There are now more than 20,000 homes across the United States that are LEED certified. The U.S. Green Building Council recently announced the milestone, and said the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for homes program verifies that houses are designed and built to be energy- and resource-efficient for occupants.

"There are green homes, and then there are LEED homes. This milestone is evidence that the residential market is increasingly recognizing this fact," said Nate Kredich, vice president of residential market development for USGBC. "LEED for homes is moving the residential market further and faster towards high-performing, healthy homes that save residents money."

Officials with the USGBC said the collection of LEED-certified homes is as varied as the whole of the residential market. They include multi- to single-family homes, as well as market rate and affordable housing. Since the launch of LEED for homes in 2008, more than 20,000 residential units have been certified with nearly 79,000 additional units in the pipeline. Over half of all LEED-certified homes are in the affordable housing category.