Green Campus Building Services - LEED for Existing Buildings, v2.0*
*Please note: the USGBC has recently released an updated version of LEED for Existing Buildings, version 2008. The GCBS will post relevant changes when available.
The LEED Rating System and the US Green Building Council
The US Green Building Council has developed a number of LEED programs, aimed at shifting the building industry toward green practices. The suite of LEED Programs include:
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The success of LEED for New Construction has been phenomenal over the past 5 years, with over 9,000 registered LEED buildings in the country. The focus on new construction has helped to redefine the process of design and construction, placing efficiency and environmental concerns as a high priority. New construction, however, represents only a fraction of the total stock of buildings; the vast majority of existing buildings have antiquated HVAC systems that perform less than optimal. With this in mind, the USGBC created LEED for Existing Buildings.
How it works
Similar to LEED for New Construction, LEED EB is a point-based rating system, which rates a building's performance and encourages best practices in operations and maintenance. All points are divided into the following categories: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Indoor Environmental Quality, Materials and Resources, and Innovations in Upgrades and Maintenance. There are a number of pre-requisites for each category which must be met. Up to 85 points are awarded for achieving credits. Click here for the LEED EB v2.0 Checklist.
LEED EB Consulting: Green Campus Building Services
The Harvard Green Campus Initiative has delivered green building consulting services to more than twenty LEED for New Construction projects throughout the University. To support this service, HGCI maintains a repository of all LEED-related documentation, specifications, materials, contracts, and successful processes. Each successful project builds on previous knowledge, positioning Harvard at the forefront of sustainability. Transferring LEED-NC successes to Existing Buildings will enable the Green Campus Building Services to lead any Harvard building toward successful LEED-EB certification.
Process Orientation
To encourage best practices in operations and maintenance at Harvard University, the Green Campus Building Services is available to conduct a preliminary evaluation of LEED EB at any building on campus. This orientation will introduce facility managers and property operators to LEED EB, while focusing on the pre-requisites for certification. We will use this opportunity to assess the feasibility of LEED for Existing Buildings and develop partnerships between the Green Campus Initiative and your facility.