In a nutshell, LEED is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.  It is changing the way we plan our construction process.  But is LEED better in the long run?  With the advent of the internet, society is becoming more and more conscious of their environment.  We have the ability to make our carbon footprint a little less prominent for future generations.

HOW DOES LEED WORK?

LEED is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. It can be utilized for any building type at any stage.  Whether you want to change out your windows and door to make your office more energy efficient or if you want to make your building green from the ground up.  Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USBGC), LEED provides a framework for identifying and implementing a measurable guideline for green construction.

IS IT COST BENEFICIAL TO BUILD “GREEN”?

Depending on the contractor, your building, and many other factors, a LEED certified building might not be the answer to your question.  Overall, the idea is to save energy over time by making sure air, electricity, and so on does not have to work hard in your home or office.  Some simple examples might include installing “green” windows to avoid cool air from being released quickly to the outside, helping your air conditioner not work as hard thus conserving energy.

A general contractor like Birchmier Construction, Inc. can answer the questions on whether it is cost efficient to build green.  There has been some controversy that LEED certification is a marketing ploy.  Those critiquing the process have complained there are too many loopholes to merit serious consideration.  LEED certification is a costly process.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS FOR “GREEN” BUILDINGS?

Studies show that green buildings do have a positive health effect on those who work in LEED-certified offices.  The EPA estimates that indoor air pollution is much worse than outdoor air quality.  Also, green buildings have a higher market value.  Due to their sustainable design components, they are more appealing to buyers.

Whether you want to jump on the green trend or have any questions, the staff at Birchmier Construction are more than happy to answer your query.  It might turn out you would be better off without the bells and whistles.  With all of the advances in technology, building smart is more beneficial than building with a fancy certification.