LEED v4
Existing Data Centers
Energy and Atmosphere

Minimum energy performance

Data-Centers-EBOM-v4 EAp2: Minimum energy performance Required

See all forum discussions about this credit » View the LEED v4.1 version of this credit »

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Credit language

USGBC logo

© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Requirements

Establishment

Calibrate meters within the manufacturer’s recommended interval if the building owner, management organization, or tenant owns the meter. Meters owned by third parties (e.g., utilities or governments) are exempt.

Performance

Meter the building’s energy use for a full 12 months of continuous operation and achieve the levels of efficiency set forth in the options below. Each building’s energy performance must be based on actual metered energy consumption for both the LEED project building(s) and all comparable buildings used for the benchmark.
Case 1. ENERGY STAR Rating
For buildings eligible to receive an energy performance rating using the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager tool, achieve an energy performance rating of at least 75. For projects outside the U.S., consult ASHRAE/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1–2010, Appendixes B and D, to determine the appropriate climate zone.
Case 2. Projects not eligible for ENERGY STAR Rating
Projects not eligible to use EPA’s rating system may compare their buildings’ energy performance with that of comparable buildings, using national averages or actual buildings, or with the previous performance of the project building.
Option 1. Benchmark against typical buildings
Path 1. National average data available
Demonstrate energy efficiency performance that is 25% better than the median energy performance of similar buildings by benchmarking against the national source energy data provided in the Portfolio Manager tool.
Path 2. National average data not available
If national average source energy data are unavailable for buildings of similar type, benchmark against the building site energy data of at least three similar buildings, normalized for climate, building use, and occupancy. Demonstrate a 25% improvement.

OR

Option 2. Benchmark against historical data
If national average source energy data are unavailable, compare the building’s site energy data for the previous 12 months with the data from three contiguous years of the previous five, normalized for climate, building use, and occupancy. Demonstrate a 25% improvement.
Pilot Credits Available
The following pilots are available as an alternative to the requirements listed above: EApc67: Energy Jumpstart
See all forum discussions about this credit »

Frequently asked questions

Is there a way to earn this prerequisite without meeting the Energy Star score of 75 or achieving a 25% improvement over the median building?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

The LEED Reference Guide states that Case 1 “is available if the building has an official ENERGY STAR label that was awarded within the 12 months preceding the end of the LEED performance period” but it also seems to indicate that the ENERGY STAR scor

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)
See all forum discussions about this credit »

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Addenda

06/04/2018– Updated: 06/04/2018
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
100002204 - v4 EAp2 remove end use breakdown

EA prerequisite Energy Efficiency Best Management Practices:
Step-by-Step section> Step 7: Delete third bullet point: "energy use breakdown by major system types or end uses"
Further Explanation > Energy Use Analysis: Delete 5th and 6th paragraphs from this section. The 5th paragraph begins "Determine the appropriate breakdown of energy use..." and the 6th paragraph begins "Use engineering calculations..."

EA prerequisite Minimum Energy Performance: - Further Explanation > Improving Performance: Delete the phrase "based on the breakdown of energy consumption by end-use category" from the end of the sentence that begins "Use the results of the energy audit..." in the second paragraph.

Inquiry:
Ruling:
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
01/10/2016– Updated: 28/09/2016
Form Update
Description of change:
5000063

In Case. 2, Option 2, Table: Annualized normalized source energy use intensity: The field "Normalized source energy use intensity (kBtu/sf):" is currently the sum of the values entered in Year 1, 2, and 3. This field "Normalized source energy use intensity (kBtu/sf):" should instead reflect the average of the values entered above.

In Case 2, Option 3, Table: Annualized normalized source energy use intensity: The field "Normalized source energy use intensity (kBtu/sf):" should reflect the following calculation: (Sum({comparable buildings}) + {historical average})/(Count ({comparable buildings})+1)

Inquiry:
Ruling:
Campus Applicable
Yes
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
15/01/2016– Updated: 07/04/2016
Form Update
Description of change:
Inquiry:
Ruling:
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
04/01/2016– Updated: 05/01/2016
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
100002039

Remove the third bullet and associated text.

Inquiry:
Ruling:
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
01/07/2015– Updated: 02/10/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
100002018

After the first paragraph, add the following:

For an expanded reference of international locations, ASHRAE 169-2013 Table A-5 (Canada) or Table A-6 (International) may be consulted. ASHRAE 169-2013 subdivides Climate Zone 1 into two climate zones (Climate Zone 1 and Climate Zone 0). Locations listed in ASHRAE 169-2013 in Climate Zone 1 and Climate Zone 0 should be considered Climate Zone 1 under ASHRAE 90.1-2010.

Inquiry:
Ruling:
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
01/07/2015– Updated: 01/07/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
100002017

Replace the second paragraph with the following:

All DES Systems: The team may enter the output from the DES delivered to the project building into the Portfolio Manager tool as site energy from a district system (e.g., district chilled water); Portfolio Manager then converts it to source energy based on ENERGY STAR’s standard methodology.

Replace the third paragraph with the following:

Building-Owned DES Systems Only: Alternatively, the team may include the energy consumed by the DES and attributable to the project building in the energy use data. This typically requires knowing the portion of DES output delivered to the project building, as well as the total energy inputs into the DES. Only projects served by building-owned DES systems may utilize this option.

Inquiry:
Ruling:
Campus Applicable
Yes
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
01/07/2015– Updated: 01/07/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
100002016

After the first paragraph, add the following:/n

"For an expanded reference of international locations, ASHRAE 169-2013 Table A-5 (Canada) or Table A-6 (International) may be consulted. ASHRAE 169-2013 subdivides Climate Zone 1 into two climate zones (Climate Zone 1 and Climate Zone 0). Locations listed in ASHRAE 169-2013 in Climate Zone 1 and Climate Zone 0 should be considered Climate Zone 1 under ASHRAE 90.1-2010."

Inquiry:
Ruling:
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
01/10/2014– Updated: 14/02/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
100001917

Revise the flow chart in two locations:

1. Revise the text in the hexagon in the top left corner to: "Is the building eligible for an ENERGY STAR rating?"
2. Revise the text in the diamond in the bottom right corner to: "Pursue Case 2, Option 3 (see EA Credit Optimize Energy Performance)"

Inquiry:
Ruling:
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
06/04/2018
LEED Interpretation
Description of change:
Inquiry:

As stated on the ENERGY STAR website (https://www.energystar.gov/buildings/facility-owners-managers/existing-b...), the EPA is in the process of updating the Portfolio Manager tool to incorporate CBECS data from the results of the 2012 survey. At this time, EPA will also update: source energy conversion factors used in all ENERGY STAR score models; the underlying ENERGY STAR models for a number of property types; and benchmarking options for data centers. The EPA has indicated that there is no way to forecast the change in score for any particular property or property type. Is there an alternative approach project teams registered to pursue certification under LEED EB O+M v2009 and v4 can take in order to not be penalized by these updates under EA prerequisite Minimum Energy Performance and EA credit Optimize Energy Performance?

Ruling:

Projects meeting the requirements below may optionally assess performance of EA prerequisite Minimum Energy Performance and EA credit Optimize Energy Performance based on the current Portfolio Manager tool and the performance of the building prior to the August 2018 updates. In order to pursue this approach, project teams must download the necessary documentation from Portfolio Manager (e.g., Data Verification Checklist, proof of weather normalized source EUI, etc.) before the updates go into effect (scheduled for August 2018). After the update, previous scores, including all historical scores, will no longer be accessible.
This approach is available to projects that started the last 12-months of the initial certification or recertification performance period prior to the date that Portfolio Manager was temporarily shut down to incorporate the planned updates (scheduled for August 2018), meaning that the project’s certification performance period ends on or before August 2019.
• For buildings eligible to receive an ENERGY STAR score, performance is determined based on the ENERGY STAR score achieved prior to the August, 2018 updates. The ENERGY STAR score must be demonstrated through information printed from Portfolio Manager prior to the updates (e.g., Data Verification Checklist).
• For buildings not eligible to receive an ENERGY STAR score under LEED EB O+M v2009, performance is determined based on the weather-normalized source EUI achieved prior to the August 2018 updates compared to the national average source EUI data provided in the current EAp2/EAc1 Case 2 Calculator for v2009 projects. The project’s weather-normalized source EUI must be demonstrated through information printed from Portfolio Manager prior to the updates: a screen shot from the Portfolio Manager website documenting the weather normalized source EUI value; or a custom output report including the weather-normalized source EUI). This information, along with the Data Verification Checklist and Case 2 Calculator, is required.
• For buildings not eligible to receive an ENERGY STAR score under LEED O+M v4, performance is determined based on the weather-normalized source EUI achieved prior to the August 2018 updates compared to the national median source EUI data provided in the Portfolio Manager tool. The Data Verification Checklist documenting the “% Diff from National Median Source EUI" is sufficient to document performance.
• In all cases, the 12-month energy performance period used for this allowance must end within the 60 days prior to the scheduled update. All space attributes (floor area, space types, occupancy, etc.) must be up to date and accurate at the time.
• Sufficient information that aligns with the 12-month performance period used for this allowance must be provided. If information for the 12-month performance period used for this allowance differs from that for the remainder of the submittal (i.e., number of workers, operating hours, changes in space use such as vacancy and space type, etc.) a narrative justifying these differences must be provided.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
See all forum discussions about this credit »
Guest expert

Ben Stanley

WSP - Built Ecology
Senior Sustainability Manager

LEEDuser overview

Frank advice from LEED experts

LEED is changing all the time, and every project is unique. Even seasoned professionals can miss a critical detail and lose a credit or even a prerequisite at the last minute. Our expert advice guides our LEEDuser Premium members and saves you valuable time.

For full access, sign up now for LEEDuser Premium

Already a premium member? Log in now

Credit language

USGBC logo

© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Requirements

Establishment

Calibrate meters within the manufacturer’s recommended interval if the building owner, management organization, or tenant owns the meter. Meters owned by third parties (e.g., utilities or governments) are exempt.

Performance

Meter the building’s energy use for a full 12 months of continuous operation and achieve the levels of efficiency set forth in the options below. Each building’s energy performance must be based on actual metered energy consumption for both the LEED project building(s) and all comparable buildings used for the benchmark.
Case 1. ENERGY STAR Rating
For buildings eligible to receive an energy performance rating using the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager tool, achieve an energy performance rating of at least 75. For projects outside the U.S., consult ASHRAE/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1–2010, Appendixes B and D, to determine the appropriate climate zone.
Case 2. Projects not eligible for ENERGY STAR Rating
Projects not eligible to use EPA’s rating system may compare their buildings’ energy performance with that of comparable buildings, using national averages or actual buildings, or with the previous performance of the project building.
Option 1. Benchmark against typical buildings
Path 1. National average data available
Demonstrate energy efficiency performance that is 25% better than the median energy performance of similar buildings by benchmarking against the national source energy data provided in the Portfolio Manager tool.
Path 2. National average data not available
If national average source energy data are unavailable for buildings of similar type, benchmark against the building site energy data of at least three similar buildings, normalized for climate, building use, and occupancy. Demonstrate a 25% improvement.

OR

Option 2. Benchmark against historical data
If national average source energy data are unavailable, compare the building’s site energy data for the previous 12 months with the data from three contiguous years of the previous five, normalized for climate, building use, and occupancy. Demonstrate a 25% improvement.
Pilot Credits Available
The following pilots are available as an alternative to the requirements listed above: EApc67: Energy Jumpstart
See all forum discussions about this credit »

Frequently asked questions

Is there a way to earn this prerequisite without meeting the Energy Star score of 75 or achieving a 25% improvement over the median building?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

The LEED Reference Guide states that Case 1 “is available if the building has an official ENERGY STAR label that was awarded within the 12 months preceding the end of the LEED performance period” but it also seems to indicate that the ENERGY STAR scor

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)
See all forum discussions about this credit »

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.

For full access, sign up now for LEEDuser Premium

Already a premium member? Log in now

Frequently asked questions

Is there a way to earn this prerequisite without meeting the Energy Star score of 75 or achieving a 25% improvement over the median building?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

The LEED Reference Guide states that Case 1 “is available if the building has an official ENERGY STAR label that was awarded within the 12 months preceding the end of the LEED performance period” but it also seems to indicate that the ENERGY STAR scor

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)
See all forum discussions about this credit »

Addenda

06/04/2018– Updated: 06/04/2018
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
100002204 - v4 EAp2 remove end use breakdown

EA prerequisite Energy Efficiency Best Management Practices:
Step-by-Step section> Step 7: Delete third bullet point: "energy use breakdown by major system types or end uses"
Further Explanation > Energy Use Analysis: Delete 5th and 6th paragraphs from this section. The 5th paragraph begins "Determine the appropriate breakdown of energy use..." and the 6th paragraph begins "Use engineering calculations..."

EA prerequisite Minimum Energy Performance: - Further Explanation > Improving Performance: Delete the phrase "based on the breakdown of energy consumption by end-use category" from the end of the sentence that begins "Use the results of the energy audit..." in the second paragraph.

Inquiry:
Ruling:
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
01/10/2016– Updated: 28/09/2016
Form Update
Description of change:
5000063

In Case. 2, Option 2, Table: Annualized normalized source energy use intensity: The field "Normalized source energy use intensity (kBtu/sf):" is currently the sum of the values entered in Year 1, 2, and 3. This field "Normalized source energy use intensity (kBtu/sf):" should instead reflect the average of the values entered above.

In Case 2, Option 3, Table: Annualized normalized source energy use intensity: The field "Normalized source energy use intensity (kBtu/sf):" should reflect the following calculation: (Sum({comparable buildings}) + {historical average})/(Count ({comparable buildings})+1)

Inquiry:
Ruling:
Campus Applicable
Yes
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
15/01/2016– Updated: 07/04/2016
Form Update
Description of change:
Inquiry:
Ruling:
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
04/01/2016– Updated: 05/01/2016
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
100002039

Remove the third bullet and associated text.

Inquiry:
Ruling:
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
01/07/2015– Updated: 02/10/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
100002018

After the first paragraph, add the following:

For an expanded reference of international locations, ASHRAE 169-2013 Table A-5 (Canada) or Table A-6 (International) may be consulted. ASHRAE 169-2013 subdivides Climate Zone 1 into two climate zones (Climate Zone 1 and Climate Zone 0). Locations listed in ASHRAE 169-2013 in Climate Zone 1 and Climate Zone 0 should be considered Climate Zone 1 under ASHRAE 90.1-2010.

Inquiry:
Ruling:
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
01/07/2015– Updated: 01/07/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
100002017

Replace the second paragraph with the following:

All DES Systems: The team may enter the output from the DES delivered to the project building into the Portfolio Manager tool as site energy from a district system (e.g., district chilled water); Portfolio Manager then converts it to source energy based on ENERGY STAR’s standard methodology.

Replace the third paragraph with the following:

Building-Owned DES Systems Only: Alternatively, the team may include the energy consumed by the DES and attributable to the project building in the energy use data. This typically requires knowing the portion of DES output delivered to the project building, as well as the total energy inputs into the DES. Only projects served by building-owned DES systems may utilize this option.

Inquiry:
Ruling:
Campus Applicable
Yes
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
01/07/2015– Updated: 01/07/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
100002016

After the first paragraph, add the following:/n

"For an expanded reference of international locations, ASHRAE 169-2013 Table A-5 (Canada) or Table A-6 (International) may be consulted. ASHRAE 169-2013 subdivides Climate Zone 1 into two climate zones (Climate Zone 1 and Climate Zone 0). Locations listed in ASHRAE 169-2013 in Climate Zone 1 and Climate Zone 0 should be considered Climate Zone 1 under ASHRAE 90.1-2010."

Inquiry:
Ruling:
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
01/10/2014– Updated: 14/02/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
100001917

Revise the flow chart in two locations:

1. Revise the text in the hexagon in the top left corner to: "Is the building eligible for an ENERGY STAR rating?"
2. Revise the text in the diamond in the bottom right corner to: "Pursue Case 2, Option 3 (see EA Credit Optimize Energy Performance)"

Inquiry:
Ruling:
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
06/04/2018
LEED Interpretation
Description of change:
Inquiry:

As stated on the ENERGY STAR website (https://www.energystar.gov/buildings/facility-owners-managers/existing-b...), the EPA is in the process of updating the Portfolio Manager tool to incorporate CBECS data from the results of the 2012 survey. At this time, EPA will also update: source energy conversion factors used in all ENERGY STAR score models; the underlying ENERGY STAR models for a number of property types; and benchmarking options for data centers. The EPA has indicated that there is no way to forecast the change in score for any particular property or property type. Is there an alternative approach project teams registered to pursue certification under LEED EB O+M v2009 and v4 can take in order to not be penalized by these updates under EA prerequisite Minimum Energy Performance and EA credit Optimize Energy Performance?

Ruling:

Projects meeting the requirements below may optionally assess performance of EA prerequisite Minimum Energy Performance and EA credit Optimize Energy Performance based on the current Portfolio Manager tool and the performance of the building prior to the August 2018 updates. In order to pursue this approach, project teams must download the necessary documentation from Portfolio Manager (e.g., Data Verification Checklist, proof of weather normalized source EUI, etc.) before the updates go into effect (scheduled for August 2018). After the update, previous scores, including all historical scores, will no longer be accessible.
This approach is available to projects that started the last 12-months of the initial certification or recertification performance period prior to the date that Portfolio Manager was temporarily shut down to incorporate the planned updates (scheduled for August 2018), meaning that the project’s certification performance period ends on or before August 2019.
• For buildings eligible to receive an ENERGY STAR score, performance is determined based on the ENERGY STAR score achieved prior to the August, 2018 updates. The ENERGY STAR score must be demonstrated through information printed from Portfolio Manager prior to the updates (e.g., Data Verification Checklist).
• For buildings not eligible to receive an ENERGY STAR score under LEED EB O+M v2009, performance is determined based on the weather-normalized source EUI achieved prior to the August 2018 updates compared to the national average source EUI data provided in the current EAp2/EAc1 Case 2 Calculator for v2009 projects. The project’s weather-normalized source EUI must be demonstrated through information printed from Portfolio Manager prior to the updates: a screen shot from the Portfolio Manager website documenting the weather normalized source EUI value; or a custom output report including the weather-normalized source EUI). This information, along with the Data Verification Checklist and Case 2 Calculator, is required.
• For buildings not eligible to receive an ENERGY STAR score under LEED O+M v4, performance is determined based on the weather-normalized source EUI achieved prior to the August 2018 updates compared to the national median source EUI data provided in the Portfolio Manager tool. The Data Verification Checklist documenting the “% Diff from National Median Source EUI" is sufficient to document performance.
• In all cases, the 12-month energy performance period used for this allowance must end within the 60 days prior to the scheduled update. All space attributes (floor area, space types, occupancy, etc.) must be up to date and accurate at the time.
• Sufficient information that aligns with the 12-month performance period used for this allowance must be provided. If information for the 12-month performance period used for this allowance differs from that for the remainder of the submittal (i.e., number of workers, operating hours, changes in space use such as vacancy and space type, etc.) a narrative justifying these differences must be provided.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
See all forum discussions about this credit »
Guest expert

Ben Stanley

WSP - Built Ecology
Senior Sustainability Manager

See all forum discussions about this credit » View the LEED v4.1 version of this credit »