Did you know that you can boost your property’s value and reputation by installing living green wall systems? Yes! LEED is a widely recognized system that rewards properties designed using eco-friendly practices.
The U.S. Green Buildings Council (USGBC) awards LEED credits to properties that meet their environmental performance standards. These sustainable practices help improve the property’s value, reputation, and cut down maintenance expenses in the long run! Living walls are one such eco-conscious design feature that can significantly enhance a building’s environmental profile, helping you secure additional LEED credits.
In our previous post on How Many LEED Credits Can Green Walls Secure?, we explored the potential of green wall installations for earning LEED credits. However, many readers have since asked about the application process for these credits as well. In response to your queries, this post offers a deep dive into the application process for LEED credits, including the necessary documentation, steps, and a template to simplify the process for you!
A Step-by-Step Guide to Securing LEED Credits for Your Living Wall
1. Register on the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) website
- Registration: Register your project on the USGBC site through LEED Online and make the necessary payment. USGBC charges an initial registration fee of ~$1,350 and a subsequent certification fee when you submit your documents for review. The certification fee would depend on the specific characteristics of your project, check this link for more details.
- Preparation: Familiarize yourself with LEED Online for the submission of documents in the next steps. Reach out to the USGBC using LEED Interpretations for specific project inquiries or if there are any technical issues.
2. Prepare Your Documentation
- Design Plans and Specifications: Include detailed plans, highlighting how your living wall addresses specific LEED credits like energy optimization.
- Photographic Evidence: Provide high-quality photos of the installation process and the completed wall.
- Performance Data: Include data showing the wall’s impact on energy savings, and indoor air quality. You can collate documents such as energy bills/projections that demonstrate energy savings after the installation of the living wall, audit reports [1] and indoor air quality reports [2] to support your claims. Check the USGBC website for guidance on how to collate this performance data. For example, here is a step-by-step guide on air quality testing for LEED BD+C properties.
- Maintenance Plan: Outline a plan for maintaining the living wall to ensure ongoing benefits. Eco Brooklyn suggests a monthly maintenance schedule for indoor walls, and twice annually for outdoor walls.
3. Maximizing Your LEED Points
- Use Native or Drought-Resistant Plants: These plants contribute to water efficiency credits when paired with water conservation measures like smart irrigation systems and rainwater harvesting.
- Document Everything: Detailed documentation helps streamline the review process. Recommended documentation that can help you support your claims –
- Site Plans and Drawings: Provide information about the project location, boundaries, and design.
- Material Specifications and Declarations: List materials used, focusing on sustainable, recycled, or locally sourced products.
- Indoor Environmental Quality Reports: Document air quality measures and ventilation systems.
- Consult a LEED Professional: They can offer expert feedback on the documents you’ve prepared and can help maximize your points.
4. Submit Your LEED Documentation
Template for Submission:
[Your Company/Name] LEED Submission for [Project Name] Green Wall
- Project Details:
- Project Name: [Insert Project Name]
- Location: [Insert Location]
- LEED Rating System: [Insert Relevant System, e.g., LEED v4 BD+C]
Choose the right LEED v4* rating system that applies to your property. Check our LEED rating systems guide for reference.
- Category Submissions: Choose the categories for which your project is eligible for LEED credits
- Sustainable Sites
- Water Efficiency
- Energy & Atmosphere
- Materials & Resources
- Indoor Environmental Quality
- Innovation in Design
- Living Wall Description:
- Design Overview: [Provide a brief overview, highlighting LEED credits targeted.]
- Environmental Impact: [Detail contributions to energy savings, water efficiency, and indoor environmental quality.]
If you opt for an Eco Brooklyn Living Wall for your project, our team can help you prefill this data for your application, ensuring that you maximize the LEED credits from your eco-friendly living wall! Reach out to our team for more details.
- Supporting Documentation:
- Design Plans and Specifications
- Photographic Evidence
- Performance Data
- Maintenance Plan
- Additional Notes: [Any extra information to support your submission.]
LEED Rating Systems Guide
| LEED v4 BD+C – For new constructions or major renovation projects. At least 60% of the project’s gross floor area must be complete by the time of certification.Subcategories as per property type: i) New Construction and Major Renovation ii) Core and Shell Development iii) Schools iv) Retail v) Data Centers vi) Warehouses and Distribution Centers vii) Hospitality viii) Healthcare ix) Home and multi-family lowrise x) Multi-family midrise LEED v4 ID+C – For complete interior fit-out projects. At least 60% of the project’s gross floor area must be complete by the time of certification Subcategories as per property type: i) Commercial Interiors ii) Retail iii) Hospitality LEED v4 O+M – For buildings that are fully operational and have been occupied for at least one year, with ongoing improvement work or negligible construction work. Subcategories as per property type: i) Existing Buildings ii) Retail iii) Schools iv) Hospitality v) Data Centers vi) Warehouses and Distribution Centers vii) Multifamily LEED v4 ND – New land development projects or redevelopment projects comprising residential units, nonresidential units, or both. Projects may be at any stage of the development process, from planning to construction. Subcategories as per project stage: i) Plan (Ongoing) ii) Built Project (Completed) If you require more information on choosing the correct LEED Rating System, refer to this guide by USGBC.*As of September 2024, the LEED v4 rating system is the current version to be used by applicants. The LEED v5 rating system is expected to come into effect in 2025. For more information on LEED v5, check this link. |
Conclusion
Securing LEED credits for your building may seem like a tedious process, but with the right approach and planning, it can be a rewarding exercise. By following our step-by-step guide, you can make the most of the environmental benefits of your project and seamlessly acquire LEED credits for the same.
For further assistance with setting up a green wall to maximize your LEED credits, contact Eco Brooklyn today!
References
[1] How can you determine a building’s energy use? LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/advice/3/how-can-you-determine-buildings-energy-fuawe
[2] Air quality monitoring for LEED green building certification. Atmotube. https://atmotube.com/blog/air-quality-monitoring-for-leed-green-building-certification.
[3] LEED rating system. U.S. Green Building Council. https://www.usgbc.org/leed