E-Cloth

Hi Erin,
Documenting the use of an E-Cloth for this credit is similar in nature to the use of using ionized tap water in lieu of chemical cleaning solutions, assuming that you are only using water with the E-Cloth and no chemical cleaners. You will want to reference LEED Interpretation ID#10141. This Interpretation explains how to document a water-based cleaning program with 3 performance metric options.

To summarize:
1) the project team can show, based on one year of historic cleaning chemical costs, that use of the E-Cloth during the performance period has reduced the purchase of chemical cleaning and material products by at least 30%;
2) the project team can track the total cost of all cleaning and material products purchased during the performance period, plus the amortized cost for the E-Cloth cleaning system (amortized over 12 months); or
3) the project team can track the total volume of cleaning and material products and water used during the performance period and showing that 30% meets the existing IEQc3.3 criteria or is water.

From the FAQs for LEED-EBOM IEQc3.3 above this comment area:

Are microfiber rags included in these credit calculations?

While microfiber rags are considered an environmentally preferable cleaning product, they are not currently recognized in the credit criteria and should be completely excluded from your calculations.

Hi Garrett, I think this comment is more about using the E-Cloth as part of a water-based cleaning program. Rather that documenting the purchase of individual cloths, the optional performance metrics are based on reducing chemical cleaners by using water solutions. While the use of microfiber cloths are considered environmentally preferable, this does not mean that they are used without chemical cleaners. I would argue that the E-Cloth program is similar to the ionized water cleaning program by reducing chemical cleaning solutions.

go to www.usgbc.org/leedinterpretations. Sign in. And then search for "10141" in the Interpretations database. It should pop right up.

Hope that helps!

Hi Megan,

It turns out that we meet the credit requirements for 30% of sustainable cleaning purchases using the normal compliance path. That said, we can also show a 30% reduction of chemical cleaners through the use of water based solutions (Ecloths). Do you think it would be accepted if we combine these for an EP? In other words, document credit compliance normally for the credit and for the EP upload documentation showing the additional 30% reduction in cleaning chemical costs via Ecloths?

Hi April,

If you are trying to pursue exemplary performance, the EP credit form for EQc3.3 will not be activated unless you are demonstrating a minimum of 60% sustainable purchases within the credit form itself. What you can do is pursue the alternative compliance path in the credit form, upload everything including the Ecloth, reference the LIR, and pursue the Innovation in Operations option in the IO category. Once this option is selected, a narrative box will open up and you can include your explanation of exemplary performance and the LIR #.

Hope this helps!