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© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Intent
To achieve increasing levels of energy performance beyond the prerequisite standard to reduce environmental and economic harms associated with excessive energy use.
Requirements
Establish an energy performance target no later than the schematic design phase. The target must be established using one of the following metrics:
- kBtu per square foot-year (kWh per square meter-year) of site energy use
- kBtu per square foot-year (kWh per square meter-year) of source energy use
- pounds per square foot-year (Kg per square meter-year) of greenhouse gas emissions
- energy cost per square foot-year (cost per square meter-year)
Option 1. Energy Performance Compliance (1–18 points except Schools and Healthcare, 1–16 points Schools, 1–20 points Healthcare)
Demonstrate a Performance Cost Index (PCI)1 below the Performance Cost Index Target (PCIt) calculated in accordance with Section 4.2.1.1 of ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2016, Appendix G, Table 4.2.1.1. For mixed use buildings, the required PCI shall be calculated by using an area weighted average of the building types. Calculate the PCI, PCIt, and percentage improvement using metrics of cost and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. For each energy source serving the building, the GHG emission factors must be identical for the Baseline and Proposed building models. LEED points are calculated based on the project percent improvement PCI below the PCIt using metrics of cost and GHG emissions. Total points have been divided equally between the metrics of energy cost and greenhouse gas emissions. Points are awarded according to Table 1 and Table 2. For project percent improvement for the cost metric, on-site renewable energy may be subtracted from proposed energy cost prior to calculating proposed building performance per ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2016 Section G 2.4.1.Table 1. Points for percentage improvement in energy performance – % Cost PCI below PCIt (1-9 points NC and CS, 1-8 points Schools, 1-10 points Healthcare)
New Construction | Healthcare, Major Renovation, CS | Points BD+C (except Schools, Healthcare) | Points Healthcare | Points Schools |
---|---|---|---|---|
5% | 2% | 1 | 1 | 1 |
10% | 5% | 2 | 2 | 2 |
15% | 10% | 3 | 3 | 3 |
20% | 15% | 4 | 4 | 4 |
25% | 20% | 5 | 5 | 5 |
30% | 25% | 6 | 6 | 6 |
35% | 30% | 7 | 7 | 7 |
40% | 35% | 8 | 8 | |
45% | 40% | 9 | 9 | 8 |
50% | 45% | EP | 10 | EP |
50% | EP |
Table 2. Points for percentage improvement in energy performance – % Greenhouse Gas Emissions PCI below PCIt (1-9 points NC, 1-8 points Schools, 1-10 points Healthcare)
New Construction | Healthcare, Major Renovation, CS, | Points BD+C (except Schools, Healthcare) | Points Healthcare | Points Schools |
---|---|---|---|---|
5% | 2% | 1 | 1 | 1 |
10% | 5% | 2 | 2 | 2 |
16% | 10% | 3 | 3 | 3 |
24% | 16% | 4 | 4 | 4 |
32% | 24% | 5 | 5 | 5 |
40% | 32% | 6 | 6 | 6 |
50% | 40% | 7 | 7 | 7 |
65% | 50% | 8 | 8 | |
80% | 65% | 9 | 9 | 8 |
100% | 80% | EP | 10 | EP |
100% | EP |
DATA CENTERS ONLY
In addition to the requirements above, analyze efficiency measures focused on IT load reduction and HVAC-related strategies. Collocated data centers may use the CS percentage improvement thresholds in lieu of NC thresholds to earn points in Table 1 and Table 2. OROption 2. Prescriptive Compliance: ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guide (1–6 points, 1-4 points CS)
To be eligible for Option 2, projects must meet the Scope requirements of the applicable AEDGs (or combination of AEDGs for mixed use), and projects must use the ASHRAE 90.1-2016 Prescriptive compliance path in EA Prerequisite Minimum Energy Performance. Implement and document compliance with the applicable recommendations and standards in Chapter 4, Design Strategies and Recommendations by Climate Zone, for the appropriate ASHRAE 50% Advanced Energy Design Guide and climate zone. ASHRAE 50% Advanced Energy Design Guide for Small to Medium Office Buildings- Building envelope: roofs, walls, floors, slabs, doors, continuous air barriers, and vertical fenestration (1 point, 2 points CS)
- Interior and exterior lighting, including daylighting and interior finishes (1 point). CS: Minimum 20% of building area must have a complete lighting design.
- Plug loads, including equipment and controls (2 points, 0 points CS)
- HVAC Systems and Controls (2 points, 1 point CS). CS scope of work must include at least 20% of the building’s projected cooling capacity, heating capacity, and fan volume.
- Building envelope: roofs, walls, floors, slabs, doors, vestibules and fenestration – all orientations (1 point, 2 points CS)
- Interior and exterior lighting, excluding lighting power density for sales floor (1 point). CS: Minimum 20% of building area must have a complete lighting design
- Additional interior lighting for sales floor (1 point, 0 points CS)
- Plug loads, including equipment choices and controls (1 point, 0 points CS)
- HVAC efficiency and control requirements (2 points, 1 point CS). CS scope of work must include at least 20% of the building’s projected cooling capacity, heating capacity, and fan volume)
- Building envelope: roofs, walls, floors, slabs, doors and vertical fenestration (1 point)
- Interior and exterior lighting, including daylighting and interior finishes (1 point)
- Plug loads, including equipment choices, controls, and kitchen equipment (2 points)
- HVAC efficiency and control requirements (2 points)
- Building envelope: roofs, walls, floors, slabs, doors, vestibules, continuous air barriers, and vertical fenestration (1 point, 2 points CS)
- Interior and exterior lighting, including daylighting (form or nonform driven) and interior finishes (1 point). CS: Minimum 20% of building area must have a complete lighting design
- Plug loads, including equipment choices, controls, and kitchen equipment (1 point, 0 points CS)
- HVAC and Service Water Heating Systems and Equipment (2 points) (1 point CS. CS scope of work must include at least 20% of the building’s projected cooling capacity, heating capacity, and fan volume)
- Building envelope: roofs, walls, floors, slabs, doors, vestibules, continuous air barriers, and vertical fenestration (1 point) (2 points – CS)
- Interior and exterior lighting, including sales floor (1 points)
- Refrigeration, Plug, and Process loads, including equipment choices and controls (2 points)(0 points CS)
- HVAC efficiency and control requirements (1 point) (1 point CS. CS scope of work must include at least 20% of the building’s projected cooling capacity, heating capacity, and fan volume)
OPTION 3. Systems Optimization (1-4 points)
To be eligible for Option 3, projects must use the ASHRAE 90.1-2016 Prescriptive compliance path in EA Prerequisite Minimum Energy Performance, and must not have more than 2,000 square feet of data center space, laboratory space, or manufacturing space. Demonstrate an improvement beyond ASHRAE/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1–2016, with errata, for the following systems: Interior and Exterior Lighting; Daylight controls; Building envelope; HVAC and service water heating equipment efficiency; and Equipment and appliances. Each three strategies selected earns 1 point (For Core & Shell lighting and HVAC efficiency measures, the project scope of work must include a complete design for at least 20% of the building area to qualify).- Interior and Exterior Lighting:
- 15% lighting power reduction
- 30% lighting power reduction
- 45% lighting power reduction
- Daylight controls: Install daylight-responsive controls for a given percentage of connected lighting load (lighting in non-regularly occupied space with occupant sensor controls may be excluded from connected lighting load).
- 35%
- 70%
- Building envelope:
- Climate Zones 1 – 2:
- Thermal Mass Enclosure: More than 70% of opaque above-grade wall area meets ASHRAE 90.1-2016 definition for “mass wall”; and more than 70% of floor area meets ASHRAE 90.1-2016 definition for “mass floor”
- 25% Envelope UA reduction
- 50% SHGC reduction (including window shade factors)
- Climate Zones 3 – 8:
- 25% Envelope UA reduction
- 50% Envelope UA reduction
- 25% reduction in air infiltration measured during commissioning
- Climate Zones 1 – 2:
- HVAC and Service Water Heating Equipment Efficiency:
- Reduction in total fan power allowance of:
- 15%
- 30%
- 45%
- Improvement in efficiency for at least 75% of the combined cooling, heating, and service water heating capacity
- 10%
- 20%
- 30%
- Reduction in total fan power allowance of:
- Equipment and Appliances: Install a percentage (by rated power) of eligible equipment and appliances meeting the following requirements:
- ENERGY STAR equipment including appliances, office equipment, electronics, and commercial food service equipment (lighting and building envelope products are excluded from this credit). (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) equipment may be used in lieu of Energy Star equipment where applicable).
- Prescriptive commercial kitchen and refrigeration equipment requirements listed in Appendix 3, Table 1.
- 20%
- 40%
- 60%
- 80%
- 100%
OPTION 4. DATA CENTERS ONLY– SYSTEM OPTIMIZATION (1 TO 3 POINTS)
Calculate an Overall Systems Design Value as the sum of the maximum design Mechanical Load Component (MLC) and maximum design Electrical Load Component (ELC) in accordance with ASHRAE 90.4-2016 Section 6.2, Section 8.2, and Section 11. Document that the Overall Systems Design value is less than the Maximum Overall Systems Value by:- 10% (1 point)
- 20% (2 points)
- 30% (3 points)
- 6% (1 point)
- 12% (2 points)
- 18% (3 points)
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Cost estimates for this credit
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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.
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© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Intent
To achieve increasing levels of energy performance beyond the prerequisite standard to reduce environmental and economic harms associated with excessive energy use.
Requirements
Establish an energy performance target no later than the schematic design phase. The target must be established using one of the following metrics:
- kBtu per square foot-year (kWh per square meter-year) of site energy use
- kBtu per square foot-year (kWh per square meter-year) of source energy use
- pounds per square foot-year (Kg per square meter-year) of greenhouse gas emissions
- energy cost per square foot-year (cost per square meter-year)
Option 1. Energy Performance Compliance (1–18 points except Schools and Healthcare, 1–16 points Schools, 1–20 points Healthcare)
Demonstrate a Performance Cost Index (PCI)1 below the Performance Cost Index Target (PCIt) calculated in accordance with Section 4.2.1.1 of ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2016, Appendix G, Table 4.2.1.1. For mixed use buildings, the required PCI shall be calculated by using an area weighted average of the building types. Calculate the PCI, PCIt, and percentage improvement using metrics of cost and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. For each energy source serving the building, the GHG emission factors must be identical for the Baseline and Proposed building models. LEED points are calculated based on the project percent improvement PCI below the PCIt using metrics of cost and GHG emissions. Total points have been divided equally between the metrics of energy cost and greenhouse gas emissions. Points are awarded according to Table 1 and Table 2. For project percent improvement for the cost metric, on-site renewable energy may be subtracted from proposed energy cost prior to calculating proposed building performance per ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2016 Section G 2.4.1.Table 1. Points for percentage improvement in energy performance – % Cost PCI below PCIt (1-9 points NC and CS, 1-8 points Schools, 1-10 points Healthcare)
New Construction | Healthcare, Major Renovation, CS | Points BD+C (except Schools, Healthcare) | Points Healthcare | Points Schools |
---|---|---|---|---|
5% | 2% | 1 | 1 | 1 |
10% | 5% | 2 | 2 | 2 |
15% | 10% | 3 | 3 | 3 |
20% | 15% | 4 | 4 | 4 |
25% | 20% | 5 | 5 | 5 |
30% | 25% | 6 | 6 | 6 |
35% | 30% | 7 | 7 | 7 |
40% | 35% | 8 | 8 | |
45% | 40% | 9 | 9 | 8 |
50% | 45% | EP | 10 | EP |
50% | EP |
Table 2. Points for percentage improvement in energy performance – % Greenhouse Gas Emissions PCI below PCIt (1-9 points NC, 1-8 points Schools, 1-10 points Healthcare)
New Construction | Healthcare, Major Renovation, CS, | Points BD+C (except Schools, Healthcare) | Points Healthcare | Points Schools |
---|---|---|---|---|
5% | 2% | 1 | 1 | 1 |
10% | 5% | 2 | 2 | 2 |
16% | 10% | 3 | 3 | 3 |
24% | 16% | 4 | 4 | 4 |
32% | 24% | 5 | 5 | 5 |
40% | 32% | 6 | 6 | 6 |
50% | 40% | 7 | 7 | 7 |
65% | 50% | 8 | 8 | |
80% | 65% | 9 | 9 | 8 |
100% | 80% | EP | 10 | EP |
100% | EP |
DATA CENTERS ONLY
In addition to the requirements above, analyze efficiency measures focused on IT load reduction and HVAC-related strategies. Collocated data centers may use the CS percentage improvement thresholds in lieu of NC thresholds to earn points in Table 1 and Table 2. OROption 2. Prescriptive Compliance: ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guide (1–6 points, 1-4 points CS)
To be eligible for Option 2, projects must meet the Scope requirements of the applicable AEDGs (or combination of AEDGs for mixed use), and projects must use the ASHRAE 90.1-2016 Prescriptive compliance path in EA Prerequisite Minimum Energy Performance. Implement and document compliance with the applicable recommendations and standards in Chapter 4, Design Strategies and Recommendations by Climate Zone, for the appropriate ASHRAE 50% Advanced Energy Design Guide and climate zone. ASHRAE 50% Advanced Energy Design Guide for Small to Medium Office Buildings- Building envelope: roofs, walls, floors, slabs, doors, continuous air barriers, and vertical fenestration (1 point, 2 points CS)
- Interior and exterior lighting, including daylighting and interior finishes (1 point). CS: Minimum 20% of building area must have a complete lighting design.
- Plug loads, including equipment and controls (2 points, 0 points CS)
- HVAC Systems and Controls (2 points, 1 point CS). CS scope of work must include at least 20% of the building’s projected cooling capacity, heating capacity, and fan volume.
- Building envelope: roofs, walls, floors, slabs, doors, vestibules and fenestration – all orientations (1 point, 2 points CS)
- Interior and exterior lighting, excluding lighting power density for sales floor (1 point). CS: Minimum 20% of building area must have a complete lighting design
- Additional interior lighting for sales floor (1 point, 0 points CS)
- Plug loads, including equipment choices and controls (1 point, 0 points CS)
- HVAC efficiency and control requirements (2 points, 1 point CS). CS scope of work must include at least 20% of the building’s projected cooling capacity, heating capacity, and fan volume)
- Building envelope: roofs, walls, floors, slabs, doors and vertical fenestration (1 point)
- Interior and exterior lighting, including daylighting and interior finishes (1 point)
- Plug loads, including equipment choices, controls, and kitchen equipment (2 points)
- HVAC efficiency and control requirements (2 points)
- Building envelope: roofs, walls, floors, slabs, doors, vestibules, continuous air barriers, and vertical fenestration (1 point, 2 points CS)
- Interior and exterior lighting, including daylighting (form or nonform driven) and interior finishes (1 point). CS: Minimum 20% of building area must have a complete lighting design
- Plug loads, including equipment choices, controls, and kitchen equipment (1 point, 0 points CS)
- HVAC and Service Water Heating Systems and Equipment (2 points) (1 point CS. CS scope of work must include at least 20% of the building’s projected cooling capacity, heating capacity, and fan volume)
- Building envelope: roofs, walls, floors, slabs, doors, vestibules, continuous air barriers, and vertical fenestration (1 point) (2 points – CS)
- Interior and exterior lighting, including sales floor (1 points)
- Refrigeration, Plug, and Process loads, including equipment choices and controls (2 points)(0 points CS)
- HVAC efficiency and control requirements (1 point) (1 point CS. CS scope of work must include at least 20% of the building’s projected cooling capacity, heating capacity, and fan volume)
OPTION 3. Systems Optimization (1-4 points)
To be eligible for Option 3, projects must use the ASHRAE 90.1-2016 Prescriptive compliance path in EA Prerequisite Minimum Energy Performance, and must not have more than 2,000 square feet of data center space, laboratory space, or manufacturing space. Demonstrate an improvement beyond ASHRAE/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1–2016, with errata, for the following systems: Interior and Exterior Lighting; Daylight controls; Building envelope; HVAC and service water heating equipment efficiency; and Equipment and appliances. Each three strategies selected earns 1 point (For Core & Shell lighting and HVAC efficiency measures, the project scope of work must include a complete design for at least 20% of the building area to qualify).- Interior and Exterior Lighting:
- 15% lighting power reduction
- 30% lighting power reduction
- 45% lighting power reduction
- Daylight controls: Install daylight-responsive controls for a given percentage of connected lighting load (lighting in non-regularly occupied space with occupant sensor controls may be excluded from connected lighting load).
- 35%
- 70%
- Building envelope:
- Climate Zones 1 – 2:
- Thermal Mass Enclosure: More than 70% of opaque above-grade wall area meets ASHRAE 90.1-2016 definition for “mass wall”; and more than 70% of floor area meets ASHRAE 90.1-2016 definition for “mass floor”
- 25% Envelope UA reduction
- 50% SHGC reduction (including window shade factors)
- Climate Zones 3 – 8:
- 25% Envelope UA reduction
- 50% Envelope UA reduction
- 25% reduction in air infiltration measured during commissioning
- Climate Zones 1 – 2:
- HVAC and Service Water Heating Equipment Efficiency:
- Reduction in total fan power allowance of:
- 15%
- 30%
- 45%
- Improvement in efficiency for at least 75% of the combined cooling, heating, and service water heating capacity
- 10%
- 20%
- 30%
- Reduction in total fan power allowance of:
- Equipment and Appliances: Install a percentage (by rated power) of eligible equipment and appliances meeting the following requirements:
- ENERGY STAR equipment including appliances, office equipment, electronics, and commercial food service equipment (lighting and building envelope products are excluded from this credit). (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) equipment may be used in lieu of Energy Star equipment where applicable).
- Prescriptive commercial kitchen and refrigeration equipment requirements listed in Appendix 3, Table 1.
- 20%
- 40%
- 60%
- 80%
- 100%
OPTION 4. DATA CENTERS ONLY– SYSTEM OPTIMIZATION (1 TO 3 POINTS)
Calculate an Overall Systems Design Value as the sum of the maximum design Mechanical Load Component (MLC) and maximum design Electrical Load Component (ELC) in accordance with ASHRAE 90.4-2016 Section 6.2, Section 8.2, and Section 11. Document that the Overall Systems Design value is less than the Maximum Overall Systems Value by:- 10% (1 point)
- 20% (2 points)
- 30% (3 points)
- 6% (1 point)
- 12% (2 points)
- 18% (3 points)
In the end, LEED is all about documentation. LEEDuser’s Documentation Toolkit, for premium members only, saves you time and helps you avoid mistakes with:
- Calculators to help assess credit compliance.
- Tracking spreadsheets for materials purchases.
- Spreadsheets and forms to give to subs and other team members.
- Guidance documents on arcane LEED issues.
- Sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions.
- Examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects.