Skip to content

Green Living

LEED Buildings: Good for us and the Environment

by Kirsten E. Silven 02 Oct 2011
LEED Buildings: Good for us and the Environment

LEED is an acronym for Leadership in Energy in Environmental Design, which is a popular certification program that is offered by the U.S. Green Building Council as a tool for those interested in green building. Concerns for the environment impact every aspect of LEED buildings, which are designed to reduce the energy that is consumed and lowering the carbon footprint of the structure.

Entities or individuals interested in green building techniques are encouraged to use the resources provided by the certification program as a starting point in the effort to construct more sustainable buildings.

Here's how it works: There are up to 100 potential base points that can be awarded, in addition to six points for Innovation in Design and four points for Regional Priority awards. LEED buildings can currently qualify for up to four levels of certification that span from between Certified structures at 40-49 points, all the way to Platinum, which includes structures that receive 80 points or more. For further information, you can also visit the U.S. Green Building Council online.

LEED buildings are constructed to be highly energy efficient, using an innovative chilled water system that pumps cool water through the building and employing as much natural lighting as possible.

This also produces a more cheerful environment and has been shown in studies to improve the performance of employees in office buildings. In addition, LEED certified structures utilize recycled materials whenever possible, including the use of recycled glass and metal components that are integrated into the look and feel of the interior design.

Employees are also more able to customize the temperature of their immediate areas via the installment of innovative new floor vents, which is another benefit for workers in LEED office buildings.

Designers are always trying to improve upon the latest Eco-friendly innovations and LEED certification challenges even the most inventive of minds to work hard and create new scenarios that will have a positive impact upon building performance.

These innovations will continue to revolutionize the way we use energy, ventilate buildings of various sizes and provide light, creating structures that are increasingly good for us – and for the environment.

Top Image: © Jeff Whyte Photography

href="../../../environment/eco-friendly/index.html">Eco-Friendly

Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armpits. Height: Your natural height If you fall between...
£18.00
£18.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me