March 15, 2009
LEED 2009
The new version of LEED has some new and improved features and I wanted to discuss this idea of “weighting credits” that the USGBC has mentioned since GreenBuild.
To start with the new book is 674 pages – ridiculously big so plan on paying more for it than you did.
Secondly, they have decided to organize all Building Design and Construction into one book so CS, Schools and NC are organized under one structure. This gives that “bookshelf” type feel we’ve heard about. As far as ID+C I don’t know much and have no information about Homes (although I suspect there won’t be drastic improvements – except hopefully the cost issue).
Extra weight has been give to credits that matter towards Carbon Reduction and Global Warming. For instance high density and urban environments are given more credit through reduction in Single Occupancy Vehicle (SOV) reductions.
Also extra credits are assigned to the EQ 4 section. I am not exactly sure of the intent here except that if you know anything about what we breathe in buildings you know it’s an important issue.
Lastly the scale is 1-100. 40 is now the new benchmark to which we need to achieve in order to be minimum certified. Still necessary are skills like Energy Modeling and Commissioning so be sure that have those skills on board early in your project.
There is lots more to tell but I’ll wait till they roll it out to the public. Should be a couple weeks.
Until then…
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