Hot Tip

This compliance path is top-heavy due to up-front consultant time, but it provides adequate structure to ensure that your project is in compliance with the prerequisite requirements. For some projects it may be less expensive to pursue than Option 1.

Though they can be a little daunting at first glance, a majority of the guide’s requirements overlap with other LEED credits, such as EAp1: Fundamental Commissioning, EQp1: Minimum Indoor Air Quality Performance, and EQc6.1: Controllability of Systems—Lighting Controls.

The guide mandates that your team develop a minimum of three different design concepts to select from for best energy use.

Section 2 of the Core Performance Guide describes architectural, lighting, and mechanical systems to be included. Section 3 is not required for EAp2 but includes additional opportunities for energy savings that can earn EAc1 points.

Section 1 in the guide focuses on best practices that benefit the project during the pre-design and schematic design stages, such as analyzing alternative designs and writing the owner’s project requirements (OPR).

The guide provides an outline for approaching an energy-efficient design, in addition to a list of prescriptive measures. The first of its three sections emphasizes process and team interaction rather than specific building systems or features. Advise the owner to read through the guide in order to understand what is required of the architect and engineers.

The guide provides practical design assistance that can be used throughout the design process.

The AEDG prescriptive requirements include: 

• a maximum allowable window-to-wall ratio;
• continuous insulation on the outside of walls;
• roofs and floor-slab minimum thermal performance;
• minimum window and door thermal performance;
• minimum boiler and chiller efficiencies;
• and mandatory use economizers or heat recovery ventilation.

If your project team is not comfortable following these guidelines, consider switching to Option 1, which gives you more flexibility.

Early access to the AEDG by each team member avoids last-minute changes that can have cascading, and costly, effects across many building systems.

Find your climate zone before attempting to meet any detailed prescriptive requirements. Climate zones vary by county, so be sure to select the right one. (See the Documentation Toolkit for a list of climate zones by county.)