A 10 Point Overview of L.E.E.D Certification

Posted in December 24, 2009 ¬ 2:12 amh.Simon Natta No Comments »

Want to know more about LEED? Wondering if it is worth your while to pursue certification for your 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 78 local affiliates, and more than 20,000 member companies and organizations. The Green Building Construction Institute (GBCI) is the organization responsible for overseeing LEED certification for buildings.

What types of projects are able to be considered for LEED? Various types of projects can become LEED certified.

LEED-ID&C (Interior Design & Construction)
LEED for Homes
LEED-BD&C (Building Design & Construction)
LEED-ND (Neighborhood Development)
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. 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 LEED set up? The LEED system is organized into 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 almost always 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 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? 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.

What number of 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.

With LEED’s popularity, is it becoming standard? LEED has become the industry standard, meaning that attaining LEED certification in building projects is rapidly 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.

The first step 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 class near you.