Advantages and disadvantages of LEED certification

LEED is the gold standard for rating green building systems developed by the United States Green Building Council. It was created to encourage local and private construction companies to be more vigilant and more sustainable in their projects with architects and engineers to protect the environment from the negative effects of the construction industry. LEED certification has some advantages and disadvantages. Such as-

Advantages of LEED certification

Economic advantages

i. Approximately 61% of corporate leaders believe that sustainability improves market disparity and financial performance.

ii. Leed-certified buildings order the highest rents, while lease-up rates typically average 20% above average; the vacancy rate for green buildings is approximately 4% lower than for non-green properties.

iii. It is the world’s leading green building project and performance management system. It provides a comprehensive framework for green building design, construction, operation, and performance.

iv. It helps investors prioritize construction skills, reduce operating costs, increase asset value and implement management practices to ensure productivity, comfort, health, and well-being for residents.

v. Cost-Effectiveness of leed-

-in energy savings of $1.2 billion

-in water savings of $149.5 million

-in maintenance savings of $715.3 million

-in waste savings of $54.2 million

Health advantages

i. LEED-certified location employers report higher recruitment and retention rates and increased employee productivity.

ii. It creates clean air, access to daylight, and a healthy space free from harmful chemicals found in paints and finishes.

iii. Improving indoor air quality can reduce working hours affected by absence and asthma, respiratory allergies, depression, and stress and lead to improved productivity.

iv. It makes a critical tool in reducing smog, energy-efficient buildings help reduce pollution and improve outdoor air quality in major industrialized areas.

Environmental advantages

i. Expected water storage from LEED commercial buildings is more than 7% of all non-residential water use.

ii. Nearly 4 billion vehicle miles of travel have been avoided by LEED building occupants, thanks to the efficient location and alternative transportation options.

iii. By 2030, LEED projects will remove more than 540 million tons of waste from landfills.

Disadvantages of LEED certification

i. Extremely expensive

Getting LEED certification is not easy that requires a single amount of money which can put you in a significant financial crisis. Registration costs range from 750 to 3750. Moreover, the cost of the certification fee and other things are different.

ii. Cheating the system

Many companies forget the real purpose behind LEED certification. LEED is sometimes considered by many companies as a status symbol rather than a desire to be green in the interests of the world.

iii. Demands Time and Energy

LEED certification may seem like a smooth-shipping process, but it involves a lot of intelligence and hard work. Getting a certificate is as daunting as it gets.

iv. Innovation Points

Typically, 4 bonus points are awarded by LEED for innovative designs. This means that if you can't create the most sophisticated sustainable design, you will definitely lose those points. For small and medium-sized companies, it is difficult for innovative architects to raise large sums of money.

v. Bottom Line

LEED certification requires a great deal of intelligence. Since this is a promise, you need to think before proceeding with the idea. It can make a huge difference for you.

vi. Many variables overlooked

LEED is not a performance tool; it is a design tool. All LEED buildings must report their annual energy and water usage. However, there is no way to determine if they are actually trying to save energy.