Learn which plumbing products align with LEED credit achievement and the program’s requirements.
By Evan Novak
Bathrooms and kitchens are essential components of any commercial building, yet they rank among the top facilities in terms of water and energy consumption. Plumbing engineers play a critical role in helping building owners reduce their water and energy expenditures by implementing sustainable fixture updates.
By integrating green plumbing solutions, building owners not only conserve resources but also position themselves to earn valuable LEED points. Ownership groups are increasingly seeking LEED certification, but what does it entail and how can project teams effectively assist in maximizing these points?
In the following sections, we will explore LEED certification in detail and highlight the plumbing products that align with credit achievement and the program’s requirements.
What Is a LEED Certification?
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a green building rating system developed by the nonprofit U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). It includes a set of rating systems for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of green buildings, homes, and neighborhoods.
LEED aims to help building owners and operators be environmentally responsible and use resources efficiently. Supporting building owners in making a building LEED-compliant is a great way to gain a competitive edge and help them reap the economic and health benefits.
A common misconception is that products or services can be LEED-certified; however, the U.S. Green Building Council does not award credits based on the use of particular products. Rather, points are earned by meeting the performance standards outlined in its rating systems. That means it’s up to project teams to determine which products are most appropriate for credit achievement and program requirements.
The number of points a project earns determines the level of LEED certification:
- LEED Certified: 40–49 points earned
- LEED Silver: 50–59 points earned
- LEED Gold: 60–79 points earned
- LEED Platinum: 80+ points earned
Let’s take a look at some of the LEED credits your project can earn and examples of plumbing products that could help building owners and operators earn LEED points. For more information, take a look at the LEED scorecard at usgbc.org/leed-tools/scorecard.
Water Efficiency
The Water Efficiency category includes credits such as outdoor and indoor water use reduction, building-level water metering, and more. To earn points in this category, consider installing faucet aerators.
A faucet aerator is a screen at the end of a faucet that reduces the amount of water coming out while creating a consistent flow. Some aerators have lower flow rates. New and more efficient, WaterSense-labeled faucets and aerators can save many gallons of water per year.
Installing water-saving showerheads is another great way to save water. The EPA states that standard showerheads use 2.5 gallons of water per minute (gpm), while water-saving showerheads that earn the WaterSense label use no more than 2.0 gpm. In California, the standard is stricter yet, at 1.8 gpm.
Another great option is low-flush-volume toilets that use significantly less water than conventional models. The current federal standard is 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf). However, recent advancements have allowed toilets to use only 1.28 gallons per flush or less while still providing equal or superior performance.
A dual-flush toilet uses two buttons or a handle mechanism to flush different amounts of water. A lesser amount of water is designed to flush liquid waste; a larger volume, solid waste.
Energy and Atmosphere
The Energy and Atmosphere category includes credits for minimum energy performance, building-level energy metering, and more.
HVAC systems can play a powerful role in reducing the environmental harms of excessive energy use. Eco-friendly water heaters will reduce a building’s emissions, enhance energy efficiency, and reduce gas or electricity bills. Energy-efficient, tankless water heaters, also known as on-demand water heaters, use less energy than standard water heaters. That is mainly because high-efficiency water heaters heat water only on demand, while conventional storage-tank models operate day and night to keep the stored water hot.
Another possible eco-friendly aspect of high-efficiency water heaters is less water waste. Recirculating-type tankless water heaters deliver hot water with virtually no wait time, reducing the amount of unused cold water going down the drain.
Materials and Resources
The Materials and Resources category includes credits such as building life-cycle impact reduction, sourcing of raw materials, and more. These credits are intended to encourage adaptive reuse and the use of products and materials verified to have been extracted or sourced responsibly. Certain materials and resources help achieve certification because of their low environmental impact and because they help improve IAQ (indoor air quality).
Some examples of sustainable building materials include bamboo flooring, reclaimed wood, porcelain, and PET (polyethylene terephthalate). These are materials that can last a long time.
For example, one manufacturer offers a complete shower solution that is an eco-friendly option. To date, more than 19 million plastic bottles have been repurposed by the manufacturer into thousands of pre-sloped and tile-ready shower pan systems. Made of extruded rigid PET plastic foam, the lightweight and shatterproof shower pans and panels are constructed from 100 percent post-consumer plastic water bottles.
The use of certain paints, coatings, sealants, and adhesives can also help a building earn LEED certification points. Use low- and no-VOC products for all paints, sealants, and caulks to improve and maintain indoor air quality. For example, such bonding adhesives provide a permanent, watertight seal when joining flexible PVC membrane sheets and are ideal for use in tile showers and other concealed water-proofing applications, adhering shower pan liner seams and dam corners over the shower curb.
The categories shared above are only three examples included in the LEED Certification Score Card. Be sure to check out usgbc.org to learn about other ways to earn LEED points.
Conclusion
Buildings that meet or exceed LEED requirements cost less to maintain and produce less waste. Additionally, some U.S. federal agencies, state, and local governments require or reward LEED certification. Rewards can include tax credits, zoning allowances, reduced fees, and expedited permitting.
Project teams can support owners and operators in this endeavor by identifying and specifying plumbing products that will make an installation eligible for LEED certification points.
About the Author
A 15-year veteran of the plumbing industry, Evan Novak has served as Senior Manager of Commercial Sales at Oatey Co. since September 2018. A graduate of Ohio University, Novak holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from Clemson University. He can be reached at ENovak@oatey.com.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not the American Society of Plumbing Engineers.
