LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED certification is one of the most respected and frequently used building rating systems in the world. To become LEED certified, a building must meet standards for efficiency and healthy construction.
LEED History
LEED was created 20 years ago to set standards for green building. LEED is a universally agreed-upon system for sustainable construction. LEED certified buildings take steps to ensure a small carbon footprint, save resources, reduce utility costs and create a safe environment for people.
LEED certification requires that buildings meet standards for operations, maintenance and more. Today, LEED buildings can be found around the world. People live and work in them.
Why Is LEED Certification Good for Buildings?
There are many benefits of LEED certification, including:
Reduced utility costs. LEED certified buildings are naturally efficient and therefore use fewer natural resources than traditionally constructed buildings. As a result, buildings with LEED certification often have reduced utility costs.
Good for the community. LEED certified buildings are good for the community because they produce less waste and use fewer natural resources. If all buildings were LEED certified, our communities would be cleaner and healthier for the people who live there.
Good for indoor air quality. LEED certifications have a human health and safety component to help ensure that buildings have healthy indoor air. Good indoor air quality helps protect the people who work and live there.
Improve property value. Because LEED certified buildings meet the standards that make them efficient and safe, they tend to have greater value than buildings that are not certified.
Tax incentives. In some states, LEED certification carries a tax incentive. You can find out if your state encourages green building through LEED certification - contact your state agencies responsible for green tax incentives to find out whether there are tax incentives for LEED certification where you live.
Attract tenants. LEED certification is a gold standard for green building. Tenants that care about their carbon footprint and those who want to occupy healthy spaces are naturally attracted to LEED certified buildings.
How to Achieve LEED Certification
To achieve LEED certification, a building must meet qualifications relating to energy, waste, water, indoor environmental quality and other factors. Buildings are awarded points based on their construction. To achieve certification, buildings must get 40 points or more. For exceptional buildings, certification is leveled. Silver certification requires between 50 and 59 points, Gold certification requires 60 to 79 points, and Platinum certification requires as much as 80 points.
How to Make Improvements to Gain LEED Certification
Property owners that would like to get their buildings LEED certified must meet strict indoor air quality standards. There are many things that you can do to improve your building's indoor air quality, including:
Maintain your building's ventilation system. A properly functioning ventilation system helps maintain a healthy temperature and healthy humidity levels indoors. Performing regular maintenance on your building's ventilation system and testing the indoor temperature and humidity levels will tell you when the HVAC system is malfunctioning.
Getting regular inspections and tune ups for your ventilation system can help catch problems before they become serious. Keep up with maintenance and replace your system when it's nearing the end of its service life.
Repair leaks and control moisture. Humidity can contribute to the growth of mold spores indoors. Controlling moisture in the building can help keep humidity levels safe. Perform regular inspections of your building's systems (roof, plumbing, windows) and fix plumbing and roof leaks as soon as they're identified.
You can read more about OSHA standards for indoor air quality and what you can do to improve your indoor air quality in our previous article.
Install Equipment Supports On Your Roof
Your commercial rooftop is likely a holding place for equipment like plumbing, ventilation, electrical systems and HVAC systems. Rooftop equipment can be a challenge to maintain. Placing your rooftop equipment on elevated supports can provide easier access for maintenance and repairs, thus reducing the chances of leaks and other problems.
PHP Systems/Design creates equipment supports that, when incorporated into the roof design, can make maintaining your HVAC, electrical and cable equipment easier. Our supports are designed to do their job without damaging your roof.
To learn more about how our sturdy, durable equipment support systems can help you take care of your commercial building, contact us. We can provide answers to your questions and can also provide a price quote.
