Spearheaded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the Builders Challenge is a voluntary program that requires third-party verification. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) was one of the Challenge's earliest program partners, and the LEED for Homes program is a natural fit to alongside the Builders Challenge. In fact, LEED for Homes—which is a national system for rating homes' energy and environmental performance—and its Energy and Atmosphere section and durability measures overlap so much with the Builders Challenge that meeting “LEED + 3 BC” achieves Builders Challenge certification. LEED for Homes Green Raters are now officially approved by DOE to rate Builders Challenge projects.

Builders can choose among three different pathways for satisfactory compliance in the program, but a simple way to explain the compatibility between the Builders Challenge and the LEED for Homes designation.

LEED-certified homes will meet the Builders Challenge based on the LEED requirements, along with:
A HERS Index 70 or lower in the EnergySmart Home Scale.
Total duct leakage which meets Builders Challenge Quality Criteria (BCQC) #15
A few moisture management provisions (from BCQC #2 & #23), which will be added to LEED for Homes' Durability Table 1 in the Innovation & Design Process (ID) section

DOE and USGBC are eager to use both of these programs to recognize builders of high-performance homes in the marketplace. And “LEED + 3 BC” will offer builders meeting LEED for Homes even greater recognition through the Builders Challenge. Ask us for more information on “LEED + 3 BC” on your next project.