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? Here’s a short 10 point summary of what LEED 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. The Green Building Construction Institute (GBCI) is the organization responsible for overseeing LEED certification for buildings.
What types of projects are eligible for LEED? There are different categories of LEED for different types of projects.
- LEED for Homes
- LEED-BD&C (Building Design & Construction)
- LEED-ND (Neighborhood Development)
- LEED-EBOM (Existing Buildings – Operations & Maintenance)
- LEED-ID&C (Interior Design & Construction)
What changes are happening with LEED? LEED v3 (also known as LEED 2009) 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 certification system has been redesigned to be more regionally specific, more responsive to emerging technologies and practices, and more cognizant of ongoing performance over time.
How is LEED 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). 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 efficiently when compared to conventional buildings that are built to code. Because of this, they are recognized as better for their surrounding environments.
Will my customers notice the difference? LEED certified buildings often provide healthier work and living environments, contributing to higher productivity and improved employee health and comfort.
Doesn’t LEED certification add significantly to the cost of a project? 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 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. More than 120,000 people have become LEED-APs since the system’s inception in 2001.Since 2001, over 120,000 have become LEED Accredited Professionals.
Is LEED becoming the norm? LEED has become the model for green building projects, meaning that attaining LEED certification in building projects is quickly 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.
The first step 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 exam class near you.