What is LEED?LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). LEED was created by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) and is an internationally recognized rating system for green design and construction. The Leed rating system takes into account energy savings, water efficiency, reductions in emissions of CO2, indoor air quality and use of resources. While LEED provides a concise framework, it is flexible enough to apply to residential and commercial buildings. In fact, the rating system is designed to be specific to what is being worked on. The LEED ratings are broken down to several categories. They are:
Each of the above categories then has guidelines for design and construction, with the last 3 also being covered under the guidelines of operation. The USGBC green rating system and guidelines are used by all types of professionals including, but not limited to landscapers, real estate professionals and architects to bankers and people in our government. National Association of Home BuildersCertified Green Professional (CGP) With the green movement becoming a rapidly expanding area of focus, almost every organization now has a professional green designation. With each designation and group, specific education or standards must be met. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) now has a new designation for the Certified Green Professional (CGP). This designation was created to assure home buyers that their builder is an authentic green builder. To receive this designation, the builder or remodeler must have at least two years of building experience and have been involved with the construction of at least one green home. The designation also requires a two day educational training session, as well as a housing management course. Additionally, the builder must adhere to a strict code of ethics and complete 12 hours of education every three years. Certification for the CGP program is intended to educate builders on the various aspects of building green. As with many green programs, the core of this program looks at lowering energy costs and creating higher value without creating increased costs. For a home to be certified CGP, an on-line scoring tool is used to score the home. The home is also subject to thorough inspections, verification reports and a completed Program Participation Agreement. For more information about the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) or the Green Professional designation, visit their web site at www.nahb.org.
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Going Green - Living Green - Greater Binghamton
