Want to know more about LEED? Are you concerned whether or not LEED certification is something you’d like to invest in for you project? Here’s a short 10 point summary of what L.E.E.D. certification can mean for your project.
Who created LEED? 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 projects are eligible for LEED? Various types of projects can become LEED certified.
- LEED-ND (Neighborhood Development)
- LEED-EBOM (Existing Buildings – Operations & Maintenance)
- LEED-BD&C (Building Design & Construction)
- LEED for Homes
- LEED-ID&C (Interior Design & Construction)
What about these changes I hear about? The most recent version of LEED is LEED v3. LEED v3 brought about changes to make LEED certification carry more meaning. 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 the LEED rating system organized? The LEED rating system has 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). Points for each category are determined during the design and construction phases for each project.
What’s the point of going through the LEED certification process? Buildings that are LEED certified typically use resources more effectively when compared to non-LEED buildings that are built to code. Because of this, they are recognized as better for their surrounding environments.
Will my customers notice the difference? Employers can expect a healthier and more comfortable environment for their employees as well as higher productivity with a LEED building.
Isn’t certification expensive? While LEED projects may incur additional initial costs in attempting to achieve various LEED points, and LEED certification itself is an additional expense, economic payback may come in the form of lower utility bills, employee productivity gains, and higher rents and resale value.
How many buildings and homes have received LEED certification? 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 standard? LEED has become the industry standard, meaning that attaining LEED certification in building projects is quickly becoming the norm, rather than the exception.
What else does LEED certification do for my building? 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 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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