BY THE NUMBERS

While the construction costs of building a LEED-certified home are likely to be higher than traditional construction, homeowners taking the "long view" will see their investment pay dividends in energy savings and materials that withstand the wear and tear of time, Barnes-Castro said.

"Some of the simplest measures to make a home energy-efficient are the most cost-effective," she said, noting that in addition to passive solar design, insulation and airtight construction were two inexpensive and vital factors that could be incorporated into just about any budget.
"There is a range of choices and I think there is something for everybody," she said.
Barnes-Castro is currently designing a home on Santa Cruz's Westside with an aim of exceeding the Residential LEED Gold certification standards.

"When I have an opportunity to design a home, I have an opportunity to make a difference," she said. "The motivation is to help people find a way to live more in harmony with the Earth."
Registration and fees for LEED certification average around $2,600 a project, according to the Green Building Certification Institute. Certification is granted on the recommendation of a third-party professional.
The ownerss worked with Sharon Block of Bright Green Strategies in Santa Cruz. For more information or to register a project for LEED certification, visit www.gbci.org.