LEED is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings administered by the USGBC. A LEED certified building means it has achieved at least a minimum standard as judged in six categories: sustainable sites; water efficiency; energy and atmosphere; materials and resources; indoor environmental quality; and innovation and design process.  Points are awarded in each category depending on how the facility meets each category's requirements.  A building must receive a minimum of 26 points for LEED certification; up to 69 points are possible.  There are four levels of LEED certification: Certified (26-32 points); Silver (33-38 points); Gold 39-51 points); and Platinum (52-69 points).
 
The energy and atmosphere category, one-third of potential LEED points, directly addresses the HVAC system and its effect on the environment.  This includes the amount of energy the HVAC system consumes, the environmental implications of generating that energy, and the ozone depletion potential of the refrigerant used in the equipment.
 
"This is one of our first projects to obtain LEED certification," according to Carl Mitchell, V.P. Sales for Dynamic Air Quality Solutions, "and we expect many more to follow."