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LEED Certification Exam
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a green building certification system that is recognized internationally. It provides third-party assurance that a building or community was created using strategies that improve performance in the following areas: energy savings, water efficiency, reduction of CO2 emissions, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources. A building that has LEED certification is designed to:
- Lower operating costs and increase asset value
- Reduce waste sent to landfills
- Conserve energy and water
- Be healthier and safer for occupants
- Reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions
- Qualify for tax rebates, zoning allowances, and other incentives
- Demonstrate an owner's commitment to environment stewardship and social responsibility
To find out if a building project is eligible for LEED certification, a candidate should review the LEED Rating System Checklist that applies to the project. These rating systems apply to building types that include-but are not limited to-offices, retail and service establishments, institutional buildings (such as schools, libraries, religious institutions, and museums), hotels, and residential buildings of four or more habitable stories.
To achieve LEED certification, a building must earn a minimum number of points out of a possible 110 points. The rating system addresses these seven areas: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, innovation in design, and regional priority.
There are four levels of LEED certification:
- Certified (40-49 points)
- Silver (50-59 points)
- Gold (60-79 points)
- Platinum (80+ points)
Points are distributed as follows:
- Sustainable Sites (26 possible points)
- Water Efficiency (10 possible pints)
- Energy and Atmosphere (35 possible points)
- Materials and Resources (14 possible points)
- Indoor Environmental Quality (15 possible points)
- Innovation in Design (6 possible points)
- Regional Priority (4 possible points)
To obtain LEED certification for a project, an applicant must submit documentation that verifies compliance with the requirements of the rating system and pay registration and certification fees. The Green Building Council responsible for issuing the LEED system used on the project is the entity that grants certification.
