LEADERSHIP in ENERGY AND

ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN
LEED
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LEED
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design (LEED) standards apply to new and
existing buildings, homes, and communities.
When a structure is designed, built, and operated
in a sustainable way that aligns with the LEED
standards, it is eligible to earn a LEED
Certification label.
LEED Certification aims to reduce energy
consumption, conserve water, improve indoor air
quality, lower operating costs, and more.

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LEED certification for buildings.

Today, LEED is the most widely used and well recognized green building rating system around the world. LEED
certification is now used for practically all building (commercial or residential) and project types – from new
construction and interior fit-outs to sustainable operations and maintenance upgrades. It signifies a certification
that “creates healthy, highly efficient, cost-saving green buildings,” improving environmental performance from
carbon footprint to indoor environmental quality.

There is a LEED certification framework for nearly every project, with a rating system that is grouped into five
categories:
 Building Design and Construction (BD+C)
 Interior Design and Construction
 Operations and Maintenance (O+M)
 Neighborhood Development
 Homes

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WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS?

Qualifying for the USGBC’s LEED certification can be a complex process, one that involves extremely detailed standards
and guidelines that involve mathematical calculations and detailed documentation.

Here’s a quick, simple checklist for certification of buildings, which scores green building design and construction using a
point system that is categorized in five areas:

 Sustainable sites
 Water efficiency
 Energy and atmosphere
 Materials and resources
 Indoor environmental quality

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A private home has even more opportunity to become

LEED certified through environmentally sustainable
improvements under nine priority categories:

 Sustainable sites
 Water efficiency
 Energy and atmosphere
 Materials and resources
 Indoor environmental quality
 Locations and linkages
 Awareness and education
 Innovation and design
 Regional priority

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How Many LEED Rating Systems Are

Available
The latest LEED rating system consists of 5 different areas addressing multiple projects:

 Building Design and Construction

 Interior Design and Construction
 Building Operations and Maintenance
 Neighborhood Development
 Homes

These 5 areas are then broken into smaller components where points are given and depending on a
number of points received they can obtain one of the following categories:

CERTIFIED 40-49 Points

SILVER 50-59 Points
GOLD 60-79 Points
PLATINUM 80+ Points
It is very important to highlight that the rating system can be implemented in both, new construction and
existing buildings.
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What are the certification levels?

Buildings and homes are awarded up to 110 points, based on the level of sustainable
strategies that are achieved – from basic sustainable design to a framework that consumes the
least amount of energy possible. The more points achieved, the higher the level of LEED
certification, which is comprised of four levels:

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LEED Certification Credit

Categories
In order to earn credits to achieve one of the above categories, the project must meet certain
criteria and goals within the following categories:
•Location and transportation - You should take into consideration the location of your
project and how it can be combined with the transportation option within the area, in other
words how the users of the facility can get in and out of the facility.
•Materials and Resources- Earn credits by using sustainable and earth-friendly products,
while reducing waste promoting better indoor air quality.
•Water efficiency - The building must be designed in such a way that potable water usage is
reduced or resources can be reused, minimizing the needs of water inside the building.
•Energy and atmosphere - The building must enhance energy performance and promote great
indoor air and environmental quality.
•Sustainable sites - Design the project in such a way that the natural resources and
ecosystems nearby can naturally take part of the design minimizing environmental pollution.
•Indoor environmental quality - Increase daylight usage and promote natural ventilation.
•Innovation - Any idea that is not covered under the five LEED main areas.
•Regional priority credits - Addressing any particular concern based on the regional or
geographical location.
LEED for Neighborhood Development provides for a couple of additional credit categories
such as smart location & linkage, neighborhood pattern & design and green infrastructure &
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The
The 88LEED
LEED categories:
categories:
•Innovation & Design Process (11 points) ...
•Innovation & Design Process (11 points) ...
•Locations & Linkages (10 points) ...
•Locations & Linkages (10 points) ...
•Sustainable Sites (22 points) ...
•Sustainable Sites (22 points) ...
•Water Efficiency (15 points) ...
•Water Efficiency (15 points) ...
•Energy & Atmosphere (38 points) ...
•Energy & Atmosphere (38 points) ...
•Materials & Resources (16 points) ...
•Materials & Resources (16 points) ...
•Indoor Environmental Quality (21 points) ...
•Indoor Environmental Quality (21 points) ...
•Awareness & Education (3 points)
•Awareness & Education (3 points)

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The 8 LEED categories: Sustainable Sites (22 points)
Innovation & Design Process (11 points) Any new construction will have an ecological impact. This
Green building begins at the design phase, and this category category seeks to limit that impact on the building site, as well
encourages builders to put together their building team early as the surrounding environment and waterways.
and involve them in the design process. It is here that Points are awarded for responsible site stewardship during both
regional issues and home durability is addressed, and construction and the lifecycle of the home. For example,
building orientation is determined to maximise passive solar managing storm water runoff and erosion; safeguarding the
gains. permeability of soil; reducing construction related pollution;
Locations & Linkages (10 points) and by encouraging non-toxic pest control and regionally
The location and linkages category aims to reduce the need appropriate landscaping that reduces the need for irrigation.
for new infrastructure development by encouraging building Water Efficiency (15 points)
on previously developed land with access to community The goal of this category is to reduce the overall consumption
resources, public transportation and existing infrastructure of water inside the home and out. Points are earned for water
such as water, sewage and hydro. conscious home design including efficient appliances, fixtures
LEED encourages condensed housing and building on infill and fittings; and reducing outdoor irrigation needs through rain
lots which serves to protect green space and water collection and water recycling.
environmentally sensitive areas by slowing urban sprawl.
Energy & Atmosphere (38 points) Materials & Resources (16 points)
Our homes are an enormous consumer of energy. During both construction and operation, buildings generate a lot
This LEED category aims to reduce overall operational of waste and use large quantities of materials and natural
consumption through better building envelopes resources. The Materials & Resources category encourages the
(insulation, doors and windows) and more efficient selection of sustainably grown, harvested, produced, and
appliances and fixtures. transported products and materials with a documented chain of
Certification requires a blower door test where homes custody. It also promotes waste reduction as well as material
are depressurized and tested for air leaks before drywall reuse and recycling.
is installed, so any necessary air seal repairs can be Indoor Environmental Quality (21 points)
made. Minimum standards must be met for certification There are upwards of 80,000 known chemicals in various
and points are awarded for exemplary performance. household products, materials, finishes, and furnishings. The
This category also deals with heating, cooling, domestic most commonly found contaminants in homes include
hot water and any renewable energy generation formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, radon gas, mold, pet dander,
features. Given that this is where the energy and dust. These can cause a variety of adverse health effects
performance of your home is determined, it is also including allergies, asthma and respiratory illnesses.LEED
where the greatest amount of points can be achieved. rewards builders for taking steps to reduce or eliminate many of
these pollutants. Air quality is improved through design features,
material choices, moisture control measures, combustion
venting, home ventilation, and air filtering. This results in a
healthier indoor environment and greater satisfaction, health and
comfort among occupants.
Awareness & Education (3 points)
The Awareness & Education category encourages builders to
provide homeowners with the necessary knowledge to run the
systems of their home properly, and publicly promote green
building and the LEED rating system. ­
Builders are required to provide homeowners with a minimum
one hour educational walkthrough to identify and provide
instruction of the home’s operational systems, as well as provide
homeowners with the completed LEED checklist and
accompanying paperwork, including manuals on all home
systems.
Once all of the prerequisites are met, the LEED rating system is
a fairly adaptable process. Modest sized homes are encouraged,
but larger homes can meet certification with a bit more effort.
Builders have the choice to go after the points that are important
to them and their clients, to help you reduce the impact and
maximize the performance of the home you choose to live in.
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What is LEED Certification?

In 1989, a forward-thinking, environmentally conscious architect from Kansas City unintentionally
started an entire movement around sustainable architecture. That year, Bob Berkebile petitioned the
American Institute of Architects (AIA) to study how architects could uphold the integrity of their
profession, but still design environmentally responsible buildings that respect the planet — a bold
move in 1989. The AIA’s Board of Directors initially frowned upon Berkebile’s proposal, but a
small group of like-minded architects backed him up, taking over the AIA’s national convention
that year, and unanimously passing the resolution “CPR: Critical Planet Rescue.”
The troupe formed a new committee — the AIA Committee on the Environment (COTE) — that
would eventually collaborate with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to create new,
sustainable architectural design guidelines. A few years later, that committee would evolve into the
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the leading organization that promotes sustainability in
building design, construction, and operation. Within a few years, the USGBC would go on to develop
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), the internationally known rating system
and symbol for sustainable and environmentally sound buildings.

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LEED Certification Minimum

Requirements
The LEED certification process needs to meet at a minimum these requirements:

• Be in compliance with environmental regulations and standards

• Must meet the threshold of floor area requirements
• Meet a minimum of building occupancy in terms of number of users
• Maintain a reasonable site boundary
• Be a permanent building 
• Share energy and water usage data
• Must have a minimum building to site area ratio

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What Benefits Can You Obtain Through a LEED

Certification?
Getting certified or having your building certified under LEED will reduce your building operation and maintenance
costs while promoting a great working and indoor environment for all building users. Not to mention, that it will create
a healthier and more productive workplace and it can also be an excellent selling point for your project. Additional
benefits of being LEED certified is that it will:
• Increased Building Valuation
• Reduces liability
• Promote better employee relationships
• Reduce energy and water usage
• Promote better indoor air quality
• Reduce maintenance and operation costs
• Triggers innovation and processes to optimize building performance
• Reduce construction waste during the process
• Promote and attracts companies with sustainable goals
• Reduce 'sick building' syndrome in the employees
• Increase employee performance
• Promote the usage of recycled material.
LEED® 25
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) was developed and piloted in the US
in
1998 as a consensus-based building rating system based on the use of existing building
technology.
The rating system addresses specific environmental building related impacts using a whole
building
environmental performance approach. The Indian Green Building Council has adapted LEED
system
and has launched LEED India version for rating of new construction. In addition, Indian Green
Building Council (IGBC) has launched several other products for rating of different typologies of
buildings including homes, factories, among others. The following are key components of the
LEED
system.
# Sustainable sites (construction related pollution prevention, site development impacts,
transportation alternatives, storm water management, heat island effect, and light pollution)
# Water efficiency (landscaping water use reduction, indoor water use reduction, and waste water
management strategies)
# Energy and atmosphere (commissioning, whole building energy performance optimization,
refrigerant management, renewable energy use, and measurement and verification)
# Materials and resources (recycling collection locations, building reuse, construction waste
management, and the purchase of regionally manufactured materials, materials with recycled
content, rapidly renewable materials, salvaged materials, and FSC certified wood products)
# Indoor environmental quality (environmental tobacco smoke control, outdoor air delivery
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The 8 LEED categories:
•Innovation & Design Process (11 points) ... What is LEED standard for buildings?
•Locations & Linkages (10 points) ... LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
•Sustainable Sites (22 points) ... is the most widely used green building rating system in
•Water Efficiency (15 points) ... the world. Available for virtually
•Energy & Atmosphere (38 points) ... all building types, LEED provides a framework for
•Materials & Resources (16 points) ... healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings.
•Indoor Environmental Quality (21 points) ...
•Awareness & Education (3 points)

What are the 9 areas measured by LEED? Goals of green building

LEED measures nine key areas of human and •Life cycle assessment.
environmental health. These areas include sustainable •Siting and structure design efficiency.
sites, water efficiency, energy & atmosphere, materials & •Energy efficiency.
resources, indoor environmental quality, locations & •Water efficiency.
linkages, awareness & education, innovation in design, •Materials efficiency.
and regional priority. •Indoor environmental quality enhancement.
•Operations and maintenance optimization.
•Waste reduction.