Is LEED Green Certification a Good Investment for My Business?
Wondering what LEED certification is, what are its requirements & why it matters? In the race to achieve environmental sustainability, green cleaning has become an important factor in reducing a business's ecological footprint. As a result, quality control programs such as LEED certification have been developed to address climate change & create healthier spaces. But what is it?
This internationally recognized mark of excellence indicates a commitment to sustainable building practices. To be LEED certified, it requires meeting rigorous standards on energy efficiency, water conservation & indoor air quality.
However, LEED certification benefits businesses by providing a framework to create environmentally friendly, sustainable buildings. This can also help businesses improve brand image & increase customer loyalty. In the long run, it can lead to cost savings by reducing energy consumption & water use.
In addition, LEED-certified buildings often have higher rental rates & resale values. Pursuing LEED certification can be a wise investment for any company that cares about sustainability.
Here’s all that you need to know.
What Is LEED Certification?
LEED certification is a designation given to buildings that meet certain energy efficiency & sustainability standards. It is a third-party certification system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to evaluate the environmental performance of buildings & promote sustainable design.
LEED certification requirements begin with a building must first register with the USGBC. Once registered, the building is evaluated against water efficiency, energy use, materials & resources, indoor environmental quality & emissions. Every four years, there is a recertification process to ensure that buildings continue to meet LEED standards.
LEED-certified buildings are not only more efficient & sustainable, but they also tend to be more valuable & attractive to tenants. Over the years, LEED certification has become increasingly popular, with more than 1 billion square feet of space certified worldwide. Also, the USGBC offers various LEED building rating systems for different types of buildings, including homes, schools & hospitals.
There are four levels of LEED certification requirements that a business must meet in order to obtain certification:
- Certified
- Silver
- Gold
- Platinum
What are the LEED Certification Requirements?
A building is evaluated against criteria such as water efficiency, energy use, materials & resources, indoor environmental quality & emissions to receive LEED certification. The LEED rating system is based on a certain number of points earned in each category. Each of the LEED certification levels is dependent on a certain number of these points.
The requirements are listed below.
Water Efficiency
Water efficiency is all about using less water. This can be achieved through things like low-flow fixtures & rainwater harvesting. Also, a green building design should reduce stormwater runoff & mitigate wastage.
Sustainable Site for LEED Certification
Sustainable sites require that a LEED-certified building is located in an area that is not susceptible to flooding or other environmental damage. It also includes everything from site selection & light pollution to landscaping.
Energy & Atmosphere
To earn credit in this category, a building must use at least 30% less energy than a similar non-LEED-certified building. A facility must have energy-efficient lighting & HVAC systems that provide a sustainable & clean atmosphere.
Materials & Resources
Materials & resources focus on the life cycle of materials used in building construction. To earn credit in this category, materials must be recycled or sourced from sustainable forests. Also, a green building should practice proper utilization of resources within its location.
Indoor Environmental Quality
The indoor environmental quality looks at factors like air quality & acoustics. To ensure good indoor air quality, buildings must use low-emitting paints, adhesives, carpets & sealants. More equipment can be used to improve the quality of the indoor environment in buildings.
How Does Pritchard Help?
Pritchard can help buildings to meet these requirements through a LEED green life cycle approach to commercial cleaning. Your LEED-certified buildings are cleaned with eco-friendly products & techniques that improve indoor air quality while reducing environmental impact.
Why is LEED Certification Important?
LEED certification is fundamental to green building & construction. In addition, it is a key factor in today's marketplace, with an increasing number of businesses, organizations & individuals looking for ways to reduce their environmental footprint.
For Business
Sustainable buildings are becoming increasingly popular & LEED certification helps to show that a building is sustainable. This, in turn, can help to attract tenants & command higher lease rates on the given market.
In addition, for most businesses, the cost of running a green building is significantly lower than that of running a non-green building, making LEED-certified buildings more attractive investments. Also, they are more likely to improve the facility's image & status, which leads to further business opportunities.
For Employees
Green buildings provide employees with a healthier indoor environment, increasing productivity. LEED-certified facilities offer enough space & environment for workers to take breaks, stay focused & be comfortable.
Among employees, green buildings can be helpful as they provide a good working environment with less organic compound emissions in the indoor air & reduced noise levels. More so, green buildings promote employee morale & retention as these buildings show that their employer is committed to providing them with a healthy & sustainable workplace.
For the Environment
LEED-certified buildings use less energy, water & other resources, making them less environmentally harmful. With such eco-friendly construction, businesses & organizations can play a role in mitigating the effects of climate change.
Also, these buildings have a smaller carbon footprint & generate less waste. As everyone strives to protect the environment, green buildings preserve nature & help improve the quality of life for current & future generations.
LEED certification is essential for businesses because it demonstrates a commitment to sustainability. Customers &ggg clients are increasingly interested in doing business with companies that positively impact the fenvironment & LEED certification is a way to show that your business is committed to green practices.
In addition, LEED-certified buildings use less energy & water, saving businesses money on utility bills. Pritchard, with its green cleaning commitment, is a partner in the LEED certification process & we can help your business navigate the process & obtain certification. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you get LEED certified & be part of the process.