LEED for Existing Buildings is an operational performance rating system for existing buildings; and provides standards and prerequisites for construction and site protection for building upgrades.
Due to the building upgrade component of LEED for Existing Buildings, there is sometimes confusion on whether Existing Buildings or LEED Canada for New Construction is the most appropriate rating system for a project, since New Construction also applies to major renovation. A general guideline can be used: if the renovations are worth at least 50% of the building’s value and impact the building envelope, New Construction is the most appropriate rating system. In other cases, Existing Buildings should be applied to existing buildings.
LEED® Canada for Existing Buildings is anticipated to launch in 2009. While this is underway, Canadian projects are encouraged to register directly with the USGBC.
The CaGBC has received membership input on issues relating to water. Now, input is requested on three other aspects of the LEED Canada for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance rating system:
- how best to ensure that specified green cleaning products are actually used by base building and leased space cleaners
- how best to use EAc1 points to signal environmental impacts associated with the energy use of buildings
- how best to define “regional/local” materials to address issues relating to transportation of intermediate materials or subassemblies
Your input is important. This online discussion will be open until Sunday, September 21, 2008. Please provide your comments on all or any one of the questions.
Click here to participate in this discussion
