We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Industry

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are LEED Standards?

Andrew Kirmayer
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 8,604
Share

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards make up a rating system based on standards created by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). These LEED standards have been created to evaluate how a building performs in terms of its impact on the environment. Criteria used to evaluate a building include sustainable construction, water efficiency, energy use and emissions, indoor environmental quality, and location. Structures that meet these criteria are referred to as green buildings. Various measures can be taken, for both new construction and the renovation of existing structures, to improve their LEED ratings.

The USGBC has written guides for various building types in which LEED standards, such as those governing sustainability and energy efficiency measures, are outlined and given point values, or credits. The total point value of a building determines its specific rating. For example, homes must have at least 45 credits to be LEED certified, but they can earn up to 136 points, with silver, gold, and platinum levels attainable. Specific actions, such as using drought-resistant turf in landscaping, add two points to a home’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating. If it meets indoor environmental quality standards, this adds 13 points toward the home being qualified for LEED certification.

LEED standards also cover commercial interiors, schools, retail, and healthcare facilities. Each building type is designated as a separate category with its own rating system. For a retail building, access to public transportation adds six points that go toward making it a green building. Stormwater management and use of reflective roof materials further enhance the LEED ratings of buildings used for retail, while standards for schools address classroom acoustics, mold prevention, and environmental health issues affecting children.

First released in 1998, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program has been revised several times, most recently in 2009 with the launch of LEED Version 3. Ongoing development has enabled LEED standards to adapt to new technologies. This is especially useful because technologies such as solar power have become more common in mainstream markets. The newer system serves to consolidate commercial and institutional rating systems, and streamlines crediting according to environmental and human health impacts.

Proximity to public transportation is factored in for all buildings, because it affects land use, air pollution, fossil fuel depletion, and human health. The 2009 update to the LEED standards also addresses water usage outside and inside buildings and its effects on water resources, as well as the use of renewable energy and reduced dependency on fuels that raise the building’s carbon footprint. The USGBC program is a way of encouraging energy efficiency measures by certifying buildings that meet various LEED standards.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Andrew Kirmayer
By Andrew Kirmayer
Andrew Kirmayer, a freelance writer with his own online writing business, creates engaging content across various industries and disciplines. With a degree in Creative Writing, he is skilled at writing compelling articles, blogs, press releases, website content, web copy, and more, all with the goal of making the web a more informative and engaging place for all audiences.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Andrew Kirmayer
Andrew Kirmayer
Andrew Kirmayer, a freelance writer with his own online writing business, creates engaging content across various...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-leed-standards.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.