IAQ testing requires at least one sample for every 25,000 ft2 in each portion of the building served by a separate ventilation system. Sampling locations should be in areas with the least ventilation and the greatest presumed potential for contaminant source strength.

Other protocols can be followed if they are equally or more stringent and you provide a valid justification. Most projects simply follow EPA’s rules.  

The cost of IAQ testing varies widely depending on the number of tests needed for your project, the availability of local testing firms, and the type of test. Check your options early in order to factor this in, but plan to pay $500-$1,500 per testing location.

Perform IAQ testing in accordance with the recommended EPA Compendium of Methods for the Determination of Air Pollutants in Indoor Air. This document defines methodology and procedures for IAQ testing required for credit compliance. (See Resources.)

Extra attention must be paid to ensure strict adherence to the requirements for low-emitting materials (IEQc4) and the successful implementation of a construction IAQ management plan (IEQc3.1)—including a thorough cleanup using low-VOC cleaning supplies. (Vacuum cleaners with HEPA filtration can also help remove particulates.) 

Select an IAQ specialist, industrial hygienist, or testing facility to perform the testing.

If you choose to pay for energy use separately from the base lease, you must negotiate a lease with the landlord that does not include utility bills in the base rent or as a yearly flat rate. You can choose to pay a prorated or proportional amount based on tenant space square footage; flat rates, however, are not compliant. 

You do not have to separately submeter your electrical systems—you could have a single metering system cover HVAC, lighting, and plug loads, for example. However, you must separately meter fuel oil, district or distributed energy, steam, chilled water, other fuels, and process water. 

If you choose to submeter your space, you must include lighting, plug loads, and process uses. You also need to submeter heating and cooling systems, unless your building already has a plan for prorated payments based on building square footage, or a central plan that serves many tenants. 

Attempting both options is ideal. This way, you can submeter your actual energy use and pay only for this energy. It may even be possible to pay the utility directly.