Air testing question. We know mold is not accurately examined by air tests alone. Does this go for Formica / formaldehyde testing as well ? New potential house has Formica countertops. Can’t exactly take a piece to test or the underside that most likely has VOC s. Is air testing enough ? Like mold isn’t ?

Hi,

My builder is recommending using this on roof and internal wall installation on a renovation of a 1910s brick house in a rainy climate country. I'm concerned about breathability and condensation if the moisture can't move back and forward through the walls. He proposed attaching batons to the internet surface of the walls and rolling this product across them so there's a void.

Would be interested to hear people's experiences with this product. Thanks.

In today’s climate-conscious world, the demand for sustainable and energy-efficient buildings has grown, yet significant barriers persist. One of the most prominent of these is the split incentive—a misalignment in benefits between property owners and tenants that disincentivizes investment in energy-efficient upgrades. Typically, building owners shoulder the costs of retrofitting and sustainability improvements, but the benefits—such as reduced utility bills—primarily go to the tenants who occupy the space. This dynamic has become a substantial obstacle, slowing progress in sustainable property management. To achieve the environmental goals we urgently need, overcoming the split incentive and embracing green building retrofits is crucial for a sustainable future. By retrofitting existing buildings to net-zero emissions, building owners could reduce energy use by 40-60%, dramatically reducing the building sector's carbon footprint.

Buildings consume nearly 40% of global energy and produce roughly 33% of all CO2 emissions due to heating, cooling, lighting, and water use, making them one of the largest contributors to climate change (Buildings and Climate Change: A Summary for Decision Makers,” United Nations Environment Programme). Net-zero building retrofits—upgrading older buildings to meet modern sustainability standards—are a powerful solution. Retrofitting minimizes environmental impact by enhancing energy efficiency and reducing operational costs while boosting property value and improving indoor air quality. A study from the World Resources Institute found that upgrading to energy-efficient systems can cut energy use by 20-30%, and in some cases, reach as high as 60%. An important fact to note, buildings with green certifications like LEED command higher market values, meeting the rising demand from tenants and investors for sustainable spaces. In addition, a study by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) demonstrates that buildings with green certifications, such as LEED, tend to have higher occupancy rates and can demand rental premiums of 5-10% above non-certified buildings. Despite these financial and operational advantages, the split incentive issue means many property owners avoid making these upgrades, unwilling to bear the costs without direct benefits.

The split incentive is especially prevalent in rental properties, where landlords are responsible for building upgrades, but tenants enjoy the resulting savings on utility bills. For instance, a property owner may install a highly efficient HVAC system to reduce energy use. While this lowers energy bills for the tenant, the owner sees little immediate financial return. This disconnect creates an economic barrier that discourages owners from investing in green upgrades, slowing the overall progress of sustainable property management. Thus, overcoming the split incentive is essential to increase green building retrofits, and a few innovative strategies listed can help bridge the gap:

1. Green Leases - A green lease is a collaborative lease agreement where both parties—property owners and tenants—share in the responsibilities and benefits of sustainability improvements. For example, a green lease may include provisions that allow the property owner to pass through the costs of energy efficiency upgrades to the tenant, who will in turn benefit from lower utility costs. These agreements can align financial incentives and provide a clear path forward for building owners to recoup some of the initial investment.
2. Shared Savings Agreements - In a shared savings model, both the property owner and the tenant benefit from the cost savings generated by the energy-efficient upgrades. For instance, if a new HVAC system reduces energy bills by $200 a month, both parties agree to split the savings equally. This way, tenants still see a reduction in costs while owners benefit financially from the efficiency upgrades. Such agreements can make sustainability investments more attractive and ensure that both parties benefit over time.
3. Government Incentives and Rebates - Many governments recognize the importance of sustainable buildings and offer financial incentives, tax credits, and rebates for green upgrades. These incentives can help offset the upfront costs associated with retrofitting, allowing building owners to undertake necessary upgrades without bearing the full financial burden. Philadelphia’s “Solarize Philly” initiative, for example, negotiates discounted solar installation rates for homeowners, demonstrating how local governments can incentivize property owners toward greener buildings.

The path to a sustainable future in real estate hinges on addressing barriers like the split incentive. With global energy demand increasing and climate change intensifying, green building retrofits are no longer optional—they are essential. Property owners, tenants, and policymakers must work together to find innovative solutions that promote energy efficiency and sustainable building practices. By embracing green leases, shared savings models, and leveraging government rebates and incentives, the industry can overcome the split incentive, paving the way for a more sustainable and profitable future. Not only does this approach mitigate environmental impact, but it also makes sound, long-term, and financial sense for property owners in an increasingly sustainability-focused marketplace. Through collaboration and forward-thinking, we can transform real estate into a driver of environmental and social progress, one building at a time.

USGBC-TX is joining One Click LCA for a live Q&A on LEED v5 - they'll be talking to David MacLean, founding member of USGBC-TX, and Suryabala Sah, one of the founders of Houston's Carbon Leadership Forum about the changes coming in LEED v5. They'll be taking questions from the audience. Sign up for free here: https://oneclicklca.com/webinars/navigating-leed-v5-with-usgbc-tx

A little about me: I have been a LEED and WELL AP trainer for 10 years now, you can check my profile on LinkedIn. In that time I have helped more than 7,000 professionals earn their accreditation by passing the LEED Green Associate exam, LEED AP BD+C, and WELL AP exam.

I have trained at universities, training centers, municipalities, and companies to help their employees prepare for the LEED and WELL certification exams using my simplified study material.

The below are the most frequently asked questions I’ve been asked and how you can pass in 2 weeks:

#1 How to register for the LEED exam and WELL AP exam?
The LEED GA and AP exam registration are the same.
Step 1, create a USGBC account
Step 2, purchase the official LEED exam you are targeting (cost of the exam below).
Step 3, use the code USGBC gives you after purchase (valid for 1 year) and head to Prometric to schedule a time and day using the code. (You can schedule the exam from home or at a test center).

WELL AP exam registration is the same but should create an account and purchase the exam on IWBI not USGBC.

#2 How much does the LEED exam cost? WELL AP exam cost?

• LEED Green Associate costs $250 (veterans for free, USGBC member companies get a discount and students take the exam for $100).

• LEED AP costs $350 ( veterans free, students $250 and USGBC members get a discount)

• LEED GA+AP combined exam $550 (4 hour exam both credentials in 1 sitting)

• WELL AP costs $299 ( students 125$)

#3 Where to find Free LEED study material, free practice exams?

Complete study materials are not free but you can find free introductory videos, sample exams, free articles that help build a foundation.

• Youtube videos:

  • Archiroots (my simplified trainings)

  • Karim Elnabawy Balbaa ( arabic, not simplified, long content)

  • GBES (long content, sometimes includes outdated material)

  • Projectific (very long, Ai computer voice)

• Free practice questions:

  • LEED GA sample exam

  • LEED AP BD+C sample exam

  • WELL AP sample exam

• Handbook:

  • LEED GA candidate handbook

  • LEED AP candidate handbook

  • WELL AP handbook

#4 What are the requirements to take the exam?

• LEED GA: no requirements, only to be above 18 years old.

• LEED AP: a valid non expired LEED GA credential. (Expired? need to take the GA exam again).

• WELL AP exam: no requirements.

No experience, no specific discipline (even professional not in the building industry can take the exam).
No background or knowledge is required and no you do not need to have worked on a LEED or WELL project to take the exam.

#5 How to get free LEED CE hours?

After you pass the LEED GA exam, you have 2 years to satisfy 15 continuing education hours.
After you pass the LEED AP exam, you need 30 continuing hours.

Best approach is to do the GA exam, just before it expires become a LEED AP. You will get 2 extra years so you won't do any GA CE hours. You will need to do AP CE hours after that, meaning 4 years to do CE hours since you got a reset when you upgraded to AP.

To satisfy those hours, do not buy LEED CE hours. You can find free hours on USGBC, just filter the free videos and select the credential you want videos for.

#6 What is the difference between LEED GA, LEED AP and WELL AP?

• LEED Green Associate, basic green building principles, LEED certification overview.

• LEED AP, more technical information about LEED. You need to learn how to calculate a credit, few formulas, more things to memorize. Showcases this professional can streamline and handle the LEED certification process fully whereas a LEED GA would be good to monitor and understand.

• WELL AP, there is no WELL Green Associate only WELL AP. You have to know all WELL certification material.

The LEED certification focus on energy performance, reducing negative impact on the environment, sustainable building practices.(Green building aspects).

Whereas the WELL certification is a complimentary certification, it focuses on the occupant inside the project, how the project and company supports the occupant and employees in the project. Nourishment, food, fitness, air quality, thermal comfort, mind and similar. (Health and well-being of occupants in a project)

#7 How to prepare and make sure you pass in 2 week:

1. Take this LEED GA simplified training, LEED AP BD+C simplified training or WELL AP simplified training watch 30 minutes a day to learn all material in 1 week. You can watch more, maybe even finish it in 1 day. But ideally 30 minutes to make sure you have grasped the material and was not heavy on your long day at work or school. The goal is to understand the concepts not cover content.

2. Exercise on 1 practice exam a day for 1 week to make sure you learned the material. You might know the content but still answer incorrectly, you have to get used to how tricks come in the exam. Use the elimination strategy, highlight keywords and similar. All tips and tricks are included in the training.

3. During that week of practice exams, it is good to review through flashcards. They are basically study cards that include all the important key terms and definitions to be able to review on the go. LEED GA Flashcards / LEED AP Flashcards / WELL AP Flashcards.

Is 2 weeks enough to prepare? Yes and No! If you purchase a $200 book of 800 pages, it will surely take you around 3 months. But if you follow a simplified training it is quite easy to be ready in weeks and NEVER take the official exam without passing practice exams, even if you have memorized a thick book, EVEN IF YOU HAVE LEED PROJECT EXPERIENCE!

I am happy to answer any question, feel free to drop a comment or email me: shadi@archiroots.com or better yet, message me on LinkedIn here.

I’m building a greenhouse/folly from almost all reclaimed materials: a free big box store gazebo from Facebook marketplace, wrought iron, steel, and aluminum storm doors, lumber from a porch that was torn down….

I want to repaint all the doors to match and provide a cohesive look, but all the hard-wearing exterior paints for metal I am finding have prop 65 warnings.

I am aware of the potential of linseed oil-based paint, but I imagine that needs to be used on bare metal. It doesn’t seem very green to remove all the old intact paint from the doors, so I am wondering what my choices are.

I asked in r/paint, but so far, crickets.

Solar Panels - am I correct in the research that so long as the panels are not broken they don’t leach toxic chemicals into ground water and that moving the battery to outside the home helps with emf exposure ??

Google In ordinary state, these toxic substances are not released out but when there is a defect on the system due to improper handling or installation or if there is a crack in the system, rain can penetrate inside the systems and heavy metals may be leached out. 22 16,24) For example, lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd), used in solar panels, are contaminant of concern because of their highly toxic nature. Exposure to the toxic substances like Pb, Cd, Ni can cause cancer, kidney, liver, lungs and brain damage, which are toxic to blood, prostate, respiratory system and also recognized for reducing reproduction, increasing behavior problems as well as humans and wildlife death. ...

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Looking to move to van Nuys area. I see there is a Chevon company. How far realistically should you be for safety ?

Environmental Interest Types: AIR MAJOR: A Clean Air Act Stationary Source Major discharger of air pollutants according to the Alabama power decision's definition of a major source or the 1993 EPA Compliance Monitoring Branch Classification Guidance. A facility is classified as a Major Discharger if: * Actual or potential emissions are above the applicable major source thresholds, or * Actual or potential controlled emissions > 100 tons/year as per Alabama power decision, or * Unregulated pollutant actual or potential controlled emissions > 100 tons/year as per Alabama power decision. CRITERIA AND HAZARDOUS AIR POLLUTANT INVENTORY: A national inventory of emissions data of both hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) and criteria air pollutants. Criteria air pollutants include ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, lead, and fine particulate matter and HAPs, or air toxics, are defined in section 112(b) of the 1990 clean air act amendments. FRP: The Oil Pollution Act amended the Clean Water Act to require a "substantial harm" facility to develop and implement a facility response plan (FRP). A "substantial harm" facility is a facility that, because of its location, could reasonably be expected to cause substantial harm to the environment by discharging oil into or on navigable waters or adjoining shorelines. A FRP demonstrates a facility's preparedness to respond to a worst case oil discharge. HAZARDOUS WASTE BIENNIAL REPORTER: Under the authority of Sections 3002 and 3004 of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA), as amended by the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984 (HSWA), hazardous waste generators and treatment, storage, and disposal facilities are required to report to the EPA or the authorized States, at least every two years, the quantities, nature, and disposition of hazardous waste. ICIS-NPDES NON-MAJOR: A Clean Water Act (CWA) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) discharger of pollutants into waters of the United States that is not designated as a major is considered a non-major. LQG: Hazardous Waste Large Quantity Generators (LQGs) generate: * 1,000 kg or more of hazardous waste during any calendar month; or * More than 1 kg of acutely hazardous waste during any calendar month; or * More than 100 kg of any residue or contaminated soil, waste or other debris resulting from the cleanup of a spill, into or on any land or water, of acutely hazardous waste during any calendar month; or * 1 kg or less of acutely hazardous waste during any calendar month, and accumulate more than 1 kg of acutely hazardous waste at any time; or * 100 kg or less of any residue or contaminated soil, waste or other debris resulting from the cleanup of a spill, into or on any land or water, of acutely hazardous waste during any calendar month, and accumulated more than 100 kg of that material at any time. SQG: Hazardous Waste Small Quantity Generators (SQGs) generate: * More than 100 and less than 1000 kilograms of hazardous waste during any calendar month and accumulate less than 6000 kg of hazardous waste at any time; or * 100 kg or less of hazardous waste during any calendar month, and accumulate more than 1000 kg of hazardous waste at any time. STATE MASTER: A state registry system that maintains basic identification information for a facility site, including the state master identifier, geographic address, affiliated organizations and contacts, industrial classifications, and linkages to environmental permits and programs. TRI REPORTER: A Toxic Release Inventory Reporter is a facility which: * Employs the equivalent of 10 or more full-time employees; and * Is included in Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes 10xx, 12xx, 20xx-39xx, 4911, 4931, 4939, 4953, 5169, 5171, or 7389; and * Manufactures (defined to include importing), processes, or otherwise uses any Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) Section 313 chemical in quantities greater than the established threshold in the course of a calendar year (i.e., manufactures or processes over 25,000 pounds of the approximately 600 designated chemicals or 28 chemical categories specified in the regulations, or uses more than 10,000 pounds of any designated chemical or category).

🚨 It's here!

Get ready to see the world in a whole new way.

The Building Sustainably Podcast, a groundbreaking podcast by RPS, launched Season 2 today. The series explores innovative approaches to planning, designing, and building for a sustainable future.

In each episode, dive deep into:

✅ Real-life case studies of cutting-edge projects

✅ Practical guidance on evolving regulations like the Building Safety Act

✅ Insights into future-proofing, ESG considerations, and the latest in urban development

🎧 Listen to our first episode with Chris Trunkfield, Senior Design Executive at Moda to explore the critical role of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies in sustainable development, including some key trends that shape ESG in construction and Moda's approach to sustainability.

Hosted by:

Ben Stockdale

James Bowman

Emily McGee

Let’s build a more resilient future together. 🌱

🎙️ To listen to the episode in full, all links are below:

https://lnkd.in/gpudTPCR

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3B0102q

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4d1GdIQ

YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gwPcTiAC

#PodcastLaunch #Season2 #BuildingSustainably  #UrbanDevelopment #BuildingSafety #FutureProofing #SustainableDevelopment #ResilientCities

Did you know that 50% of raw material extraction emissions come from construction? Sustainable material choices matter. Learn how you can easily choose better materials in your construction project. 👉 https://oneclicklca.com/webinars/materials-compass-america

 COMING SOON: The Building Sustainably Podcast - Season 2

Ready to reshape how we plan, design, and build?
We received a great response for Season 1.

Get ready to join us in Season 2.
We dig into real-world case studies, tackle evolving regulations, and explore cutting-edge sustainable projects.

Hosted by industry experts:

• Ben Stockdale
• James Bowman
• Emily McGee

https://preview.redd.it/e33eoj3abzmd1.png?width=1000&format=png&auto=webp&s=af296b409faba194d0156878e92e88ffd085c90c

This is your go-to podcast for future-ready development insights.
Don’t miss out—follow The Building Sustainably Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

#Sustainability #Podcast #Innovation #UrbanDevelopment

Hi all. I’m searching for resources around climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies in residential real estate construction.

I am interested in building a home for my family that includes these considerations and maybe even starting a company in this area.

Is anyone aware of any resources in this area? Right now, I’ve just been google searching around but ideally these strategies follow more robust frameworks/certifications instead of ad hoc things slapped together.

Hi, I work as a consultant in US. Recently I noticed there is less people go for LEED certification and decline in projects. Anyone felt the same?

Simplified WELL AP exam prep here

https://preview.redd.it/6cep54cc9y2d1.png?width=2560&format=png&auto=webp&s=47b27cf4975041352f73b6a038456aa34cdd84f9

My partner and I are looking at a home built in the late 1980s that has a solar envelope. We love the coziness of the home, but are concerned about the thermal envelope system. Does anyone know how we could go about finding an expert or inspector for these specific types of homes? Also any advice on owning a home with a thermal envelope would be much appreciated! We also have the instruction book for the home’s solar envelope system if anyone wants that info.

Hi all,
I am a final year Quantity Surveying student at the University of West England in Bristol, I am doing a dissertation in modular construction and its value to creating a circular economy and I would greatly appreciate it if you could take the time to fill out my survey, it should only take 5 minutes.
https://uwe.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_78TWj09zI8NlskS

Thanks, Ethan

I want to seal up around a window and a few rim joists in my house before our follow-up energy audit next week but we won't be able to vacate the house for a day while it cures, and it's winter so we can't just open the windows. What are people's opinions on staying in the house after using up a can of spray foam? I know with a bigger job you need to leave for 24-48 hours and I have an 18-month old at home. Thanks.

My grad school capstone project is coming up and I want to do free consulting work for a green building company. What can I research to provide valuable insights to the business when I have little experience in the sector (I just have the LEED Green Associate credential).

Thanks in advance!

LEED Green Associate and LEED AP+ specialty credential holders, thank you for being leaders in the sustainability community! LEED professionals bring unique expertise through their demonstrated commitment to continuing education. Holding a credential and keeping it current signifies that you’re a leader in the field and underscores your value to sustainability-focused organizations.

On Nov. 3, 2023, a revised LEED credential maintenance policy came into effect. The updated policy includes a new renewal process and pricing, as well as an improved user experience in your credential account. Learn more here: https://www.usgbc.org/articles/explore-our-updated-leed-credential-maintenance-dashboard-and-renewal-policy