The Skinny On Sustainable Building Certifications

Becoming “Green Certified” both eases a building owner’s conscience and makes a sounder financial investment than following basic building codes. One can trust that the building they live, work in, or control makes a positive impact on the environment. Green certified buildings also sell for greater prices and cost less to run. But how does one get a building certified?
Several organizations exist to provide structure and symmetry to sustainability efforts. They survey the materials used in planning, building, and remodeling a structure and give a fair and accurate account of that building’s environmental footprint. These organizations look at water usage, energy consumption, waste management, indoor air quality, the use of recycled materials, and more.
In the United States, LEED certification is the most well known. They award four certifications, ranging from “certified” to “platinum”. Someone can pay to have one building certified, such as their home, or become a member to receive lower certification costs if they have a continuing need for the service.
Some people choose to enter the Living Building Challenge, which also provides a structure-giving label. It is aptly named, because the challenge is to construct a building that rates at net zero waste, net zero energy, and net zero water. To achieve this rating, a building must gather its resources without relying on “the grid” and make completely efficient use of its resources. They also look into whether occupants of the building will have access to fresh air and sunlight and whether the site offers sufficient access to sustainable travel options.
The IgCC, International Green Construction Code, is a newly conceived function of the International Code Council. They regulate building codes all over the globe, and now they have a new code specifically designed to ensure that all stages of a building’s construction, including the site, meet recognized guidelines. It builds on existing international building codes and utilizes already established investigative techniques to look into energy efficiency, water efficiency, materials, emissions, and the indoor environment.
Of course, other items such as appliances, plumbing fixtures, lighting, and windows determine the success of a building’s sustainability efforts. These items undergo their own certifications and add or subtract points from certifications earned from organizations such as Leed. Most of us know the name EnergyStar. It appears on more and more appliances all of the time and promises that the individual product makes efficient use of the energy being pumped into it. EPA’s WaterSense does the same thing with toilets, showerheads, and more.
Sustainable building certifications exist to give consumers a chance to make sound, sustainable decisions about what they buy and what they build. Doubtless, just reading in depth on certification codes will be an eye-opening experience about new ways to build a more sustainable future.