LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is an internationally recognized certification system that measures how well a building or community performs across all the metrics that matter most: energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED provides building owners and operators a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is flexible enough to apply to all building types – commercial as well as residential. It works throughout the building life cycle – design and construction, operations and maintenance, tenant fit out, and significant retrofit. LEED extends its benefit beyond building a presence into the neighborhood it serves through Neighborhood Development.
LEED Certified Buildings Save Money
When items such as increased outside air or higher filtration levels are used in a building, not only will the design get credit toward LEED certification, but building occupants will be happier. Losses in productivity are reduced due to a decrease in illnesses. All this leads to increased efficiencies for the buildings and the companies that occupy them.
LEED Credits
LEED Credits are given when building performance measures are designed into a project. A building must attain a minimum number of credits to be certified as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design building. If more than the minimum number of credits are attained, a building can then be certified as “Silver” “Gold” or “Platinum” depending on the total number of credits. However, a building will not be certified until it is built, and all credits are proven to be included in the building’s construction and commissioning by a third party. An organization’s participation in the voluntary and technically rigorous LEED process demonstrates leadership, innovation and environmental stewardship.
Below is a listing of the possible credits your building can receive. Contact us today to discuss which credits make the most sense for your building.
