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Frequently Asked Questions
LEED for New Construction
- How are credit points awarded under LEED?
- Is LEED training available?
- Can products be certified under LEED?
- How much does it cost to register a project?
- What is a LEED Accredited Professional™ and how do you become one?
- Do LEED certified projects cost more?
- What are the benefits of LEED certification?
Q. How are credit points awarded under LEED?
A. Credits are awarded based on five categories of performance: Sustainable Sites, Energy and Atmosphere, Water Efficiency, Indoor Environmental Quality, Materials and Resources. Within each of these credit areas a project can earn a certain amount of points. Projects can earn additional points under an Innovation in Design category, through demonstrating exceptional performance above LEED requirements. The number of points the project earns determines the level of LEED Certification the project receives.
Q. Is LEED training available?
A. USGBC offers a variety of LEED training workshops including a basic introduction, technical reviews, and advanced application-oriented sessions. Workshops are available nationally in conjunction with local chapters, at industry tradeshows, and at Greenbuild. Private workshops can also be scheduled for your company.
Q. Can products be certified under LEED?
A. No. LEED applies to green building projects. Individual products can contribute to points under the rating system; LEED criteria are performance-based. In attempting to meet these requirements, LEED practitioners identify products that have desired attributes. However, some LEED criteria do require specific product data as a part of a successful submittal.
Q. How much does it cost to register a project?
A. The registration fee for a project is $450 for USGBC members and $600 for non-members.
Q. What is a LEED Accredited Professional™ and how do you become one?
A. LEED Accredited Professionals are experienced building industry practitioners who have demonstrated their knowledge of integrated design and their capacity to facilitate the LEED certification process. To become an Accredited Professional you must take the exam. The exam tests an individual’s understanding of green building practices and principles, and familiarity with LEED requirements, resources, and processes.
Q. Do LEED certified projects cost more?
A. No, LEED certification does not have to cost a penny more. LEED projects completed and certified to date demonstrate that you can achieve LEED certification and reap its many benefits with a common-sense approach to design and no additional dollars. Depending on your green building strategy and the level of certification you want to achieve, however, there may be mid- and long-term ROI associated with additional green features that merits an investment in first costs.
Q. What are the benefits of LEED certification?
A. LEED certification is third-party validation of a building’s performance. LEED certified projects blend environmental, economic, and occupant-oriented performance. They cost less to operate and maintain, are energy- and water-efficient, have higher lease-up rates than conventional buildings in their markets, and are a physical demonstration of the values of the organizations that own and occupy them. For more information: http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=220&
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