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Building developers, owners, and operators demonstrate their commitment to environmental sustainability. They do this by earning Green Building certifications like the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification and ratings program.
Buildings create 38% of the greenhouse gas emissions globally. Green Building initiatives reduce the impact these buildings have on the environment.
If you're pursuing a LEED certification, here are a few things you need to know about this (and a few other) Green Building certifications. You will also learn what you can do to earn this credential.
Key Takeaways:
- WaterSense certification focuses on labeled products that reduce adverse environmental impacts of fixtures, while LEED focuses on the ecological effects of the overall structure.
- Four LEED certification levels exist, including Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. A point system is associated with each certification level.
- The LEED rating system groups each building type or project into five categories. They include building and interior design and construction, operations, and neighborhood development, to name a few.
WaterSense Vs. LEED Certification: What is the Difference?
LEED Green Building Rating System is a program that the U.S. Green Building Council launched to help develop more sustainable structures. These buildings are rated based on the environmental impact and the effect on those using the establishment.
The WaterSense certification program launched by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) focuses on developing products that encourage water and power efficiency.
It helps buildings support environmentally sustainable energy usage. It differs from LEED in that LEED certification focuses on the overall impact of the building, not just its fixtures and fittings.
There are several certifications that Green Buildings can earn. The more certifications a building has, the more the organization (or individual) who owns the building demonstrates they are doing their part to conserve and sustain natural resources.
Additional certifications will help businesses within that building gain respect from the local community. However, not every certification is necessary to prove your own, manage, or design Green Buildings.
What Is WaterSense Certification?
WaterSense labels help consumers find new products, programs, and homes that meet the EPA's standards for performance and efficiency. WaterSense services and products use 20% less water, perform better, and save more energy than standard models.
Independent certification by a third party is who back all WaterSense labeled products. Certifying organizations assist in upholding the WaterSense label's credibility and integrity through the verification and testing of all products for conformance to WaterSense specification, performance, efficiency, and label use.
What Is LEED Certification?
The LEED certification program came about when several American architectural firms partnered with an environmental lawyer and a construction manager to combat the significant carbon footprint of buildings in America.
These certified structures have generated billions of dollars in energy savings. They have made significant impacts on maintenance, water, and waste conservation.
A project or building must receive certification points in various categories to become LEED certified. The primary categories are:
- Atmosphere and energy
- Sustainable sites
- Regional priority credits
- Design innovation
- Indoor environmental quality (IEQ)
- Education and Awareness
Each category has a range of points determined by set criteria and based on performance. Details for each area and possible points per unit are available on the USGBC's website in the LEED section.
Levels of LEED Certification
There are four levels of LEED certification that a building can earn based on conservations and environmental criteria. A structure or project must earn specific points to obtain its certification level.
The levels and associated points are:
- Platinum (80-100 points)
- Gold (60-79 points)
- Silver (50-59 points)
- Certified (40-49 points)
A project with a Platinum rating has the lowest environmental impact and the highest level of sustainability in development and operations. Buildings can also earn certification in various project areas and accrue points towards a certification level.
5 LEED Ratings Categories
LEED standards get applied to all types of buildings. However, for simplicity, the LEED rating system groups them into five categories. They are:
1. Building Design and Construction (BD+C)
This category pertains to the building's physical structure and its construction. These are for new construction and for "core and shell" projects - developments where the developer controls the building's mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and core, excluding the interior finishes. They include:
- Apartment buildings
- Office buildings
- Hospitals
- Schools
- Warehouses
- Retail spaces
- Data centers
- Other public or commercial spaces
2. Interior Design and Construction (ID+C)
This category certifies the finishes of the building's interior. It focuses on how the interior space can improve the environment and make the structure more comfortable for humans.
Buildings in this category primarily rent large commercial spaces and do not control the exterior or core structures. They include:
- Offices
- Retail spaces
- Hospitals
- Other commercial buildings
3. Building Operations and Maintenance (O+M)
Existing and inefficient buildings will earn this certification to improve sustainability in their operational processes and procedures. It also works to foster more eco-friendly maintenance practices.
4. Homes (H)
This category relates to single-family homes and multiple dwelling units with three or fewer stories. Both private individuals and commercial developers can create a LEED-certified residential development.
LEED-certified home renovation projects incorporate the latest bathroom design trends with technology to create an environmentally friendly home. These projects include installing the latest sustainable plumbing fixtures like a touchless bathroom faucet with programmable metering and flow rate features.
5. Neighborhood Development (N.D.)
The community and neighborhood development comprises various land projects that integrate the LEED principles into the design. These include walkability, green spaces, smart growth, transportation, and accessibility. It begins at the planning stage and continues throughout the building's lifecycle.
Obtaining Your LEED Certification
If you have decided to pursue Green Building certifications for your project, you will need to prepare. There are five steps to take to earn LEED certifications. They include:
- Choosing your rating system (i.e., BD+C, O+M, H, etc.)
- Check the requirements
- Stay on top of fees and deadlines
- Set goals and determine roles
- Register your project
The next step is to work with a company that partners with the USGBC to develop sustainable plumbing products for Green Buildings. At Chicago Faucets, we are proud members of the USGBC and help buildings earn LEED certification by installing our plumbing products.
We also proudly partner with the EPA's WaterSense program and an Alliance for Water Efficiency charter sponsor to help protect the world's future water supply.
We care about the environment. We know you do too. Contact us today to learn more about our sustainability products.
