LEED certification program to provide guidelines and recognition for green buildings

About LEED®
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a voluntary, consensus-based national rating system for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. LEED addresses all building types and emphasizes state-of-the-art strategies for sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials and resources selection, and indoor environmental quality. LEED is a practical rating tool for green building design and construction that provides immediate and measurable results for building owners and occupants

About USGBC
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a non-profit organization committed to expanding sustainable building practices. USGBC is composed of more than 15,000 organizations from across the building industry that are working to advance structures that are environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy places to live and work.. The Council developed the LEED certification program to provide guidelines and recognition for green buildings

What it means to you
If you don’t seek LEED certification for your buildings, you could soon face tough competition. Through September 2007, according to the USGBC, about 1,100 projects have received certification, with 6,000 more registered to become certified. Interest in LEED has grown exponentially since 2004. At the same time, more customers have become green savvy, and they expect businesses to show proof of environmental concern.

What is LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance?
The LEED for Existing Buildings Rating System helps building owners and operators measure operations, improvements and maintenance on a consistent scale, with the goal of maximizing operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts. LEED for Existing Buildings addresses whole-building cleaning and maintenance issues (including chemical use), recycling programs, exterior maintenance programs, and systems upgrades. It can be applied both to existing buildings seeking LEED certification for the first time and to projects previously certified under LEED for New Construction, Schools, or Core & Shell

GREEN CLEANING AND LEED CERTIFICATION
When it comes to greening your cleaning operations, LEED certification requires much more than just switching from traditional chemicals to green cleaning solutions. According to the USGBC, LEED-EB focuses on seven major areas, each with their own certification standards and best practices.
1. Facility Cleaning & Maintenance, including Chemicals
2. Indoor Air Quality
3. Energy Efficiency
4. Water Efficiency
5. Recycling Programs
6. Exterior Maintenance Programs
7. Systems Upgrades

Getting certified
In order to become certified, a project must provide documentation showing that it meets certain requirements. The USGBC awards points accordingly. The number of points determines the LEED rating:
Certified: 34-42
Silver: 43-50
Gold: 51-67
Platinum: 68-92

By implementing our high-performance building maintenance program your building can earn up to 14 points toward LEED certification in the Existing Building category. GEMS can also help you with the stringent LEED documentation requirements


What is LEED for New Construction?
LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations is a rating system for buildings that
was designed to guide and distinguish high performance buildings that have less of an
impact on the environment, are healthier for those who work and/or live in the building,
and are more profitable than their conventional counterparts

Other LEED Programs
As LEED-NC and LEED-EB became benchmarks for green buildings nationwide, the USGBC created other LEED certification systems for specific segments of the building industry. They include:

LEED-CI (Commercial Interiors): For the tenant improvement market, provides guidelines for sustainable choices among tenants and designers.

LEED-CS (Core & Shell): For designers, builders, developers and new building owners who wish to implement sustainable design for new core and shell construction.

The USGBC also developed LEED certification programs for specific buildings, such as schools, retail and healthcare.

There are specific rating systems for different types of projects.