Log in
LEED v4
Neighborhood Development
Green infrastructure & buildings
Minimum building energy performance

LEED CREDIT

ND-v4 GIBp2: Minimum building energy performance Required

LEEDuser’s viewpoint

Explore this LEED credit

Post your questions on this credit in the forum, and click on the credit language tab to review to the LEED requirements.

Credit language

USGBC logo

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

Requirements

The requirements apply to 90% of the total building floor area (rounded up to the next whole building) of all nonresidential buildings, mixed-use buildings, and multiunit residential buildings four stories or more constructed as part of the project or undergoing major renovations as part of the project. Each counted building must comply with one of the following options.

Option 1. Whole-building energy simulation

Demonstrate an average improvement of 5% for new buildings, 3% for major building renovations, or 2% for core and shell buildings over ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1–2010, with errata (or a USGBC-approved equivalent standard for projects outside the U.S.) across all buildings pursuing Option 1. Multiple buildings may be grouped into a single energy model, provided (1) the building type (new construction, major renovation, or core and shell) is consistent for all buildings included in the energy model, or (2) an average 5% improvement is demonstrated for the entire energy model. Calculate the baseline building performance according to ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1–2010, Appendix G, with errata, using a simulation model.

Buildings must meet the minimum percentage savings before taking credit for renewable energy systems. Each building’s proposed design must meet the following criteria:

  • compliance with the mandatory provisions of ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1–2010, with errata (or a USGBC-approved equivalent standard for projects outside the U.S.);
  • inclusion of all energy consumption and costs within and associated with the building project; and
  • comparison against a baseline building that complies with Standard 90.1–2010, Appendix G, with errata (or a USGBC-approved equivalent standard for projects outside the U.S.).

Document the energy modeling input assumptions for unregulated loads. Unregulated loads should be modeled accurately to reflect the actual expected energy consumption of the building.

If unregulated loads are not identical for both the baseline and the proposed building performance rating, follow the exceptional calculation method (ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1–2010, G2.5) or use the COMNET modeling guidelines and procedures to document measures that reduce unregulated loads.

OR

Option 2. Prescriptive compliance: ASHRAE 50% Advanced Energy Design Guide

Comply with the mandatory and prescriptive provisions of ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1–2010, with errata (or a USGBC-approved equivalent standard for projects outside the U.S.).

Comply with HVAC and service water heating requirements applicable to the each building, including equipment efficiency, economizers, ventilation, and ducts and dampers, for the appropriate ASHRAE 50% Advanced Energy Design Guide and climate zone:

  • ASHRAE 50% Advanced Energy Design Guide for Small to Medium Office Buildings, for office buildings smaller than 100,000 square feet (9 290 square meters);
  • ASHRAE 50% Advanced Energy Design Guide for Medium to Large Box Retail Buildings, for retail buildings with 20,000 to 100,000 square feet (1 860 to 9 290 square meters);
  • ASHRAE 50% Advanced Energy Design Guide for K–12 School Buildings; or
  • ASHRAE 50% Advanced Energy Design Guide for Large Hospitals.
    • Over 100,000 square feet (9 290 square meters)

For projects outside the U.S., consult ASHRAE/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1–2010, Appendixes B and D, to determine the appropriate climate zone.

OR

Option 3. Prescriptive compliance: Advanced Buildings Core Performance Guide

Comply with the mandatory and prescriptive provisions of ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1–2010, with errata (or USGBC approved equivalent standard for projects outside the U.S.).

Comply with Section 1: Design Process Strategies, Section 2: Core Performance Requirements, and the following three strategies from Section 3: Enhanced Performance Strategies, as applicable. Where standards conflict, follow the more stringent of the two. For projects outside the U.S., consult ASHRAE/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2010, Appendixes B and D, to determine the appropriate climate zone.

3.5 Supply Air Temperature Reset (VAV)
3.9 Premium Economizer Performance
3.10 Variable Speed Control

To be eligible for Option 3, the project must be less than 100,000 square feet (9 290 square meters).

Note: Healthcare, Warehouse or Laboratory projects are ineligible for Option 3.
AND
For new single family residential buildings and new lowrise multifamily buildings, 90% of the total building floor area must meet the requirements of LEED for Homes v4 EA Prerequisite Minimum Energy Performance.

Pilot Alternatives Available

The following pilot alternative compliance path is available for this credit. See the pilot credit library for more information. EApc107 - Energy Performance Metering Path
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 »

Addenda

10/14/2019Updated: 10/14/2019
Regional ACP
Description of change:
At the end of ND GIB prerequisite Minimum Building Energy Performance prerequisite language, add the following text:

Alternative Compliance Paths (ACPs)

Canada ACP – NECB and EnerGuide
For buildings in Group 1. Nonresidential, mixed-use, and multiunit residential buildings four stories or more, projects in Canada may instead demonstrate a percentage improvement in the proposed building performance rating compared with the baseline according to the National Energy Code for Buildings (NECB) 2011. Refer to the LEED v4 BD+C EA prerequisite Minimum Energy Performance Canada ACP for NECB 2011 for additional guidance.

For buildings in Group 2. Single-family residential and multiunit residential three stories or less, projects in Canada may instead demonstrate compliance using the EnerGuide Rating System and additional prescriptive requirements. Refer to the LEED v4 Homes Canada ACP for EA prerequisite Minimum Energy Performance for additional guidance.

To achieve points under EA credit Optimize Building Energy Performance, 90% of the Group 2 buildings must demonstrate performance equivalent to at least 15 points under the LEED v4 Homes Canada ACP for EA Credit Annual Energy Use.


At the end of ND GIB credit District Heating and Cooling credit language, add the following text:

Canadian projects can use the NECB 2011 as an alternative to by ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1–2010 for demonstrating the minimum efficiency requirements for equipment:

Each system component that is addressed by the NECB 2011 must have an overall efficiency performance at least 10% better than that specified by the Code’s mandatory limitations. Additionally, annual district pumping energy consumption that exceeds 2.5% of the annual thermal energy output of the heating and cooling plant must be offset by increases in the component’s efficiency beyond the 10% improvement. If a combined heat and power (CHP) system is used to comply with the credit requirements, show equivalence by demonstrating that energy consumption savings from the CHP plant at least equals the energy savings that would result from using a conventional district energy system with components that are 10% better than the NECB 2011. When determining equivalency, take into account the pumping energy as described above.


LEED v4 ND reference guide:

GIB credit District Heating and Cooling: add the following text to the Further Explanation > International Tips section:
"Canada
Canadian projects using the Canadian ACP for NECB 2011, refer to sections 5.2 and 6.2 in place of ASHRAE 90.1–2010, Sections 6.4 and 7.4, for eligible equipment overall efficiency requirements. In addition, NECB, table 5.2.12.1 must can be used in place of ASHRAE 90.1–2010, Table 6.8.1C for minimum efficiency for water chilling packages."

GIB credit Renewable Energy Production: add the following text to a new Further Explanation > International Tips section:
"Canada
"Canadian projects teams can use the following to calculate the project’s annual electrical and thermal energy cost when using the prescriptive option under GIB prerequisite Minimum Building Energy Performance:

For Non-residential buildings, use the Survey of Commercial and Institutional Energy Use (SCIEU) data contained within Portfolio Manager Technical Reference: Canadian National Energy Use Intensity By Property Type.

For Residential buildings, both multifamily and single family, use data from the Survey of Household Energy Use from Natural Resources Canada. [http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/corporate/statistics/neud/dpa/menus/sheu/2011/tab..."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
1/5/2018Updated: 1/10/2018
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
Modify the language under the "AND" of Option 3 to read as follows:

"For new single family residential buildings and new lowrise multifamily buildings, 90% of the total building floor area must meet the requirements of LEED for Homes v4 EA Prerequisite Minimum Energy Performance.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
7/1/2015
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

For projects located in California, can the 2013 Title 24 Part 6 California Energy Code be used to demonstrate compliance in lieu of ASHRAE 90.1-2010?

Ruling:

Instead of ASHRAE 90.1-2010 Appendix G, projects in California may demonstrate compliance with the 2013 Title 24 Part 6 California Energy Code using the Performance method. The same percentage improvement in energy performance is required to meet the Prerequisite, and the same points for percentage improvement in energy performance are applicable for the Credit.
The following conditions (where applicable) must be met:
• Energy Cost shall be used as the performance metric rather than TDV energy. Exception: A Pilot ACP allowing alternate metrics may be applied as applicable.
• Model all process energy consumption within and associated with the building as designed. Model all enclosed building spaces within and associated with the building even if the space types are not regulated by Title-24.
• BD+C: Major renovations must be modeled using the Title-24 new construction modeling requirements for HVAC, DHW, and lighting (as opposed to existing conditions). However, for LEED-BD&C, the baseline envelope conditions may be modeled using existing conditions prior to renovation.
• ID+C: The energy model must be modeled using the Title-24 new construction requirements for HVAC, DHW, lighting and envelope.

Campus Applicable
Yes
Internationally Applicable:
No
7/1/2015
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

For projects located in Seattle, can the 2012 Seattle Energy Code be used to demonstrate compliance in lieu of ASHRAE 90.1-2010?

Ruling:

Instead of ASHRAE 90.1-2010 Appendix G, projects in Seattle may demonstrate compliance with with all mandatory provisions of the 2012 Seattle Energy Code AND demonstrate a percentage improvement in the proposed building performance rating compared with the baseline according to the 2012 Seattle Energy Code Total Building Performance (Section C407). The same percentage improvement in energy performance is required to meet the Prerequisite, and the same points for percentage improvement in energy performance are applicable for the Credit.
The following conditions (where applicable) must be met:
• Energy Cost shall be used as the performance metric rather than site energy (versus Section C407.3 which indicates that site energy shall be used). Exception: A Pilot ACP allowing alternate metrics may be applied as applicable.
• Model proposed and reference outside air similar to ASHRAE 90.1-2010.
o Proposed and reference (baseline) outside air rates shall be modeled as per ASHRAE 90.1 – 2010 (G3.1.2.6).
• In addition to the documentation requirements established by the Seattle Energy Code, all required LEED documentation must be provided (and must include the same information as is required for ASHRAE 90.1-2010, with all baseline and proposed inputs shown) including:
o The LEED EAp2: Minimum Energy Performance form
o The LEED EAc1: Optimize Energy Performance form
o The LEED v4 Minimum Energy Performance Calculator (http://www.usgbc.org/resources/minimum-energy-performance-calculator) (or a document with equivalent information) with Baseline inputs updated to refer to Seattle Energy Code.
• Multifamily high-rise and dormitory projects are not eligible for this alternative compliance path.
• BD+C: The equivalence applies for new construction only and does not apply to major renovations.
• ID+C: The energy model must be modeled using the Title-24 new construction requirements for HVAC, DHW, lighting and envelope.

Campus Applicable
Yes
Internationally Applicable:
No
10/17/2016
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

Do LEED v4 ND projects using earlier versions of ASHRAE Standard 90.1 comply with LEED v4 Green Infrastructure and Buildings (GIB) prerequisite Minimum building energy performance?

Ruling:

Table 1. Point thresholds required for earlier ASHRAE 90.1 Appendix G models

Building Type

ASHRAE 90.1-2004 Appendix G

Minimum Performance Improvement

ASHRAE 90.1-2007 Appendix G

Minimum Performance Improvement

New Construction

Core & Shell

Major Renovation

New Construction

Core & Shell

Major Renovation

Non-residential

32%

29%

30%

28%

25%

26%

Residential (Hotels, multi-family four stories or more)

17%

14%

15%

15%

12%

13%

Campus Applicable
Yes
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
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.

USGBC logo

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

Requirements

The requirements apply to 90% of the total building floor area (rounded up to the next whole building) of all nonresidential buildings, mixed-use buildings, and multiunit residential buildings four stories or more constructed as part of the project or undergoing major renovations as part of the project. Each counted building must comply with one of the following options.

Option 1. Whole-building energy simulation

Demonstrate an average improvement of 5% for new buildings, 3% for major building renovations, or 2% for core and shell buildings over ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1–2010, with errata (or a USGBC-approved equivalent standard for projects outside the U.S.) across all buildings pursuing Option 1. Multiple buildings may be grouped into a single energy model, provided (1) the building type (new construction, major renovation, or core and shell) is consistent for all buildings included in the energy model, or (2) an average 5% improvement is demonstrated for the entire energy model. Calculate the baseline building performance according to ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1–2010, Appendix G, with errata, using a simulation model.

Buildings must meet the minimum percentage savings before taking credit for renewable energy systems. Each building’s proposed design must meet the following criteria:

  • compliance with the mandatory provisions of ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1–2010, with errata (or a USGBC-approved equivalent standard for projects outside the U.S.);
  • inclusion of all energy consumption and costs within and associated with the building project; and
  • comparison against a baseline building that complies with Standard 90.1–2010, Appendix G, with errata (or a USGBC-approved equivalent standard for projects outside the U.S.).

Document the energy modeling input assumptions for unregulated loads. Unregulated loads should be modeled accurately to reflect the actual expected energy consumption of the building.

If unregulated loads are not identical for both the baseline and the proposed building performance rating, follow the exceptional calculation method (ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1–2010, G2.5) or use the COMNET modeling guidelines and procedures to document measures that reduce unregulated loads.

OR

Option 2. Prescriptive compliance: ASHRAE 50% Advanced Energy Design Guide

Comply with the mandatory and prescriptive provisions of ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1–2010, with errata (or a USGBC-approved equivalent standard for projects outside the U.S.).

Comply with HVAC and service water heating requirements applicable to the each building, including equipment efficiency, economizers, ventilation, and ducts and dampers, for the appropriate ASHRAE 50% Advanced Energy Design Guide and climate zone:

  • ASHRAE 50% Advanced Energy Design Guide for Small to Medium Office Buildings, for office buildings smaller than 100,000 square feet (9 290 square meters);
  • ASHRAE 50% Advanced Energy Design Guide for Medium to Large Box Retail Buildings, for retail buildings with 20,000 to 100,000 square feet (1 860 to 9 290 square meters);
  • ASHRAE 50% Advanced Energy Design Guide for K–12 School Buildings; or
  • ASHRAE 50% Advanced Energy Design Guide for Large Hospitals.
    • Over 100,000 square feet (9 290 square meters)

For projects outside the U.S., consult ASHRAE/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1–2010, Appendixes B and D, to determine the appropriate climate zone.

OR

Option 3. Prescriptive compliance: Advanced Buildings Core Performance Guide

Comply with the mandatory and prescriptive provisions of ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1–2010, with errata (or USGBC approved equivalent standard for projects outside the U.S.).

Comply with Section 1: Design Process Strategies, Section 2: Core Performance Requirements, and the following three strategies from Section 3: Enhanced Performance Strategies, as applicable. Where standards conflict, follow the more stringent of the two. For projects outside the U.S., consult ASHRAE/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2010, Appendixes B and D, to determine the appropriate climate zone.

3.5 Supply Air Temperature Reset (VAV)
3.9 Premium Economizer Performance
3.10 Variable Speed Control

To be eligible for Option 3, the project must be less than 100,000 square feet (9 290 square meters).

Note: Healthcare, Warehouse or Laboratory projects are ineligible for Option 3.
AND
For new single family residential buildings and new lowrise multifamily buildings, 90% of the total building floor area must meet the requirements of LEED for Homes v4 EA Prerequisite Minimum Energy Performance.

Pilot Alternatives Available

The following pilot alternative compliance path is available for this credit. See the pilot credit library for more information. EApc107 - Energy Performance Metering Path
See all LEEDuser forum discussions about this credit » Subscribe to new discussions about ND-v4 GIBp2