Building Green Definitions
Sustainability: Sustainability is the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
(1983 definition by the Brundtland Commission working with the United Nations)
LEED: Is an acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED is often used to describe the 4 progressive certification levels which include: certified, silver, gold and platinum for green building. LEED certification was developed by the US Green Building Council who has surfaced as a leader in green building standards. LEED is typically used for commercial buildings but new standards for residential development were recently introduced.
Built Green: is an environmental building program in Washington State developed by the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties to provide the residential building industry with green building standards. Built Green program has certain standards addressing the components of the building site, water usage, energy efficiency, indoor air quality and material selection that must be followed in order to qualify as Built Green. There are a number of partners in Built Green working together including architects, contractors, suppliers, lenders and realtors.
Green Building: Is an all encompassing term that generally refers to environmentally friendly building, site design/management and construction practices adhering to LEED certification levels, Built Green or other accepted standards. Green building results in design work that improves human health while reducing waste and pollution through the efficient use of resources such as energy, water and natural or recycled building materials.
Energy Star: is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. Appliances that have an “Energy Star” label provide assurance to the consumer that the appliance meets the strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA and US Department of Energy. A home can also be advertised as an Energy Star Home. This means the home is 15% more efficient than a home built to the minimum state building codes. These homes are performance tested by third party agencies who evaluate and certify such items as heating systems, doors, windows, insulation and appliances.
Low Impact Development: Refers to the development and management of storm water systems modeled after nature with the intent of re-establishing a site’s predevelopment or natural conditions with regard to water run off, infiltration, storage, and evaporation. Use of elements such as metal storage containment, filters, grates, pumps and pipes would not fall into this category. Use of natural ground absorbing materials, vegetated water containments swales or ponds, grass/sand filters and similar elements would qualify.
Low impact development can also include larger scale site design that reduces impacts on the environment such as designing narrower streets that reduce storm water runoff. Incorporating more pervious surfaces including pervious concrete solutions can help manage impacts to the environment.