Trends and challenges in LEED v4.1 healthcare certification: A comprehensive analysis of U.S. hospital scores in 2024

Introduction: This study evaluates the strengths and weaknesses in LEED-HC (Healthcare) version 2024 by analyzing the scorecards of 120 healthcare projects completed in the United States between 2020 and 2024. The research focuses on the relationship between achieved scores, LEED categories, and certification levels, providing insights for improving sustainable healthcare construction.
Key findings include: Energy Efficiency Challenges: LEED-HC v.2024 places increased emphasis on energy efficiency, yet scores in the Energy and Atmosphere category remain low, indicating persistent challenges in optimizing energy performance.
Strong Performance in Site and Water Efficiency: Healthcare projects consistently scored high in the Sustainable Sites and Water Efficiency categories, demonstrating effective integration of sustainability measures.
Balancing Scores Across Categories: Projects compensated for lower energy scores by achieving higher marks in Indoor Environmental Quality and Innovation, helping maintain certification levels.
Innovation and Regional Priority Trends: There is a growing trend of utilizing points from Innovation and Regional Priority categories to enhance overall scores.
The study offers a benchmark for LEED-HC performance, guiding healthcare facility designers and policymakers in advancing energy-efficient and sustainable practices tailored to healthcare environments. The findings aim to support the development of greener healthcare facilities and inform future refinements of green building certification standards.