U.S. Buildings Go Green
As the United States makes an effort to 'go green', companies are striving to achieve high ratings by building in accordance with LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). LEED® is a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions. An internationally recognized certification system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Many U.S. buildings now meet these requirements, such as the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
Buildings and communities are evaluated throughout the building life-cycle on essential metrics: energy savings, resource management, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, and improved indoor environmental quality. A single score is given on a scale of Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
Below you will find topic areas with the LEED® requirements listed below them.
Construction Activity Pollution Prevention
Requirement - Reduce air pollution from construction activities, notably dust and Particulate Matter (PM).
Minimum Energy & Optimize Energy Performance
Requirement - Maximize energy performance level to reduce environmental and economic impact. All energy costs affiliated with the building, including construction, must be included. Demonstrate percentage improvement compared with baseline building performance rating:
- 10 percent improvement - > prerequisite
- 12 percent improvement - > one point
- 14 percent improvement - > two points
- 48 percent improvement - > 19 points
Construction Waste Management
Requirement - Divert construction and demolition debris from disposal in landfill and incineration facilities, redirect recyclable recovered resources back to manufacturing process, and reusable materials to appropriate sites.
Recycled Content
Requirement - Increase demand for building product that incorporates recycled content materials, therefore reducing impact resulting from virgin material extraction and processing. The minimum percentage for recycled materials is 10 percent for one point, and 20 percent for two points.
Low-Emitting Materials - Paints and Coatings
Requirement - The purpose of the Construction Indoor Air Quality Management Plan is to reduce indoor air quality problems resulting from construction or renovation and promote the comfort and well being of construction workers and building occupants.
Thermal Comfort Design
Requirement - The purpose of thermal comfort is to provide a comfortable thermal environment that promotes occupant productivity and well being.
Innovation in Design
Requirement - To provide design teams and projects the opportunity to achieve exceptional performance above the requirements set by the LEED® Green Building Rating System and/or innovative performance in Green Building categories not especially addressed by the LEED® Green Building Rating System.
Buildings and communities are evaluated throughout the building life-cycle on essential metrics: energy savings, resource management, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, and improved indoor environmental quality. A single score is given on a scale of Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
Below you will find topic areas with the LEED® requirements listed below them.
Construction Activity Pollution Prevention
Requirement - Reduce air pollution from construction activities, notably dust and Particulate Matter (PM).
Minimum Energy & Optimize Energy Performance
Requirement - Maximize energy performance level to reduce environmental and economic impact. All energy costs affiliated with the building, including construction, must be included. Demonstrate percentage improvement compared with baseline building performance rating:
- 10 percent improvement - > prerequisite
- 12 percent improvement - > one point
- 14 percent improvement - > two points
- 48 percent improvement - > 19 points
Construction Waste Management
Requirement - Divert construction and demolition debris from disposal in landfill and incineration facilities, redirect recyclable recovered resources back to manufacturing process, and reusable materials to appropriate sites.
Recycled Content
Requirement - Increase demand for building product that incorporates recycled content materials, therefore reducing impact resulting from virgin material extraction and processing. The minimum percentage for recycled materials is 10 percent for one point, and 20 percent for two points.
Low-Emitting Materials - Paints and Coatings
Requirement - The purpose of the Construction Indoor Air Quality Management Plan is to reduce indoor air quality problems resulting from construction or renovation and promote the comfort and well being of construction workers and building occupants.
Thermal Comfort Design
Requirement - The purpose of thermal comfort is to provide a comfortable thermal environment that promotes occupant productivity and well being.
Innovation in Design
Requirement - To provide design teams and projects the opportunity to achieve exceptional performance above the requirements set by the LEED® Green Building Rating System and/or innovative performance in Green Building categories not especially addressed by the LEED® Green Building Rating System.
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