WORLD ENERGY EFFICIENCY DAY 2024

Every March 5, this international day is celebrated to raise awareness about the rational use of energy. In 2024 we will take the opportunity to discover what LEED and BREEAM energy efficiency certificates are.
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Every March 5 since 1998, World Energy Efficiency Day has been celebrated. The initiative, which emerged in Austria during the First International Conference on Energy Efficiency, has the objective of raising awareness among all people about the need to reduce energy consumption through reasonable and sustainable use of energy.

Contrary to what many people think, promoting energy efficiency does not mean giving up comforts and compromising the quality of life by reducing the use of the energy we use in our daily lives. Nothing is further from reality. Energy efficiency means optimizing energy production and consumption processes, opting for renewable energy sources instead of fossil fuels, and promoting responsible consumption and recycling.
 
Actions:

1. Take advantage of the hours of natural light for our tasks that require more lighting.
2. Turn off lights and electrical devices when they are not in use.
3. Another way to contribute to energy efficiency is by using LEDs to replace conventional lamps or light bulbs.
4. Replace old appliances with more efficient ones, which consume less energy. Class A appears green and is the most efficient while class G (red) is the least efficient.
5. Regarding mobility, prioritizing public transport or getting around by bicycle is the most efficient option, etc.

What are LEED and BREEAM energy efficiency certificates?
Beyond the actions that we can carry out in our daily lives, this World Energy Efficiency Day is an unbeatable date to learn about the LEED and BREEAM energy efficiency certificates. Both are two systems designed to verify the aspects of sustainability and energy efficiency in buildings, and although they have many points in common, some differences are:

Firstly, the LEED energy efficiency certificate (acronym that in Spanish means Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) bases its evaluation on the analysis of six areas of environmental impact:

1. A sustainable location.
2. Efficiency and reduction in water consumption.
3. Efficiency and reduction of energy consumption.
4. Recycled materials and natural resources.
5. Quality of the indoor environment.
6. Innovation in design.

The LEED certificate, designed in the United States, is also flexible enough to be applied to any type of construction, both residential and business.

For its part, the BREEAM energy efficiency certificate (acronym that in Spanish means Environmental Investigation and Assessment Method for Constructions) originates in the United Kingdom and evaluates buildings according to ten indicators:

• Management.
• Health & Wellness.
• Energy.
• Transport.
• Water.
• Materials.
• Waste.
• Ecological land use.
• Pollution and innovation

These actions provide environmental and economic benefits for a society that is much more respectful of the environment.