USGBCs online web-based reference guide

Kavita Karmarkar

Architectural Designer

Perkins Eastman

LEEDuser Basic Member

0 thumbs up

November 19, 2018

Posting this question here since it does not belong to any credit in particular.

We are considering getting a subscription to the web-based reference guide on the USGBC website. Their description says that it has some extra guidance to supplement the reference guide as well as presentations, tutorials etc. It does not seem to have a shorter trial period subscription to see if it works for us or not. If anyone has this subscription, what has been your experience with this web-based reference guide? Has it been useful? It would help to know before we decide to subscribe (or not).

Any feedback would be helpful.

Thanks!

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Tristan Roberts

Representative

Vermont House of Representatives

LEEDuser Expert

7780 thumbs up

Mon, 11/19/2018 - 21:24

I guess I'm old-school and like referring to the PDF version of the reference guide -- quick and easy to navigate. I use that and then dive into more specific resources when I feel the need. The web-based reference guide, though, is more readily updated, and, indeed, has additional video and other resources. It is also viewable on the website with more ready linkages to other resources like LEED Interpretations.

Dustin Norton

Sustainability Program Manager

Primus Design Services, LLC

LEEDuser Premium Member

40 thumbs up

Mon, 11/19/2018 - 22:14

As Tristan noted, the web-based Reference Guide is more readily updated. That in itself is the reason I use it more often than my PDF or hardcopy of the Reference Guide. There is the added bonus of the videos and easily accessible links to credit-specific resources for most credits too. I know a while back they had a special where the web-based guide was included in the price of the Education subscription ($199 for non-members, $175 for members). That's the route to go in my opinion.

denro flassews

LEEDuser Basic Member

0 thumbs up

Thu, 03/25/2021 - 21:13

The fully interactive web-based reference guide is a simple, one-stop-shop for LEED v4 recources for all rating systems including over 50 multimedia modules

Michelle Robinson Schwarting

LEEDuser Basic Member

98 thumbs up

Thu, 04/28/2022 - 10:26

To purchase the Web-based Reference Guide (for all rating systems), go to www.USGBC.org and make sure you're logged in. Hover over "Store" on the top middle of the website, and then click on "Publications." Then click on a Reference Guide (for example, BD+C v4 - https://www.usgbc.org/resources/leed-reference-guide-building-design-and-construction). Scroll down to the bottom on that page and you should see a section titled "Web-based Reference Guide (all rating systems)" for $99. You can click on the blue "Subscribe" to complete the purchase. It's valid for one year.