Confused about Exemplary vs. Innovation credits

This can be a tricky issue to keep track of. I'll try to lay it out:

LEED has 100 possible points available through the main credits, plus 10 "bonus points." The 10 bonus points are available from these credits:

IDc1 – up to 5 points
IDc2 - 1 point
RPc1 - up to 4 points

Note that while there are literally dozens of ways to earn points via IDc1, you can never earn more than 5 points here.

Now let's explore in detail how you can earn those 5 points:

- Via the Exemplary Performance (EP) path, you can earn 1–3 points
- Via the Innovation in Design (ID path, you can earn 1–5 points.

Note that you can do one or both of these paths and thus earn 5 points.... but not more. You can't max out both paths and claim 8 points, in other words.

I have 2 Exemplary Performances selected for 2 of my ID credits. When I try to add the third Exemplary Performance (to make 3) it won't let me as says I already have 3 points under Exemplary but I only have 2! My other 2 ID credits are selected as "innovation in Design" on the template form so I am lost! Any help? Thanks is adavce!

This is an NC-2009 project? That does seem like an issue. I would check that you're not using a Beta form (noted on the bottom of the form) and also send a feedback note to GBCI.I haven't heard of this problem before, so I would also triple-check that everything is correctly filled out.

Yep LEED NC 2009. No beta forms for any of the credits I'm trying to select for exemplary performance. It's very weird. I will email GBCI. But just to confirm I should be able to select 3 exemplary performances for my ID credits right?

Yes, that's right—up to three EP points under IDc1 for NC 2009.

For my LEED 2009 NC project, 3 points could be claimed for Exemplary performance, which means that I am following path 2. But can i score a total of 5 points, which is through 3 exemplary points + 1 point for pilot credit + 1 point under innovation (green education program). Apart from this we are using a Big Ass Fan in the sky garden (featured in all alternative floors) and a detailed CFD simulation has been conducted to study the pattern of wind stratification due to this Big Ass Fan. We have a detailed report summarizing that analysis, under which credit can we score a point for this?

Your approach for the maximum 5 points under the ID credits is correct. In regards to the CFD fans, I'm assuming that you are saving energy with using them. So you would add this to your calculations for EA P2/EA C1. However you might have to submit this as an exceptional method and that means you have to proof with studies the savings, which you are planning to claim. I'm not sure if you have to use the exceptional method. Maybe someone else here can clarify that.

Thanks Susan. Just to double check, so...... Its difficult to score a point for "Big Ass Fan" under innovations??

Since this is an energy saving measure the reviewer will except you to submit this as part of EA P2/C1. Judging from past CIRs I would expect them to deny you an ID credit and advise you to try to get more points for energy savings under EA P2/C1. If you choose to claim savings under EA P2/C1 than you will probably have to use the exceptional method. That means you have to separately report your savings from the general calculation (see the LEED online form EA P2 - exceptional method). So in case the reviewer then disagrees with your claim, he would only deny this portion of the savings not everything. My advised would be to apply it to EA P2, but it's certainly more work and I wouldn't count on the points until they are approved.