What is a LEED building?

When you hear of a LEED certified building, do you wonder what it means and why it’s important? The LEED program was developed by the United State’s Green Building Council (USGBC) to help builders build green. LEED stands for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

The Green Building certification, LEED program, gives building builders, designers, owners, and operators a clear framework to identify and implement green designs. These designs are practical, and measurable. This certification program is globally recognized because it provides third party verification that the building was designed and built to be environmentally friendly.

The LEED program measures sustainable site, water conservation and efficiency, energy efficiency, green materials, indoor air quality, and innovation in design. This program is flexible, taking into consideration different types of buildings. The program runs on a point system. There is a 100 point scale and credits are weighted to reflect potential environmental impacts.

A LEED Bronze Certification, like the Barksdale Air Force Base Physical Fitness in Shreveport, LA, requires 40 points. A Silver Certification requires more than 50 points, like the Target Field, the Minnesota Twins new ballpark. Sixty points will get you a Gold Certification like the Frito-Lay Jim Rich Service Center in Rochester, NY and a Platinum Certification, as the Home Depot Smart Home in Durham, NC has, will require you to have at least 80 points. Recently, a new milestone has been reached for the LEED program. The first ever private home has passed LEED Platinum Certification; this 7,500 square foot home is located right in our (Naturally Green Products) backyard in the neighborhood of Snell Isle in St. Petersburg Florida.