Introduction:
Environmental, Health and Economic Benefits - What exactly is LEED Certification? Why is it important in modern architecture?
Nowadays, more and more factors endanger the environment in our modern social life. Unsustainable infrastructure systems, plastic waste and increased carbon emissions are all responsible for this phenomenon. Recently, however, people have realized the need to protect the environment from harm. As part of this effort, governments are working to reduce carbon emissions from the construction industry. Emission reduction can be achieved by purchasing sustainable products and implementing sustainable construction methods.
With the growing demand for sustainable buildings, LEED certification brings the building industry one step closer to achieving sustainability.
- What is LEED Certification?
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a green building evaluation system. The purpose is to effectively reduce the negative impact on the environment and residents in the design. The purpose is to standardize a complete and accurate concept of green buildings and prevent excessive greening of buildings. LEED was established by the United States Green Building Council and began to be implemented in 2000. It has been listed as a statutory mandatory standard in some states and countries in the United States.
LEED represents the leadership in energy and environmental design. The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) has developed LEED certification. It created LEED to help create more efficient green buildings. Therefore, LEED ensures environmentally friendly buildings. This certification evaluates the design and construction of buildings based on various factors.
The USGBC awards four levels of LEED certification to buildings participating in the program. The number of points buildings receive determines their rank. These levels are:
- LEED certified buildings (40-49 points)
- LEED Silver Building (50-59 points)
- LEED Gold Building (60-79 points)
- LEED Platinum Building (80 points and above)
According to the United States Green Building Council, LEED certification is a globally recognized mark of sustainability achievement.
The value of LEED certification in modern architecture
So, what are the benefits of LEED certification? A large part of the world's population lives, works and studies in LEED certified buildings. The reasons why LEED certification is important in modern architecture include:
environmental benefit
For example, in the United States, buildings account for a large proportion of the nation's energy, water and electricity use. It also accounts for a large part of CO2 emissions (about 40%). However, the LEED project helps new and existing buildings adopt a more sustainable approach. One of the advantages of green building through LEED is water saving.
LEED encourages the use of less water and stormwater management. It also encourages the use of alternative water sources. In this way, the water saving of LEED buildings will increase. Buildings generate nearly half of the global CO2 emissions. Carbon sources in buildings include energy for pumping and treating water. Other sources are waste treatment and fossil fuels for heating and cooling.
LEED helps reduce CO 2 emissions by rewarding net zero emission projects. It also rewards projects that generate positive energy returns. LEED certified buildings also produce less greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions usually come from water, solid waste and transport. Another environmental advantage of LEED certification is that it encourages reduced energy consumption.
The construction industry produces millions of tons of waste every year. LEED encourages waste transfer from landfills. It also rewards sustainable construction waste management and encourages the general circular economy. They earn points when the project recycles, reuses and recycles materials. They also earn points when they use sustainable materials.
Health benefits
Health is the most important concern of many people. Using LEED rating system to build green buildings will help people live and work in a healthy environment. LEED buildings focus on indoor and outdoor human health.
Humans spend about 90% of their time indoors. However, the concentration of indoor pollutants may be two to five times that of outdoor pollutants. The health effects of pollutants found in indoor air are a headache. Other effects are fatigue, heart disease and respiratory diseases.
LEED improves indoor air quality through its rating system. LEED certified residences are designed to provide cleaner and better indoor air. LEED also encourages the development of spaces that receive daylight. These spaces also do not contain irritating chemicals normally present in paint.
In the office building, a healthy indoor environment can improve employee engagement. Such an environment has clean air and sufficient sunlight. Some of the benefits of LEED certified buildings include higher employment and retention rates. In such a healthy space, employees' work efficiency is also higher.
LEED certified buildings can improve outdoor air quality, especially in highly industrialized areas. Therefore, LEED is critical in limiting smoke. It is also essential to make the air of the general population healthier.
economic performance
LEED can help save costs. The use of LED lighting can significantly reduce energy costs. The same is true with more energy-efficient heating and cooling methods. LEED encourages the use of these energy-saving and cost saving methods.
LEED buildings also have low maintenance costs. That is to say, compared with ordinary commercial buildings. The operating cost of green buildings is also low.
LEED certified buildings also enjoy tax incentives and incentives. Many local governments provide these benefits. These benefits include tax credits, fee deductions and subsidies. The building can also enjoy urgent building permits and fee relief.
Some places conduct energy audits. LEED certification allows buildings to be exempted from audit, thus saving project funds. LEED buildings also add value to the property. In addition, these buildings attract tenants. The vacancy rate of green buildings is lower than that of non green buildings.
LEED certification also provides a competitive advantage. Recently, customers have become more environmentally conscious. Most people are willing to pay extra for the goods and services of companies that also care about the environment. More customers mean more revenue.
summarize
LEED is one of the top international projects for sustainable development in architectural design and construction. LEED certification indicates the use of building methods that promote circular economy and are environmentally friendly. Obtaining certification can improve the reputation of contractors and owners.
With the increasing demand for sustainability, LEED certification has become increasingly important. It benefits the construction industry and opens the way for a moral system of sustainable construction. In general, LEED is committed to ensuring that the world is more sustainable and healthy.
Of course, in addition to LEED, the global green building evaluation system also includes: China's Green Building Evaluation Standard GB50378-2014, the British Green Building Evaluation System (BREE-AM), the Japanese Building Comprehensive Environmental Performance Evaluation System (CASBEE), and the French Green Building Evaluation System (HQE). In addition, there are German ecological building guidelines LN B, Australian building environment assessment body N ABERS, and Canadian GB Tools assessment system.
Tianjin Yuantai Derun Steel Pipe Manufacturing Group, as one of the few square and rectangular pipe manufacturers in China that obtained LEED certification in the early stage, mainly sells the following products:
Yuantai Large Diameter Square Steel Pipe
Yuantai seamless square steel pipe
Yuantai medium thick wall rectangular steel pipe
Yuantai thin-walled rectangular steel pipe
Yuantai Brand profiled steel hollow section
Yuantai round straight seam steel pipe
Post time: Jan-04-2023
