{"id":83315,"date":"2023-05-05T12:02:58","date_gmt":"2023-05-05T19:02:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=83315"},"modified":"2023-05-19T12:08:03","modified_gmt":"2023-05-19T19:08:03","slug":"what-is-leed-certification","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/what-is-leed-certification\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is LEED Certification? LEED Benefits for Homeowners"},"content":{"rendered":"

Green building is no longer just a trend; it’s a movement that’s gaining momentum every day. With climate change on everyone’s mind, people are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint<\/a> and leave a better planet for future generations. That’s where green building comes in. Builders, investors, and homeowners alike are <\/span>jumping on the sustainability train<\/span><\/a>, eager to make a difference.<\/span><\/p>\n

One way to show that a building or development is committed to sustainability and equity is by getting it certified by a 3rd-party. The largest 3rd-party certification program in the world is LEED, with <\/span>over 100,000 certified<\/span><\/a> projects worldwide. From residential units to towering skyscrapers, LEED-certified buildings are often considered the gold-standard in sustainability. <\/span><\/p>\n

But have you ever wondered if your home can be LEED-certified? If so, you\u2019re in luck. Green building certification applies to any type of building, including houses. So w<\/span>hether you\u2019re a <\/span>homeowner in Duluth, MN<\/span><\/a>, looking to live more sustainably, or a <\/span>renter in Wilmington, NC<\/span><\/a>, who wants to learn more, this Redfin guide is for you. We\u2019ll go into the basics of the LEED certification program, the projects it covers, and how to get your home LEED certified.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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What is LEED certification?<\/span><\/h2>\n

LEED certification<\/span><\/a> is a globally recognized rating system for sustainable, equitable, and environmentally friendly buildings. The acronym LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. It was created by the <\/span>United States Green Building Council<\/span><\/a> (USGBC) in 1998 to encourage and recognize sustainable building practices. Since its founding, LEED has been through many different iterations and reached every corner of the world, culminating in the current version, v4.1.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The LEED certification process evaluates various aspects of a building\u2019s design, construction, and operation, such as energy efficiency, water conservation, use of sustainable materials, and indoor environmental quality. Based on the evaluation, a building is awarded points that determine its LEED certification level.<\/span><\/p>\n

Certification levels<\/span><\/h3>\n

A project must reach certain point milestones to achieve LEED certification. These are:<\/span><\/p>\n