LEED Basics
*This information can be read in further detail at the USGBC website.

• LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
  
  
• It is a rating system for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings and homes. (For new construction or LEED-NC there is a 100 point scale – key performance areas include sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality. There are also 10 bonus points always available for innovation in design and for regional priorities.)
  
  
• LEED was originally developed in 2000 by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
• It has more than 7,000 projects in theU.S.and 30 countries.
• There are over 20,000 member organizations that constitute the USGBC.
  
  
• LEED certified buildings are meant to use resources more efficiently
  
  
• The current system is LEED 3.0, released in 2009. This system changed the scale from a 69 point scale to a 100 point scale. This was done by increasing the points available to certain key performance areas, such as energy efficiency.
  
  
• There are several different LEED rating systems, all custom tailored to different types of construction jobs. For example, LEED for Interiors is a rating system designed for tenant improvements and such similar work.

LEED Categories that are Analyzed

• Sustainable Sites: This discourages developing buildings on previously undeveloped land to limit the impact on our ecosystem and waterways. It encourages appropriate landscaping and good transportation choices. It advocates the reduction of light pollution, erosion, heat island effect, and construction-related pollution.
  
  
• Water Efficiency: This category encourages smarter use of water. This entails installing efficient appliances, fixtures, and fittings inside as well as creating water-conscious landscapes outside.
  
  
• Energy and Atmosphere: “According to the U.S. Department of Energy, buildings use 39% of the energy and 74% of the electricity produced each year in theUnited States.” This category encourages the implementation of energy-conscious strategies. This could potentially include the usage of renewable and clean sources of energy.
  
  
• Materials and Resources: This category encourages waste reduction during the construction and operations phases. Reduce, reuse, and recycle!
  
  
• Indoor Environmental Quality: “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that Americans spend about 90% of their day indoors, where the air quality can be significantly worse than outside.” This promotes the improvement of indoor air quality as well as providing access to natural daylight and improves acoustics.
  
  
• Locations and Linkages: This category encourages building on previous developed sites and away from areas that are environmentally sensitive.
  
  
• Awareness and Education: This encourages home builders and real estate professionals to provide education necessary to help tenants understand what makes the site green and how to make the most of these accommodations.
  
  
• Innovation in Design: This provides bonus points for any project that uses innovative technologies and strategies to improve a building’s performance beyond what is required by LEED.
  
  
• Regional Priority: “USGBC’s regional councils, chapters and affiliates have identified the most important local environmental concerns, and six LEED credits addressing these local priorities have been selected for each region of the country. A project that earns a regional priority credit will earn one bonus point in addition to any points awarded for that credit. Up to four extra points can be earned in this way.” 

• “LEED-certified buildings are designed to:
  • Lower operating costs and increase asset value
  • Reduce waste sent to landfills
  • Conserve energy and water
  • Be healthier and safer for occupants
  • Reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions
  • Qualify for tax rebates, zoning allowances and other incentives in hundreds of cities”