Our standards are high. As a company, we have always focused on providing water-efficient solutions while maintaining performance. Participating in "green" building practices solidifies our purpose and continues to push the limits of our innovations.
As a member of the USGBC (United States Green Building Council) and through the use of The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Green Building Rating System, Sloan recognizes/validates the importance of promoting green, whole building practices. Sloan can help you make a difference and assist in your sustainable building restroom design with energy- and water-efficient plumbing system solutions.
By providing a national standard for what constitutes a “green building,” the LEED system, a design guideline and third-party certification tool, aims to improve occupant well-being, environmental performance and economic returns of buildings using established innovative practices, standards and technologies.
There are different LEED rating systems to accommodate each building type. For new construction LEED offers:
and one for existing buildings:
Each system is based on LEED 2009 with slight variations. The concept is to earn points by achieving sustainable building design criteria through outlined building category "credits" – the accumulated points translating into four levels of building certification:
Similarly, the sustainable building design criteria is conveniently broken down into the same categories for each LEED rating systems with varying point values. For example, LEED 2009 has the following categories with the corresponding point values:
There are additional opportunities to earn "bonus" points in these categories:
A Closer Look at Water Efficiency
Sloan makes the greatest impact within the LEED Water Efficiency category. Because LEED 2009 is the basis for all the rating systems, we will focus on its aspects for a better understanding of possible Sloan solutions. It is also important to acknowledge the previous version of this rating system, LEED-NC v2.2, for comparison, as both are still in use today.
Water Efficiency Prerequisite
LEED 2009 brings a prerequisite to Water Efficiency for the first time. Now buildings must meet a water usage threshold. Using Sloan high-efficiency faucets and HET fixtures and Flushometers, which use 1.28 gpf or less, help achieve this threshold. Another option is Sloan urinals, which use less than the 1.0 gpf baseline. Using Sloan products can contribute toward the 20% reduction required in the LEED 2009 WE Prerequisite.
Water Efficiency Credit 1
This credit addresses landscaping concerns.
Water Efficiency Credit 2
Water Efficiency Credit 2 is the same for both LEED v2.2 and LEED 2009 with different point values. This is often the most challenging Water Efficiency section. Sloan's high-efficient fixtures such as waterfree urinals drastically reduce wastewater volumes, improving the likelihood of achieving points toward this credit.
Water Efficiency Credit 3
Using Sloan water-efficient products that surpass the baseline fixtures performance requirements as stated by EPAct 1992 (for LEED v2.2) and/or the 2006 model plumbing codes (for LEED 2009) would contribute to this credit. Consider using Sloan HET fixtures and Flushometers, which use 1.28 gpf or less. Another option is Sloan urinals, which use less than 1.0 gpf.
Innovation and Design Credit
Exceptional performance above the requirements or innovative strategies set by LEED allow for design opportunities in energy performance and water efficiency. For example, a 2003 CIR (Credit Interpretation Ruling) established a method by which Innovation Credits are awarded – points can be earned per incremental benchmarks or the next threshold of achievement. The LEED v2.2 WE Credit 3 exemplary performance threshold is 40% water reduction. The exemplary performance points are awarded because the project has reached the next LEED threshold, not for use of a specific technology.
Click here for applicable Sloan products.
For information on the other LEED categories click here.
Sloan's commitment extends to providing quality products that reduce environmental impact while proving a cost savings to our customers. See how Sloan can affect your water savings at a glance. Select the following worksheet or calculators listed below to see the Sloan difference.
Learn from sustainability experts. Sloan is pleased to offer an opportunity to earn CEU credits and learn how water efficiency begins with architects. This free CEU course, Restroom Design: The Water Efficient Factor, is presented in a "lunch-and-learn" format, scheduled at your convenience.
Learn more about:
For more information or to schedule a CEU session click here.
Numerous products from Sloan Valve Company can help earn points toward LEED certification.
Other Products
Retrofits
Download our LEED qualification guide. Click Here