Whether you are an architect designing green office space, a contractor building energy efficient healthcare buildings, or a property owner seeking to increase customer loyalty with LEED-certified properties, sourcing sustainable products and using sustainable construction methods will help you achieve your goals.
The LEED certification process awards points based on how each element impacts the following broad categories of environmental impact:
Materials and Resources
Buildings that earn LEED certification are considered to be green and sustainable because they reduce their environmental impact during construction. They may do this by using recycled building materials, minimizing waste, and installing water-efficient fixtures. They may also save energy by using efficient lighting and HVAC systems, or by incorporating renewable energy sources like solar panels. The LEED program also promotes environmental stewardship by encouraging greener transportation practices, such as bike parking and public transit access.
The LEED certification process has several different levels, and each level requires meeting a set of prerequisites. To obtain the highest rating, a project must earn the most points possible across all credit categories, including indoor air quality, water conservation, and materials sustainability.
As more people become aware of the health impacts of the built environment, LEED is likely to focus on human health and wellness in future versions of the certification system. For example, there is increasing demand for buildings that promote healthy air by promoting indoor air quality, providing access to natural light, and using non-toxic building materials.
In addition to reducing the use of toxic and polluting building materials, LEED-certified buildings can help to minimize embodied carbon by specifying low-carbon or recycled products with a high Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) score. This allows for a more accurate calculation of the impacts associated with the production, transportation, and installation of these materials. This information can be used to inform decision-making throughout the design, procurement, and construction processes and can help maximize LEED certification.
Indoor Environmental Quality
The Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ) credit category addresses a building’s effect on the health and well-being of its occupants. It covers a wide range of factors, including ventilation systems, lighting, and thermal, visual and acoustic comfort. Green buildings with high EQ can help reduce absenteeism, boost productivity and increase a building’s value.
A large number of the EQ credits can be achieved by using sustainable materials that have been manufactured in an environmentally responsible way. These materials are often recycled, renewable and contain low embodied energy. They are also free from toxic chemicals and made from nonpolluting raw ingredients. By selecting these materials, a project can earn points in the Materials and Resources and Indoor Environmental Quality credit categories.
Buildings that use sustainable building practices can receive up to 69 points, which makes them eligible for LEED certification as a green building. The total amount of credits earned determines whether the building is awarded a silver, gold or platinum rating.
When choosing products for a LEED-certified building, it is important to consider their life cycle impact. This can be accomplished by looking for products that have been independently verified as low-emitting. This can be done by checking a product’s compliance with the open ANSI standard for furniture emissions or through a third-party program like SCS Indoor Advantage, Greenguard or Certified Green.
Materials Transparency
The growing interest in environmental concerns and the search for sustainable solutions have driven significant changes in construction and building design. One of the most important developments has been LEED certification. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, and this voluntary rating system is designed to encourage a greener, more environmentally conscious approach to buildings and communities.
The newest version of the system (LEED v4) emphasizes a greater focus on carbon emissions, water conservation and use of renewable resources, as well as indoor environmental quality and materials transparency. It also includes a new focus on land and transportation, which encourages buildings to improve local land-use patterns and provide alternatives to single-passenger vehicles.
Another important area addressed by LEED is building occupants’ health and wellness. Specifically, it promotes the use of non-toxic building materials and strategies like promoting outdoor air ventilation, minimizing exposure to harmful chemicals and maximizing natural daylight. Additionally, it provides credit for promoting healthy eating and physical activity in the workplace by encouraging healthy food options and supporting local production of sustainable foods.
Finally, it addresses a range of other issues including waste management, use of recycled content and sourcing of locally-sourced materials to minimize the environmental impact of transportation. It also prioritizes low-emitting refrigerants to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Energy and Atmosphere
As more people become aware of the impact that the built environment has on human health, there is increasing demand for buildings that promote healthy occupants. These are becoming more focused on indoor air quality, access to natural light, and the use of non-toxic building materials. Future versions of LEED certification will likely reflect this trend, with an increased emphasis on health and wellness.
One way to earn credits is by reducing the amount of energy used in a building, including through the use of efficient lighting and HVAC systems, water-saving fixtures, and low-emitting materials. In addition, the LEED program rewards projects that are powered by renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power.
Another way to gain credits is by lowering the water consumption of a project, through the use of rainwater harvesting systems and drought-resistant landscaping. The program also encourages a reduction in waste during construction by using recycled materials and implementing a recycling plan.
After a building is constructed, it must be monitored over time to determine its energy usage and performance, and to demonstrate that it is being operated sustainably. This requires the implementation of a complex data recording and reporting system, which adds to the overall cost of obtaining LEED certification. Small to medium-sized buildings normally do not have the resources to include this equipment, which can cost several thousands of dollars.