Types of LEED Certification

Home

• LEED certification for homes is a way to guarantee a residential building is "green." As of March 2011, residential LEED certification is only available to homes in the United States. Qualifications for certification include adjacent land being developed for at least five years, ample access to community transit, access to open space within walking distance, landscaping with minimal fertilizer or chemical treatments, and a high level of water efficiency as in having a storage tank installed to collect rain water.

  Home LEED certification also takes into account installation of energy-efficient appliances. For residences like group homes or dormitories, building managers must be educated in LEED standards.

Neighborhood Development

• As the population grows, consumption of land continues to grow as well. LEED certification for neighborhoods is the first of its kind to designate "green" neighborhoods across America. Prerequisites include considerations of access to walkable sidewalks as well as being within walking distance of commercial businesses, avoidance of floodplains, proximity to jobs and compact building development. Additionally, residences in the neighborhood should be LEED-compliant, and appliances should be both water and energy efficient.

Commercial Interiors

• LEED certification for commercial interiors is generally for office buildings with a variety of tenants. Both the building and the tenants' offices must be LEED-compliant in order to qualify for certification. When inspecting to qualify for LEED certification, examiners look at water usage, building materials, ventilation and the quality of materials like paints and furniture used.

Certification and Credentials

• LEED certification is available for individuals who wish to be able to grant LEED status on buildings. There are six levels of credentials available: LEED Green Associate, LEED AP BD + C, LEED AP ID + C, LEED AP Homes, LEED AP O + M and LEED AP ND. Some of these certifications include qualifications to judge any building for LEED, while others focus specifically on commercial or residential buildings.