As spring breakers across the country scramble to reach warmer climes, colleges and universities across the United States are making use of the pause to inspect physical facilities and make plans for summer projects: fresh paint, polish or new flooring, HVAC or lighting updates, and large-scale renovations of campus buildings all require careful planning, especially if the buildings are Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified.
According to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the accrediting organization for LEED testing worldwide, “As of December 2025, there are over 9,490 LEED‐certified and registered higher education projects representing approximately …1.1 billion square feet (105 million square meters) of built spaces. This includes projects certified through the one-off process and those certified through multiple building applications, such as campus.”
What Triggers Recertification Testing for LEED Buildings?
LEED certification testing in college and university campus settings can be triggered in several ways, according to the USGBC. These include:
- Regular renewal cycles, typically three years (five years for earlier LEED versions)
- Large-scale renovations of lighting or HVAC systems
- Construction of new buildings or significant additions to existing LEED-certified areas
- Changes in ownership (this would be rare in higher educational settings)
- Failure to maintain records of performance, as well as failure to maintain minimum scores, can trigger the need to recertify
- Redesignation of an existing LEED-certified space for another purpose, particularly if the new structure will be energy-intensive, can trigger recertification
SanAir’s Sustainable Air Quality division (formerly known as Centek Labs) has been providing indoor air quality (IAQ) testing using EPA Method TO15 (used for LEED testing) along with TO17 for VOC’s, EPA Method 10A for PM10 and PM2.5 and EPA Method IP-3C for Carbon Monoxide (CO), since 2007. SanAir’s sampling and testing program, which employs 100% reusable/sustainable technology, follows protocol for LEED programs LEED 3.2, V4 and 4.1 and soon the new V5. SanAir also supports IgCC, WELL, IAQP and ASHRA programs, as well.
Why use SanAir for LEED v3.2, v4 and 4.1 analytical and sampling programs in colleges, universities and other education environments?
SanAir has provided air sample testing support for colleges and universities across the United States, in locations including Washington, DC; New York; Virginia; Maryland; Ohio; Pennsylvania; North Carolina; Massachusetts; Connecticut; and Louisiana.
The pressures of limited downtime in higher education environments demand a more efficient approach to sampling for LEED compliance. SanAir’s simple no-tool test kit sampling program eliminates the lengthy flush-out process that can leave buildings unoccupied for days or even weeks while still ensuring consistent temperature settings. In just two hours, technicians can complete a sampling location, allowing for a full set of 10 locations to be gathered in less than half a day.