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LEED v2008
Homes
Energy and Atmosphere
Windows

LEED CREDIT

Homes-v2008 EAc4: Windows 2-3 points

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USGBC logo

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

Requirements

Prerequisites

4.1 Good windows. Meet all of the following requirements:
  1. Design and install windows and glass doors that have NFRC ratings that meet or exceed the window requirements of the ENERGY STAR for Homes national Builder Option Package (Table 1).
  2. The ratio of skylight glazing to conditioned floor area may not exceed 3%.3 All skylights must meet the ENERGY STAR performance requirements for skylights, but are exempt from the requirements in Table 1.
  3. Homes in the Northern or North/Central climate zones that have a total window-to-floor area ratio (WFA) of 18% or more must meet a more stringent U-factor requirement (also applicable to EA 4.2 and 4.3): U-factor = [0.18 / WFA] * [U-factor from Table 1].
  4. Homes in the Southern or South/Central climate zones that have a total window-to-floor area ratio (WFA) of 18% or more must meet a more stringent solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) requirement (also applicable to EA 4.2 and 4.3): SHGC = [0.18 / WFA] * [SHGC from Table 1].
Note: Up to 0.75% of the window-to-floor area may be used for decorative glass or skylight area that does not meet the U-factor and SHGC requirements above.

Credits

4.2 Enhanced windows (2 points). Design and install windows and glass doors that have NFRC ratings that exceed the window requirements in the ENERGY STAR for Homes national Builder Option Package (Table 1).

OR

4.3 Exceptional windows (3 points). Design and install windows and glass doors that have NFRC ratings that substantially exceed the window requirements in the ENERGY STAR for Homes national Builder Option Package (Table 1).
Table 1 ENERGY STAR Requirements for Windows and Glass Doors

 

Metric

ENERGY STAR zone

Northern

North Central

South Central

Southern

EA 4.1: Good Windows
(prerequisite)

U-factor

≤ 0.35

≤ 0.40

≤ 0.40

≤ 0.55

SHGC

Any

≤ 0.45

≤ 0.40

≤ 0.35

EA 4.2: Enhanced Windows
(optional, 2 points)

U-factor

≤ 0.31

≤ 0.35

≤ 0.35

≤ 0.55

SHGC

Any

≤ 0.40

≤ 0.35

≤ 0.33

EA 4.3: Exceptional Windows
(optional, 3 points)

U-factor

≤ 0.28

≤ 0.32

≤ 0.32

≤ 0.55

SHGC

Any

≤ 0.40

≤ 0.30

≤ 0.30
Figure 1 Zones for Window Specifications
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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.

Learn more about The Cost of LEED v4 »

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USGBC logo

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

Requirements

Prerequisites

4.1 Good windows. Meet all of the following requirements:
  1. Design and install windows and glass doors that have NFRC ratings that meet or exceed the window requirements of the ENERGY STAR for Homes national Builder Option Package (Table 1).
  2. The ratio of skylight glazing to conditioned floor area may not exceed 3%.3 All skylights must meet the ENERGY STAR performance requirements for skylights, but are exempt from the requirements in Table 1.
  3. Homes in the Northern or North/Central climate zones that have a total window-to-floor area ratio (WFA) of 18% or more must meet a more stringent U-factor requirement (also applicable to EA 4.2 and 4.3): U-factor = [0.18 / WFA] * [U-factor from Table 1].
  4. Homes in the Southern or South/Central climate zones that have a total window-to-floor area ratio (WFA) of 18% or more must meet a more stringent solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) requirement (also applicable to EA 4.2 and 4.3): SHGC = [0.18 / WFA] * [SHGC from Table 1].
Note: Up to 0.75% of the window-to-floor area may be used for decorative glass or skylight area that does not meet the U-factor and SHGC requirements above.

Credits

4.2 Enhanced windows (2 points). Design and install windows and glass doors that have NFRC ratings that exceed the window requirements in the ENERGY STAR for Homes national Builder Option Package (Table 1).

OR

4.3 Exceptional windows (3 points). Design and install windows and glass doors that have NFRC ratings that substantially exceed the window requirements in the ENERGY STAR for Homes national Builder Option Package (Table 1).
Table 1 ENERGY STAR Requirements for Windows and Glass Doors

 

Metric

ENERGY STAR zone

Northern

North Central

South Central

Southern

EA 4.1: Good Windows
(prerequisite)

U-factor

≤ 0.35

≤ 0.40

≤ 0.40

≤ 0.55

SHGC

Any

≤ 0.45

≤ 0.40

≤ 0.35

EA 4.2: Enhanced Windows
(optional, 2 points)

U-factor

≤ 0.31

≤ 0.35

≤ 0.35

≤ 0.55

SHGC

Any

≤ 0.40

≤ 0.35

≤ 0.33

EA 4.3: Exceptional Windows
(optional, 3 points)

U-factor

≤ 0.28

≤ 0.32

≤ 0.32

≤ 0.55

SHGC

Any

≤ 0.40

≤ 0.30

≤ 0.30
Figure 1 Zones for Window Specifications
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