Top Ten Things to Know About LEED Certification
Want to learn more about LEED? Are you concerned whether or not LEED certification is something you’d like to invest in for you project? Here is the ten-point lowdown on LEED certification: what it is, and what it means for your project, your clients, and the environment.
Who started LEED? 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? There are different categories of LEED for different types of projects.
- LEED-EBOM (Existing Buildings – Operations & Maintenance)
- LEED-BD&C (Building Design & Construction)
- LEED-ID&C (Interior Design & Construction)
- LEED-ND (Neighborhood Development)
- LEED for Homes
What changes are happening with LEED? 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 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 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). Based on the various measures taken during design and construction, each project will achieve a different combination of points in these categories.
What’s the point of going through the LEED certification process? LEED buildings typically 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 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. The popularity of the LEED credential is growing quickly, with over 120,000 people becoming LEED Accredited Professionals since 2001.
With LEED’s popularity, is it becoming standard? 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.
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 certification exam and becoming a LEED accredited professional! Visit the Everblue Training Institute’s website for a LEED accreditation class near you.