LEED Certification for Commercial Buildings

In order to achieve LEED certification, commercial buildings must meet stringent standards as determined by the Green Building Certification Institute. This independent organization conducts third-party inspections of commercial buildings in accordance with ISO international certification standards. Building owners can achieve a number of different levels of LEED certification depending on the degree to which the building complies with environmental standards.

• Certified buildings must achieve 40 or more points out of a possible 110.
• Silver certification is available to buildings that achieve 50 or more points.
• Gold-certified buildings have achieved 60 or more points.
• The highest level is Platinum certification, which requires 80 or more points.

The best way to achieve LEED certification is to incorporate environmentally friendly construction methods, sustainable materials and energy-efficient systems into the overall building plans.

• Energy efficient lighting systems can be an important element in achieving LEED certification, as these systems use much less energy than traditional lighting methods.
• Insulation and ENERGY STAR-rated windows can add points to the overall certification totals.
• Low-flow water fixtures reduce utility bills and protect the environment.
• Modern heat pumps and energy efficient HVAC systems can pave the way for LEED certification.

Making environmentally sound choices is the first step toward LEED certification and can provide significant financial benefits for building owners as well.

Required Information for LEED Analysis

• Total gross building footage
• Total area of the building footprint
• Total property area
• Total area to be conditioned
• Estimated number of occupants of the building
• Detailed design layout with dimensions of windows and doors
• Details of flow and flush water fixtures to be used

The LEED and GBCSL Green Building Rating System mainly address 7 topics as mention below

• Social and cultural awareness (Regional priority)
• Innovation and design process
• Indoor environmental quality
• Materials and resources
• Energy and atmosphere
• Water efficiency
• Sustainable sites