LEED Construction

What is LEED Certification?

Many new buildings use the LEED construction certification system. This system certifies that a residence is more efficient, uses more locally sourced materials, and has a much smaller ecological footprint. For example, some basics on the LEED system appear below. If you want a deeper understanding of LEED design buildings, sign up to receive one of our free helpful Guides.

LEED Certification Levels

In LEED construction for condos, 100 possible base points span five major credit categories: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, and Indoor Environmental Quality. In addition, the system awards 6 points for Innovation in Design and 4 points for Regional Priority. As a result, buildings can qualify for four levels of certification:

• Certified: 40–49 points
• Silver: 50–59 points
• Gold: 60–79 points
• Platinum: 80 points and above

Specifically, the LEED for Homes rating system differs from LEED v3. It features different point categories and thresholds that reward efficient residential design.

The Certification Process

First, developers obtain LEED construction certification by submitting an application. This application documents compliance with the rating system requirements, along with paying registration and certification fees. To establish point awards in each credit category, the process compares buildings against a theoretical baseline. This baseline follows a LEED methodology or the more stringent of either ASHRAE/ANSI/EISNA codes or local codes.

Finally, the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) grants certification solely. The CaGBC handles third party verification of project compliance with LEED construction requirements.