LEED Accredited Professional

What is LEED?
The Leadership in Energy Efficient Design Green Building Rating System was designed to raise the bar for sustainable design and construction. LEED certification requires meeting stringent standards and performance criteria in 5 design categories: energy efficiency, water conservation, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality and site design. It rewards an integrated, whole-building approach to design and discourages the ad-hoc adoption of individual technologies and the latest environmental gadgets. LEED creates measurable and recognizable benchmarks: LEED "Platinum", "Gold", "Silver" and "Certified" and backs them up with 3rd party verification. Meaningful and measurable, the LEED label is a refreshing and useful change from vague, exaggerated and increasingly fashionable claims of "greenwashing".

Does LEED apply only to homes or to other buildings too?
LEED standards have been tailored to a range of building types: LEED-NC for New Construction, LEED-CI for Commercial Interiors, LEED-EB for Existing Buildings, LEED-H for Homes and LEED-ND for Neighbourhood Developments.

What does LEEDap mean?
The LEEDap qualification identifies a professional who has tested knowledge of sustainable and energy efficient design as well as LEED codes and procedures.

Is Anne Stevens a LEED-Accredited Professional?
Yes, Anne Stevens is a LEEDap.

What are the benefits of a LEED building?
LEED rewards buildings with good daylighting, a high level of occupant control of heating, cooling and lighting, low off-gas materials and dust control measures. Therefore, business owners and their employees benefit from increased occupant and employee comfort, health and productivity. Studies prove that operating costs far exceed initial construction costs in the long run. Owners and tenants benefit because LEED buildings are built for energy efficiency, water conservation, low utility bills and durability, all of which reduce operating costs. Third-party verified benchmarks make property more attractive to prospective tenants and purchasers and increase property marketability. Homeowners benefit from snug homes, right-sized not oversized heating equipment, low utility costs, durable buildings and healthy indoor environments. LEED rewards sites with native plants, shaded outdoor spaces, green roofs, reduced heat-island effect, low light pollution and transportation options other than gas-fueled cars – all of which make improved neighbourhoods.