Meyer Najem is committed to sustainable construction practices. We have many accredited professionals and have built several LEED Certified projects. So why is that important?
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a third-party verification system for green buildings developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). LEED certification helps to identify how environmentally friendly and sustainable a building really is, taking into account metrics such as:
- Water Efficiency
- Energy Efficiency
- CO2 Emissions Reductions
- Indoor Environmental Quality
These areas and more address sustainability issues that LEED scores. The total number of points that a project receives translates to one of four LEED certification rating levels. These levels are Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
Image Credit: leed.usgbc.org
The following are just a few of the reasons why obtaining LEED certification is important:
Cost Savings: Improving things such as energy efficiency and water efficiency greatly reduce the monthly utility bills, as LEED- certified buildings cost less to operate. Energy and water bills can be reduced by as much as 40%
Advantages for Building Owners: Studies show that buildings that employ LEED have higher occupancy rates, lower tenant turn-over, and lease more quickly and for more dollars per square foot than non LEED-certified buildings. There are also incentives like tax rebates and utility programs available to many LEED-certified buildings.
Creating a healthier environment: LEED saves energy, water and other resources, reducing the overall environmental impact. Additionally, buildings that are built and operated in environmentally-friendly ways often contain less unhealthy indoor environments that can cause absenteeism and decreased productivity for employees. The bottom line is, the healthier your indoor environment is, the more comfortable it will be.