LEED Certification is a globally recognized green building certification program created in 1993 by the Natural Resources Defense Council and the United States Green Building Council. The certification is awarded by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) and is based on prerequisites and credits that address points of concern such as carbon, energy, water, waste, transportation, materials, and indoor environmental quality. A project earns points for each area, based on the evaluation, and is awarded a certification tier based on the amount of points it accumulates. The tiers are Certified (40 to 49 points), Silver (50 to 59 points), Gold (60 to 79 points), and Platinum (80+ points).

The benefits of LEED certification include improved energy and water efficiency, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved indoor air quality, and cost savings. LEED-certified buildings are also more attractive to tenants, as they are seen as more sustainable and environmentally friendly. According to the USGBC, LEED-certified buildings can save up to 30% in energy costs, 20% in water costs, and 11% in maintenance costs. Additionally, LEED-certified buildings can increase property values by up to 20%.

Sources:

• USGBC
• Energy Star

The different types of LEED evaluation include:

• LEED for Building Design and Construction - This type of LEED evaluation is geared toward new construction projects and major renovations.
• LEED for Homes - This type of LEED evaluation is geared toward single-family homes and multi-family housing.
• LEED for Interiors - This type of LEED evaluation is geared toward interior spaces.
• LEED for Neighborhood Development - This type of LEED evaluation is geared toward entire neighborhoods.
• LEED for Cities and Communities - This type of LEED evaluation is geared toward entire cities and, or sub-sections of a city.

The LEED certification process involves third-party verification of a project's compliance with LEED standards. The Green Building Certification Institute, or GBCI, awards the final certification. In order to earn a LEED certification, a project should adhere to prerequisites and credits that address points of concern such as carbon, energy, water, waste, transportation, materials, and indoor environmental quality. A project earns points for each area, based on the evaluation. Based on the amount of points a project accumulates, it falls into a LEED certification tier — though scores lower than 40 points render a project ineligible for certification. The amount of points required for each tier is as follows:

• Certified (40 to 49 points)
• Silver (50 to 59 points)
• Gold (60 to 79 points)
• Platinum (80+ points)

The LEED rating system focuses on the need for sustainable architecture. Through the ongoing evolution of the rating system, LEED certifications today identify healthy, efficient, and cost-saving green buildings. According to the USGBC, the ideal LEED-certified building should:

• Limit contributions to climate change
• Enhance health and quality of life for a community and individuals
• Protect or restore water resources
• Protect or enhance biodiversity
• Protect and enhance ecosystem services
• Rely on sustainable and regenerative material cycles

LEED certification typically falls under the category of soft costs, such as architectural planning and building inspection costs. However, LEED requirements may lead to a building using more expensive construction materials, which can add about 2% to the hard costs of a development project. The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) awards the final certification, and a project earns points for each area based on the evaluation. Depending on the amount of points a project accumulates, it falls into a LEED certification tier, with scores lower than 40 points rendering a project ineligible for certification. The amount of points required for each tier is as follows:

• Certified (40 to 49 points)
• Silver (50 to 59 points)
• Gold (60 to 79 points)
• Platinum (80+ points)

LEED-certified buildings can save a significant amount of energy and can often quality for tax credits and other benefits. Plus, they can enhance the marketability of a multifamily development, particularly for upscale properties in major MSAs. Source and Source.

The amount of time it takes to get LEED certification depends on the size and complexity of the project. Generally, it takes anywhere from 6 to 12 months to complete the process. According to the USGBC, the process can be broken down into the following steps:

• Pre-certification: 1-2 months
• Submission: 1-2 months
• Review: 1-2 months
• Certification: 1-2 months

The total time for LEED certification can vary depending on the complexity of the project and the availability of the project team.