LEED Certification in Residential Buildings: Assessing Economic Implications and Occupant Experiences

11 pages•Published: July 23, 2025

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification system's impact on residential buildings, focusing on the residents' perspective. It critically examines key dimensions such as financial affordability, satisfaction with indoor environmental quality, and the long-term market performance of LEED-certified properties. By synthesizing findings from 18 recent studies conducted over the past decade, this research explores how LEED certification influences residential construction costs, occupant well-being, and property valuations across diverse contexts and certification tiers.
The results show consistent improvements in indoor environmental quality across all certification levels and regions, with positive effects on residents' daily living experiences, quality of life, and long-term economic investment. Economically, urban markets tend to outperform rural areas, while higher certification levels often yield better long-term economic benefits. For affordable housing, the greatest barrier to green sustainability remains the initial cost, which requires not only raising residents' awareness but also significant support from both governments and enterprises. Initial construction costs may rise by 2-15%, but the investment is frequently offset by long-term operational savings and property value appreciation ranging from 15-50%. This study provides critical insights for homebuyers, developers, and market analysts, offering a nuanced understanding of the economic and experiential advantages linked to LEED-certified residential properties.
Uniquely emphasizing the residents' perspective, this research demonstrates how LEED certification translates sustainability metrics into tangible daily living benefits and long-term financial value. By balancing qualitative improvements in living conditions with quantifiable economic returns, the study bridges the gap between technical sustainability standards and practical residential advantages, empowering stakeholders to make informed decisions regarding sustainable housing investments.

Keyphrases: indoor environmental quality, leed certification, occupant satisfaction, property value, residential buildings

In: Wesley Collins, Anthony J. Perrenoud and John Posillico (editors). Proceedings of Associated Schools of Construction 61st Annual International Conference, vol 6, pages 360-370.

Links:	https://easychair.org/publications/paper/qBDz
	https://doi.org/10.29007/q28n

BibTeX entry

@inproceedings{ASC2025:LEED_Certification_Residential_Buildings,
  author    = {Shahrooz Ghorbani and Tianjiao Zhao},
  title     = {LEED Certification in Residential Buildings: Assessing Economic Implications and Occupant Experiences},
  booktitle = {Proceedings of Associated Schools of Construction 61st Annual International Conference},
  editor    = {Wesley Collins and Anthony J. Perrenoud and John Posillico},
  series    = {EPiC Series in Built Environment},
  volume    = {6},
  publisher = {EasyChair},
  bibsource = {EasyChair, https://easychair.org},
  issn      = {2632-881X},
  url       = {/publications/paper/qBDz},
  doi       = {10.29007/q28n},
  pages     = {360-370},
  year      = {2025}}

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