Why is this important?

We are all aware of the increase of our population in this area post 9-11.  The housing market has boomed.  The new construction continues it seems with no regard to resources and waste.  If we are to continue building, why build in a manner that was fine for the 1950’s, when those resources were seemingly abundant and the cost of them were so low?  We can be more diligent and aware.  Now there are new ways of building that are not that expensive and kinder to our communities.  Supporting this type of lifestyle in our residential communities is on the cusp of becoming very popular.

Why are you important?

This house is breaking rules, in a good way.  We are breaking paradigms and mid sets.  Our biggest hurdle is changing the way that we think about how we live.  With your support and sponsorship in this pilot program, we can pioneer a change in our communities.  We are starting with one house that will change the way we build and maintain our health, our resources, and our finances.

Why Now?

With our prices out of control and recent natural disasters bringing attention to energy efficiency and environmental consciousness, never has the building market been more ready to receive new ideas.  Add to this the fact that the Hudson valley is currently experiencing an unprecedented boom in new construction.  According to East Fishkill, our population in this area has increased 30% since 9-11.

People are now approaching this issue from every direction.  We are all accustomed to paying more at the gas pump and our heating and cooling bills are going up consistently.  Who would not consider paying a little more to assure a rapid payback through energy savings.  NYSERDA incentives for energy savings are among the richest programs in the country. 

The home building clientele are ready to hear, “for x% more up front, you can save 5x% over the course of your mortgage”.  A large percentage of this same cliental are also ready to hear, “this creates a healthier livingenvironment for you and your family” or “the decisions  you make to build this way will reduce the effect of global warming”. 

The Political or environmental leanings of the home buying clients not withstanding, the American public is now ready to look seriously at “building green”

LEED is a program created by the U.S. Green Building Council, which is the nation’s foremost coalition of leaders from across the building industry working to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work.

The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System^® is a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. USGBC's members, representing every sector of the building industry, developed and continue to refine LEED.

LEED was created to:

·        define "green building" by establishing a common standard of measurement

·        promote integrated, whole-building design practices

·        recognize environmental leadership in the building industry

·        stimulate green competition

·        raise consumer awareness of green building benefits

·        transform the building market

THE LEED STANDARD HAS BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE NORTH AMERICAN, SOUTH AMERICAN AND INTERNATIONAL GREEN BUILDING COUNCILS AS WELL. 

You see LEED has been very successful with new rating systems for commercial and community buildings, especially in New York City.  Therefore, LEED announced the call for projects to participate in pilot testing of a new LEED FOR HOMES Rating System and the Monroe House is one of those!

What is the LEED for Homes Pilot?

Currently 76 builders in the United States who are participating in the LEED for Homes Pilot.  There are only 350 homes in the whole United States that will apply for the LEED certification.  We are the first to break ground in the Hudson Valley! 

Find out about LEED and NYSERDA