Project: The Christman Building; Photo credit: The Christman Company Learn more about this project

Existing Buildings

LEED for Existing Buildings helps maximize the efficiency of your operations while minimizing the impact on the environment.

The rating system encourages owners and operators of existing buildings to implement sustainable practices and reduce the environmental impacts of their buildings, while addressing the major aspects of ongoing building operations:

• exterior building site maintenance programs
• water and energy use
• environmentally preferred products and practices for cleaning and alterations
• sustainable purchasing policies
• waste stream management
• ongoing indoor environmental quality

All buildings (as defined by standard building codes) are eligible for certification under LEED for Existing Buildings. It is targeted at single buildings, whether owner occupied, multitenant, or multiple-building campus projects. It is a whole-building rating system; individual tenant spaces aren’t eligible.

Global Alternative Compliance Paths are available for this rating system.

An Ongoing Process

The prescriptive and performance strategies of LEED for Existing Buildings are intended to provide operational benefits throughout the life of the building. If these strategies are continued, a building can maintain and even improve its performance over time. Projects that certify under any version of LEED for Existing Buildings must recertify at least once every five years in order to keep their certification current.

The LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance Recertification Guidance provides clear direction for Existing Buildings projects that are ready to recertify.