The Growth of LEED Certified Buildings

Dec 5, 2014 | Uncategorized

As of October 2014, there are more than 3.3 billion square feet of LEED-certified building space in the United States. This green building certification continues to grow at a rapid rate around the world.  Take a look at some impressive LEED facts.

LEED Building Growth

From 2011 to 2012, the number of federal building projects with LEED certification more than doubled. Currently, 71 percent of projects that are valued at $50 million or more reference LEED in their project specifications. LEED certification is one of the top sustainable goals for both public and private organizations.

International Growth

Green building and LEED are growing in popularity on an international level. As of 2014, it is estimated that roughly 44 percent of all the square footage in pursuit of LEED certification existed outside of the United States. Several countries plan to shift toward significant advances in green building. For example, 83 percent of Brazil’s firms are planning green commercial projects in 2015. In the United Arab Emirates, 73 percent are planning green institutional projects. In Singapore, 69 percent are planning green renovation projects.

LEED Building Performance Facts

According to the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED buildings rank in the 11th percentile for the nation’s energy performance. Out of 100, these buildings have an average energy star rating of 89 points. The EPA Portfolio Manager reports that LEED buildings also have a Source Energy Use Intensity that measures 57 percent lower than other buildings in the United States. LEED projects have contributed to the diverting from landfills of more than 80 million tons of waste. This waste diversion is expected to grow to nearly 540 million tons by 2030.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, LEED Gold-certified buildings:

  •        Use 25 percent less energy  and 11 percent less water
  •        Have maintenance costs that are 19 percent lower
  •        Offer a 27 percent higher occupant satisfaction level
  •        Produce 34 percent less greenhouse gas emissions

Top LEED Locales

In the United States, the top LEED states that are registered and certified are Illinois, Maryland, Virginia, Massachusetts, and a tie between New York and California. Worldwide, the top countries are Canada, China, India, South Korea, and Taiwan.