LEED Certification Program
The LEED rating system is an internationally recognized certification system that measures how well a building performs according to several metrics:
- energy savings
- water efficiency
- CO2 emissions reduction
- improved indoor environmental quality
- stewardship of resources
Types of Credit Requirements
Adopt operations and maintenance best practices to ensure project measures are effectively implemented and maintained.
Establish green policies to demonstrate an organization-wide commitment to sustainability.
Examples: Policies to guide recycling programs and the use of eco-friendly products.
These types of requirements lend themselves to campus - or district - wide adoption and implementation.
LEED for Existing Buildings: O&M Rating System Credit Categories
Sustainable Sites (SS) credits promote responsible, innovative, and practical site maintenance strategies that are sensitive to plants, wildlife, and water and air quality. These credits also mitigate some of the negative effects buildings have on the local and regional environment. Environmentally sensitive site maintenance practices reduce site operations and maintenance costs while creating and maintaining outdoor spaces that are attractive and healthy for both building occupants and local flora and fauna.
Water Efficiency (WE) prerequisites and credits encourage the use of strategies and technologies that reduce the amount of potable water consumed in facilities. Many water conservation strategies are no-cost; others provide rapid payback. Some, such as biological wastewater treatment systems and graywater plumbing systems, require more substantial investments and are cost-effective only under certain building and site conditions.
Energy and Atmosphere (EA) prerequisites and credits address the reduction of energy consumption through a performance-based approach that allows owners and managers to tailor energy reduction measures to their buildings. Improving the energy performance of facilities lowers operating costs, reduces pollution, and enhances occupant comfort. Many energy efficiency measures have a rapid payback because of the rising cost of energy.
Materials and Resources (MR) prerequisites and credits set the foundation for developing, implementing, and documenting policies and practices that support effective waste management and responsible procurement. The MR credit category focuses on two main issues: the environmental impact of material brought into the facility and the minimization of landfill and incinerator disposal for materials taken out of the facility.
Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) prerequisites and credits address concerns relating to indoor air quality; occupant's health, safety, and comfort; air change effectiveness; and air contaminant management. The IEQ credit category encourages improvements to ventilation, indoor CO2 levels, daylighting and lighting quality, and thermal comfort - all of which have the potential to impact occupant health and performance.
Innovation in Operations (IO) credits recognize projects for innovative and exemplary technologies, methods, project planning, and project execution.
Regional Priority (RP) credits address environmental concerns that are local priorities for each region of the country, as identified by USGBC's regional councils, chapters, and affiliates. A project that earns a regional priority credit will earn one bonus point in addition to any points already awarded for that credit. Up to four extra points can be earned in this way.