Tips on Achieving LEED Certification

by Jonathan McGaha | January 4, 2015 12:00 am

I am often asked why building owners choose to LEED certify their projects. The truth is there is no one reason and there is no one good reason. The rationale one might use may make no sense to another. Some may do it for the publicity, while others may choose to certify as a means to achieve some financial gain as in the way of municipal incentives. Still, others may just want to demonstrate their stewardship for the environment. Whatever their reasoning may be, owners and project team members are constantly looking for ways to easily gain valuable LEED points. Here are just a few sustainable design tips that can help a project earn LEED certification.

Consider the Climate When Installing a Roof

A white or light-colored roof may be one of the easiest ways to collect a LEED point. However, before that decision is made it should be weighed against the impact to the overall energy use in any building. Early in the project design phase, the energy model should be used to demonstrate the impact the roof color and insulation will have on the overall energy consumption of the building. The white roof solution will help in reducing energy costs in warmer climates but may add to heating costs in a colder climate. So, the typical rule to follow is install a white roof in the warmer climates, but in colder climates, consider incorporating a dark-colored roof.

Use Light-Colored Paving Around the Site

The use of light-colored paving for roadways and parking lots helps reduce the heat island effect around the building. Heat island effect occurs when there is a rise in ambient temperature caused by dark-paved surfaces. By incorporating light-colored paving around the property, the amount of electricity needed to cool or ventilate a building can be significantly reduced. Light-colored paving is most often associated with concrete in lieu of asphalt paving. Concrete may have a higher initial cost, but it typically reduces maintenance costs in later years.

Install High-Efficiency Lighting Fixtures

The energy used in a building for general lighting is a large contributor to its overall energy use. Increasing the efficiency of the lighting inside a building is an important step in reducing operating costs associated with electricity use. Technological advancements in high efficiency lighting systems, such as LED and compact fluorescents, have improved the quality of fixtures while lowering the costs.

If You Are Using Skylights, Install Daylight Sensors

Installing skylights in a building can help reduce the amount of manufactured light needed inside during the daytime. However, if the lights right next to and immediately surrounding the skylights are left burning all day, the potential energy savings are lost. If you choose to install skylights in your building, consider utilizing photo sensors that automatically turn off lights if there is sufficient daylight coming through the skylight.

Install Occupancy or Motion Sensors

Too often lighting systems are designed to be turned on or off manually. Areas of a building that are considered light or intermediate-use typically have on or off switches or they are controlled by the building lighting controls system. Using motion sensors that automatically turn on or shut off lights in less traveled areas, such as restrooms, storage closets, kitchens and break rooms, can all be controlled by motion sensors cutting down on electricity use.

Avoid Landscaping with Turf Grass

Incorporating native plants in a property’s landscape design is another easy way to earn LEED points. Native plants use less water, require less maintenance and can be more aesthetically pleasing than turf grass.

Use Variable Speed Drive Motors for All Ventilation Equipment

Ventilation systems are typically set to run at one of two speeds: on or off. This may initially be a lower cost option, but during design, the team should evaluate the potential energy savings of using variable speed drive motors that allow the speed of the fans to be automatically adjusted for the needs of the building. The cost savings from the reduction in electricity will often offset the initial incremental first cost in less than one or two years.

Encourage Employees to Carpool by Designating Parking Spaces

The U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED rating system rewards building owners for encouraging employees to carpool by providing preferred dedicated carpool parking spaces.

Encourage Employees to Drive Fuel-Efficient Cars by Designating Parking Spaces

As with carpooling, designating preferred parking spaces for those energy-conscious employees with fuel-efficient cars can earn one or more LEED points.

Hire a Professional

It is easy to become overwhelmed when taking on the responsibility of building a new building. This feeling can be compounded when you add sustainability into the mix. Figuring out the sustainability puzzle is not impossible-it is just different. As with design or construction, it is always best to hire a trusted professional. There may be a small added cost to the project, but hiring a professional can help you avoid missing any opportunities to incorporate additional improvements before it’s too late.

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Thomas Taylor, a 30-year veteran of the construction industry and noted expert on sustainability, is a principal and co-founder of St. Louis-based Vertegy LLC. His book, “Guide to LEED 2009: Estimating and Preconstruction Strategies,” provides step-by-step information about the LEED 2009 for New Construction process. To learn more about Vertegy or Taylor, visit
www.vertegyconsultants.com[1].

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