What is LEED certification?

What is LEED certification?

Slade’s commitment to the environment is one of the foundations of our business. We envision a future in which our clients can achieve sustainability and environmental stewardship through innovation and our commitment to corporate responsibility. One of the many services offered by Slade is LEED certification for buildings and homes. What exactly is LEED certification?

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and it is the most widely used ranking system for green building certification across the globe. LEED buildings are energy and resource efficient, healthy and cost-effective. The construction of LEED buildings takes less of a toll on the environment and they are far more efficient and economical to run in the long term. LEED buildings saved business owners from an estimated $7261.21 million dollars in building maintenance costs in 2014. Construction waste is also cut down on buildings seeking LEED certification. Employees may also benefit from working in a healthier environment causing productivity to increase.

LEED buildings are judged on 6 different criteria that measure the environmental impact caused by the building.

1. Sustainable sites – An evaluation of the use of the entire property and the building’s impact on the site will be conducted.
2. Water efficiency – Water conservation practices both indoors and outdoors and the measures taken to reduce potable water use will be scored.
3. Energy and atmosphere – An inspection will determine if the building optimizes energy efficiency and insulation in relation to heating and cooling systems.
4. Materials and resources used – During LEED certification, an evaluation will take place regarding the selection of green products used in construction and the effort to reduce material waste during construction.
5. Indoor environmental quality – An inspection will score the indoor air quality by monitoring pollution and use of Energy Star rated appliances, the installation methods used and the ventilation system.
6. Innovation and design – Best practices will be evaluated, including innovative measures, design and exemplary features.

LEED organizes buildings into 4 tiers based on a point scale, Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Should you decide to go for LEED certification on your building project, Slade can provide an accredited LEED professional to guide you in filing an application. The process may seem overwhelming, but Slade has the experience to make LEED certification smooth.