Saddlestone Ranch Becomes Largest LEED Silver Certified Community Throughout the Army, Texas

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Saddlestone Ranch, the privatization partnership at Fort Hood between the U.S. Army and developer Actus Lend Lease, was recently awarded 26 LEED Silver certifications by the U.S. Green Building Council [1] (USGBC) for achievement in green homebuilding and design. LEED for Homes is a green home certification system for ensuring homes are designed and built to be energy- and resource-efficient and healthy for occupants.

LEED-certified homes complete a technically rigorous process that includes a home energy (HERS) rating and on-site inspections to verify that the homes are built to be energy and water efficient, environmentally sound and healthy places to live. This project is now the largest LEED Silver community development throughout all Army military installations and the largest in the state of Texas.
“We are extremely proud of the progress we have made in providing our families more spacious and comfortable homes,” says Project Director Mack Quinney, “while at the same time reducing the impact to our environment. As the largest number of certified homes in the Army portfolio and the largest sustainable community in Texas, our accomplishments in creating sustainable communities are sure to make a great impact.”
Saddlestone Ranch has a long history in seeking out innovative green practices and energy efficiency, with this project beginning in 2007 under the LEED for Homes pilot program. Green homes have substantially lower utility bills[1] and provide more efficient and comfortable living than that traditionally found on military installations and have received Energy Star certification.
“The residential sector contributes greatly to climate change and is responsible for 21% of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions,” said Nate Kredich, Vice President of Residential Market Development, U.S. Green Building Council. “Green homes like Fort Hood Family Housing are an immediate and measurable way individuals can make a difference for the environment, and this project will serve as an example to the community of the benefits of building green.”
Actus Lend Lease, known for its sustainable green home building and one of the premier developers of master-planned communities in the military housing portfolio, designed and constructed these homes to be as energy efficient as possible. The Fort Hood project is just one of a number of sustainable projects Actus has orchestrated throughout the United States.
This initial batch of 26 certificates in Patton Park is the first of an anticipated 232 homes to be certified LEED Silver.
Specific information about the Fort Hood LEED community. Located on the main cantonment of the Fort Hood military installation, these first 26 Patton Park homes are within walking distance of public transportation, shops and other conveniences. The three- and four-bedroom homes focus heavily on reducing energy use by utilizing low-e3 windows, high-efficiency appliances and lighting fixtures, compact fluorescent bulbs and high-density, recycled newspaper cellulose insulation. Other energy-efficiency upgrades include instantaneous water heaters, programmable thermostats, high-efficiency gas furnaces and air conditioners, as well as mechanical ventilation.
Low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint, recycled-fiber carpet, resilient plank flooring and 75-percent Forest Stewardship Council-certified sustainably harvested wood content moldings have been used throughout the house. As a result of incorporating energy-saving products and technologies, these homes have achieved an average 74 score on the Home Energy Rating System. (Homes must achieve an average minimum score of 62 – on a 100-point scale – to be deemed certifiable at the Silver level of LEED for Homes.)