 by Dan Shalloway
Special to GreenGroup.com
LEED Accredited Professional Nowadays everyone is talking about Building Green but what does it really mean? What differentiates a Green Building from a regular building? Can anybody call a building Green and how can a consumer protect themselves if they are renting or purchasing a Green Building? Fortunately there is a recognized body for certification of Green Buildings in the United States. It is the US Green building Council (USGBC) who certifies buildings utilizing the LEED Green Building System.
LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED Certification offers a third party validation of a project’s Green Features and verifies the building is operating exactly the way it was designed to. So how does LEED work? LEED is a point based system where projects earn LEED points for satisfying specific building criteria. The number of points determines the level of LEED certification a project receives. A basic LEED project is called CERTIFIED, with additional points required for SILVER, GOLD and PLATINUM certifications. Certification is available for all types of buildings including homes, apartments, schools, commercial, offices and industrial buildings. LEED is available for both new and existing buildings, and today there is over 3 billion square feet of space involved with the LEED system. It is important to note that in most cases the decision to build Green is economically, not socially driven. Green building makes sense because it improves marketability, lowers operating costs and increases employee productivity. The fact that it is good for our planet is a very large bonus. The LEED point system is very exacting and rigorous, so the consumer can be confident that they are getting what they pay for. Projects must earn points in each of six categories. - Sustainable sites: This category determines how the building fits within the ecosystem and tries to minimize its effects on natural resources.
- Water Efficiency: Conserving water is what this category is all about.
- Energy and Atmosphere: This category attempts to reduce energy use and at the same time reduce harmful emissions to the atmosphere.
- Materials and Resources: Use of recycled, renewable, and local materials is stressed along with reducing the waste stream.
- Indoor Environmental Quality: This category not only examines air quality but includes esthetic features such as natural light and outdoor views.
- Innovation in Design: The final category encourages new thinking by awarding points for employing new strategies or designs.
Future Columns will examine each of these categories in detail and explain how points are earned. In the meantime, beware of “Greenwashing”, which are people or products claiming to be “Green” without the backup credentials. Make sure the professional claiming Green Building expertise is accredited by the US Green Building Council. The LEED process contains the proper standard for determining if a building really meets Green standards or if it is just an advertising gimmick.
Dan Shalloway is a Professional Engineer and a LEED Accredited Professional by the US Green Building Council. He writes a weekly column for GreenGroup.com. He is also the Developer of Florida’s first Green Industrial Park. In next week's column, Mr. Shalloway will explore the topic of "Sustainable Sites."
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