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LEED v4.1
Retail – Commercial Interiors
Energy and Atmosphere
Optimize Energy Performance

LEED CREDIT

Retail-CI-v4.1 EAc2: Optimize Energy Performance 1-24 points

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Marcus Sheffer

7group / Energy Opportunities
LEED Fellow

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Credit language

USGBC logo

© 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 and greenhouse gas emissions that disproportionately impact frontline communities.

Requirements

Analyze efficiency measures during the design process and account for the results in design decision-making. Analysis can include energy simulation of efficiency opportunities, energy simulation analyses for similar projects, or published data from energy analyses performed for similar projects (such as AEDGs).

Analyze efficiency measures focused on load reduction and HVAC-related strategies; passive measures are acceptable. Project the potential energy savings and cost implications for all affected systems.

Select one of the options below.
Option 1. Tenant-Level Energy Performance Compliance (4–24 points)

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 4.2.1.3. For mixed use projects, 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.

Total LEED points for EAc Optimize Energy Performance are determined by summing the points documented in Table 1 (energy cost metric) plus the points documented in Table 2 (GHG emissions metric), where points for each Table are determined based on the project percent improvement PCI below the PCIt documented for each metric.

Table 1. Points for percentage improvement in energy performance – Percent Cost PCI below PCIt (12 points)
ID+C Points
0%1 4
3% 5
6% 6
9% 7
12% 8
15% 9
18% 10
21% 11
24% 12
Table 2. Points for percentage improvement in energy performance – Percent Greenhouse Gas Emissions PCI below PCIt (12 points ID+C)
ID+C Points
0%1 4
3% 5
6% 6
9% 7
12% 8
18% 9
25% 10
35% 11
50% 12
Table 1 and Table 2 Notes:
1. *0% improvement is based on base building compliance with ASHRAE 90.1-2016 requirements.
2. Renewable Energy:
  • On-site renewable energy: For Table 1 and Table 2, on-site or on-campus renewable energy that meets ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2016 Section G 2.4.1 requirements for on-site renewable may be subtracted from the Proposed Building Performance in accordance with ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2016 Section G 2.4.1.
  • For the Table 2 greenhouse gas emissions metric, Tier 2 New off-site renewables documented in EA Credit Renewable Energy may be subtracted from proposed greenhouse gas emissions for electricity prior to calculating proposed building performance. Projects in locations where hourly electric greenhouse gas emissions factors are available must document performance for the baseline, proposed, and renewable generation using hourly electric emissions factors.
OR
Option 2. Prescriptive Compliance (1–17 points)
Use any combination of the strategies in any or all of the categories below.

To be eligible for Option 2, projects must use the ASHRAE 90.1-2016 Prescriptive compliance path in EA Prerequisite Minimum Energy Performance. To be eligible for ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guide (AEDG) envelope and lighting strategies, the project space must meet the Scope requirements of the applicable AEDGs (or combination of AEDGs for mixed use). To be eligible for AEDG HVAC strategies, the entire building where the project is located must meet the Scope requirements of the applicable AEDGs.

Base Building Systems (1-5 points)
For base building systems that serve the project, as well as any applicable improvements that are part of the project, document compliance with the following according to base building type and climate zone.
Building Envelope (1-2 points)
  • Advanced Energy Design Guides
    • Comply with the recommendations in the appropriate ASHRAE 50% Advanced Energy Design Guide for all roofs, walls, floors, slabs, doors, vestibules, and continuous air barriers. (1 point)
      • AND / OR
    • Comply with the recommendations in the appropriate ASHRAE 50% Advanced Energy Design Guide for all vertical fenestration.
    • OR
  • Climate Zones 1 – 2:
    • Thermal Mass Enclosure: More than 50% of opaque above-grade wall area meets ASHRAE 90.1-2016 definition for “mass wall”; and more than 50% of floor area meets ASHRAE 90.1-2016 definition for “mass floor” (1 point)
      • AND / OR
    • Demonstrate a 25% envelope UA reduction beyond ASHRAE 90.1-2016 prescriptive envelope requirements (1 point)
    • OR
  • Climate Zones 3 – 8:
    • Demonstrate an envelope UA reduction beyond ASHRAE 90.1-2016 prescriptive envelope requirements:
      • 25% UA reduction (1 point)
      • 50% UA reduction (1 point)
HVAC and Service Water Heating Equipment Efficiency Systems (1 - 3 points)
  • Advanced Energy Design Guides: For all base building and tenant HVAC systems that serve the project, comply with the HVAC efficiency and control recommendations in the appropriate ASHRAE 50% Advanced Energy Design Guide. (3 points)
    • OR
  • Demonstrate an improvement beyond ASHRAE/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1–2016 prescriptive requirements for the following base building and tenant systems serving the project space:
    • Reduction in fan power total allowance of 30% (1 point)
      • AND / OR
    • Improvement in efficiency for at least 75% of the combined cooling, heating, and service water heating capacity:
      • 15% (1 point)
      • 30% (2 points)
Electric resistance heating except heat pump auxiliary heat must be included in total capacity.
Tenant Systems (1-12 points)
Interior Lighting Systems (1–7 points)
  • Lighting Power Density (1–5 points) Reduce connected lighting power density below that allowed by ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1–2016, either using the space-by-space method or applying the whole-building lighting power allowance to the entire tenant space. Points are awarded according to Table 3.
Table 3. Points for percentage reduction in lighting power density
Percentage below standard LPD Points
10% 1
20% 2
30% 3
40% 4
50% 5
Daylighting Controls (1–2 points)
  • Daylighting Controls (1-2 points) 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% (1 point)
    • 70% (2 points)
Equipment and Appliances (1–5 points)
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.
The project scope of work must include at least 0.25 Watts per square foot of eligible equipment to apply this strategy, either limited to the eligible equipment within the project scope of work, or including all new and existing equipment. For existing equipment, ENERGY STAR or EPEAT requirements may be referenced to the date of purchase of the equipment. Percent of Eligible Equipment Installed by Rated Power:
  • 20% (1 point)
  • 40% (2 points)
  • 60% (3 points)
  • 80% (4 points)
  • 100% (5 points)
See all forum discussions about this credit »

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Cost estimates for this credit

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Addenda

4/21/2023 – Updated: 5/9/2023
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
Edit Intent to read as: "...with excessive energy use and greenhouse gas emissions that disproportionately impact..."

In the first paragraph under Option 1, change "Section 4.2.1.1" to "Section 4.2.1.3"

Replace the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th paragraph under Option 1 with the following:
"Calculate the PCI, PCIt, and percentage improvement using metrics of cost and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Total LEED points for EAc Optimize Energy Performance are determined by summing the points documented in Table 1 ( energy cost metric) plus the points documented in Table 2 (GHG emissions metric), where points for each Table are determined based on the project percent improvement PCI below the PCIt documented for each metric.

Delete all text between Table 1 and Table 2.

Add/edit the Table 1 and Table 2 notes as follows:

For BD+C:
1. BD+C projects except Data Centers with Proposed Building Unregulated Energy exceeding 50% of the total Proposed Building Performance for the referenced metric (cost or GHG emissions), and BD+C: Data Centers projects with at least 40% gross colocation data center area may use the “Healthcare, Major Renovation, CS” column in lieu of the “New Construction” column.
2. Renewable Energy:
• On-site renewable energy: For Table 1 and Table 2, on-site or on-campus renewable energy that meets ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2016 Section G 2.4.1 requirements for on-site renewable may be subtracted from the Proposed Building Performance in accordance with ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2016 Section G 2.4.1.
• For the Table 2 greenhouse gas emissions metric, Tier 2 New off-site renewables documented in EA Credit Renewable Energy may be subtracted from proposed greenhouse gas emissions for electricity prior to calculating proposed building performance. Projects in locations where hourly electric greenhouse gas emissions factors are available must document performance for the baseline, proposed, and renewable generation using hourly electric emissions factors.

For ID+C:
Add #2: "• For the Table 2 greenhouse gas emissions metric, Tier 2 New off-site renewables documented in EA Credit Renewable Energy may be subtracted from proposed greenhouse gas emissions for electricity prior to calculating proposed building performance. Projects in locations where hourly electric greenhouse gas emissions factors are available must document performance for the baseline, proposed, and renewable generation using hourly electric emissions factors"

Delete the "Retail Only" section

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
4/21/2023 – Updated: 5/9/2023
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Under Further Explanation, Calculations, delete the language that starts "For Table 1: ...."

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
4/9/2021 – Updated: 6/10/2021
Form Update
Description of change:
Update the table for "Daylight Controls" in the form as described below.

Changes to be made to Table: Lighting Controls:

1. Delete the column "Sensor Type"

2. Delete the column "Load with Occupant Sensors (W)"

3. Revise the rows in the table that are automatically calculated (below the row(s) where the user reports "Space type" and "Load with Daylight Sensors") to the following:

• Total connected lighting load (Watts)
• Allowable exclusion: Connected lighting power for non-regularly occupied space with occupant sensor controls (Watts)
• Connected lighting load with allowable exclusion (Watts)
• Percent connected load with daylighting sensors

4. The value for the row "Total connected lighting load (Watts)" does not change - it remains the "Total" value from Table: Lighting power summary in the form.

5. The value for the row "Allowable exclusion: Connected lighting power for non-regularly occupied space with occupant sensor controls (Watts)" is entered by the user.

6. the value for the row "Connected lighting load with allowable exclusion (Watts)"
= Total Connected lighting load – Allowable Exclusion

7. The value for the row "percent connected load with daylighting sensors" = total summed power with daylight sensors divided by Calculated value for connected lighting load with allowable exclusion(s) above.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
4/9/2021 – Updated: 4/19/2021
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
EA prerequisite Minimum Energy Performance:
- revise Intent to read as follows: "To promote resilience and reduce the environmental and economic harms of excessive energy use that disproportionately impact frontline communities by achieving a minimum level of energy efficiency for the building and its systems."

EA credit Optimize Energy Performance:
- revise Intent to read as follows: "To achieve increasing levels of energy performance beyond the prerequisite standard to reduce environmental and economic harms associated with excessive energy use that disproportionately impact frontline communities."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
7/25/2019 – Updated: 3/1/2021
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
IP credit Integrative Process

Under the heading "Energy-Related Systems" add the following text:
"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)"

EA credit Optimize Energy Performance

Delete the following requirement:
"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)"

EA credit Optimize Energy Performance, Step by Step:

Delete bullet point "Establish an energy use intensity (EUI) target no later than schematic design using one of the required metrics noted".
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
7/25/2019 – Updated: 3/1/2021
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
IP credit Integrative Process

Under the heading "Energy-Related Systems" add the following text:
"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)"

EA credit Optimize Energy Performance

Delete the following requirement:
"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)"

EA credit Optimize Energy Performance, Step by Step:

Delete bullet point "Establish an energy use intensity (EUI) target no later than schematic design using one of the required metrics noted".
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
11/9/2020 – Updated: 2/3/2021
Form Update
Description of change:
Updated to align with v4.1 November 2020 Addenda
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
11/10/2020 – Updated: 11/25/2020
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
Option 1: Revise total number of points available from "(1-24)" to "(4-24)"

1. Replace Table 1 Points for percentage improvement in energy performance – % Cost PCI below PCIt with the following table:

ID+C Points

0%* 4
3% 5
6% 6
9% 7
12% 8
15% 9
18% 10
21% 11
24% 12
30% EP

2. Below Table 1 Points for percentage improvement in energy performance – % Cost PCI below PCIt, in the sentence that reads "New Tier 2 off-site renewable energy as defined in EA credit Renewable Energy may be subtracted from proposed greenhouse gas emissions prior to calculating proposed building performance.", replace the word "New" with "Tier 2".

3. Replace Table 2. Points for percentage improvement in energy performance – % Greenhouse Gas Emissions PCI below PCIt with the following table:

ID+C Points
0%* 4
3% 5
6% 6
9% 7
12% 8
18% 9
25% 10
35% 11
50% 12
65% EP

4. Below Table 2, insert the following sentence: "*0% improvement is based on base building compliance with ASHRAE 90.1-2016 requirements."

Option 2

5. Revise the Option 2 title so it is worth 1-17 points and reads as follows: "Option 2. Prescriptive Compliance (1–17 points)"

6. Building Envelope: Climate Zones 1-2: replace both instances of "70%" with "50%"

7. Tenant Systems heading: replace "(1-12 points)" with "(1-12 points)"

8. Interior Lighting Systems heading: replace "(1–5 points)" with "(1–7 points)"

9. Lighting Power Density sub-heading: replace "(1–3 points)" with "(1–5 points)"

10. Replace Table 3. Points for percentage reduction in lighting power density with the following table:

Percentage below standard LPD Points
10% 1
20% 2
30% 3
40% 4
50% 5


Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
11/10/2020 – Updated: 11/25/2020
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
In the Further Explanation section "Applying Renewable Energy Savings", in the sentence that begins "For the metric of greenhouse gas emissions...", replace the word "new" with "Tier 2".
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
7/25/2019 – Updated: 7/30/2019
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
After the "Referenced Standards" section of the Further Explanation section, add a new section "Exemplary Performance" to the guidance for the rating systems shown below:

BD+C:
"Exemplary Performance:
Option 1. Achieve 55% savings in the cost metric, achieve 100% savings in the greenhouse gas emissions metric, or use actual utility rates when calculating cost savings and hourly greenhouse gas emissions factors when calculating greenhouse gas emissions savings."

ID+C:
"Exemplary Performance:
Option 1. Achieve 36% savings in the cost metric, achieve 100% savings in the greenhouse gas emissions metric, or use actual utility rates when calculating cost savings and hourly greenhouse gas emissions factors when calculating greenhouse gas emissions savings."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
7/25/2019 – Updated: 7/30/2019
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Add the following reference to the list of Referenced Standards, including the direct link to the resource:

Developing Performance Cost Index Targets for ASHRAE Standard 90.1 Appendix G - Performance Rating Method
https://www.pnnl.gov/main/publications/external/technical_reports/PNNL-2...
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
4/9/2019
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

Our project is subject to ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2013 for code compliance. To pursue Option 1: Tenant-Level Energy Performance Compliance in LEED v4.1 ID+C, is there a methodology for documenting additional energy performance for LEED v4.1 projects regulated by ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2013?

Ruling:

Yes, projects applying Option 1: Tenant-Level Energy Performance Compliance, and regulated by ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2013 or IECC 2015 may document achievement of LEED v4.1 ID+C EA Prerequisite Minimum Energy Performance and LEED v4.1 ID+C EA credit Optimize Energy Performance as described below:

Comply with all mandatory provisions of ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2013 or IECC 2015 for elements within the project scope of work.
AND
Demonstrate a Percentage improvement in the Proposed Building Performance beyond the Baseline Building performance in accordance with ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2013, Appendix G.

Calculate the Baseline Building Performance, Proposed Building Performancet, and Percentage Improvement using metrics of cost and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. For each energy source serving the project, the GHG emission factors must be identical for the Baseline and Proposed building models.

The LEED prerequisite Percentage Improvement requirements may be demonstrated either using metrics of cost from Table 1 or greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from Table 2. LEED points are calculated based on the project percent improvement for 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 90.1-2013 Section G 2.4.1.

Table 1. Points for percentage improvement in energy performance – Cost (12 points)

ID+C (Except Retail)
ID+C Retail (Except Restaurants)
ID+C Restaurants
Points

3%
5%
1%
Prerequisite

5%
7%
3%
2

8%
10%
6%
3

11%
13%
9%
4

14%
16%
12%
5

17%
19%
15%
6

21%
22%
18%
7

24%
25%
21%
8

27%
28%
24%
9

30%
31%
27%
10

33%
34%
30%
11

36%
37%
33%
12

39%
40%
36%
EP

On-site renewable energy may be subtracted from proposed greenhouse gas emissions prior to calculating proposed building performance per ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2013 Section G 2.4.1. New off-site renewable energy as defined in EA credit Renewable Energy may be subtracted from proposed greenhouse gas emissions prior to calculating proposed building performance.

Table 2. Points for percentage improvement in energy performance – Greenhouse Gas Emissions (12 points)

ID+C (Except Retail)
ID+C Retail (Except Restaurants)
ID+C Restaurants
Points

3%
5%
1%
Prerequisite

5%
7%
3%
2

8%
10%
6%
3

12%
13%
10%
4

16%
16%
14%
5

21%
21%
19%
6

27%
27%
25%
7

35%
35%
33%
8

42%
42%
40%
9

50%
50%
50%
10

65%
65%
65%
11

80%
80%
80%
12

100%
100%
100%
EP

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
7/2/2018
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

Our project is located in California. To pursue Option 1: Whole Building Simulation, is there a methodology for documenting additional energy performance for LEED v4 projects regulated by Title 24-2016 or later?

Ruling:

Project Type(NC = New Construction)
(CS = Core & Shell or unfinished space)
(CI = Interior Fitout)

Additional Percent Savings

Title 24 2016 /
Title 24 2019

Title 24 2022 (or later)

Added to ASHRAE 90.1-2010 (v4)
Added to ASHRAE 90.1-2010 (v4)
Added to ASHRAE 90.1-2016 (v4.1)

TDV Energy (replacing cost & GHG metrics)
TDV Energy (replacing cost metric)
SOURCE Energy (replacing GHG metric)
TDV Energy (replacing cost metric)

SOURCE Energy (replacing GHG metric)

Building Design & Construction (BD+C):

NC - Office
7%
18%
20%
4%
6%

NC - Retail (except restaurant/grocery)
8%
25%
29%
10%
14%

NC - Restaurant / Grocery
0%
18%
20%
4%
6%

NC – School
7%
20%
25%
5%
10%

NC – Healthcare
0%
8%
8%
2%
2%

NC – Hospitality
8%
15%
20%
0%
5%

NC – Warehouse
0%
28%
28%
10%
10%

NC – Multifamily (4+ stories)
8%
16%
20%
4%
8%

Multifamily low-rise (<4 stories)1
8%
16%
20%
4%
8%

Single family residential1
8%
16%
20%
4%
8%

Data Center
0%
10%
10%
0%
0%

All Other (< 50% unregulated TDV)
0%
15%
15%
5%
5%

All Other (≥50% unregulated TDV)
0%
8%
8%
0%
0%

CS-Office
5%
12%
16%
1%
4%

CS-Retail (except restaurant/grocery)
7%
20%
25%
5%
10%

CS-Restaurant/grocery
0%
13%
15%
2%
3%

CS-School
7%
15%
20%
2%
8%

CS-Healthcare
0%
8%
8%
2%
2%

CS-Hospitality
7%
11%
15%
0%
4%

CS-Warehouse
0%
21%
21%
6%
6%

CS-Multifamily
7%
9%
13%
1%
4%

CS-All Other
0%
8%
8%
0%
0%

Interior Design & Construction (ID+C):

CI-Office
6%
Use v4.1
Use v4.1
0%
0%

CI-Retail (except restaurant/grocery)
7%
Use v4.1
Use v4.1
6%
6%

CI-Restaurant/grocery
0%
Use v4.1
Use v4.1
0%
0%

CI-School
7%
Use v4.1
Use v4.1
3%
3%

CI-Healthcare
0%
Use v4.1
Use v4.1
0%
0%

CI-Hospitality
7%
Use v4.1
Use v4.1
0%
0%

CI-Warehouse
0%
Use v4.1
Use v4.1
9%
9%

CI-Multifamily
7%
Use v4.1
Use v4.1
0%
0%

CI-All Other
0%
Use v4.1
Use v4.1
0%
0%

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

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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 and greenhouse gas emissions that disproportionately impact frontline communities.

Requirements

Analyze efficiency measures during the design process and account for the results in design decision-making. Analysis can include energy simulation of efficiency opportunities, energy simulation analyses for similar projects, or published data from energy analyses performed for similar projects (such as AEDGs).

Analyze efficiency measures focused on load reduction and HVAC-related strategies; passive measures are acceptable. Project the potential energy savings and cost implications for all affected systems.

Select one of the options below.
Option 1. Tenant-Level Energy Performance Compliance (4–24 points)

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 4.2.1.3. For mixed use projects, 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.

Total LEED points for EAc Optimize Energy Performance are determined by summing the points documented in Table 1 (energy cost metric) plus the points documented in Table 2 (GHG emissions metric), where points for each Table are determined based on the project percent improvement PCI below the PCIt documented for each metric.

Table 1. Points for percentage improvement in energy performance – Percent Cost PCI below PCIt (12 points)
ID+C Points
0%1 4
3% 5
6% 6
9% 7
12% 8
15% 9
18% 10
21% 11
24% 12
Table 2. Points for percentage improvement in energy performance – Percent Greenhouse Gas Emissions PCI below PCIt (12 points ID+C)
ID+C Points
0%1 4
3% 5
6% 6
9% 7
12% 8
18% 9
25% 10
35% 11
50% 12
Table 1 and Table 2 Notes:
1. *0% improvement is based on base building compliance with ASHRAE 90.1-2016 requirements.
2. Renewable Energy:
  • On-site renewable energy: For Table 1 and Table 2, on-site or on-campus renewable energy that meets ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2016 Section G 2.4.1 requirements for on-site renewable may be subtracted from the Proposed Building Performance in accordance with ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2016 Section G 2.4.1.
  • For the Table 2 greenhouse gas emissions metric, Tier 2 New off-site renewables documented in EA Credit Renewable Energy may be subtracted from proposed greenhouse gas emissions for electricity prior to calculating proposed building performance. Projects in locations where hourly electric greenhouse gas emissions factors are available must document performance for the baseline, proposed, and renewable generation using hourly electric emissions factors.
OR
Option 2. Prescriptive Compliance (1–17 points)
Use any combination of the strategies in any or all of the categories below.

To be eligible for Option 2, projects must use the ASHRAE 90.1-2016 Prescriptive compliance path in EA Prerequisite Minimum Energy Performance. To be eligible for ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guide (AEDG) envelope and lighting strategies, the project space must meet the Scope requirements of the applicable AEDGs (or combination of AEDGs for mixed use). To be eligible for AEDG HVAC strategies, the entire building where the project is located must meet the Scope requirements of the applicable AEDGs.

Base Building Systems (1-5 points)
For base building systems that serve the project, as well as any applicable improvements that are part of the project, document compliance with the following according to base building type and climate zone.
Building Envelope (1-2 points)
  • Advanced Energy Design Guides
    • Comply with the recommendations in the appropriate ASHRAE 50% Advanced Energy Design Guide for all roofs, walls, floors, slabs, doors, vestibules, and continuous air barriers. (1 point)
      • AND / OR
    • Comply with the recommendations in the appropriate ASHRAE 50% Advanced Energy Design Guide for all vertical fenestration.
    • OR
  • Climate Zones 1 – 2:
    • Thermal Mass Enclosure: More than 50% of opaque above-grade wall area meets ASHRAE 90.1-2016 definition for “mass wall”; and more than 50% of floor area meets ASHRAE 90.1-2016 definition for “mass floor” (1 point)
      • AND / OR
    • Demonstrate a 25% envelope UA reduction beyond ASHRAE 90.1-2016 prescriptive envelope requirements (1 point)
    • OR
  • Climate Zones 3 – 8:
    • Demonstrate an envelope UA reduction beyond ASHRAE 90.1-2016 prescriptive envelope requirements:
      • 25% UA reduction (1 point)
      • 50% UA reduction (1 point)
HVAC and Service Water Heating Equipment Efficiency Systems (1 - 3 points)
  • Advanced Energy Design Guides: For all base building and tenant HVAC systems that serve the project, comply with the HVAC efficiency and control recommendations in the appropriate ASHRAE 50% Advanced Energy Design Guide. (3 points)
    • OR
  • Demonstrate an improvement beyond ASHRAE/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1–2016 prescriptive requirements for the following base building and tenant systems serving the project space:
    • Reduction in fan power total allowance of 30% (1 point)
      • AND / OR
    • Improvement in efficiency for at least 75% of the combined cooling, heating, and service water heating capacity:
      • 15% (1 point)
      • 30% (2 points)
Electric resistance heating except heat pump auxiliary heat must be included in total capacity.
Tenant Systems (1-12 points)
Interior Lighting Systems (1–7 points)
  • Lighting Power Density (1–5 points) Reduce connected lighting power density below that allowed by ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1–2016, either using the space-by-space method or applying the whole-building lighting power allowance to the entire tenant space. Points are awarded according to Table 3.
Table 3. Points for percentage reduction in lighting power density
Percentage below standard LPD Points
10% 1
20% 2
30% 3
40% 4
50% 5
Daylighting Controls (1–2 points)
  • Daylighting Controls (1-2 points) 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% (1 point)
    • 70% (2 points)
Equipment and Appliances (1–5 points)
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.
The project scope of work must include at least 0.25 Watts per square foot of eligible equipment to apply this strategy, either limited to the eligible equipment within the project scope of work, or including all new and existing equipment. For existing equipment, ENERGY STAR or EPEAT requirements may be referenced to the date of purchase of the equipment. Percent of Eligible Equipment Installed by Rated Power:
  • 20% (1 point)
  • 40% (2 points)
  • 60% (3 points)
  • 80% (4 points)
  • 100% (5 points)

XX%

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