Sustainable Certifications for Real Estate: How to get them and their benefits

As it has been discussed before, sustainability is one of the main topics and priorities in the future of the Real Estate Market. Not only are they necessary to the preservation of the environment, but also, they are proving to be the preferred type of houses and buildings by upcoming generations.

But assuring that a property, is in fact a Green Building, isn’t only based on how the owner or developer see the efforts made to make it sustainable, but on the actual results is has on efficiency and measured sustainability.

Green Building Certifications are a reliable and solid way to prove the sustainability that your property has, or in case, is working to achieve. Proving the owners, and/or company, commitment to the development of sustainable real estate.

Learn about some of the most known Sustainable Real Estate Certifications here!

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Certification (LEED), is issued by the U.S. Green Buildings Council, and is one of the most known and recognized sustainable real estate certificacion. As one of the biggest brands of its kind, it has multiple programs in order to certificate buildings based on different features and requirements.

From simply a LEED Certified (40-49 points), to different raking systems that help buildings gain LEED Silver (50-59 points), LEED Gold (60-79 points) or LEED Platinum (80+ points) Certifications; all these focus on measuring a building’s ability to save money, improve efficiency and cut back loss of resources, all while lowering carbon emissions and creating healthier atmospheres for people.

Among LEED’s system main goals are: fighting climate change, positively impacting human health, saving water resources, biodiversity, green economy and enhancing communities’ life quality.

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Energy Star Certification

The Energy Star Certification, granted through the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, is one of the other most recognized among the brands of Sustainable Certifications.

As its name states, this certification is focused on measuring a building’s ability to save energy and therefore, helping reduce gas emissions. To be certified a building has to reach a score of 75 points or higher, meaning that it can perform better than, at least 75% of similar buildings all around the world.

This certification is given out annually, meaning that its only valid for one year, and has to be constantly renewed to continue to prove the building’s efficiency

WELL Building Standard

The WELL Building Certification, by the International WELL Building Institute, measures sustainability and a building focus on well-being, marking its commitment to people-first places.

Their evaluations are based on ten main concepts; air, water, nourishment, light, movement, thermal comfort, sound, materials, mind, community and innovation. Making it a certification that not only focuses on data results regarding the environment, but on the actual day to day life and well-being of its inhabitants.

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EDGE® (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies)

The EDGE Certification, a system created by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), focuses on measuring savings on energy, water and materials, exclusively evaluated for new constructions.

EDGE Certifications also present 3 levels; a basic EDGE Certified in which a building has to save at least 20% of savings across the three categories; an EDGE Advanced Certification that certifies 40% savings and also recognized as Zero Carbon Ready; and finally a third Zero Carbon Certification, meaning that a building was built and operates with 100% renewables energy, and are committed zero carbon emissions buildings.

WaterSense Label

As its name says, WaterSense, a partnership program by the US Environmental Protection Agency, has as its main goal to preserve the future of water supply.

In this case, WaterSense can be labeled through different ways, either just by products, or by the implementation of them in the building. WaterSense products and services must be at least 20 percent more efficient without sacrificing performance, to earn the WaterSense label.

And in regards to certification in specific places, WaterSense labeled buildings are measured by implementing water-efficient products, services and measurements throughout the building, and must be third-party certified to meet EPA’s efficiency and performance criteria.

Green Seal Certification

The Green Seal Certification measures the impacts of a building over its entire life cycle, taking into account a wide range of sectors, from paints and adhesives, to lamps, electric chillers, windows, window films and occupancy sensors; Green Seal’s main objective is how clean a building is.

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method)

Last but not least, is the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) Certification, originally from the United Kingdom, it is one of the first to ever assess, classify and certify buildings by its sustainability markers, and remains to this day, one of the most popular.

The BREEAM Certification, is now an international certified method that focuses on the sustainable and green infrastructure and construction of projects. It is one of the most complete certification, evaluating energy, health and wellness, innovation, use of soil, material, management, pollution, transport, and waste.

Are you looking to get any of these certifications?

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Sources: Arch Daily, Whole Building Design Guide, Sharp Launch