Construction Informer

Gold LEED plaques are just one perk for going for the gold. (Courtesy Douglas Elliman Real Estate Company).

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is a rating system used for construction, operation and design of green homes, buildings and entire neighborhoods. It was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council so operators and owners would have a framework to guide them in green construction and design methods.

The LEED accredited professional program currently has 10 different rating systems that correspond to types of buildings and types of construction. There are separate scales for new construction, schools, retail, core and shell, healthcare, commercial interior, retail commercial interior, existing building operations and maintenance, neighborhood development, and a separate category exclusive for homes. The system is also integrated with and used as a basis for other well-known rating systems such as the Labs21 by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The rating system consists of 100 different possible points that can be distributed across five major categories including energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, sustainable sites, water efficiency and indoor environmental quality. A score of 40 to 49 classifies a building as certified, 50 to 59 is silver, 60 to 79 is gold and 80 or above earns platinum classification.

LEED buildings are known for using materials more efficiently and for promoting healthier work and living environments, which in turn boost both productivity and comfort levels. A LEED strategy includes a listing of beneficial behaviors that improve both air and water quality while reducing solid waste and benefitting owners and society as a whole.

It’s important to note that LEED is not intended to be used as a way to measure performance. It is a tool that uses its standards and rating system to measure design, which will hopefully lead to better performance and results.

LEED certification does certainly have its benefits in some areas. Some local, state and even the federal government have given incentives to those with gold LEED status. Some areas have given construction materials to the companies, while others provide tax exemptions for being LEED Certified. Other benefits of the status include tax breaks, density bonuses, faster permits and processing and low-cost or even free technical assistance when necessary. It may also increase chances of qualifying for grants or low-interest loans, making it more than worth the effort to go for the gold LEED status.