A practical guide to green home certifications: Passive House v LEED v BREEAM

LEED^® vs. Passive House vs. BREEAM: a practical guide for homeowners

Whether you're building a home in the US or Canada, or embarking on a new construction project in places like the UK, Australia, or New Zealand - and want to do so to a recognized sustainable certification level - you'll be faced with a baffling choice of well-known green building standards.

Catchy label names like LEED, Passive House, and BREEAM come up frequently. But since most people aren't construction experts, it can be difficult to understand what these labels really mean for your family's health, your daily comfort, and your budget when you're building a new home. It's also hard to know what they mean for important considerations like future affordability, linked to the cost of operation and maintenance, and, dare we say, the future return on this investment.

There's more to it than just the environmental feel-good factor, and that's presumably why you're here, searching for answers to the long-standing debate about "which green home labelling scheme is the best?"

Sustainable home certification, the voice of experience!

If 40+ years in construction has taught me anything, it's that building homes is all about compromises. This means striking a fine balance between multiple important elements. If you over-improve in one area of design, it can highlight deficiencies in another. But since few people can afford to build the ultimate sustainable home with zero compromises, where do you start when you want to build and live in a better home than "the average?"

Well, to begin with, there are a lot of soul-searching questions to ask in regard to personal priorities and the ability to land this plane - anyone who ever watched Grand Designs will know how often an overly-ambitious home construction project can crash and burn!

So, once you've been honest with yourself about what matters most for your new sustainable home, you should start by making the best choices corresponding to your personal motivation for building a home. It's about replacing poor choices with better ones for - construction materials and building techniques that fit with what's most important to you, building methods make sense in your climate zone, regional building codes, and the size of your wallet.

The process should begin by fixing a realistic budget and deciding on the non-negotiable elements for your new home. Be sure to question why those elements are important to you. Also, have a long conversation with yourself, your partner, and your family to be certain that building your dream home is such a good plan - because it's really not that easy, and somebody should tell you all this.

Here's a really good example for all the eco-warriors out there - as explained in detail by Ecohome's very own Mike Reynolds, there's very little sense in getting carried away with the idea of building an Earthship home if you live in a cold climate (if at all!) But I digress - back to the building essentials of budget blended with personal priorities.

Taking the right steps, realistically and in this order, puts your exciting new home building project on a better path than most from the very outset. For another example, there's little point getting excited about the latest 'wonder' insulation material (that probably costs a fortune) if it means you have to choose average, code-compliant windows just to balance the budget.

That just makes no sense and yet we at Ecohome see this kind of choice being made all the time by the novice eco home builder who falls for a sales pitch! Many, many choices for building a sustainable home could be considered subjective - but they should always be tempered by getting the essentials of constructing a home right in a sound and mechanically, structurally comprehensive way.

The function of a good home is to provide a secure and stable environment that serves as both a physical shelter and a psychological sanctuary, allowing its inhabitants to rest, grow, and engage with the world. A great home, an Ecohome, does all that and more...

This guide offers a practical comparison of the different sustainable home certification standards from a pragmatic builder's perspective - please read it as such. At Ecohome, we see these green home standards as useful frameworks to achieve a goal, not as trophies^*. The goal is always to build a better home than a standard code built home - which is the legal minimum standard applicable where you live and very much not a goal for a sustainable new home in most areas.

The sustainable certification for a home is simply third-party proof that the construction design work was done to a high standard at the time it was built - and not everybody needs this validation.

Ecohome has always been about:

_{Build Better, Renovate Better, Live Better^TM}

Because better choices, well considered and balanced choices, lead to a better home - and if we can help make that happen then we all win!

_{^*Yeah ok, bragging rights in the bar for Ecohome having helped to design and build Canada's first LEED v4 Platinum home, The Edelweiss, are kinda cool - we'll admit to that :.)}

Understanding the core philosophy of each green home standard

To choose the right path to certifying a sustainable home, you first need to understand the main goal of each sustainable home labeling system.

Passive House (Passivhaus): the global specialists in comfort & low energy combined

Its philosophy: Passive House has a primary, measurable goal - to create a highly-efficient building envelope that requires very little energy for heating and cooling. It is a rigorous performance standard, not a simple checklist. A home either meets the strict targets for airtightness and energy use to earn the Passive House certification, or it doesn't.

Truthfully, the term 'Passive House' has a somewhat convoluted history in North America. How you proceed with labeling a project depends on whether you are considering a PHI or a PHIUS home certification (you can read more about that distinction here). Many consider the core principles of Passive House to have been pioneered in Canada during the 1970s by Harold Orr, who, as one of the principal designers of the Saskatchewan Conservation House, created a building in 1977 that acted as a laboratory.

It was there that many previously unheard-of building techniques were developed (including the invention of the HRV), which are now standard in the best-performing houses in the world having been perfected and accidently given the trendy name Passivhaus by those masters of modern engineering, the Germans!

The old saying 'necessity is the mother of invention' certainly applies to that origin story from Harold Orr (who has an annual award named after him given out at the annual Passive House Canada Conference). It's just a shame that, as I write this, the Canadian construction industry is still largely stuck in the 1950s with its "but we've always done it this way" mentality.

There, I said it. And I'm happy to discuss why I say this. Having experienced the construction industry in eight countries and been a licensed builder in four of them, I feel I've earned my stripes to be able to say that!

The homeowner payoff for building and certifying a Passive House: The result of building to Passivehaus standards is a home with an exceptional level of comfort. Passive Houses are very quiet, free of drafts, and maintain a stable indoor temperature year-round just by living in them.

The most tangible benefit is a significant reduction in energy bills - often up to 90% for heating and cooling - providing a clear return on investment that just keeps on giving over time. Worth noting that sustainable building practices can reach the stage where cost-effectiveness can become questionable and when money should be used optimally.

If you're thinking of building a passive house, The "Damn Near" is a Passive House on a Budget to prove the point that certification isn't always a necessity - depending on your personal balance of priorities.

BREEAM: the UK & Europe's leader in life-cycle assessment

Its philosophy: As the world's longest-standing green building standard, BREEAM is the dominant force in the UK and Europe. It takes a broad, evidence-based approach, assessing a building's performance across multiple categories including project management, health, energy, materials, and sustainability.

The homeowner payoff for building a BREEAM certified home: In the UK, a BREEAM certification is a strong indicator of quality and is often required by local councils for getting your planning permission. It delivers a verified, well-rounded home with lower running costs, a healthier indoor environment and a lowered environmental impact.

LEED^®: the North American all-rounder

Its philosophy: LEED is the most recognized green building brand in North America. Like BREEAM, it is a comprehensive framework that balances a wide range of sustainability goals, even if the certification goals for LEED change pretty regularly. It functions as a detailed checklist, ensuring that energy, water, site impact, materials, and indoor air quality are all addressed. By joining the dots on doing a LEED home certification you can almost consider the process as "The Dummies guide to building a green home in North America!"

The homeowner payoff for building a LEED certified home: A high-level LEED certification provides trusted, third-party assurance of a home's all-around quality. For homeowners in Canada and the US, it is the most recognizable "green" label, which can have a positive impact on resale value. It confirms that the home is efficient and that better attention has been paid to material selection and indoor air quality than your average code-built home.

The detailed cost comparison: upfront investment vs. lifetime value

Building to a high-performance standard requires an upfront investment - in time, money, or both. It's crucial to understand where that time and money goes and what the long-term returns are.

Upfront costs: the "green premium" explained

Expect a construction cost premium of 5-15% over a basic code-built house. This isn't for luxury finishes; it's an investment in the essential and high-performance core components of the home.

• Windows & doors: This is often the single largest additional cost after the foundation and building structural costs. Both LEED and Passive House certified homes require high-performance, typically triple-pane, windows. These can cost 50-100% more than standard double-pane windows but are essential for reducing heat loss, eliminating cold spots and keeping a balanced approach to a high performance building envelope.
• Insulation & air sealing: Achieving the performance targets requires more insulation than code and, more importantly, a meticulously detailed air barrier. This adds costs for materials and for the skilled labour needed to execute the air-sealing details of your future perfect home.
• High-performance HVAC: A high-efficiency Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) or Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) is mandatory for airtight homes to ensure fresh air and a high IAQ rating. These systems are more expensive than simple bath fans but are critical for the balance between health and energy recovery / efficiency.

"Soft costs": the price of expertise and verification:

Beyond the basic construction costs, you need to budget for specialized design and certification of sustainable homes, if you decide that's important for your new home build.

• Design & consulting fees: You will need an expert on your team. A Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC), a LEED Accredited Professional (AP), or a BREEAM Assessor provides critical guidance throughout the design process of your new green home. Depending on the project's complexity, these consulting fees can range from $5,000 to $20,000+ for a custom home.
• Certification fees: These are the fees paid directly to the organizations. For a single-family home, this can be anywhere from $500 (for some basic LEED registrations) to over $5,000 for the full third-party review and verification process required by Passive House or high-level BREEAM.

Health & comfort: what it's actually like to live in these homes

The most profound benefits of building to these sustainable home standards are often the ones you feel every day.

Indoor air quality: a tale of two strategies

Both approaches deliver excellent indoor air quality, but in different ways.

• LEED & BREEAM focus on "Source Control". They have stringent credits that push builders to choose materials that are inherently less toxic. This means specifying paints, adhesives, and cabinetry with no or low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and avoiding products with added formaldehyde. The goal is to prevent pollutants from entering your home's air in the first place.
• Passive House focuses on "Dilution and Filtration". Because the home is so airtight, it relies on a continuous mechanical ventilation system (an HRV or ERV). This system constantly exhausts stale, polluted indoor air and brings in fresh, filtered outdoor air. This is extremely effective at removing occupant-generated pollutants like CO2 and moisture, as well as any other contaminants, ensuring the air you breathe is always fresh. You can of course always build a Passivehaus and choose construction products with low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and avoiding products with added formaldehyde and get the best of both worlds!

Thermal comfort: eliminating drafts and cold spots

While all green homes are more comfortable than standard construction, Passive House makes thermal comfort its primary obsession. By eliminating thermal bridges (uninsulated spots in the building envelope) and using high-performance windows, the interior surface temperatures of walls and windows remain very close to the room's air temperature.

This completely eliminates the feeling of radiant cold you get sitting near an average window in winter, and removes the possibility of condensation on windows in all but an arctic climate, creating a uniquely stable and draft-free environment.

Acoustic comfort - the unsung benefit:

A major, often overlooked, benefit of the thick insulation and airtight construction required by these high-performance home standards is exceptional acoustic performance. These homes are incredibly quiet. They significantly dampen exterior noise from traffic, neighbours, or weather, creating a serene and peaceful indoor environment - even if you're building in the middle of a town or city or near a major road. Read more here about how to reduce sound transmission in homes.

The right choice for your region: local standards matter

While the global green home standards are excellent benchmarks, the most practical choice is often a program tailored to your country's climate and building industry.

In the USA: LEED, Passive House, and the NGBS

• Passive House (PHIUS): The top standard for homeowners prioritizing energy efficiency and comfort. The PHIUS standard is specifically adapted for North American climate zones, making it a highly practical choice for dealing with diverse weather from Florida's humidity to Minnesota's cold.
• LEED: The market leader in slick American marketing for a holistic, internationally recognized certification. Its brand recognition is highest in urban and commercial markets.
• National Green Building Standard (NGBS): A popular and robust choice, especially for production home builders. It is a comprehensive standard that is often seen as more straightforward and less costly to implement than LEED, while still providing rigorous third-party verification that aligns well with programs like ENERGY STAR.

In Canada: LEED, Passive House, and government programs

• Passive House Canada: The benchmark for super-efficient homes, especially effective in demanding cold climates from the Prairies to the Maritimes. Its focus on a durable, airtight envelope is well-suited to Canadian weather.
• LEED Canada: A solid choice for a comprehensive, high-performance American based certification with strong brand recognition.
• EnerGuide, R-2000 & Net Zero Home Label: This is the mainstream path for many Canadians, often supported by federal programs like the Canada Greener Homes Grant. It starts with an EnerGuide rating to benchmark energy performance, which is the gateway to achieving the well-respected R-2000 standard or the top-tier Net Zero Home label.
• It's important to note that Quebec Canada also operates its own distinct and very popular set of programs. For new construction, the Novoclimat program is the province's mainstream standard for energy efficiency, guaranteeing performance that is significantly better than standard code. For existing homes, the Rénoclimat program provides both expert guidance and financial aid for energy-focused renovations, as well as taking full advantage of the LogisVert grant program offered by Hydro-Quebec.

In the UK: BREEAM and Passive House

• BREEAM: The undisputed market leader. Its value is deeply integrated into the UK property market, understood by appraisers, and frequently required by local councils to obtain planning permission. Its structured approach is well-suited to the UK's construction industry.
• Passive House (Passivhaus): The primary alternative for those whose main goal is quantifiable energy performance and superior comfort.

In Australia & New Zealand: Green Star and Passive House

• Green Star: This is the leading local standard, developed by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA). It was based on BREEAM but has been specifically adapted to address local challenges like water conservation, resilience to extreme heat, and local material supply chains. For a holistic rating, it is the most practical choice.
• Passive House: It has a growing and passionate community in both countries for homeowners seeking the highest levels of comfort and energy efficiency, particularly in the varied climates of New Zealand.

Conclusion: which green home path is right for you?

There is no single "best" green building standard. As I mentioned, the ideal choice depends on your priorities and your location.

• Choose Passive House if... you are anywhere in the world and your absolute top priority is achieving exceptional physical comfort, a silent indoor environment, and very low energy bills.

• Choose LEED^® if... you are in North America and want a balanced, globally recognized certification that adds proven resale value.

• Choose BREEAM if... you are in the UK or Europe. It is the industry benchmark and is valued by local councils and appraisers.

• Choose Green Star if... you are in Australia or New Zealand. It is the most practical and widely recognized standard in your local market.

• For a mainstream, affordable path in Canada or the US...
  Start with Canada's EnerGuide rating system or the US National Green Building Standard (NGBS). These programs offer an accessible route to a high-quality, energy-efficient home.

Ultimately, all these home sustainability certifications are tools. The real goal is to work with an experienced team to create a durable, healthy, comfortable, and efficient home that meets your family's needs for generations to come.

Explore sustainable home construction further

Mastering a technique like the LEED certification system is one step. Adapting it to different climates and building codes, whether in Europe or North America, is another. Explore these essential guides for successful projects, no matter your region:

• Future Standards Comparison: Net Zero Energy homes v Passive House designed homes
• Certification Comparison: Passive House vs LEED®: What's the Difference?
• Case Study: Case Study: Canada's First LEED® v4 Platinum Home
• LEED Certification Details: How to Build a LEED® Certified Home

Join the Ecohome network

Discover the benefits of a free Ecohome Network Membership, promote your sustainable construction business, and get discount pricing on select sustainable building materials!