This credit offers numerous options for demonstrating compliance.

Projects that already meet one of the available options are best suited for this credit, as it may be costly and time consuming to make modifications necessary to earn the credit. 

What’s New in LEED v4

• The roof and nonroof heat island credits from LEED 2009 have been combined into a single credit.
• The initial SRI and the three-year aged SRI thresholds have increased for roofing material.
• The minimum frequency has changed for cleaning paving and roof surfaces: it’s now every three years.
• USGBC now determines credit compliance for nonroof hardscape using SR values instead of SRI values.
• USGBC now calculates the shade area from tree canopy after 10 years of landscape installation rather than five years.

Readiness Review Questions

If you answer at least one of the following questions with a “yes,” then it’s definitely worth investigating this credit further.

• Do you already have underground parking or a parking garage? 


• Is the existing roofing membrane credit-compliant? Can you track down the SRI value from the manufacturer? Has regular roof cleaning (at least every three years) been conducted to maintain the SRI value? Can cleaning be arranged in the future? 


• If the roof is not SRI compliant, when is it due for replacement? Could the roof be replaced with credit-compliant roofing before or during the performance period? 


• Do you currently have vegetated roof area? Is a green roof a viable alternative? Can it be supported structurally? Is the climate conducive to supporting a vegetated roof with drought-resistant planting, without permanent irrigation? Have other buildings in this area successfully used green roofs? 


• Do you have compliant high-reflectance paving on more than 50% of your site’s hardscape? Has regular cleaning (at least every three years) been conducted to maintain the SR value? Can cleaning be arranged in the future? 


• Is site paving covered with architectural devices or other structures with a compliant SR value? Or is paving covered by vegetation or vegetated structures?

• Do you have open-grid paving?