LEED is an acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

In the U.S., LEED Certification is governed by the United States Green Building Council (USGBS). This certification system is designed to promote resource-efficient buildings that provide comfort and health for occupants. It focuses on sustainability, building materials, energy efficiency and the environment.

Many buildings throughout the San Francisco bay area have LEED accreditation. The Apple Headquarters as well as the Salesforce Tower are LEED Platinum Certified. There are a number of certification options that can be customized for different industries or projects.

Continuous performance testing requirements ensure that LEED-certified buildings continue to perform at a superior level.

Four rating systems are used:

LEED for Building Design and Construction (BD+C) for residential construction and design.

LEED for Interior Design and Construction (ID+C) for indoor spaces that don’t include the entire building.

LEED for Building Operations and Maintenance (O+M)

LEED for Neighborhood Development (ND)

The LEED system is based upon a point system. It is a complicated system that considers different criteria for each Credential.

As the LEED system has grown, different allowable levels of chemicals and particulate matter are used. That’s why you will see v3, v4, v4.1. Each version has different levels of allowed chemicals.

We do not provide guidance, instruction, or testing on things like natural available inside lighting, insulation, the recyclable factor of the building materials, etc. Those concerns should be addressed by your LEED professional, usually referred to as a LEED AP.

Certifications are awarded by the points a building has achieved. Platinum certification requires 80 points.

These are the points today for each of the four levels of LEED certification:

Certified (40–49 points)

• Silver (50–59 points)
• Gold (60–79 points)
• Platinum (80+ points)
  
  

We strongly recommend you choose an LEED Professional that is located in the US, preferably California. That person should know the US requirements. As with any professional, always confirm that licenses and insurances are current.

Whether it is new construction or a remodel, planning with your architect and your LEED Accredited Professional will ensure a smooth completion for your LEED project.

All costs for our services are discussed and outlined clearly in our proposal before the project and again onsite before any sampling is collected.