Benefits of a “Green Building”

•  Environmental – enhance and protect ecosystems, improve air and water quality, reduce
solid waste, conserve natural resources and decreases greenhouse gases.•  Economic – reduce operating costs, enhance asset value and profits, improve employee
productivity and satisfaction. Utilities, state and federal agencies and other sources are providing
financial incentives and rebates for facilities adopting LEED measures. Potentially receive a higher
rental rate from occupants concerned with the environment and healthy working conditions.

•  Health and Safety – enhance occupant comfort, safety and health.

•  Community – minimize the strain on local infrastructures (water treatment, utilities and health
care facilities and costs) and improve quality of life. Facilities are recognized as a well-run and
well-managed building.

How do I get LEED Certified?

To start the process, it is encouraged that a team be assembled to manage the certification process, which means preparing documentation and calculations to fulfill the prerequisites and credit submittal requirements to become LEED certified. The “green team” could consist of personnel from environmental services, human resources, training safety, as well as building managers, building occupants and possibly suppliers.The team should identify which rating system the building desires to be certified and the desired level of certification. Then they will review the checklist provided by the USGBC to help develop their strategy, such as which points would be easy or difficult to achieve, where they will need to collect data, whether or not they need a consultant with certification experience, budgets and other potential issues they may need to consider prior to committing to the program.

Once the commitment is made, the building owner must register with the USGBC. Next the submitter must provide specific documentation which includes site plan, floor plans, elevation and photos, for tracking the building project. After documentation is provided it is reviewed and the different credits are interpreted by the USGBC council. Next the final application is submitted. The building is either awarded certification or rejected. If rejected, the submitter can appeal the results with further documentation supporting their cause.

Owners must also pay a fee to become LEED registered and certified. The charges vary based on the size of the facility. Normal fees are between $1,000 and $12,500 depending on the size of the facility. The certification process can take up to one year.