The term LEED means:
The leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Green Building Rating System™, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), encourages and accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through the creation and implementation of universally understood and accepted tools and performance criteria. AGL has been utilizing green technology for many years, and in June 2009 Architect Carl E Winnekins was certified as a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP).
Having a LEED AP on staff is highly beneficial in designing and constructing a LEED-certified project, as the process needs to be properly designed and developed in the early planning stages, as well as throughout the entire construction process. A knowledgeable LEED project team is key to the implementation of the LEED process.
LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability and energy efficiency by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings energy efficiency, materials selection and indoors environmental quality. How does it benefit you?
· Long-term cost savings outweigh initial building costs.
· Efficient use of energy.
· Increased use of renewable energy resources.
· Improved conservation of material and resources.
· Better indoor air and environment quality.
· Enhanced occupant comfort and health.
So, what is LEED/Green Building really all about? A green building is a structure that is designed, built, renovated, operated or reused in an environmentally efficient manner, but is designed to meet the benefits above.
Typically, green buildings involve the recycling of new construction and demolition debris. Materials that fall into the recycling category are lumber, drywall, metals, masonry (which includes brick and concrete), carpet, plastic, ceiling tile, pipe, rocks, dirt, paper and cardboard.