a handle on. First of all,
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Whether you are a homeowner planning a first LEED project or a builder refining an existing one, the credit categories above connect you with the tools, organizations, and articles that support each step. Browse the project tools and resource links to find guidance on durability, materials, energy performance, and more.