In the event you handle properties within the Atlanta market, you might have observed a push for current buildings to develop into LEED licensed.  

What’s a LEED Certification? In line with USGBC, LEED (Management in Power and Environmental Design) is probably the most extensively used inexperienced constructing ranking system globally. Obtainable for just about all constructing varieties, LEED gives a framework for wholesome, extremely environment friendly, and cost-saving inexperienced buildings.

There are a number of causes to get your constructing LEED-Licensed:

• It aligns along with your ESG (environmental, social, and governance) objectives
• Tenants are keen to pay increased rents for a “inexperienced lease.”
• Enhancements will lower operational prices and enhance effectivity 

Getting your constructing licensed below LEED for Present Buildings and Operations and Upkeep (EBOM) isn’t any easy activity; it’s a dedication that includes capital enhancements and a elementary change in your every day operations.

It takes a minimal of 40 factors to get your constructing licensed below LEED EBOM — and your panorama contractor may help you obtain 15 of them. 

Right here’s a have a look at the LEED factors landscapers may help you with — and a few methods to earn them.  

SS Credit score 2: Constructing Exterior and Hardscape Administration Plan (1 Level)

You would possibly have already got this; seek the advice of along with your landscaper to create a written plan of environmentally pleasant methods to keep up your constructing’s exterior. 

For instance, chances are you’ll specify the kind of ice soften you utilize for snow and ice removing or chemical compounds you need to use to scrub your hardscapes. 

SS Credit score 3: Built-in Pest Administration, Erosion Management and Panorama Administration Plan (1 Level)

This credit score is much like SS Credit score 2. You need to have a written plan detailing your pest, web site erosion, and panorama administration. Embody particulars of onsite inexperienced waste amenities or a lowered chemical method to bugs and weeds. (Warning: Sustainable panorama administration can lead to extra weeds in your panorama.)

SS Credit score 5: Web site Growth — Defend or Restore Open Habitat (1 Level)

Methods to earn this credit score embrace:

• Correctly documenting your native or adaptive inexperienced area
• Changing sod and non-native vegetation to accepted inexperienced area
• Changing hardscapes with accepted inexperienced area
• Setting apart inexperienced area offsite

SS Credit score 6: Stormwater Amount Management (1 Level)

Earn this credit score by together with any variety of cisterns, bioswales, or different methods to maintain rainwater in your web site. Water harvested by incomes this credit score may also be used for different factors!

SS Credit score 7.1: Warmth Island Discount — Nonroof (1 Level)

It’s important to lower the warmth your hardscapes and car parking zone radiate again to earn this credit score. A simple technique to earn this credit score is by planting timber in your lot! 

SS Credit score 7.2: Warmth Island Discount — Roof (1 Level)

This credit score is much like SS Credit score 7.1, however you have to cut back the warmth radiated again out of your roof. A good way to do that is by putting in a inexperienced roof system or rooftop backyard. However understand that this generally is a expensive enchancment — and never all buildings can assist the extra weight.

WE Credit score 1: Water Efficiency Measurement (1–2 factors)

Meter your potable water use, each indoors and for irrigation. Earn two factors by measuring a number of methods.

WE Credit score 3: Water Environment friendly Landscaping (1–5 Factors)

This credit score goals to scale back the quantity of potable and pure physique water you utilize. Your purpose with this level is to eradicate metropolis water use and water sourced from wells and stream-fed ponds.

Methods could embrace improved irrigation methods, cisterns, modifying your panorama to lower water wants, and eliminating irrigation on established panorama materials.

WE Credit 4.1–4.2: Cooling Tower Water Administration (1-2 Factors)

Set up a cistern in your property and use the harvested water on your cooling tower to earn this credit score.

IO Credit score 2: LEED® Accredited Skilled (1 Level)

Lastly, you’ll be able to earn some extent simply by having a LEED Accredited Skilled in your group. The method takes about 25 days and will likely be a terrific asset for the group portfolio. 

Able to Get LEED Licensed?

Hopefully, after reviewing the credit your landscaper may help you earn, you’ll be able to take away some concepts to implement at your property. After all, these methods are only a temporary record, and never each credit score is smart to pursue relying on value and feasibility. The perfect factor to do is get your landscaper concerned early on within the course of, to allow them to make it easier to establish which methods are the perfect match for you.