LEEDuser’s viewpoint
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Credit language
Requirements
Do not use chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)-based refrigerants in new heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems. When reusing existing HVAC&R equipment, complete a comprehensive CFC phase-out conversion before project completion. Phase-out plans extending beyond the project completion date will be considered on their merits.
Existing small HVAC&R units (defined as containing less than 0.5 pound (225 grams) of refrigerant) and other equipment, such as standard refrigerators, small water coolers, and any other equipment that contains less than 0.5 pound (225 grams) of refrigerant, are exempt.
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What does it cost?
Cost estimates for this credit
On each BD+C v4 credit, LEEDuser offers the wisdom of a team of architects, engineers, cost estimators, and LEED experts with hundreds of LEED projects between then. They analyzed the sustainable design strategies associated with each LEED credit, but also to assign actual costs to those strategies.
Our tab contains overall cost guidance, notes on what “soft costs” to expect, and a strategy-by-strategy breakdown of what to consider and what it might cost, in percentage premiums, actual costs, or both.
This information is also available in a full PDF download in The Cost of LEED v4 report.
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Addenda
2/14/2025 – Updated: 2/19/2025
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change: Revise the section Further Explanation, Campus section as follows:
Under the heading Group Approach DELETE "Submit separate documentation for each building.."
Add the following:
"All buildings in the group may be documented as one.
Eligible as a campus and group prerequisite only when the refrigerants in each HVAC&R system (new and existing) serving the project buildings or spaces contain no chlorofluorocarbons (
CFCs). If existing systems contain
CFCs, each LEED project within the master site and each building or space in a group must pursue the prerequisite individually."
Internationally Applicable: No
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Documentation toolkit
The motherlode of cheat sheets
LEEDuser’s Documentation Toolkit is loaded with calculators to help assess credit compliance, tracking spreadsheets for materials, sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions, and examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects for you to check your work against. To get your plaque, start with the right toolkit.
