LEED® is a program of building practices have been developed into a rating and certification system where by the building developers, architects and owners can determine the level to which their building must comply with these efforts. This rating and certification system is referred to as LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design1).
The LEED® rating system certifies buildings for their level design and construction that meet the requirements for reducing the negative impact of buildings on the environment and occupants and increase the use of sustainable building materials by encouraging the use of recycled material, reuse of buildings and use of regionally manufactured products.
The LEED® rating system is a series of criteria that cover six areas of the entire building construction process according to a weighted points based system.
The LEED® rating system certifies buildings to four levels according to the buildings design and construction in the areas of Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality and Innovation in Design.
LEED® 2.2 BUILDING RATING SYSTEM |
POINTS REQUIRED |
LEED® Certified |
26 to 32 points required |
LEED® Silver |
33 to 38 points required |
LEED® Gold |
39 to 51 points required |
LEED® Platinum |
52+ points required |
LEED® 3.0 BUILDING RATING SYSTEM |
POINTS REQUIRED |
LEED® Certified |
40 to 49 points required |
LEED® Silver |
50 to 59 points required |
LEED® Gold |
60 to 79 points required |
LEED® Platinum |
80+ points required |
See the US Green Building Council website at www.usgbc.org for specific information about certification and the LEED® Certification Program. Other helpful information is also available at www.buildinggreen.com.
