LEED
The LEED Rating Systems make up a voluntary program meant to objectively measure how sustainable a building is in several key areas:
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impact on site and location
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water efficiency
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energy efficiency
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material selection
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indoor environmental quality
The system also encourages innovation.
The LEED standards are maintained by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a nonprofit, non-governmental, membership-based organization. While participation in LEED is voluntary, the program owes some of its growth to municipal and state ordinances that have mandated it for public buildings and have offered incentives for private buildings.
LEED
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
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The Great Eight: High-Impact Material Choices for Green Building
Feature Article
We’re at a tipping point in insulation, flooring, textiles, and other product categories. Here’s what to spec and what to avoid.
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LEED v4 Tips from Early Adopters: Earn High Ratings Without Added Costs
Feature Article
You can avoid lower LEED v4 scores and keep costs in check. Here’s how—including the pitfalls you need to watch out for.
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New Concepts in LEED v4
Feature Article
Past versions of LEED have helped make FSC and other concepts practically household terms. Where is LEED v4 taking the green building conversation next?
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Energy-Efficient Multifamily Housing
Feature Article
Now you can get LEED, Energy Star, and other labels for designing or retrofitting high-performance multifamily buildings.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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HPD Quick-Start Guide: 5 Easy Steps
Infographic
How to get solid information from a Health Product Declaration (HPD), in just five steps.
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Owner’s Project Requirements: What It Is, What It Could Be
Primer
Clients, designers, and commissioning agents don’t always get what they need out of the OPR. Some teams are trying to change that.
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Green Chemistry Meets Green Building
Primer
What is green chemistry, and how does it fit into LEED? We explain the relationship—and some tensions.
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Post-Occupancy Evaluations: Ignorance Isn't Bliss
Primer
POEs tell you everything you ever wanted to know about your buildings. Don't be afraid to ask.
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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LEED v4.1 Opens for Beta Registration
News Analysis
LEED v4.1 new construction projects can now register—and v4 projects can substitute v4.1 versions of all the credits.
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Recertification Now a Reality for All LEED Buildings
News Brief
Recertification is now achievable for new construction projects without doing full-on EBOM.
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LEED’s Resilient Design Pilot Credits Bounce Back
News Brief
The resilient design pilot credits were taken down temporarily but have returned—with a few changes.
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International Green Construction Code Now Meshes with LEED
News Analysis
IgCC 2018 crafters hope to dispel confusion and increase uptake with rating system harmonization.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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Finding HPDs: How We Do It At BuildingGreen
Op-Ed
There are several ways you can find Health Product Declarations. Here’s a look at them, including what BuildingGreen offers.
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Three Steps To Make Green Globes Part of the Solution
Op-Ed
An entry-level alternative pushing LEED to get better would be great, but GBI’s Green Globes needs to start by joining the green building community.
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LEED Certified or Certifiable? Making the Case for Earning the Plaque
Blog Post
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Regulations Demanding Actual Data Are Leapfrogging LEED
Op-Ed
Now that California and Washington, D.C., are mandating energy use reporting for commercial buildings, the designation "LEED Certified" should be reserved for projects that document their actual performance through LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance.
Learning Resources
A wide range of education options, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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LEED v4 Tips from Early Adopters: Earn High Ratings Without Added Costs
Feature Article
You can avoid lower LEED v4 scores and keep costs in check. Here’s how—including the pitfalls you need to watch out for.
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Energy-Efficient Multifamily Housing
Feature Article
Now you can get LEED, Energy Star, and other labels for designing or retrofitting high-performance multifamily buildings.
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Measuring Energy Use in Buildings: Do Our Metrics Really Add Up?
Feature Article
How much energy our buildings use matters a great deal, but figuring out how to measure that use and compare it from building to building is tricky. Here's a guide to key metrics and how to use them.
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Retrocommissioning: Big Savings for Big Buildings
Feature Article
Retrocommissioning or RCx can be a valuable tool for commercial building owners. RCx addresses the same scope as new building commissioning but is performed on existing buildings. RCx can improve building performance, save energy and money-especially for large buildings.
Just For Fun
Something weird happens every April at BuildingGreen...
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