Taking the LEED in eco-friendly construction

Posted on 02. Mar, 2009 by admin in Building Green, Conservation

LEED-A-Palooza led the way in environmental design education last Thursday in the Administrative Building.

Eco-friendly construction techniques and the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification process were the focus of the conference which was co-sponsored by Clayco Corporation, the company building the new residence hall on Oak Street, and the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).

The aim of the event was to guide construction companies building homes, schools, retail areas or commercial buildings on how to become LEED certified.

LEED certification building techniques are used in many careers including real estate, architecture, interior designer and landscaping.

By pursuing LEED certification, contractors are promoting sustainability in their company and community, along with receiving third party recognition, qualifying for government initiatives and receiving marketing through the USGBC Web site.

These companies can become certified through the LEED New Construction Green Building Rating System which is developed through a USGBC committee.

The rating system works on a point and credit system and demands certain requirements.

Companies seeking certification can earn points and credits through green building practices in their new construction projects. Certification is achieved with 26-32 points.

Thereafter, the projects are rated on levels such as silver, gold or platinum depending upon how many total points are accrued.

The certification process focuses on five areas of sustainable building practices for the LEED certification.

The five key sections include sustainable site development, water efficiency, energy savings, material and resource selection and indoor environmental quality.

An extra section was recently added at the end of the checklist to include an innovation and design category which awards points for efforts that go above and beyond requirements set by the LEED rating system.

The sustainable sites category requires construction pollution be reduced through the control of soil erosion, airborne dust and waterway sedimentation.

Encouraging alternative transportation, maximizing the use of open space and restoring natural habitats through building practices also earn points in this category.

The water efficiency category has no requirements, yet points can be earned by reducing potable water with native plants, capturing rainwater and reusing wastewater.

Different percentages of water saved determine the number of points received.

The energy efficiency requirements are geared to reduce energy use, lower operating costs and reduce constructer callbacks by using the design techniques and systems already in place.

For example, the new construction should use energy-efficient lighting, reuse HVAC systems and use refrigerants containing zero chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

Companies can also gain points through the use of renewable energy, such as wind, geothermal, solar and biomass in their new buildings.

Under the materials and resources category, a company is required to implement recycling areas for designated materials to ensure the amount of waste taken to the landfill is reduced.

Points can also be earned in this category through the use of regional materials (within 500 miles) and by using at least 50 percent certified wood.

Lastly, indoor environmental quality requires indoor air quality be up to the standards of certain sections of Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality.

This is implemented to ensure energy efficiency and that the occupant’s health is optimal.

Also required are a few options in controlling tobacco smoke.

Points are given for increased ventilation, the amount of daylight and view space available, as well as testing the air for low-emitting materials such as formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can be vaporized and emitted at room temperature.

The presenter noted this is an important test because some of the VOCs are known carcinogens and can affect the well-being of the occupants.

LEED-A-Palooza finished with a question and answer session and a test over what practices can be used to gain points for certification.

Source: University News

Article: View Story

By: Kelly Kates