This credit is all about designing for thermal comfort and then providing controls for occupants to continue to adjust conditions to meet their own needs.

Teams should prepare design calculations based on one of the three thermal comfort standards cited in the credit language. Calculations must take into consideration operative temperature (or the combination of air and mean radiant temperatures), humidity, airspeed at the occupant level from air diffusers, metabolic rates based on activity, and clothing levels based on seasonality and building type.

When designing controls systems, split spaces up into regularly occupied individual and multi-occupant spaces, since their thermal comfort control requirements differ. Control strategies can include thermostats, ceiling or desk fans, adjustable underfloor diffusers, humidifiers/dehumidifiers, or operable windows. Non-occupied spaces like storage areas can be exempt.

What’s New in LEED v4.1

The referenced standards have been updated: to ASHRAE 55-2017 instead of 2010, and ISO 17772-2017 instead of the prior CEN standard. For natatoriums, the applicable ASHRAE standard is updated to the 2015, from 2011.

Should I upgrade?

The updates are minor, but if you can meet the newer standards, your occupants might be more comfortable.