LEED Certification and Commercial HVAC Systems: Key Findings

LEED Certification and Commercial HVAC Systems: Key Findings

June 26, 2023 by Timberline

If you are a commercial building owner, manager or other stakeholder, you have probably heard of LEED certification. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the most widely used system for rating how energy efficient or “green” a building is. It is also the most recognized program to support the development and maintenance of facilities that contribute to a more sustainable future.

Consequently, achieving and maintaining LEED certification benefits building owners and, more broadly, the communities in which their facilities are located, in many ways. And, as you might expect, a building’s HVAC system plays a significant role in its energy use.

This article explains what LEED certification is and how proper design, installation, and maintenance of HVAC systems in commercial buildings is critical to earning and maintaining this coveted accreditation.

Understanding LEED certification for commercial buildings

The LEED certification program was developed in the early 1990s by a non-profit organization called the US Green Building Council (USGBC). Over the next 20 years, the program expanded from a standard for new construction to a full set of criteria covering many aspects of building design, construction and operation.

The organization behind the standard has also expanded to oversee its use. The six-member Volunteer Committee has grown to around 120,000 employees,...