M&V option D. certification timing

The credit achievement is based on the M&V Plan you submit. You do not need to wait until the plan has been fully implemented to obtain the credit and earn certification.

With that said by creating the plan you are saying that you will implement it and USGBC takes you at your word. Unfortunately far too many projects have not implemented their M&V Plan based on some of the follow up studies on LEED projects.

Option B rarely works for new construction/major renovation projects.

Is the USGBC doing anything about enforcing the activities in the M&V Plan? I ask because it is much more compelling (financially) for a building owner to not install any metering infrastructure (seperate circuitry, Building management system with datalogging capability, etc..) then to just have a consultant create an elaborate measurement and verification plan that includes spot measurement and trending for all the building systems.

Not sure which way to take your question so I will address both ways.

You are not planning to implement the Plan - Let your conscious be your guide. Personally if I write a M&V Plan I will not submit it unless it will be implemented. To do otherwise is simply dishonest no matter the level of enforcement.

You are planning to implement the Plan - In my experience if it is a very small project with very simple HVAC systems then it is cheaper overall to forgo the submetering. If it is a larger project the cost of the submetering will pay for itself in avoided labor. So it comes down to a balance between the metering costs versus the labor required to gather the data without it.