Buildings - LEED Certification

What is LEED?

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)  is a  market­-driven program that provides third-party verification of green buildings.  LEED works with all types of buildings and  addresses their full lifecycle.

Participation in the  LEED process demonstrates leadership and social responsibility. LEED ensures  building owners  healthy indoor spaces. LEED projects have been successfully established in 135 countries.

The Process

Commercial buildings need to fulfill all LEED prerequisites and earn a minimum of 40 points on a 110-point LEED rating system scale. Residential buildings require a minimum of 45 points on a 136-point scale

LEED-certified buildings are designed to:

•  Increase asset value and Lower operating costs
• 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 in hundreds of cities.

LEED benefits businesses

Green building benefits the environment and our health. It promises a better future.

How businesses are benefited by LEED Certification

1. It provides competitive edge in today's market.

Green buildings attract buyers and tenants because they provide lower operating costs and healthier indoor environments. Study shows that when developers choose to go for new green construction, occupancy increases 6.4 % and rent 6.1 %. For existing buildings undergoing green updates, occupancy increases 2.5 % and rent increases 1 %. Property owners discovered the cost benefit chart which shown below:

	Operating costs	Building value	ROI	Occupancy	Rent
New construction	drop 13.6%	rises 10.9%	improves 9.9%	rises 6.4%	rises 6.1%
Existing building projects	drop 8.5%	rises 6.8%	improves 2.5%	rises 1%	rises 19.2%

2. It lowers the risk.

LEED certification results in faster sale and renting of building then the normal building in the same visinity. Hence, it reduces the financial risk for owners. It reduces the consumption of energy by using renewable resources of energy and better air and water quality are beneficial to health. It also runs the building with minimum wastage of water and electricity.

3. Tenants are attracted by LEED certified Buildings.

4. It’s cost effective.

Green building pays. LEED can help it pay even more. Green Building results in total saving of 20% in total construction cost. Even while renting or selling LEED certified buildings per square foot goes higher than a normal building.

Source: usgbc © 2013 U.S. Green Building Council