You may have come across the term “LEED Certified” while looking at condominiums in San Francisco, but what does “LEED Certified” actually mean?
LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and was created by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) in 1994. The LEED Certification program includes a set of rating systems for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of green buildings.
How Does a Building Get LEED Certified?
The building design must excel and innovate in the following areas:
- Sustainable Sites
- Water Efficiency
- Energy and Atmosphere
- Materials and Resources
- Indoor Environmental Quality
- Innovation in Operations
The rating system is quite complicated, but to put it simply, building projects are assessed on the potential environmental impacts and human benefits of the design/construction of the building. Criteria for the certification changes over time as design and construction technology advances.
Why Does LEED Certification Matter?
According to the USGBC, LEED Certified buildings are; healthier, more productive, more energy efficient, and have decreased utility costs. Who wouldn’t want that? In the environmentally conscious Bay Area, LEED Certified buildings typically see higher demand as many people are actively looking for ways to lower their carbon footprint.
Random Fact: Since it’s formation in 1994, the LEED program has grown from six volunteers to 119,924 staff, volunteers and professionals around the world.
Bottom Line
If you are an environmentally conscious individual interested in lowering your carbon footprint, then a LEED Certified building might be a good option for you.
Be sure to check out my latest listing at Arterra – 300 Berry St #811