BiggerPockets

Can you let the other members know what LEED Certified means?

Just in case if anyone else is wondering, I am a civil engineer / Construction management major and currently working on a building going for Silver.

You can achieve points in different areas but mainly in design and construction. The architect is responsible for designing the building specifying certain materials that meet their criteria (i.e. lined ducts, adhesives glues and pain with low voc contents, etc.). The contractor is in charge of things like getting materials within 500 miles of the project, % recycled content of the materials, etc.

Overall, buildings going for certification typically run alot more expensive due to all the paperwork, control / supervision, consultants, and increased cost of materials.

Was told by a LEED AP, "These are high perormance buildings that both help the environment as well as stimulate local economy"

All new government buildings are designed to be LEEDs certified but see why a private developer would go for it other than to use it as a marketing tool to their potential inhabitants.

Your question is open ended. A person can be LEED certified by reading a book and taking a test. If you pass that test you are considered LEED AP(you are certified to work on a LEED project.) If you are LEED AP working on a project that project gets points towards LEED because you are a LEED professional.

As for a building, there are so many things you can do for LEED points you would have to look it up. GOOGLE it you will find everything.

Another popular program is the NAHB National Green Building Program. My family's company built the first show home built to the new standards. Here is an article on the home.

The New American Home® (TNAH) will be celebrating its 25th anniversary when it opens its doors to attendees at the International Builders' Show in Orlando next month, once again displaying innovative building materials, cutting-edge design and the latest construction techniques to provide home builders with inspiration for energy-efficient, durable and stylish homes.

And as the association prepares to launch the NAHB National Green Building Program, The New American Home will also hold the distinction of being the first show home built and certified to the program's scoring tool. The house achieved a gold certification level.

Since its inception in 1984, The New American Home has showcased the products provided by the National Council of the Housing Industry (NCHI) - The Leading Suppliers of NAHB. It's both a show home and a for-sale product, balancing architectural freedom with the bottom line. Mostly, The New American Home is a collection of ideas that the industry can take away - in large pieces, or bit by bit - and apply to millions of homes across the country each year.

This year's project is a collaborative effort involving builder Robertson Homes, home designer The Sater Group, interior designer Robb & Stucky and landscaper Outside Productions; all contributed unique and innovative green features to the home's design and construction.

Co-sponsored by NCHI and Builder magazine, The New American Home is a 6,725-square foot, plantation-style house located in the prestigious Waters Edge subdivision, a gated, 11-lot development adjacent to a private golf and country club community along the banks of Orlando's Lake Nona.

The two-story home is near a lakefront park and boat dock and features luxuries inside and out, with a family suite on the first level to accommodate an elderly parent or long-term guest, a first-floor master suite, an open kitchen and leisure room combination and an upstairs club room complete with theater-quality entertainment.

The home's 2,950 square feet of covered outdoor space includes a kitchen and salon with a fireplace featuring arched openings to the lake view and a landscaped pool and spa.

To ensure the home's energy efficiency and innovation, two U.S. Department of Energy Building America teams have worked closely with NCHI. IBACOS, Inc. provided design and engineering support, and the Industrialized Housing Partnership provided performance testing.

LEED Certification Exam Prep Materials - http://www.cleanedison.com .
They also have great resources and study material and practice exams as well
as private tutoring available. They also have option where if you FAIL the
first time you can retake for FREE the 2nd exam.

So we're talking apples to apples here, when a person passes the test they are a "LEED Accredited Professional" also desifnated LEED AP. When a building goes through the bureaucratic process with the USGBC and reaches a certain point thresehold it is LEED Certified. That was actually a question on the test whe I took it.

The LEED certification process alone will add significant costs, rarely adds value and we don't recommend it. If the owner wants to pursue green strategies, the LEED checklist is a great place to look for ideas. There are several items on the checklist that I would consider low hanging fruit and many more that would have first cost increases, but life cycle benefits.

As noted above all Federal Projects require LEED Certification. I am not aware of any program that provides funds for procuring a Certification.

And yes there are credits for water use reduction. This can be acheived through the use of low flow fixtures.

There are many ways to earn LEED points, from solar heat to indoor air quality improvements. One company I have dealt with is Steril-Aire. They manufacture UVC lights that are installed in the air handling system.

These lights clean the coils of mold and bacteria, making them run as new which saves on electricity. Also, because the coils stay clean, there is no need for chemical cleaning, which is better for the environment.

Originally developed to improve indoor air quality (which they do!), these added benefits of energy management and in some cases, water reclamation, makes them an important part of any LEED certified building.

Many products are on the market now that can help you earn points; Steril-Aire is just one example.