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View the LEED v4.1 version of this credit »
SPECIAL REPORT
LEEDuser expert
emily reese moody
LEED AP BD+C, GGP, GPCP, ENV SP, Fitwel Ambassador, GCP
Jacobs
Sustainability Director, Certifications & Compliance
SPECIAL REPORT
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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.
Intent
To minimize effects on microclimates and human and wildlife habitats by reducing heat islands.
Requirements
Choose one of the following options:
Option 1. nonroof and roof (2 points except Healthcare, 1 point Healthcare)
Meet the following criterion: 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
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What if I need to have a material tested? 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.) |
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Projects that provide covered parking are eligible for points under this credit, but what if a project provides no parking? 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.) |
|
Should we include motorcycle parking spaces in our total parking count for the Parking Under Cover option? 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.) |
|
My project has a balcony that projects away from the building, and does not provide a roof to an enclosed space for the building. How should the balcony be treated for this credit? 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.) |
Addenda
1/11/2019 – Updated: 1/31/2019
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
4/6/2018 – Updated: 4/23/2018
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
BD+C:
Option 2. Parking under Cover,
Step 1. Determine total vehicle parking spaces in project
Replace both bullets with this "Do not count motorcycle or bicycle parking spaces as vehicle parking spaces"
O+M:
Step 1 Identify parking, hardscape and roof area
Replace first bullet with "Do not count motorcycle parking spaces as vehicle parking spaces. Exclude bicycle parking area."
Option 4. Parking under cover
Step 1 Evaluate compliance
Replace first bullet with "Do not count motorcycle parking spaces as vehicle parking spaces. Exclude bicycle parking area."
Option 2. Parking under Cover,
Step 1. Determine total vehicle parking spaces in project
Replace both bullets with this "Do not count motorcycle or bicycle parking spaces as vehicle parking spaces"
O+M:
Step 1 Identify parking, hardscape and roof area
Replace first bullet with "Do not count motorcycle parking spaces as vehicle parking spaces. Exclude bicycle parking area."
Option 4. Parking under cover
Step 1 Evaluate compliance
Replace first bullet with "Do not count motorcycle parking spaces as vehicle parking spaces. Exclude bicycle parking area."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
7/1/2014 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Option 1, Step 3: Add a bullet point at the end of the list that reads “Selected materials may meet either the initial SRI threshold or the 3-year aged SRI threshold. They are not required to meet both.”
Option 1, Step 4: Add a bullet point at the end of the list that reads “Selected materials may meet either the initial SR threshold or the 3-year aged SR threshold. They are not required to meet both.”
Option 1, Step 4: Add a bullet point at the end of the list that reads “Selected materials may meet either the initial SR threshold or the 3-year aged SR threshold. They are not required to meet both.”
Campus Applicable
Yes
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
4/1/2015
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:
Can v4 projects use typical solar reflectance (SR) values, or data from a previous project, for documentation of hardscape materials?
Ruling:
The following typical SR values can be used for standard nonroof materials, in lieu of project-specific testing data:
Typical Solar Reflectance Values for Standard Nonroof Materials
Gray cement concrete- Initial Solar Reflectance: 0.26, Three-Year Aged Solar Reflectance*: 0.18
White cement concrete- Initial Solar Reflectance: 0.70, Three-Year Aged Solar Reflectance*: 0.35
Asphalt concrete- Initial Solar Reflectance: 0.05, Three-Year Aged Solar Reflectance*: 0.10
*Three-year aged SR values are based on no cleaning.
Alternatively, documentation showing that the current concrete mix and sealant are equivalent to a tested mix and sealant from a previous project is acceptable, provided that all ingredients are the same and have not changed.
Campus Applicable
Yes
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
7/27/2009
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:
The intent of this credit is to reduce the heat island effect created by large expanses of pavement. For a building to earn option B of the credit, they must provide shade for at least 50% of the provided parking. This can be underground, under a deck, under a roof, or under the building itself. In addition, a building that provides 100% of its parking under cover is eligible to earn an exemplary performance point. One of our project buildings is located in downtown San Francisco and does not provide any parking for building tenants. We believe that this fulfills the intent of the credit because there are no paved parking areas whatsoever that would contribute to the heat island effect. The net heat island effect is the same as a building that provides 100% of parking underground. However, the building that does not have parking at all gets 0 points where as a building that provides 100% parking underground gets 2 points. An existing building that was designed many years ago to reduce heat island effect should still be rewarded under a rating system that was incepted later on. We would like to petition the USGBC to consider awarding 1 point under Option B to projects that have no parking provided.
Ruling:
April 6, 2018 Update: LEED Interpretation 5370 is now applicable to both LEED v2009 and LEED v4 BD+C, ID+C, and O+M projects.
A project building with no onsite parking facilities may be eligible for 1 point under LEED v2009 SSc7.1 and LEED v4 SSc Heat Island Reduction, provided that no nearby offsite parking facilities are leased or owned by the building owner, property manager, or tenants for use by the building occupants. The project team must supply evidence of this by, in single-occupant buildings declaring that no such parking is provided, or in multi-tenant buildings by declaring that no such parking is provided and by detailing the method by which this was assessed. If such offsite facilities are leased or owned, the project team may document compliance with the credit by showing that 50% (O+M) or 75% (BD+C) of the provided spaces meet the Heat Island Reduction Roof requirements.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
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© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Intent
To minimize effects on microclimates and human and wildlife habitats by reducing heat islands.
Requirements
Choose one of the following options:
Option 1. nonroof and roof (2 points except Healthcare, 1 point Healthcare)
Meet the following criterion: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 »|
What if I need to have a material tested? 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.) |
|
Projects that provide covered parking are eligible for points under this credit, but what if a project provides no parking? 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.) |
|
Should we include motorcycle parking spaces in our total parking count for the Parking Under Cover option? 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.) |
|
My project has a balcony that projects away from the building, and does not provide a roof to an enclosed space for the building. How should the balcony be treated for this credit? 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.) |
1/11/2019 – Updated: 1/31/2019
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
4/6/2018 – Updated: 4/23/2018
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
BD+C:
Option 2. Parking under Cover,
Step 1. Determine total vehicle parking spaces in project
Replace both bullets with this "Do not count motorcycle or bicycle parking spaces as vehicle parking spaces"
O+M:
Step 1 Identify parking, hardscape and roof area
Replace first bullet with "Do not count motorcycle parking spaces as vehicle parking spaces. Exclude bicycle parking area."
Option 4. Parking under cover
Step 1 Evaluate compliance
Replace first bullet with "Do not count motorcycle parking spaces as vehicle parking spaces. Exclude bicycle parking area."
Option 2. Parking under Cover,
Step 1. Determine total vehicle parking spaces in project
Replace both bullets with this "Do not count motorcycle or bicycle parking spaces as vehicle parking spaces"
O+M:
Step 1 Identify parking, hardscape and roof area
Replace first bullet with "Do not count motorcycle parking spaces as vehicle parking spaces. Exclude bicycle parking area."
Option 4. Parking under cover
Step 1 Evaluate compliance
Replace first bullet with "Do not count motorcycle parking spaces as vehicle parking spaces. Exclude bicycle parking area."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
7/1/2014 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Option 1, Step 3: Add a bullet point at the end of the list that reads “Selected materials may meet either the initial SRI threshold or the 3-year aged SRI threshold. They are not required to meet both.”
Option 1, Step 4: Add a bullet point at the end of the list that reads “Selected materials may meet either the initial SR threshold or the 3-year aged SR threshold. They are not required to meet both.”
Option 1, Step 4: Add a bullet point at the end of the list that reads “Selected materials may meet either the initial SR threshold or the 3-year aged SR threshold. They are not required to meet both.”
Campus Applicable
Yes
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
4/1/2015
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:
Can v4 projects use typical solar reflectance (SR) values, or data from a previous project, for documentation of hardscape materials?
Ruling:
The following typical SR values can be used for standard nonroof materials, in lieu of project-specific testing data:
Typical Solar Reflectance Values for Standard Nonroof Materials
Gray cement concrete- Initial Solar Reflectance: 0.26, Three-Year Aged Solar Reflectance*: 0.18
White cement concrete- Initial Solar Reflectance: 0.70, Three-Year Aged Solar Reflectance*: 0.35
Asphalt concrete- Initial Solar Reflectance: 0.05, Three-Year Aged Solar Reflectance*: 0.10
*Three-year aged SR values are based on no cleaning.
Alternatively, documentation showing that the current concrete mix and sealant are equivalent to a tested mix and sealant from a previous project is acceptable, provided that all ingredients are the same and have not changed.
Campus Applicable
Yes
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
7/27/2009
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:
The intent of this credit is to reduce the heat island effect created by large expanses of pavement. For a building to earn option B of the credit, they must provide shade for at least 50% of the provided parking. This can be underground, under a deck, under a roof, or under the building itself. In addition, a building that provides 100% of its parking under cover is eligible to earn an exemplary performance point. One of our project buildings is located in downtown San Francisco and does not provide any parking for building tenants. We believe that this fulfills the intent of the credit because there are no paved parking areas whatsoever that would contribute to the heat island effect. The net heat island effect is the same as a building that provides 100% of parking underground. However, the building that does not have parking at all gets 0 points where as a building that provides 100% parking underground gets 2 points. An existing building that was designed many years ago to reduce heat island effect should still be rewarded under a rating system that was incepted later on. We would like to petition the USGBC to consider awarding 1 point under Option B to projects that have no parking provided.
Ruling:
April 6, 2018 Update: LEED Interpretation 5370 is now applicable to both LEED v2009 and LEED v4 BD+C, ID+C, and O+M projects.
A project building with no onsite parking facilities may be eligible for 1 point under LEED v2009 SSc7.1 and LEED v4 SSc Heat Island Reduction, provided that no nearby offsite parking facilities are leased or owned by the building owner, property manager, or tenants for use by the building occupants. The project team must supply evidence of this by, in single-occupant buildings declaring that no such parking is provided, or in multi-tenant buildings by declaring that no such parking is provided and by detailing the method by which this was assessed. If such offsite facilities are leased or owned, the project team may document compliance with the credit by showing that 50% (O+M) or 75% (BD+C) of the provided spaces meet the Heat Island Reduction Roof requirements.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
LEEDuser expert
emily reese moody
LEED AP BD+C, GGP, GPCP, ENV SP, Fitwel Ambassador, GCP
Jacobs
Sustainability Director, Certifications & Compliance
