What is LEED?

The move towards LEED and green building practices has been driven greatly by the tremendous benefits which are a direct result of implementing a green approach. Green buildings use key resources more efficiently when compared to conventional buildings which are simply built to code. LEED creates healthier work and living environments, contributes to higher productivity and improved employee health and comfort. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), provides a suite of standards for environmentally sustainable construction. Since its inception in 1998, LEED has grown to encompass over 14,000 projects in 50 US States and 30 countries.
LEED has grown into a comprehensive system of six interrelated standards covering all aspects of the development and construction process. LEED was created to accomplish the following:

• Define "green building" by establishing a common standard of measurement
• Recognize environmental leadership in the building industry
• Raise consumer awareness of green building benefits
• Promote integrated, whole-building design practices
• Stimulate green competition
• Transform the building market

The LEED rating system addresses six major areas:

• Sustainable sites
• Indoor environmental quality
• Water efficiency
• Materials and resources
• Energy and atmosphere
• Innovation and design process

There are different LEED versions having varied scoring systems based on a set of required "prerequisites" and a variety of "credits" in the six major categories listed above. In LEED v2.2 for new construction and major renovations for commercial buildings there are 69 possible points and buildings can qualify for four levels of certification:

• Certified - 26-32 points
• Silver - 33-38 points
• Gold - 39-51 points
• Platinum - 52-69 points

LEED certification is obtained after submitting an application documenting compliance with the requirements of the rating system as well as paying registration and certification fees. Certification is granted solely by the Green Building Council responsible for issuing the LEED system used on the project.

Here are some interesting links to explore


http://www.worldchanging.com/local/denver/archives/007100.html

http://www.greenprintdenver.org/green/LEED.php

http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/channelView.do?pageTypeId=8169&channelId=-16863

http://www.learn.colostate.edu/certificates/noncredit/green-building.dot

http://www.data360.org/dsg.aspx?Data_Set_Group_Id=1302

Contact us to find or list LEED certified properties for you.

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