Originally published on May 11, 2020, Updated on September 4, 2024.
In this era of sustainability, the LEED Certification It matters. Find out how to implement it, get certified, and enjoy its benefits.
LEED certification stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, which in Spanish means Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. What does it mean, and why is it important? Let's find out!
LEED Certification | Everything You Need to Know
LEED certification corresponds to a method for evaluating sustainable buildings by following a set of guidelines and quantifiable criteria.
The final grade is assigned by the U.S. Green Building Council, U.S. Green Building Council, USGBC®. This is a independent association which seeks to implement sustainable construction practices.
This certification follows scientific standards and recognizes buildings that implement sustainable strategies. Today, its use is widespread, and there are already more than 14,000 buildings worldwide that have earned this top-level LEED certification. They are called “green buildings”.
Furthermore, they don't always have to be residential buildings. In other words, they can also include office buildings and spaces, restaurants, supermarkets, etc.
LEED certification originated in the United States
LEED certification, although it may seem so, is not a relatively recent development. It was developed in the 1993 by the U.S. Green Building Council, as a set of standards and requirements for certifying buildings as sustainable.
Although it is a certification that originated in the U.S., it gradually spread. For example, it is now used in Spain, where it is the leading certification.
What does LEED certification evaluate?
A LEED certification evaluates aspects such as:
- Location and Transportation: It is important to consider mobility factors, such as the location of the building and the transportation options available in the area, in order to reduce car use and encourage greater use of public transportation.
- Sustainable Development of Spaces: It is important that these spaces be developed in a sustainable manner.
- Efficient Water Use: It is essential to follow water-conservation policies to prevent waste.
- Energy Efficiency and the use of alternative energy sources: It is worth considering the use of alternative energy sources to try to optimize energy consumption as much as possible and ensure that it comes from renewable sources.
- Better environmental quality: It's important to have clean air.
- Material Selection and Waste Management in Construction: When building homes, it is essential to use sustainable materials and recycle waste properly.
- Innovation in Design: It is important to innovate in order to achieve a more sustainable form of construction.
LEED Certification Levels. Which one is yours?
Although LEED certification is voluntary, there are different levels based on a building's degree of sustainability.
Each criterion consists of a series of mandatory prerequisites that must be met; therefore, if the project fails to meet any of them, it cannot be certified.
Each credit is worth one point, and each project can earn up to 106 points under the LEED standards. The following certifications are available:
- LEED Certification: 40 to 49 points
- LEED Silver Certification: 50–59 points
- LEED Gold certification with 60 to 79 points
- LEED Platinum certification with 80 points or more
Benefits of Implementing LEED Certification
Although obtaining this type of certification is optional, it is certainly worthwhile for many reasons. One of them has to do with energy savings.
A building designed in accordance with the guidelines set forth by LEED certification can save 30–50% more energy compared to a conventional building designed without taking these parameters into account. These savings mean several things:
- The building requires less energy to operate.
- You save money in the homeowners' association.
- It is more environmentally sustainable.
- He isn't as affected by increases in the price of electricity.
On the other hand, a LEED-certified building also improves the quality of life for the occupants. This is because it was designed with an emphasis on the quality of the spaces, natural lighting, thermal control, ventilation, noise levels, etc. Every aspect has been carefully considered to ensure the best possible results.
It also reduces the negative environmental impacts of construction, such as lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduced waste.
From a marketing perspective, having this type of certification is important today. It serves as a guarantee that we are dealing with a High-quality construction, built on sustainable values and designed to save money in the long run. It's all benefits—an excellent investment.
Examples of LEED-certified buildings
Below are some examples of buildings in Spain that have achieved LEED Platinum certification:
- Bodonal Creek in Tres Cantos, Madrid.
- Bershka on Colón Street, Valencia.
- Repsol Office Campus, Madrid.
- Inditex's Sabon Data Center, Arteixo, A Coruña.
- PALMAS ALTAS Technology Center, Seville.
- AXA Headquarters, Madrid.
- Iberdrola Tower, Bilbao, Biscay.
In addition to many others.
Do you have any questions about LEED certification? What do you think?
