All types of buildings are eligible for LEED certification.
A LEED (Leader in Energy and Environmental Design) certification involves third-party verification that a building project meets certain criteria for environmental quality. It is available for all building types as well as neighborhood development projects. LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.
Purpose
LEED certified buildings are part of an effort to preserve natural resources and reduce environmental pollution. LEED certification gives guidance for and approval of green building design, construction, operations and maintenance. LEED buildings are environmentally sustainable. They emphasize energy savings, use of recycled materials and environmentally friendly products. A LEED building has a cleaner indoor environment than conventional constructions and emphasizes stewardship of resources. LEED standards are applied to both new construction and rebuilding or retrofit.
Social Benefits
LEED certification indicates that the owner and operator of the building wish to project an image of social responsibility. Environmental responsibility also incorporates many cutting-edge technologies, so it shows the owner is keeping up with new ideas and procedures. A LEED certified building provides a cleaner environment for employees and customers, making the business more desirable than ones that do not consider these things.
Business Benefits
LEED buildings have lower operating costs because of savings in utility and water usage costs, as well as savings in items such as packaging of products presented for use. The good indoor environment along with the prestige of a LEED building certification can influence buyers and renters to choose those buildings. A LEED certification generally increases a building's value. Improvements in indoor air quality may help employers avoid potential lawsuits. Because LEED certification is fairly recent, it emphasizes that the building is in good condition and up-to-date.
Drawbacks
The drawbacks of LEED certification are chiefly in the upfront costs of implementing the building strategies required. This may be more prominent for retrofits, but there are well-known buildings being outfitted for LEED certification. The most famous is the Empire State Building. Implementing LEED requirements may also lead to delays in finishing the project. A few customers who do not believe in environmentalism may be put off by the principles involved, but they will usually be far outnumbered by the people who find them attractive.
