What is LEED?

LEED is a third party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council in 2000 through a consensus based process, LEED serves as a tool for buildings of all types and sizes. LEED certification offers third party validation of a project’s green features and verifies that the building is operating exactly the way it was designed to.

What types of buildings can use LEED?

LEED certification is available for all building types including new construction and major renovation; existing buildings; commercial interiors; core and shell; schools and homes. LEED systems for neighborhood development, retail and healthcare are currently pilot testing. To date, there is over 4.5 billion square feet of construction space involved with the LEED system.

How does LEED work?

LEED is a point based system where building projects earn LEED points for satisfying specific green building criteria. Within each of the seven LEED credit categories, projects must satisfy particular prerequisites and earn points. The five categories include Sustainable Sites (SS), Water Efficiency (WE), Energy and Atmosphere (EA), Materials and Resources (MR) and Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ). An additional category, Innovation in Design (ID), addresses sustainable building expertise as well as design measures not covered under the five environmental categories. The number of points the project earns determines the level of LEED Certification the project receives. LEED certification is available in four progressive levels according to the following scale: There are 100 base points; 6 possible Innovation in Design and 4 Regional Priority points Certified 40–49 points Silver 50–59 points Gold 60–79 points Platinum 80 points and above.

What are regional credits?

Regional credits are another feature of LEED and acknowledge the importance of local conditions in determining best environmental design and construction practices. LEED projects will be able to earn “bonus points” for implementing green building strategies that address the important environmental issues facing their region. A project can be awarded as many as four extra points, one point each for achieving up to four of the six priority credits.

What are the benefits of LEED certification?

LEED certification is third-party validation of a building’s performance. LEED certified projects blend environmental, economic, and occupant-oriented performance. They cost less to operate and maintain; are energy- and water-efficient; have higher lease-up rates than conventional buildings in their markets; are healthier and safer for occupants; and are a physical demonstration of the values of the organizations that own and occupy them. For more information: www.usgbc.org.

Does green building cost more?

No, green buildings do not have to cost a penny more. LEED certified projects to date demonstrate that you can achieve LEED certification and reap its many benefits with a common-sense approach to design with no additional dollars. Depending on your green building strategy and the level of certification your project is targeting, there may be mid- and long-term ROI associated with additional green features that merits an investment in first costs.

Here are Some Solutions that can Work for you

• Gypsum board fabricated with synthetic gypsum
• Low emitting adhesives, interior use
• Wood flooring with certified wood 
• Carpet system with CRI Green Label (plus) certification
• Carpet tile fabricated with recycled materials
• Interior paints with zero-VOC content
• Systems furniture held to same environmental standards
• Window treatment systems with PVC-free materials
• Certified wood, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
• Energy Efficient lighting fixtures and bulbs
• Toilet compartments fabricated from recycled HDPE plastic
• Particleboard fabricated with no added urea formaldehyde
• Wood trim fabricated from veneered finger-jointed wood
• Countertop materials fabricated from recycled material
• Low emitting wood adhesives, interior use
• Manufactured casework held to same environmental standards

• Ceramic tile with recycled content
• Acoustical ceiling panels with recycled content
• Rapidly renewable flooring, (cork or bamboo)
• Linoleum flooring (tile or sheet)
• Sisal wall coverings 
• Exterior paints with zero-VOC content
• Entry mats fabricated from recycled vehicle tires
• Waterless urinals
• Gray water recycling system
• Energy Modeling
• Occupancy sensors
• Ultra low flow toilets
• Particleboard fabricated with recycled and recovered wood fibers
• Engineered wood flooring with recycled content and no added urea formaldehyde

Federal
Deduction for energy-conserving
investment and energy efficient
commercial buildings modified
accelerated cost-recovery
system business energy
investment tax credit (ITC).