| The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design) green building rating system was originally
developed by the U.S. Green Building Council
(USGBC) to provide a recognized standard for
the construction industry to assess the environmental
sustainability of building designs. Canadian
Green Building Council (CaGBC) has since adapted
the USGBC LEED rating system to the specific
concerns and requirements of buildings in Canada.
LEED is a point-based rating system; points
are earned for building attributes considered
environmentally beneficial. LEED differs from
other rating systems in that it has quantified
most of the "green credits". For example, 5%
of the building materials must be from salvaged
materials to earn a point for the salvaged materials
credit.
LEED™ 69 points (70 for LEED™ Canada) covering
six topic areas. Each topic area has a statement
of associated goals.
- Site Development: minimize
storm water run-off, encourage car
pooling and bicycling, increase
urban density and green space
- Water Efficiency: eliminate
site irrigation, reduce water consumption,
minimize or treat wastewater
- Energy Efficiency: reduce
building energy consumption, use
renewable energy, eliminate ozone-depleting
chemicals, commission building systems
- Material Selection: minimize
construction waste, re-use existing
building façade, use recycled and
salvaged materials, use renewable
construction materials and design
and build more durable buildings
- Indoor Environmental Quality:
incorporate daylighting, use low
off-emitting materials, provide
operable windows and occupant control
of work space, improve delivery
of ventilation air
- Innovation in Design:
use a LEED Accredited Professional,
greatly exceed the requirements
of a credit, incorporate innovative
environmental features not covered
in other areas.
Designers can pick and choose the credits most appropriate to their project to achieve a rating. LEED has four performance ratings:
| 26 to 32 points:
Certified |
Certified 33 to
38 points: Silver |
| 39 to 51 points:
Gold |
Gold 52 or more:
Platinum |
The LEED system can be used in three ways to improve the “green-ness” of a building design:
- LEED can serve as a design guide for the design team. The LEED™ credit system is a systematic way of ensuring that the most important environmental issues are considered during the design of a building.
- LEED reports are a valuable
means of showing the client and
other interested parties that the
design has effectively addressed
environmental issues.
- A building design can be certified
by the USGBC or CaGBC.
Certification provides increased market exposure
and places the building in elite company among
the most green buildings in North America. LEED
registration and certification fees are 4 cents
US or 7 cents CDN per square foot. In addition, LEED requires calculations and documentation
to validate each credit claimed.
LEED is the most recognized green building
rating system in North America. There are over
800 buildings that have been registered with
the CaGBC (over 2000 are registered with the
USGBC to become LEED certified). Many developers,
particularly those working on federal government
and leading-edge private sector buildigs, are
requiring that building designs meet LEED™ Silver
performance. Given that conventional new buildings
would likely score only a few LEED points,
achievement of any LEED level represents a
significant reduction in building environmental
impact and improvement of indoor environment.
The Canadian version of LEED is similar
to the U.S. version with the exception that
energy efficiency is relative to the
Canadian Model Energy Code for Buildings. The larger benefit of LEED buildings is an
improved indoor environment (lower absenteeism,
greater productivity, better thermal comfort),
lower maintenance costs (commissioned building,
more durable materials, smaller or eliminated
building systems), higher corporate profile
(increased product sales, marketing advantage,
improved employee morale), and reduced risk
of remedial measures (to deal with sick building
syndrome or environmental contaminants). The
table below summarizes typical costs and payback
periods for LEED™ buildings. The payback includes
only annual utility energy savings.
|
LEED Rating |
Certified |
Silver |
Gold |
Platinum |
| LEED
Points |
26 to 32 |
33 to 38 |
39 to 51 |
52 to 69 |
| Energy
Savings |
25 to 35% |
35 to 50% |
50 to 60% |
>60% |
| Annual
Utility Savings |
$0.75/ft2 |
$1.00/ft2 |
$1.25/ft2 |
$1.50/ft2 |
| Typical
Payback |
Under 3 yrs |
3-5 yrs |
5-10 yrs |
10+ years |
|
Incremental Construction Cost |
|
Small Buildings |
3% |
7% |
10% |
15% |
|
Large Buildings |
1% |
3% |
5% |
8% |
Enermodal Services
Enermodal is one of Canada’s premier sustainability consultants, with staff members who were Ontario’s first LEED Accredited Professionals. Our
staff includes LEED Faculty members and members of
LEED advisory groups. We are currently working on sustainable building projects worth over $3.4
billion – many of which are pursuing a LEED designation.Enermodal can lead the design teams through the LEED process and provide insight on how other green projects meet the requirements of each credit. As LEED Accredited Professionals, Enermodal staff can evalute which credits the design has met and issue a LEED™ Assessment Report outlining the level achieved. Finally, Enermodal can develop the application package for submission to the CaGBC and provide the necessary expertise to ensure the project receives the designation it is entitled.
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