x24,Top3,TopLeft,x25,x12
emeril with chefs
a discovery company

LEED Accredited Professionals

Natalie Cook

By Natalie Cook
New York, NY, USA | Fri Jun 06, 2008 01:00 PM ET

leed


Stockbyte /Getty Images

p>Joe, 26 is an engineer and his wife, Jessica, 28, is an architect. Both are LEED accredited professionals who work on sustainable projects, including their own home, as shown on Greenovate. What exactly does LEED mean and what does becoming a LEED accredited professional entail?

Leadership for Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) was formally developed by the U.S. Green Building Council in 1998. The organization not only created a standard for green building development, but also for housing and real estate professionals. Authorities who receive LEED accreditations have a higher level of knowledge as it relates to environmentally sound design and construction practices. However, the process is not just limited to those who participate in the design phase. Lending officers, real estate agents and government officials can also become LEED certified. Though accredited professionals may perform very different tasks, their knowledge of sustainability is critical to the continued growth of eco-conscious construction.

While LEED accreditation for professionals is great, ultimately it's what they do with the information that makes the difference. Constructing buildings that are LEED certified is the ultimate goal. These structures receive building ratings based on their energy efficiency, use of sustainable materials and limited construction site waste. LEED accredited professionals bring their intimate knowledge of environmental impacts to the process and can guide homeowners, corporations or local municipalities in the design and implementation of eco-efficient development.

Becoming a LEED accredited professional may not be in the cards for you, but there are ways you can do a quick check of your home's sustainability level. Here are five points you can examine in just five minutes. Each item listed can decrease air pollution and increase air quality inside your home.

  1. Do you have exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens?
  2. Do you have a humidity control system?
  3. Do you have ventilators for fireplaces and stoves?
  4. Is your attached garage properly sealed with weather stripping?
  5. Do you have air filters or purifiers located in key places around the home?
 
  • email
  • digg
  • share
  • print
helpful article? vote for it
{ }
close window

CLOSE X

 

comments on this article

view all post a comment

 
 
 
 
 
facebook twitter rss
 
TV Module
 
Reel Impact
 
Less is More Thanksgiving
 
Green Materials Guide
 
Take a Quiz. Enter Our Sweepstakes!
 

tv schedule

view all

On Now

On Tonight

 
 

today on planet green

view all

Votes

recent
discussed

Seriously Delicious Vegan Dumplings
POSTED  33 MINUTES AGO.  COMMENTS

{ }

Emeril Green Episode: Liquid Gold
POSTED  15 HOURS AGO.  COMMENTS

{ }

Fee Fie Foe Unplug, Are You as Green as an Englishman?
POSTED  15 HOURS AGO.  COMMENTS

{ }

Big River Man Racks Up Awards On and Off Screen
POSTED  15 HOURS AGO.  COMMENTS

{ }

Planet 100 - Copenhagen, Polar Bear Robots and Gore's Plan B
POSTED  16 HOURS AGO.  COMMENTS

{ }

Renovation Nation FAQ
POSTED  7 May 2009. 18 COMMENTS.

{170}

Ask Steve Thomas Anything (About Your Home)
POSTED  9 Feb 2009. 21 COMMENTS.

{390}

Emeril Green FAQ
POSTED  17 Dec 2008. 19 COMMENTS.

{311}

How to Go Green: Weddings
POSTED  9 May 2009. 9 COMMENTS.

{477}

Be Like Bono With Playback Recycled Concert Wear
POSTED  4 Nov 2009. 2 COMMENTS.

{20}

 

Ads by Google