This study group covers the concepts and strategies of the LEED for Existing Buildings Operations & Maintenance Rating System and is intended for design, construction and real estate professionals, building owners, and anyone who wants to develop their knowledge in this area.   
   The course will prepare students to earn the LEED for Existing Buildings Operations & Maintenance Accredited Professional (LEED AP O+M) credential from the Green Building Certification Institute.  This exam tests the knowledge and skills necessary to participate in the operation and maintenance of existing buildings that implement sustainable practices and reduce the environmental impact of a building over its functional life cycle.  Please note that experience on a LEED project is an eligibility requirement to sit for this exam.  
    Students examine case studies of LEED for Existing Buildings Operations & Maintenance certified building projects, concepts of integrated design, third-party verification and the LEED administration process.
 
REQUIRED READING: O+M Reference Guide
 
The LEED 2009 Reference Guide for Green Building Operations and Maintenance (O+M Reference Guide) is the most comprehensive guide for the LEED for Existing Buildings Rating System.
 
From the creators of the LEED Rating System, USGBC is the leading authority for LEED green building education. This guide will provide you with detailed credit and prerequisite information. You’ll also gain access to resources, documentation guidance, standards and implementation information.
 
The O+M Reference Guide is available from the U.S. Green Building Council’s publication section of their website.  The price ranges from $80 to $98 and varies depending upon your USGBC national membership, added shipping costs and whether you would like a hard copy or .pdf version of the document. 
 
OPTIONAL READING:  O+M Study Guide
 
The O+M Study Guide is available for purchase from the U.S. Green Building Council’s publication section of their website.  The price ranges from $35 to $43 and varies depending upon your USGBC national membership, added shipping costs and whether you would like a hard copy or .pdf version of the document. This book will support you in your preparation for the LEED AP O+M Exam but is considered Optional Reading because the content of this course covers the content of the publication. 
 
The O+M Study Guide and the O+M Reference Guide are available as a study bundle for purchase from the U.S. Green Building Council's publications section of their website.  The price ranges from $110 to $135 and varies depending upon your USGBC national membership, added shipping costs and whether you would like a hard copy or .pdf version of the document. 
 
Eight week course, Kelly Gearhart, LEED AP B+C, LEED AP O+M, instructor.

 
Course Outline
 
Unit 1
Introduction and Project Site Factors
Development
Green Management
Climate Conditions

 
Unit 2
Water Management
Water Treatment
Stormwater
Irrigation Demand
Chemical Management
 
Unit 3
Project Systems and Energy Impacts
Energy Performance Policies
Building Components
On-Site Renewable Energy
Third-Party Relationships
Energy Performance Measurement
Energy Trade-offs
Sources
Energy Uses
Specialized Equipment Power Needs
 
Unit 4
Acquisition, Installation and Management of Project Materials
Building Reuse
Rapidly Renewable Materials for Facilities Alterations and Additions
Food Materials
Material Acquisition
Chemical Management Policy and Audit
Environmental Management Plan
 
 Unit 5
Improvements to the Indoor Environment
Minimum Ventilation Requirement
Tobacco Smoke Control
Air Quality
Ventilation Effectiveness
Indoor Air Quality
Low-emitting Materials
Indoor/Outdoor Chemical and Pollutant Control
Lighting Controls
Thermal Controls
Views
Types of Building Spaces
  
Unit 6
Stakeholder Involvement in Innovation & Project Surroundings and Public Outreach
Design Workshop/Charrette
Ways to Earn Credit
Education of Building Manager and Operations Staff
Infrastructure
Zoning Requirements
Government Planning Agencies
Public-Private Partnerships
Traffic Studies
Reduced Parking Methods
ADA/Universal Access

 
Unit 7
LEED Certification Process
Tools
Strategies
Roadblocks
Performance Period
Minimum Program Requirements
Reporting Energy and Water Data
Anticipated LEED 2012 roll-out and changes

 
Unit 8
Green Associate Exam Preparation
Eligibility
Costs
Credential Maintenance
Study Suggestions
Review
Practice Questions
Scheduling
Day of the Exam
After the Exam

Question MarkAbout online learning

Online learning is a fun, enjoyable and very productive way to learn. Millions of people are learning online each year. You will engage with the instructor and other participants. You will get to know your instructor and other participants. You may make friends.  It’s easy. It’s fun. 

GearsHow the Course Works

It is easy to participate in your online course. After you register, you will be given a web address to go to get into your online classroom.  You will have a password and use your email address and password to gain access.

Once inside the online classroom, here’s what you can expect.

CalendarParticipate when you want

You can participate any time of day or evening. The online classroom is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There are no live real-time requirements or meetings. You decide when you participate.
For the best learning, participants should log into the course on 2-3 different days of the week.

ChecklistWhat you will do

For each Unit, you will:

  • Access the online readings
  • Listen to the audio presentation for the Unit and view the slides
  • Take a self-quiz to see how much you have learned
  • Engage in written online discussion with your instructor and other participants

For best learning, you should make one or more comments at 2-3 different times each day.

The content (readings, audio lectures, slides) and self quizzes are accessible for the entire course, so you can work ahead, or go back and review again, at your convenience.

DiscussionDiscussion

The Discussion for each Unit lasts one week. All comments are made in writing and can be made at any time of the day or night.

Your instructor will log into the Discussion area at least once a day and answer questions, make comments, and respond to comments by you and the other participants.

We encourage you to make 2-3 comments each day to maximize your learning and enjoyment of the course.

It’s easy. It’s fun.

Next offering(s):
-Next session coming soon-

$ USD
$795 USD

Ave. hours 32, 3.2 CEUs/ILUs
About Your Instructor
 
Kelly Gearhart, LEED AP B+C, LEED AP O+M
Principal, Triple Green Building Group, LLC
 
Kelly Gearhart's passion for enhancing the sustainability of the built environment has driven her career in green building. An active member of the United States Green Building Council, Gearhart participates in activities promoting green building including education, outreach and consulting.
 
Gearhart is a Principal with Triple Green Building Group, a green building consulting firm with locations in the San Francisco Bay area, Savannah, Georgia and Sophia, Bulgaria - www.triplegreengroup.com. Triple Green provides expertise to design, construction and building operations professionals, governments, corporate entities and non-profit organizations seeking responsible approaches to building and development through sustainable project planning and design, LEED consulting and administration, education and training. Focused on the triple bottom line, Gearhart works to improve the economic, environmental, and social outcomes of her clients' building projects.
 
Gearhart is a USGBC LEED Faculty member, Instructor for the University of California, former Manager of Commercial Green Building Services at Southface Energy Institute, Inc. and has been involved with green building education, technical assistance, and leadership since 2005. Accredited in the new Building Design + Construction and Existing Buildings: Operations + Maintenance programs, she has taught over 50 full-day and multi-day LEED courses, facilitated seven full-day and multi-day green building charrettes, presented at 12 conferences, consulted with more than 100 clients on green building strategies and worked on 25 LEED registered and certified projects across the U.S. and internationally. Gearhart served as an officer on the board of the USGBC Atlanta Chapter for two years as well as serving as a member of the Southeast Regional Council. Currently, Gearhart is managing LEED projects, teaching courses at Berkeley, delivering LEED workshops globally and working to implement carbon reduction strategies in cities and municipalities throughout California as the Co-Chair of USGBC Northern California Chapter's Climate Change Task Force.

Course Objectives
  • Demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to participate in LEED for Existing Buildings Operations & Maintenance, implement sustainable practices and reduce the environmental impact of a building over its functional life cycle.
  • Understand the relationships and synergies between LEED for Existing Buildings Operations & Maintenance credits
  • Be able to explain the function of the integrated approach as it relates to LEED for Existing Buildings Operations & Maintenance
  • Identify and explain the major policies and regulations that govern green building and they relate to LEED for Existing Buildings Operations & Maintenance
  • Be able to describe the LEED for Existing Buildings Operations & Maintenance project certification process and identify the resources available to project teams.
  • Be prepared to sit for the LEED for Existing Buildings Operations & Maintenance AP Exam from the Green Building Certification Institute.
 
Course Outcomes

At the end of the course, you will:
  • Possess the information necessary to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to participate in LEED for Existing Buildings Operations & Maintenance, implement sustainable practices and reduce the environmental impact of a building over its functional life cycle.
  • Understand the relationships and synergies between LEED for Existing Buildings Operations & Maintenance credits.
  • Be able to explain the function of the integrated approach as it relates to LEED for Existing Buildings Operations & Maintenance.
  • Have identified and explained the major policies and regulations that govern green building and they relate to LEED for Existing Buildings Operations & Maintenance.
  • Have the knowledge necessary to describe the LEED for Existing Buildings Operations & Maintenance project certification process and identify the resources available to project teams.
  • Be prepared to sit for the LEED for Existing Buildings Operations & Maintenance AP Exam from the Green Building Certification Institute.
Completion Requirements