Measurement and Verification (M&V) can keep the owner and tenant informed of energy-use details, typically by recording actual energy use over the course of project occupancy and comparing that data with design-estimated energy use. An M&V program can ensure that all systems perform as specified in the design and identify any anomalies in equipment, operational procedures, or user habits. While M&V can be applied to a variety of metrics, including water use and indoor environmental quality, this credit focuses only on energy performance. 

The intent of EAc5.2 is to provide a monitoring or metering system in the base building to which tenants can connect to monitor their spaces. This credit does not require your project to install all the components of an M&V program, but it does require writing an M&V plan for tenants that provides guidance on connecting to the base building monitoring system and developing a corrective action plan if energy goals are not being achieved. 

LEED-CI EAc3 require specific standards that you should be aware of when choosing base building infrastructure and writing M&V guidance for tenants.

The industry standard for M&V, both in the U.S. and internationally, is the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP), owned by the nonprofit Efficiency Valuation Organization. LEED has singled out Volume III of the IPMVP guidance as the basis of its LEED-NC and LEED-CS requirements, and Volume I of the IPMVP as the basis for LEED-CI requirements. Several organizations have published M&V guidelines based on IPMVP. Among them are ASHRAE, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP), and some utilities and states that fund energy-efficiency projects. Some organizations with M&V standards offer guidance in writing M&V plans, including sample language.