Top Ten Things to Be Aware of Regarding LEED Certification

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? This article will give you a few highlights regarding LEED and what to expect in terms of what LEED 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. 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? There are different categories of LEED for different types of projects.

• LEED-ND (Neighborhood Development)
• LEED-BD&C (Building Design & Construction)
• LEED for Homes
• LEED-EBOM (Existing Buildings – Operations & Maintenance)
• LEED-ID&C (Interior Design & Construction)

What about these changes I hear about? 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 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 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 is the incentive of completing the LEED certification requirements? LEED buildings usually use resources more effectively when compared to non-LEED buildings that are built to code. In turn they are better for the environment, and with a growing concern towards the environment, LEED certification comes up as a win-win situation.

Will my customers notice the difference? It is not uncommon for LEED buildings to be much healthier and more comfortable for its inhabitants.

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.

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 standard? 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.

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 allows you to take advantage of a growing number of state and local government incentives, and can help boost interest in 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.