Currently I'm conducting the LEED Homes International Pilot project in China. After consulting with USGBC (Kelsey and Courtney) since year 2010, the project was gone thru registration process smoothly and much better understanding on the whole certification process including the roles of Green Rater / Energy Rater / QAD. The project is finally under construction since couple months ago. Now we're facing many obstacles in terms of technical challenges from the Green Rater.

Basically, the key challenge is the fundamental design and construction practices are so different between China and US. My perception is that USGBC try to build a US residential home in China because all the credits are referenced to US standards. Theoretically, the design team including client can meet most the credit requirements including import US products. However, there’re some unreasonable design end up will implement in the house (in my opinion) which I’m afraid the end product will be criticized a lot by the local market. (e.g. excessive insulation in southern China climatic conditions, unrealistic low window SC factor, limited product availability in China, etc.) The most challenging is using REM to gauge the HERS index for residential in China…. Personally, I’ve no objection of the REM software. But it is not flexible as other LEED commercial rating using DOE-2 that allow some trade-offs. I wish there will have alternative compliance path available to deal with this energy credit in near future. However, LEED for Homes rating system is quite unusual that relies a lot on Green Rater rather than USGBC itself.

Although I raised these questions to our Green Rater and USGBC (Kelsey) many rounds already, I’m afraid I still can’t persuade their thoughts. (I can understand they’ve to protect the integrity and reputation for LEED Home). I hope this post won’t sounds like a complaint. I just want to voice out to other people going to pursue LEED Homes outside of US better notice this kinds of challenges.