The Next Evolution of LEED

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Many of the changes under LEED v3 were simply updates to codes which had a reference throughout credits and requirements. Previous versions of LEED rating systems referenced ASHRAE standards 90.1-2004 and 62.1-2004. The new rating systems reference ASHRAE standards 90.1-2007 and 62.1-2007.

The addition of regional priority credits is completely new and a welcome change for most buildings trying to achieve LEED certification. For those individuals familiar with the previous LEED rating systems, the regional priority credit section under LEED v3 follows a similar format as the innovation and design section utilized in the previous and current LEED rating systems. The regional priority credits identify existing LEED credits which are of specific interest to the geographic area of the building under construction. They then provide one additional point per credit for those buildings that choose to meet the credits specific to that region. Buildings are effectively receiving two points for the performance of a single credit. ZIP codes define regional priority credits and consist of six credit options per ZIP code. A project can choose to pursue up to four of the six available credit options.

For individuals who have a project that is currently pursuing or considering a LEED certification, there are a few important dates to remember. Projects registered between April 27, 2009, and June 26, 2009, can register under either LEED v2.2 or LEED v3. Projects currently registered under LEED v2.2 can upgrade for free to LEED v3 until Dec. 31, 2009. Projects registered after June 26 will be part of the v3 program.

All future project certification will now go through the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). The USGBC developed the GBCI in 2008 to handle both the certification of buildings under the LEED rating systems as well as the LEED accreditation process for those individuals pursuing professional accreditation. GBCI will follow ISO standards analysis and auditing to provide the LEED rating system with third-party verification.

LEED 2009 brought with it major changes to the LEED accreditation process. More than 85,000 professionals have become accredited professionals under the current program by completing an 80-question test administered by USGBC-approved testing facilities. Any individual who passed the exam became a LEED AP (Accredited Professional). The LEED AP status did not distinguish whether an individual had taken the exam for New Construction, Interior Design or Existing Buildings, nor did the LEED AP label provide any information on the individual's experience working with or administering a LEED certification process.

GBCI goals for the new certification process were to provide relevance, differentiation and specialization to the new accreditations. The new accreditation process takes aim to instill some of these qualities by developing multiple accreditation with tiered requirements and the ability to specialize within the specific rating system. GBCI's new LEED Green Associate program provides professionals with a way to show they have a general understanding of the LEED rating systems and green building concepts. The intent of the Green Associate program is to meet the needs of a broad audience of professionals. These professionals may not be a part of the building's design team but rather support the LEED process through other contributions. Green Associates could include lawyers, teachers, realtors, product manufacturers, wholesalers or anyone else involved in sustainable building. Interested professionals may begin taking the two-hour Green Associates exam starting May 18. To maintain accreditation as a LEED Green Associate, professionals will need to achieve 15 continuing education credits every two years. Credits are obtainable by a variety of activities. These activities may include attending events such as GreenBuild, the USGBC's main educational conference, attending approved green building courses taking place in your local market, participating in a registered LEED project or even participating in your local green building organization.

GBCI will transition the focus of the LEED AP program to represent those individuals who have an advanced understanding of green building design and construction. LEED AP status will focus on individuals who will be leading the design and construction of LEED- certified buildings. Individuals who acquire LEED AP status will be required to specialize in one of the LEED rating systems and will receive a designation which indicates his or her specialization. Like the Green Associates program, LEED AP accreditation requires professionals to maintain their accreditation by participating in LEED projects, educational events and other green building events or activities. LEED APs, however, must earn 30 credits every two years. Unlike the Green Associates program, LEED APs must first show they have experience working on a LEED-registered or -certified project before they may take the LEED AP exam.

The highest level of LEED accreditation is still in the research and development phase at the GBCI. We currently refer to the future accreditation as a LEED AP Fellow and will represent an individual with the highest level of green building knowledge. The title of LEED AP Fellow will most likely be ordained by the USGBC, and GBCI will most likely formalize the LEED AP Fellow title and will award it to people who have contributed significantly to the development of green building techniques.

Demand for green buildings also placed a tremendous burden on the USGBC systems that projects utilized to certify their buildings. GBCI has worked closely with the USGBC to improve and redeploy the LEED Online service. The new, more-robust service will provide LEED professionals with improved efficiency and a more user-friendly interface. The GBCI website will provide more-detailed information regarding the improvements to LEED Online in the coming months.

So what does all this mean to the HVACR wholesaler? LEED and green building have not withered on the vine as a result of lower energy costs or become victims of the current recession, as some had predicted. LEED is here to stay and has become the benchmark in building for everyone from Fortune 500 companies to hospitals and educational facilities. In the future, a building supplier who wants the reputation of being knowledgeable will need better understanding of the LEED rating system. Wholesalers should consider the cost and benefits of having a few of their employees participate in the LEED Green Associate accreditation or even pursue LEED AP status. They should also review the products they supply and how they can contribute to a project's ability to meet LEED certification or even consider expanding their product offering to include products which may grow in demand as a result of the popularity of LEED. Lastly, it is important to understand what paperwork will need to be supplied to support the LEED certification process as well as when it will be needed. Anyone who acquires a better understanding of LEED through the new GBCI accreditation process will easily understand this new information.

Mark Smith drives strategic development for DMI Companies as the business development manager. He has worked closely with contractors and engineers in the commercial and residential HVACR markets for more than 11 years while spearheading the company's marketing efforts. While employed at DMI, Mark has been successful at incorporating green building strategies within the business, having earned DMI the honor of being named the Manufacturer of the Year for the Sustainability category in Pittsburgh. His efforts in developing new products to target the green building market have also helped DMI to receive public funding for product development. Contact him at 724/258-0500 or msmith@dmicompanies.com.