The LEED AP Certification process

August 10th, 2010 by No comments »

The United States Green building Council started the Leadership in Energy and Environment Design or LEED in 1988 for setting new standards of construction and building activity. It was started as a means to lay down new guidelines for maintaining the safety norms as well as the environmental viability of projects in the United States. LEED is an independent entity which is involved in the evaluation of building performance and rating it according to established LEED standards. For builders seeking a LEED Certification, they have to meet the green building standards of LEED.

Today you will find the LEED standards applied to thousands of buildings across the United States. LEED is no longer an American company. It has become a truly global player with branches in more than thirty countries across the world. The LEED Certification has become a very coveted award for many builders and construction professionals the world over. By providing third party support in the verification of buildings and construction, LEED offers solutions that are environmentally viable and at the same time cost effective for the home owner as well as the builder. The main objective of LEED is to observe and monitor the performance of a building in terms of its energy consumption, water conservation, carbon emissions and energy savings.

If you are an individual seeking opportunities to become a LEED AP professional, enroll yourself into a reputed training institute where the LEED certification is offered at three levels. In the first level you will become a certified LEED Green Associate. Once you clear this you will have to undergo the LEED AP certification exam and clear it in order to get your LEED AP certification. Of course, this is not the end. You can continue your LEED education and apply for the final level and become a LEED Fellow.

LEED Certification- Making living healthier

July 26th, 2010 by No comments »

All the concepts of green building and green living started flourishing with LEED certification, a professional qualification for making our life healthier. Today with rise of LEED certified buildings we are getting certification for healthy living. To get LEED certification one has to follow certain criteria to earn credits and certification. As the demand of green building professionals is increasing, numbers of people are seeking for LEED certification but considering the value attached with certification it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea for one need to develop the skills taught in the program to get this certification.

The probability of getting certification depends on one’s ability to inculcate the skills taught in the course. LEED would lose the trust of people on letting out professionals who are not well equipped in the green building mechanisms and therefore it never compromises on the strict codes to gain certification. LEED certification is not just a printed document on successful completion of course rather it stands as a testimony to the skills inculcated in a person through LEEDs.

Today there are many successful professionals in Nashville who are aspiring to gain Nashville LEED certification as this certification stuffs in them, world class green building concepts and ways to save energy. Furthermore this will help them in serving the people of Nashville through the knowledge gained.

For instance if you are a building contractor in Nashville and don’t have enough time to pursue this course and your free time are odd hours, you can easily enroll for online mode as per your convenience and grab all the necessary facts that develops you at your professional front. Hence being a resident of Nashville and having acquired Nashville LEED certification, you take your career and the residents of your area a new high with LEED certification.

LEED AP defines the route of green home and green living

July 17th, 2010 by No comments »

A LEED AP can make our living healthier as well as cost effective making our homes built on green building concepts. The work of a LEED AP is for the betterment of society and environment. The green building concepts have gained popularity because of LEED AP’s. Besides building built upon these concepts are safer following the norms of building code and provide much healthier environment in comparison to other buildings. Hence more and more people are seeking the assistance of LEED AP as they are skilled in all green building practices.

There is a huge difference that people have felt in their life after getting to live in a home built in through assistance of a LEED AP than a conventional home. The popularity of green building concepts is spreading far and wide considering the huge benefits attached to it and it is a LEED accredited professional who is responsible for spreading of all such concepts through his work.

A LEED AP plays a major role in spreading the green building concepts that promotes healthy and economic living which is the want of all. Today in every mega event across the world the message about energy conservation is being spread all over the world but it is a LEED AP who helps you in implementing all green energy concepts in our life.

A LEED AP has successfully cut down the electricity bills in many areas, like a Boston LEED AP has made many people in Boston economic with the implementation of green energy concepts at their homes. Moreover being accredited by LEEDs a Boston LEED AP has an edge in gaining the trust of people as people are aware of brilliant concepts and techniques of LEEDs that are healthy and environmental friendly.

Begin your LEED career with the LEED Green Associate program

July 11th, 2010 by No comments »

LEED is one of the leading green building rating agencies in the world. Considered to be the best in the rating business, LEED provides third party verification of building performance and at the same time offer innovative solutions to develop and create cleaner and greener buildings. When it was started in 1988 by the USGBC or the United States Green Building Council, LEED was assigned the task of laying down new standards for the building and construction industry. Initially, LEED had its offices only in the US. However, it soon expanded its operations to more than thirty countries spread through out the world.

The construction standards laid down by LEED has been widely acclaimed by the building and construction community the world over. LEED was started with an intention to encourage builders and construction contractors to come up with new ideas and thoughts for developing and creating green buildings. By focusing on energy consumption, water conservation, co2 emissions and the quality of internal air circulation of a building or project, LEED provides valuable inputs for builders and contractors for maintaining environment friendly buildings.

The LEED certification is provided to individuals and building professionals. Individuals aspiring to become LEED certified professionals must undergo three levels of training and certification process. The process starts with the LEED Green Associate program. As a beginner this is the first step to becoming a LEED professional. As a candidate you will have to successfully complete the training program and clear the LEED GA Exam for you to get certified. You will also have to appear for a specialization exam along with the main LEED GA Exam. The candidate has the option of choosing from any of the following courses. He can opt for Operations & Maintenance, Neighborhood Development, Building & Construction, Interior Design and LEED AP Homes. You are required to clear one of these specialization exams along with the main exam to become a certified LEED Green Associate.

Become a green building professional with Dallas LEED Certification program

July 3rd, 2010 by No comments »

LEED is one of the world’s leading green building rating agencies for the building industry. LEED provides third party verification of construction and building projects spread across the world. It also comes up with innovative ideas and thoughts for developing and constructing green buildings. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environment Design and it was started by the United States Green Building Council for establishing new standards in the building and construction industry. Initially, LEED was operating only within the United States but such was its popularity that very soon it had to spread its wings and establish itself in over thirty countries spread all over the world. One of the reasons for this expansion has been its widely acclaimed standards for construction. LEED makes no compromises on this count and encourages the builders and construction professionals to come out with cleaner and greener building initiatives.

The Dallas LEED Certification program was started to help builders develop new green building technologies that are commercially as well as environmentally viable for people to live in. This meant checking up the energy consumption of the building and its water conservation measures. Further, it also meant checking the quality of internal air circulation and find out what suitable steps have been taken to reduce carbon emissions. Based on these parameters, LEED introduced a green rating system and issued a LEED Certification.

The Dallas LEED Certification is given to both builders as well individuals aspiring to become building professionals. For those who want to become professionals the certification process is provided at three levels. The first level starts with the LEED Green Associate Exam followed by the LEED AP and the LEED Fellow program. Enroll yourself for the LEED certification program and become an expert green building professional.

LEED Exam Prep for successful LEED AP and Green Associate

June 9th, 2010 by No comments »

successFor any candidate to be successful in the examination, he or she needs to follow the LEED Exam Prep. The credentials for becoming a successful LEED AP or a Green Associate start with this preparation. It has everything to do with LEED and its rating systems.

The examination is very comprehensive and will prepare you for your role once you qualify in the exam. The course structure itself is widespread with case studies and rating systems.

A candidate should possess knowledge in detail and should be able to thoroughly go through the material that is provided by the Green Building Certification Institute.

This institute provides you robust study material and preparation material. The study and reference guides are available online.

There is a considerable amount of study guides that are available so that all the topics of LEED are covered in the LEED Exam Prep.

You would also undergo workshops which will be led by the LEED faculty or experts who are proficient in LEED. There are innumerous online courses available which will prepare you for the exam. You can attend live seminars on the web so that you know the current trends of LEED. All these are delivered by eminent and experienced LEED professionals.

There are various study materials available online according to your area of expertise. For example if you are specializing in LEED AP Homes, you would get the study material specifically made for this program. Likewise if you are specializing in LEED AP Operations and Maintenance, you can select the reference guides prepared exclusively for this program.

The exam preparation resources are clearly mentioned along with the supporting education programs in case you want to excel in one LEED Professional Credential such as a LEED Green Associate or a LEED AP. With so much of support from the USGBCI, there is ample scope for your success in the examination.

LEED Certification developing successful green buildings

June 5th, 2010 by No comments »

greenedu_bpi-energy-auditor-trainingThe Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or LEED certification is issued by the US Green Building Council. All the buildings such as homes, schools, shopping malls, retail stores, etc. need to be designed to operate. Their operations as such should not harm the environment but benefit it. And this happens only when the internals systems of a building work efficiently. This is known as building efficiency where the buildings do not emit greenhouse gases.

These gases are generated by the internal heating and cooling systems of a building. The energy efficiency is thus rated by the energy raters in the building industry. The basic responsibility of these energy raters is to see whether the building has followed all the basic LEED guidelines in the design. There are designated and accredited LEED home builders across the United States who oversees the building structures and their rating. It is also a responsibility of the building contractors to encourage LEED buildings in their new projects.

There are various levels of LEED certification for any kind of building such as a residential or a commercial building. Every building that meets the criteria is rated accordingly. If a building is highly efficient it gets a platinum rating. If a building is a mediocre in efficiency it gets a gold rating. And if the building just meets the LEED criteria, it gets a silver rating.

There are certain points on the auditor’s checklist. The building should meet all or most of the criterion in order to get rated. The more points the building earns, the higher is the rating. It is also a feather in the building contractor’s cap when they have a LEED certified building as part of their construction project. One successful project will increase their business henceforth and they would have a great opportunity to handle government projects in future.

LEED Certification for environment sustainability

May 25th, 2010 by No comments »

env_sus_soc_lgIt is not just restricted to individuals or candidates who aspire to make a career in the construction industry. The LEED certification is also provided to construction companies or affiliated organizations that can provide training to the aspiring candidates and organizations.

The ultimate aim is to provide environment sustainability through high performance building standards. The LEED standards play a very important role in constructing unique buildings which prove to be highly efficient and come under the high performance building category. The organizations or individuals will be able to rate the buildings according to the performance and energy efficiency.

The Green Building Council offers comprehensive standards keeping in mind all the systems in a house. These standards include rating the buildings according to the energy usage, water usage, recycling of wastage, selection of home star or home energy products, choosing green materials, quality of indoor air and ventilation, etc.

The LEED certification for builders and designers is nothing but a rating tool which is designed keeping in mind the practicality of the various internal systems at home. The rating system is not complicated for any homeowner to understand if explained appropriately to them. With this rating system in place, we can expect high performing buildings in future.

The rating system is an ongoing process and any building can work towards achieving the highest rating by implementing and following the standards set by the Green Building Council. LEED had executed certain guidelines for all kinds of new homes, existing homes, maintenance and operations of existing and new buildings, etc.

The GBC updates the standards from time to time recommending latest products that are available in the market. Every building is different depending upon the area of operations. For example the standards are different for hospitals, commercial complexes, schools, homes, etc. And the rating system also is similar to the standards set by the GBC.

Adherence to Credentials by the Chicago LEED Green Associate

May 15th, 2010 by No comments »

6a00d834518c7969e2010536af5385970c-640wiIt is important to understand the three tiers of LEED Professional Credentialing Program. The first tier is the Chicago LEED Green Associate; the second is the LEED AP with specialty and the third tier being the LEED Fellow.

The Green Associates are the professionals who wish to exhibit their experience and expertise in the non technical fields to understand the building efficiency. The Green Building Council had designed specific credentials for these associates who acquire the basic knowledge of a green design as specified by the GBC.

The green associate will also possess knowledge about the construction and operations of the building.

The Chicago LEED Green Associate needs to have prior experience in an ongoing LEED registered project. The candidate might also have had experience in an already completed project. The candidate should be associated with the project not less than 3 years from the date of application in the program.

The candidate might either involve in the project with the past or current employer. The project should strictly adhere to the green building principles that are laid by the GBC.

The candidates should agree to all the terms and conditions before enrolling for the program and undergo disciplinary action if he or she violates any policy or procedure laid by the Green Building Council.

Once the credentials are met by the candidate, the next requirement is qualifying for the exam. In order to qualify as a Green Associate, the candidate needs to take an exam with 100 randomly selected questions which needs to be completed in 2 hours.

The content of the exam would be based on the LEED Project process including the design of the project. The other concepts are related to environment sustainability, the terms that are frequently used in Green Building and the different kinds of LEED rating systems.

LEED AP program for all LEED Green Associates

April 30th, 2010 by No comments »

A qualified LEED Green Associate can become a LEED AP and pursue his or her career in green construction. The green associate exam will consist of topics from the LEED application process, project site factors, water management, project design and implementation, energy systems, installation of project materials, project surroundings and implementing various LEED strategies.

It is more to do with the project planning and implementation and various factors that are to be considered for the success of the project. This is the first step to qualify as green associates and the next would be to become accredited professionals in different specialty programs.

The candidates can give both the LEED Green Associate exam as well as the LEED AP exam at the same time. However, the candidate needs to clear the first part related to green associate demonstrating general knowledge about green building practices. The second part of the exam is purely on LEED based building standards and rating systems.

Any candidate who qualifies in this exam will be qualified as a LEED Accredited Professional. The specialties in LEED are LEED Building Design, LEED Homes, LEED Interior Design and construction, LEED Neighborhood Development and LEED operations and maintenance.

The important eligibility or credential for a candidate to qualify for a LEED AP exam is the involvement in an LEED registered project either individually or with the employer. The entire exam is to be completed in 2 hours with 200 questions with a minimum score of 170. The exam tests the knowledge of the candidates on the US Green Building Council’s LEED strategies, building concepts and rating systems.

The cost of the exam starts with $350 with an additional $100 for specialty. The application fee is $100 and the Biennial renewal fee is $50. The fee is standard across to all the candidates and the GBC would provide accurate fee structure for all the programs on a regular basis.