Source: U.S. Green Building Council http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=1991
LEED®, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is internationally recognized and provides infrastructure for implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations, and maintenance. LEED® participation is voluntary and by choosing to participate in LEED®, building owners and operators will have a measurable impact on the performance of their building. According to the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED®-certified buildings are designed to:
- Lower operating costs and increase asset value
- Reduce waste sent to landfills
- Conserve energy and water
- Be healthier and safer for occupants
- Reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions
- Qualify for tax rebates, zoning allowances, and other incentives
LEED® certification provides third party verification that a building was designed and constructed to be high performance. There are five key areas in which the building is measured on a 100-point scale in order to determine the level of LEED® certification that it has attained. These areas are:
- Human and Environmental Health
- Sustainable Site Development
- Water Savings
- Energy Efficiency
- Materials Selection
- Indoor Environmental Quality
LEED® building and certification is available for any building in any sector. Higher education and K-12 schools are becoming “green schools” and saving money by implementing energy conservation programs, many of them by taking advantage of LEED®.
Ohio energy services company, Brewer-Garrett, has 12 LEED® Accredited Professionals and many certified energy managers. Brewer-Garrett is experienced in developing the systems that will best meet your facility’s needs. Please contact us for a complimentary energy audit of your facility.
