Click the seal to link to the USGBC

The LEED™ program will certify buildings that achieve one of four levels of performance: Certified (26 to 32 points), Silver (33 to 38 points), Gold (39 to 51 points) and Platinum (52 points and above).  There are 69 points available.

The USGBC publishes reference guides, workbooks, rating systems, calculations and presentations to help project teams through the process of certification.  It also provides for individuals to become a LEED™ Accredited Professional.  These individuals have taken the time and expended the effort to acquire a solid understanding of just what is required to get a building through the certification process.

McCleskey Consulting, Inc. is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council.  Mr. McCleskey is a LEED™ Accredited Professional.

McCleskey Consulting, Inc. was formed to assist owners, architects, engineers,  contractors and facility owners understand the mechanical and electrical engineering related issues.  These issues influence the design in the architectural, structural and civil engineering scopes of work.   LEED™ encourages integrated systems design as the most efficient way to improve building performance.  McCleskey Consulting sees this as a natural progression of services to be offered. 

LEED™ is growing.  The USGBC was founded in 1993.  The LEED™ Rating System was developed by volunteer committees during 1995 to 1998.  A pilot program of fifty (50) projects were launched under Version 1.0 in 1998.  By March of 2000, twelve (12) projects were certified under Version 1 and Version 2.0 was released.  In 2002, Version 2.1 was released. 

In our opinion, LEED™ is not free.  But rather an investment with both short and long term paybacks.  To achieve credit for some LEED™ points requires a first cost that is sometimes (but not always) above the first cost of conventional approaches and methods.  The efforts to achieve some points may result in increased design team and/or contractor fees.  

But, some of the results are lower energy costs and increased property valuations.  Some of the results are improved productivity of employees, improved attendance and lower insurance/medical claims. And there are certainly long term effects on the environment like reduced water consumption, soil stabilization, urban re-development, reduced consumption of non-renewable resources, reduced pressure on long-term renewable resources, air quality and water quality. 

The choice is the Owner's.  But the design team needs to be able to provide knowledgeable guidance.  There, McCleskey Consulting can help.