Green homes continue to grow across the U.S.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced that more than 20,000 homes across the United States have earned certification through the LEED for Homes program.

LEED for Homes is a national voluntary certification program that verifies homes have been designed and built to be energy-efficient and healthy for occupants.

Since the launch of LEED in 2008, more than 20,000 residential units have been certified, with nearly 79,000 additional units in line for certification. More than half of all LEED certified homes are categorized as affordable housing.

Green homes are expected to grow to become between 29 to 38 percent of the residential construction market by 2016, equaling $87 billion to $114 billion, according to a 2012 McGraw Hill Construction study.

For more information on the LEED for Homes program, visit: usgbc.org/LEED/Homes.