LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The United States
Green Building Council (USGBC) created LEED as a rating system for green building.
Green building refers to the design, construction, and operation of buildings in
an environmentally friendly way. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability
by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable
site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor
environmental quality. The rating system is specific to the type of project being
worked on. Some of the specific programs are LEED-New Construction, LEED-Existing
Buildings, LEED-Commercial Interiors, LEED-Core and Shell, LEED-Homes, LEED-Neighborhood
Development, LEED-Schools. The rating systems are broken down in to points for each
type of credit. Certification levels within the systems are:
· Minimum points: Certified
· Second highest points: Silver
· Third highest points: Gold
· Fourth-maximum points: Platinum
LEED Homes
LEED for Homes is a rating system that promotes the design and construction of high-performance
green homes. A green home uses less energy, water and natural resources; creates
less waste; and is healthier and more comfortable for the occupants. Benefits of
a LEED home include lower energy and water bills; reduced greenhouse gas emissions;
and less exposure to mold, mildew and other indoor toxins. The net cost of owning
a LEED home is comparable to that of owning a conventional home.
LEED for existing buildings
The LEED for Existing Buildings Rating System helps building owners and operators
measure operations, improvements and maintenance on a consistent scale, with the
goal of maximizing operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts. LEED
for Existing Buildings addresses whole-building cleaning and maintenance issues (including
chemical use), recycling programs, exterior maintenance programs, and systems upgrades.
It can be applied both to existing buildings seeking LEED certification for the first
time and to projects previously certified under LEED for New Construction, Schools,
or Core & Shell.
LEED for new Construction
The LEED for New Construction Rating System is designed to guide and distinguish
high-performance commercial and institutional projects, including office buildings,
high-rise residential buildings, government buildings, recreational facilities, manufacturing
plants and laboratories.
LEED for neighborhood development
The LEED for Neighborhood Development Rating System integrates the principles of
smart growth, urbanism and green building into the first national system for neighborhood
design. LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a
development's location and design meet accepted high levels of environmentally responsible,
sustainable development. LEED for Neighborhood Development is a collaboration among
USGBC, the Congress for the New Urbanism and the Natural Resources Defense Council.
The pilot program, which began in the summer of 2007 and tested nearly 240 projects,
is wrapping up. The pilot experience and further discussion about the rating system
lead to the creation of a 1st Public Comment Period Draft. The period to comment
on this draft ran from November 17, 2008 through January 5, 2009. Over 5,000 comments
were received. A second public comment period will be held in the spring. The post-pilot
version of the rating system, which will be available to the public, is expected
to launch in the summer.
