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
![USGBC logo](/sites/all/themes/leeduser/images/usgbc_170.png)
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Requirements
Conduct an energy audit that meets both the requirements of the ASHRAE preliminary energy use analysis and an ASHRAE Level 1 walk-through assessment identified in the ASHRAE Procedures for Commercial Building Energy Audits or equivalent. Projects in Europe may use the energy audit procedure defined in EN 16247-2:2014. Prepare and maintain a current facilities requirements and operations and maintenance plan that contains the information necessary to operate the project efficiently. The plan must include the following:
- a current sequence of operations for the building;
- the project occupancy schedule;
- equipment run-time schedules;
- setpoints for all HVAC equipment;
- setpoints for lighting levels throughout the project;
- minimum outside air requirements;
- any changes in schedules or setpoints for different seasons, days of the week, and times of day;
- a systems narrative describing the mechanical and electrical systems and equipment in the project; and
- a preventive maintenance plan for equipment described in the systems narrative.
Europe ACP: EN 16247
Projects in Europe may use the energy audit procedure defined in EN 16247-2:2014. 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
How do you generate the annual energy use breakdown by end-use? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
What’s the difference between demand and consumption, in terms of energy costs and energy cost savings? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
Who can perform the ASHRAE Level I audit? Can it be done in-house? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
To what degree is it necessary to follow the ASHRAE Procedures document? Is this provided as a general, optional guide, or must it be followed precisely, using the ASHRAE forms and completing the audit using the ASHRAE methodology? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
How is the target EUI established? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
Does the ASHRAE Level I audit have to be completed within the two-year performance period for an initial certification? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
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.
![USGBC logo](/sites/all/themes/leeduser/images/usgbc_170.png)
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Requirements
Conduct an energy audit that meets both the requirements of the ASHRAE preliminary energy use analysis and an ASHRAE Level 1 walk-through assessment identified in the ASHRAE Procedures for Commercial Building Energy Audits or equivalent. Projects in Europe may use the energy audit procedure defined in EN 16247-2:2014. Prepare and maintain a current facilities requirements and operations and maintenance plan that contains the information necessary to operate the project efficiently. The plan must include the following:
- a current sequence of operations for the building;
- the project occupancy schedule;
- equipment run-time schedules;
- setpoints for all HVAC equipment;
- setpoints for lighting levels throughout the project;
- minimum outside air requirements;
- any changes in schedules or setpoints for different seasons, days of the week, and times of day;
- a systems narrative describing the mechanical and electrical systems and equipment in the project; and
- a preventive maintenance plan for equipment described in the systems narrative.
Europe ACP: EN 16247
Projects in Europe may use the energy audit procedure defined in EN 16247-2:2014.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.
How do you generate the annual energy use breakdown by end-use? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
What’s the difference between demand and consumption, in terms of energy costs and energy cost savings? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
Who can perform the ASHRAE Level I audit? Can it be done in-house? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
To what degree is it necessary to follow the ASHRAE Procedures document? Is this provided as a general, optional guide, or must it be followed precisely, using the ASHRAE forms and completing the audit using the ASHRAE methodology? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
How is the target EUI established? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
Does the ASHRAE Level I audit have to be completed within the two-year performance period for an initial certification? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |