LEEDuser’s viewpoint
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.
Credit language
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Requirements
Credit can be achieved through any combination of the Innovation in design and Exemplary performance paths as described below:
Path 1. Innovation in design (1-4 points)
Achieve significant, measurable environmental performance using a strategy not addressed in the LEED 2009 for Heathcare Rating System. One point is awarded for each innovation achieved. No more than 4 points under IDc1 may be earned through Path 1—Innovation in design. Identify the following in writing:- The intent of the proposed innovation credit.
- The proposed requirement for compliance.
- The proposed submittals to demonstrate compliance.
- The design approach (strategies) used to meet the requirements.
Path 2. Exemplary performance (1-3 points)
Achieve exemplary performance in an existing LEED 2009 for Healthcare prerequisite or credit that allows exemplary performance as specified in the LEED Reference Guide for Green Building Design & Construction, 2010 Edition Healthcare Supplement. An exemplary performance point may be earned for achieving double the credit requirements and/or achieving the next incremental percentage threshold of an existing credit in LEED. One point is awarded for each exemplary performance achieved. No more than 3 points under IDc1 may be earned through Path 2— Exemplary performance.Path 3. Pilot credit (1-4 points)
Attempt a pilot credit (see the Pilot Credit Library, at www.usgbc.org/pilotcreditlibrary). Register as a pilot credit participant and complete the required documentation. A project team may pursue up to 4 pilot credits. See all forum discussions about this credit »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.
Learn more about The Cost of LEED v4 »Frequently asked questions
See all forum discussions about this credit »Addenda
We would like to establish a precedent for using the LEED Innovation in Design (ID) Credit: Design for Health Through Increased Physical Activity on LEED projects across LEED Rating Systems. 1. Intent of CreditPromote the health and fitness of residents and staff through building design and operation, while achieving synergistic environmental benefits.2. Why this Credit is NeededRegular physical activity is associated with reduced rates of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, some cancers and reduced health care costs. Obesity, and with it type 2 diabetes, are epidemic in adults and children, and are rising rapidly in the U.S. These conditions, along with cardiovascular disease and cancer, are leading causes of death and health care costs in the U.S. Physical inactivity and poor diets are second only to tobacco. LEED has taken an early leadership role in banning indoor smoking to control environmental tobacco smoke as a perquisite in 2000. As the leading causes of premature deaths in the U.S. Cardiovascular diseases have also now overtaken infectious diseases as the leading causes of death globally, physical activity in our built environment can help slow society\'s second biggest killer, inactivity.Research has shown that improvements in building design and operation have measurable impacts on occupant physical activity, and are important, alongside neighborhood design, for reducing health problems associated with physical inactivity. 3. LEED Projects Already Approved with ID Credit: Design for Health Through Increased Physical ActivityThe LEED (ID) Credit: Design for Health Through Increased Physical Activity has already been implemented and approved on several LEED projects such as Via Verde & Riverside Health Center, which were both LEED NC projects, and 2 Gotham which was a LEED CI project. Sample Submittals for LEED (ID) Credit: Design for Health Through Increased Physical Activity:http://brightpower.biz/greenbuilding/ID-designforhealth http://www.1100architect.com/ (see "Burn Calories not Energy" in the "Sustainability" section)4. Development of CreditThis ID Credit was developed as part of the Active Design Guidelines (www.nyc.gov/adg) by an interagency team including the Active Design Team, which provides technical assistance to LEED projects to assist them in implementing Active Design and The LEED (ID) Credit: Design for Health Through Increased Physical Activity on LEED projects.5. Synergistic Benefits in the Design For Health Through Increased Physical Activity Strategies:* Recreation time spent in physical activity rather than TV viewing lowers energy consumption as TVs are projected to overtake refrigerators as the main source of household appliance electricity use in New York State* Elevators routinely account for 3-10% of a building\'s total energy use, by promoting use of pedestrian modes of vertical circulation such as stairs and ramps over motorized modes of vertical circulation such as elevators, escalators, and moving platforms, energy use can be greatly reduced. In Riverside Healthcare, which previously earned this LEED ID Credit Design For Health Through Increased Physical Activity, the facility found that elevator energy use during non-operational times (10 pm to 6 am) was 35% of elevator energy use during building operation times, suggesting an energy savings of up 65%, if elevators are not routinely used. * Energy savings are expected to be a supplement to the other primary benefits of this proposal, which are health benefits for occupants and the surrounding community, and benefits to society in reducing health burdens and health care costs (akin to the LEED Prerequisites for Environmental Tobacco Smoke and credits for Low-VOC finishes).Articles documenting benefits related to Green Building & Physical Activity:http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=77#public_health Quantifiable Benefits Matrix &Associated Reference List:http://brightpower.biz/files/Quantitative%20Benefits%20Matrix.pdf http://brightpower.biz/files/Design%20for%20Health%20-%20Reference%20Lis... 6. Further Information about Health & Active Design in Green BuildingThe Active Design Team recently hosted a webinar from USGBC\'s headquarters in D.C. about the LEED (ID) Credit: Design for Health Through Increased Physical Activity and benefits of physical activity through routine daily use of our built environment.Health and Active Design through Green Building Webinar:https://video.webcasts.com/events/usgb001/37845
This inquiry has also been submitted as a User-Generated Pilot Credit Application and will be reviewed by the Pilot Credit Library Working Group through the pilot credit process. The Working Group evaluation will include an in depth weightings exercise and prioritization. If the credit is approved for use in the Pilot Credit Library, it will be available to all applicable projects and rating system types. If the credit is not approved, it can be revised and resubmitted through the Pilot Credit process, but cannot be resubmitted as a precedent setting LEED Interpretation without major revision.
**Updated 10/1/13 for rating system applicability.
Fly Ash Blended Cement We are looking to score one innovation credit for the use of fly ash blended cement. However, we are looking to use approximately 10% of normal, non-blended cement (300 cy out of a total of 3,000 cy)due to coordination and timing issues. If we then use approximately 90% blended cement, would we still be eligible for the innovation credit?
To achieve an environmental benefit, it is critical that fly-ash REPLACE cement content, not just be added as a filler. Adding fly-ash to a concrete mix without reducing cement content has only limited advantages to the environment. It is unclear from the question whether the project is actually off-setting cement use. The Credit Ruling Committee has suggested that a 40% REPLACEMENT of cement with fly-ash would qualify for an innovation credit. Lower levels of fly-ash use are more typical, and would not be considered innovative enough to warrant an innovation point. Note that there are many complexities of fly-ash use with respect to concrete strength requirements that factor into the discussion of what constitutes an innovation. Regardless of the percent used, fly-ash content would count toward MR Credit 4; Recycled Content Materials.Modification Note as of July 1st, 2012: The applicability of this LEED Interpretation has been modified to indicate that it is applicable to LEED 2009 projects. However, USGBC and GBCI will be phasing this Innovation strategy out. While this strategy is acceptable for LEED 2009 it will not be acceptable for LEED 2012 because the environmental benefit(s) of replacing cement with alternative cementitious material will be captured in available credits. Applicable Internationally.
Can a project team earn an Innovation credit for increasing the efficiency of necessary energy use during construction?
Project teams may pursue an ID credit for reductions in construction energy use related to lighting and temporary heat if the following conditions are met:For tables, see https://www.usgbc.org/resources/temporary-lighting-and-heat-leed-interpr.... Must show construction energy savings over duration of project exceeds 2% of predicted annual building energy use (EA1 design case energy model or CBECS if no energy model).2. No credit given for adjusting schedules or shutting down lighting and equipment during non-construction hours. It is assumed that standard practice is to turn lights and temporary heat off when not in use. 3. No credit given for permanent building systems used for lighting or temporary heat. 4. For temporary lighting: a. Calculate savings based on actual run times for all lamps compared to the same run times assuming lamps with an efficacy of 40 lumens per watt.i. Example: If a project uses 100 LED lamps of 12 watts, 800 lumens each, for 10 hours per day for 100 days, they would use 1,200 watts (1,200 kWh) to produce 80,000 lumens. A base case with 40 lumens per watt would use 2,000 watts (2,000 kWh).b. Security and life safety lighting must be on separate circuits from general lighting and only security and safety lighting can be on during unoccupied hours.5. For temporary heat:a. Demonstrate that temporary heating is required.b. Calculate savings based on actual run times for all heating compared to the same run times assuming a baseline system with a thermal efficiency of 78%.6. For all other conservation measures demonstrate that proposed measure is not standard practice by referencing the construction practices of three similar projects in the same location of the project building within the past 2 years.7. The submittal documentation shall include:a. A holistic, construction energy management plan including descriptions of all energy conservation measures.b. Quantitative performance analysis for each measure comparing the implemented energy conservation measure versus a standard baseline (typical construction practices) to demonstrate how the project team arrived at savings calculations.c. Product data for installed equipment.NOTES:The 2009 IECC requires that 50% of all permanent lamps be high efficacy lighting. The 2009 IECC, chapter 2 defines high efficacy lamps as compact fluorescent lamps, T-8 or smaller diameter linear fluorescent lamps, or lamps with a minimum efficacy of: 60 lumens per watt for lamps > 40 watts, 50 lumens per watt for lamps > 15 watts and ? 40 watts, and 40 lumens per watt for lamps < 15 wattsApplicable Internationally.
Can a project earn ID credit for being in a LEED ND neighborhood? What level of certification or stage or review must the project have completed?
Yes, a project can earn ID credit for being in a LEED for Neighborhood Development certified project. The LEED-ND project must be certified, not just registered. LEED-ND projects at any certification level (Certified through Platinum) and any stage of certification (Stage 1, 2, or 3) are eligible.
**Update October 1, 2013 - The ruling below is no longer valid for project registered after 7/1/2013. As many prerequisites and credits within LEED-ND and LEED-NC address similar concepts, simply locating a NC project within LEED-ND neighborhood is not considered innovative and in some cases, can lead to double-counting the use of the same strategy in both Rating Systems.
Green Advantage certification
USGBC has assessed the Green Advantage certification program against our established requirements for recognition in LEED and found Green Advantage to be in compliance. As such, LEED project teams who comply with the following requirements are eligible for award of 1 Innovation point for LEED v4, and 2009 BD&C and LEED-NC v2.2 projects:1. Prior to and throughout the construction phase of the project, 30% of the General Contractor\'s or Construction Manager\'s personnel will be Green Advantage Certified. Personnel must be actively involved in the day-to-day activities and of the following classifications as applicable: a. Contractorb. Construction Manager including Project Executivec. Project Manager d. Project Engineer e. Quality Control Managerf. Mechanical/ Electrical/Plumbing (MEP) Coordinatorg. Superintendenth. Assistant Superintendent i. General Foreman2. Prior to and throughout the construction phase of the project, 30% of Subcontractor personnel will be Green Advantage Certified. Personnel must be actively involved in the day-to-day activities and of the following classifications: a. Project Managerb. Superintendentc. Project Engineerd. Quality Control Managere. General Foremanf. Trade Foreman(removed 4/1/2011: Architect\'s on site representative)Note that this LEED Interpretation is in line with the guidance for \'Recognition of Third Party Personnel Credentials and Certifications in LEED\', which can be found at usgbc.org and is also linked below.added 4/1/2011:Submittals:1. Provide a complete list, aggregating General Contractor\'s and Construction Manager\'s personnel, noting each person\'s role in the project and who is Green Advantage Certified. (For multiple-prime contracts, provide separate lists for the Construction Manager and each Prime Contractor.) Calculate the percentage of Green Advantage Certified personnel. 2. Provide a complete list, aggregating Subcontractors\' personnel, noting each person\'s role in the project and who is Green Advantage Certified. (For multiple-prime contracts, provide separate lists for each Prime Contractor\'s Subcontractors.) Calculate the percentage of Green Advantage Certified personnel. 3. For each Green Advantage Certified individual, provide a copy of the Green Advantage certificate. Applicable Internationally.
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.
Get the inside scoop
Our editors have written a detailed analysis of nearly every LEED credit, and LEEDuser premium members get full access. We’ll tell you whether the credit is easy to accomplish or better left alone, and we provide insider tips on how to document it successfully.
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Requirements
Credit can be achieved through any combination of the Innovation in design and Exemplary performance paths as described below:
Path 1. Innovation in design (1-4 points)
Achieve significant, measurable environmental performance using a strategy not addressed in the LEED 2009 for Heathcare Rating System. One point is awarded for each innovation achieved. No more than 4 points under IDc1 may be earned through Path 1—Innovation in design. Identify the following in writing:- The intent of the proposed innovation credit.
- The proposed requirement for compliance.
- The proposed submittals to demonstrate compliance.
- The design approach (strategies) used to meet the requirements.
Path 2. Exemplary performance (1-3 points)
Achieve exemplary performance in an existing LEED 2009 for Healthcare prerequisite or credit that allows exemplary performance as specified in the LEED Reference Guide for Green Building Design & Construction, 2010 Edition Healthcare Supplement. An exemplary performance point may be earned for achieving double the credit requirements and/or achieving the next incremental percentage threshold of an existing credit in LEED. One point is awarded for each exemplary performance achieved. No more than 3 points under IDc1 may be earned through Path 2— Exemplary performance.Path 3. Pilot credit (1-4 points)
Attempt a pilot credit (see the Pilot Credit Library, at www.usgbc.org/pilotcreditlibrary). Register as a pilot credit participant and complete the required documentation. A project team may pursue up to 4 pilot credits.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.