Are you looking for more information on LEED? Are you concerned whether or not LEED certification is something you’d like to invest in for you project? This article will give you a few highlights regarding LEED and what to expect in terms of what L.E.E.D. certification can mean for your project and your customers.
What organization created the LEED standard? The LEED certification system for buildings was created by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), a non-profit organization comprised of more than 20,000 member businesses and organizations and 78 local affiliates. LEED certification for buildings and professionals is managed by the Green Building Construction Institute (GBCI), an offshoot of the USGBC formed in 2008.
What types of projects are eligible for LEED? Various types of projects can become LEED certified.
- LEED-ND (Neighborhood Development)
- LEED-ID&C (Interior Design & Construction)
- LEED for Homes
- LEED-BD&C (Building Design & Construction)
- LEED-EBOM (Existing Buildings – Operations & Maintenance)
What about these changes I hear about? LEED v3 is the most recent version of the LEED certification system. It was introduced earlier this year and contains significant improvements from earlier versions of LEED, all of which make the certification more meaningful. The system was redeveloped to be more aware and inclusive of performance over time, better able to deal with emerging green technologies and practices, as well as becoming more regionally specific.
How is LEED set up? The LEED system offers four certification levels for construction: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. These levels correspond with the number of credits achieved in five categories: Sustainable Sites (SS), Water Efficiency (WE), Energy and Atmosphere (EA), Materials and Resources (MR), and Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ). Each project will achieve a different combination of LEED points or credits in these categories.
What’s the point of going through the LEED certification process? Buildings that are LEED certified almost always use resources more effectively when compared to traditional buildings that are built to code. Because of this, they are recognized as better for their surrounding environments.
Will the clients notice a difference? LEED certified buildings often provide healthier work and living environments, contributing to higher productivity and improved employee health and comfort.
Does LEED certification cost a lot? Even though additional expenses may be incurred by LEED projects early on, the investment will often pay rewards as lower utility bills and higher rents and resale value.
How many projects are LEED-certified? As of January, 2009, more than 20,000 building projects have been LEED-certified nationwide. The US Green Building Council has stated a goal of achieving 100,000 LEED-certified commercial buildings and one million certified homes by 2010. 284 million square feet of LEED-certified construction has been built, a 92% increase over just two years ago. The popularity of the LEED credential is growing quickly, with over 120,000 people becoming LEED Accredited Professionals since 2001.
Is LEED becoming the norm? LEED has become the model for green building projects, meaning that attaining LEED certification in building projects is rapidly becoming the norm, rather than the exception.
Does LEED do anything else for my project? LEED certification offers compelling proof to you, your clients, your peers, and the public at large that you’ve achieved your environmental goals and your building is performing as designed. Getting certified has advantages in terms of attracting local and state government support for your project.
One of the first steps in being able to participate in LEED-certified projects is via passing the LEED certification exam and becoming a LEED accredited professional! Visit the Everblue Training Institute’s website for a LEED accreditation class near you.
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