Yes. As an alternative to modeling the ASHRAE 90.1 Appendix G prescriptive new construction envelope requirements in the Baseline, project teams may use the existing envelope in the baseline energy model per ASHRAE 90.1-2010 Table G.3.1.5 (baseline) f, subject to revised percentage improvement thresholds for (EA) prerequisite Minimum Energy Performance and EA credit Optimize Energy Performance outlined below.
Project teams modeling the existing envelope in the baseline must demonstrate 5% performance improvement under EA prerequisite Minimum Energy Performance, and must demonstrate a 2% performance improvement above established performance thresholds in EA credit Optimize Energy Performance to earn the corresponding number of points. For example, project teams must demonstrate 6% performance improvement to achieve 4 points, 7% performance improvement to achieve 6 points, 8% performance improvement to achieve 8 points, etc. Project teams must demonstrate 30% performance improvement to achieve 25 points under EA credit Optimize Energy Performance.
Update March 1, 2024:
This LEED Interpretation is not applicable to projects subject to the LEED v4 2024 Update because the allowance is directly incorporated into the v4 2024 Update prerequisite and credit requirements.