Now that the green movement is changing the way we build and live, there is a new word that has been coined, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), to promote better design and construction.

There are a number of ways LEED can help you incorporate green design in your next home renovation or building project.

The built environment has a profound impact on our natural surroundings, our economy, even on our health and productivity. With all of these factors in mind, the United States Green Building Council developed LEED as the standard for green building.

Achieving LEED certification is the best way to demonstrate that a project is being designed with sustainability as a paramount. A LEED-certified building must meet a minimum amount of environmentally friendly criteria. There are four levels of project certification: Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

State and local governments are adopting LEED requirements for many publicly-owned or publicly-funded buildings. On March 8, 2007, Washington, DC passed the Green Building Act of 2006 that states that there will be mandatory green building standards enforced for private construction projects larger then 50,000 sq. ft. in DC by 2012.

Certification for the last few years has been limited to projects that are commercial new construction and major renovation projects (LEED-NC). LEED has also developed additional rating systems for Schools, Retail, and Healthcare; Existing Buildings (LEED-EB); Core and Shell (LEED-CS); Commercial Interiors (LEED-CI); Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND); a rating system for Homes (LEED-H) was just released this month. See www.usgbc.org for more information about each rating system.

Who can become a LEED accredited professional?

Many building professionals are becoming LEED accredited, which allows them to oversee LEED projects. LEED certification is not limited to Architects and Engineers. Building Owners, Real Estate professionals, Facility Managers, Interior Designers, Landscape Architects, Construction Managers, Lenders and Government Officials can all become certified.

How can this be used by town residents?

The New Construction LEED rating system is divided into 6 categories: Sustainable Sites; Water Efficiency; Energy and Atmosphere; Materials and Resources; Indoor Environmental Quality; and Innovation and Design Process.

There are many ways to obtain LEED credits that will help you make your home or your next building project a "little bit greener." They include:

•Choose a sustainable site that will make the Construction and Development less disturbing to the land.
•Use water more efficiently to help- reduce the water emergency that we have created.
• Reduce the amount of energy your building uses.
•Use windows that are at least double paned glass, gas filled or specially coated.
•Buy Energy Star products such as household appliances, heating and cooling equipment, home electronics, lighting, and office equipment. By using Energy Star products you can save up to 30% on your energy consumption a year.
•Use compact fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs. They use about 75% less energy and last up to 10 times longer.
•Supply part of the building's energy from an on-site renewable energy source such as a wind turbine or solar panel.
•If supplying your own energy isn't possible, consider investing in some sort of renewable/ green power. Go to www.green-e.org for guidance.

Materials & Resources: Just the materials that you build with can make a big impact.

Buy materials from a supplier that is less than 500 miles away or buy materials that were made/extracted/harvested within 500 miles of the area.

Use materials that are rapidly renewable such as bamboo flooring, wool or recycled content carpet, cotton batt insulation, etc.

Consider using salvaged or refurbished materials such as furniture, wood flooring, etc.

Try to salvage or recycle at least 50% of your construction waste.

Develop a recycling program for the house/building. Recycle glass, plastic, cardboard, paper and metal at a minimum.

Indoor Environmental Quality: Reducing chemicals and increasing daylight and fresh air can increase the quality of life inside of a building.

Monitor CO2.

Prohibit tobacco smoke indoors.

Use low VOC (Volatile organic compounds) products. VOCs are emitted as gases from certain paints, sealers, carpets and woods.

Orient the building to maximize daylight and views and to minimize heat gain.

Innovation & Design: A little originality can earn a building extra points when trying to obtain a LEED rating.

Have a LEED accredited professional on the project team or contact one for advice.

Think creatively and continue striving to make the building and the land around you cleaner and greener.

Check out www.usgbc.org for more information.