  |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
BUILDING OWNERS, PROPERTY MANAGERS AND THE USGBCWhat is the USGBC and LEED certification, and why should you care? USGBC stands for the United States Green Building Council. It’s a coalition of building industry leaders who came together in 1993 to promote environmentally responsible and profitable buildings that are also healthy places to live and work. The Council then developed the LEED certification program to provide guidelines and recognition for green buildings. LEED means Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Green means good business.
If you don’t seek LEED certification for your buildings, you could soon face tough competition. Through September 2007, according to the USGBC, about 1,100 projects have received certification, with 6,000 more registered to become certified. Interest in LEED has grown exponentially since 2004. At the same time, more customers have become green savvy, and they expect businesses to show proof of environmental concern.
In order to become certified, a project must provide documentation showing that it meets certain requirements. The USGBC awards points accordingly. The number of points determines the LEED rating: Certified: 32-39 Silver: 40-47 Gold: 48-63 Platinum: 64-85
There are specific rating systems for different types of projects:
LEED-NC Piloted in 1998 and launched in 2002, LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations is designed for rating new and existing commercial and institutional buildings.
LEED-EB In 2004, the USGBC introduced LEED certification for Existing Buildings. LEED-EB spells out a set of performance standards covering building operations and systems upgrades in existing buildings where the majority of the interior or exterior surfaces remain unchanged.
Other LEED Programs As LEED-NC and LEED-EB became benchmarks for green buildings nationwide, the USGBC created other LEED certification systems for specific segments of the building industry. They include:
LEED-CI (Commercial Interiors): For the tenant improvement market, provides guidelines for sustainable choices among tenants and designers.
LEED-CS (Core & Shell): For designers, builders, developers and new building owners who wish to implement sustainable design for new core and shell construction.
The USGBC also developed LEED certification programs for specific buildings, such as schools, retail and healthcare. LEED is moving into the housing industry too: LEED programs for homes and neighborhoods are under development.
Learn more about theUSGBC.
BENEFITS OF LEED CERTIFICATION
1. Becoming LEED certified is good business. LEED certified buildings enjoy government incentives, marketing benefits and increased property values.
Going green also reduces costs to building management and tenants, including costs associated with sick leave, health care, productivity loss and litigation. In addition, energy and lifecycle costs savings for buildings with LEED certification are documented in USGBC case studies.
2. LEED buildings are healthier. LEED standards create improved indoor air quality and reduce potential health problems, especially allergies and other sensitivities.
3. Healthier environments increase productivity. Healthier employees mean happier employees. Statistics show increased worker satisfaction, improved morale, reduced absenteeism, and increased productivity.
4. Green buildings help the earth. Green programs can reduce the negative effect buildings and operations have on the environment: air and water pollution, ozone depletion and global climate change. Green practices conserve energy, promote recycling, reduce the use of raw materials and minimize the use of toxic products requiring disposal.
5. Going green increases the safety of the building and protects property values. While the crux of going green is about reducing health risks -- for humans and other living things -- the process provides other benefits to the facility. Green procedures actually reduce the likelihood and frequency of fires, explosions, spills and splashes.
In addition, green cleaning calls for environmentally friendly and correctly diluted products and the right product for each job. This means, for example, that stains on carpets or upholstery are treated with the mildest, effective cleaner, thereby prolonging the life of expensive furnishings and reducing exposure to harsher chemicals.
GREEN CLEANING AND LEED CERTIFICATIONWhen it comes to greening your cleaning operations, LEED certification requires much more than just switching from traditional to green cleaning chemicals. According to the USGBC, LEED-EB focuses on seven major areas, each with their own certification standards and best practices.
By implementing the OneSource GreenSweeptm program, your building can earn up to 14 points toward LEED certification in the |
