This credit can be one of the more challenging to achieve if your project is not currently using compliant cleaning equipment—and many projects are not, particularly those that are paying attention to green cleaning for the first time. 

Teams should become familiar with the required sustainability criteria by equipment type. It’s fairly common for a piece of equipment to meet some but not all of the criteria—the noise limit, for example, can be difficult to achieve.

Complete the equipment calculator provided by USGBC early in your project timeline to better understand your existing equipment inventory and to see where you land with respect to the 40% compliance threshold. It’s also a good time to determine whether any existing equipment is nearing the end of its useful life.

Projects that meet the 40% requirement need to create a phase-out plan for non-compliant equipment. Teams should follow the phase-out plan during the performance period for newly acquired equipment.

What’s New in LEED v4

• The performance threshold has been raised from 20% to 40%.
• The allowable sound level for vacuums has been adjusted slightly. Vacuums that operate at 70 dBA or less are now considered compliant. Under LEED 2009, the maximum sound level was 69 dBA.
• A phase out-plan can be used instead of discarding equipment that hasn’t reached the end of its useful life.
• Teams can now earn exemplary performance for this credit. The credit requirements must be meet for 100% of powered janitorial equipment to earn exemplary performance.

Readiness Review Questions

• Who is responsible for selecting new cleaning equipment? Who can provide an inventory of equipment currently in use? 

• If equipment is sourced through a vendor, does the vendor have access to LEED-compliant equipment?
• If compliant equipment is not currently used in your building, can you make any equipment replacements such that at least 40% of all equipment complies with the credit sustainability criteria?
• How much of a cost premium is your team willing to pay to achieve compliance? This will vary according to how much equipment you need to purchase in order to meet the 40% threshold. 

• How obsolete is your current inventory of cleaning equipment? Have there been regular complaints about any particular pieces of equipment from either maintenance personnel or occupants? If obsolete equipment needs to be replaced anyway, that can present a good opportunity to earn this credit.