LEED Green Building Rating System: Certification Process for Homeowners
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program (LEEDs) is playing a more and more significant part in the drive to make buildings in the United States greener and more energy efficient. The LEED green building rating system consists of principles agreed on by architects, engineers and builders, with its highest level of certification being platinum.
Here are three things you must do to meet the standards of the LEED green building rating system:
- Professional Accreditation
Green building professionals can become LEED accredited. The Green Building Certification Institute describes accreditation as, “LEED Professional Credentials demonstrate current knowledge of green building technologies, best practices, and the rapidly evolving LEED rating systems.” The Green Building Certification Institute has administered the LEED green building rating system since January 2008.
- Have Knowledge of Your LEED Category
The LEED green building rating system evaluates new construction, the operations and maintenance of existing buildings, commercial interiors, core and shell construction, schools, retail projects, healthcare, homes and neighborhood development. LEED encourages a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five important areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, material selection and indoor environmental quality. It also looks at a sixth category: innovation and design process.
3. Ensure that Each Sub-Contractor Follows LEED Requirements
The design intent must be applied during the building process, even if the foundation for LEED certification is laid in the design stage. LEED official recognition of a project begins with the owner’s resolution that the project will be “green.” The owner’s decision and registration must take place near the beginning of the design process since decisions for factors such as renewable energy for homes must be taken before the start of construction.
The LEED process steers designers and builders to take decisions that are environmentally responsible. They are showing dedication to their customers, their profession and humankind in general by the implementation of this process.