LEED Accredited Professionals

[DarrelSPowers]

I'm working at a firm that specializes in US Green Building Council LEED certified buildings, and I really like it. Most of my time is spent sizing building mechanical systems, calculating air flow rates and all that, but I know that this is just one facet of building design and construction. I haven't done much studying for the LEED exam, as I just found out I passed my FE, but from what I've seen its an extremely broad range of knowledge, from reducing the building's heat island, to urban planning and proximity to public transportation.

So, I was curious about other folks in the green building design/construction field, and what they do. USGBC certified buildings are becoming more common as energy costs rise, but are still known for being prohibitively expensive. I'd really like to have a career in this field, but was hoping that there are more options for someone with a BS in mechanical engineering outside HVAC design.

Oh, and LEED = Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

 

[drum]

Project Engineers at one of the companies my parent company owns get a bonus if they pass the LEED. That office has put in light switches that turn off that lights after an amount of time, low flow faucets, waterless urinals, reduced GPF toilets...

 

[tenthumbs]

I passed the test on 12/29. LEED EB It was difficult and covers a broad range of topics.

I manage a data center for a major bank. I think LEED certification for existing large buildings is almost impossible. The cost is too high. New construction is where I would position myself if I had to make a choice. I took the test because my peers were doing the same.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

I've considered getting a LEED cert, but in this area it's pretty new, and I don't forsee much growth in it for some time, especially with the economy.

 

[Gibson486]

I work for a firm that does that stuff (only a small amount though, but I se emore of it everyday). In my firm, LEED is not a full time thing, but only a credential. If you have the credential, you will be called upon to to work on jobs that need it (ie making a new brownfield LEED certified). If you like that stuff, then you should work for a firm like CDM or something. They are hired to do envriomental work and sometimes it involves making a building LEED certified.

 

[silverpig]

I looked into it as well and was going to take the test. I'm doing more school for now so it's not something I'm interested in at the moment, but you can do consulting etc.

 

[DarrelSPowers]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
I've considered getting a LEED cert, but in this area it's pretty new, and I don't forsee much growth in it for some time, especially with the economy.

I've actually noticed quite the opposite.

I'm only working here part time, two days a week while I finish my last semester, but I'm also the only person I know in this situation who has yet to be 'let go.' Two of my friends were relieved of their part time status last week, both very intelligent MEs.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: DarrelSPowers

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
I've considered getting a LEED cert, but in this area it's pretty new, and I don't forsee much growth in it for some time, especially with the economy.

I've actually noticed quite the opposite.

I'm only working here part time, two days a week while I finish my last semester, but I'm also the only person I know in this situation who has yet to be 'let go.' Two of my friends were relieved of their part time status last week, both very intelligent MEs.

oh, definitely in some parts of the country it is growing, but in Kansas things are usually behind the curve, and in our area particularly most projects are bottom-line driven, and LEED is generally not friendly to capital budgets.