Note that energy efficiency is not just about efficient boilers and chillers. To achieve high targets, the design of the building has to help reduce dependence on mechanical heating and cooling throughout the year, through measures like orientation, moderate glazing areas, and self-shading.

To earn points for EAc1 you’ll most likely have to significantly exceed your local energy code. Achieving this energy reduction requires special attention to detail by your entire team from the beginning of the design process, and dedicated leadership from the owner.

Begin by identifying a target for energy performance by researching similar building types using the EPA Target Finder program. An Energy Star score of 80 or higher will typically earn EAc1 points.

Be sure to include requirements for EQc7.1 and EQc7.2 in the specifications. 

Surveys must address all of the thermal comfort variables addressed in EQc7.1 and ASHRAE-55. Informative Appendix E of ASHRAE-55 provides an example of survey variables and content. Also, refer to the Documentation Toolkit for sample surveys. 

Have the commissioning agent, mechanical engineer, or O&M staff review the survey draft and develop the plan for corrective action. Involve the owner in this process and be sure that he or she understands the purpose of the survey and plan for corrective action. It is best for the owner to sign off on the LEED documentation, verifying the implementation of the survey, and the development of the corrective action plan. 

Develop a compliant occupant survey or map out your planned survey process (if you’ll be using a third-party survey) prior to submitting your documentation for review. Early on, the primary concern is to meet the requirements of EQc7.1. 

Develop the thermal comfort survey after determining space programming, designing the mechanical system, and confirming compliance with EQc7.1. It is best to customize the occupant survey for the building’s planned HVAC systems. Questions may be structured differently depending on whether you are assessing the performance of an evaporative cooling system, an in-floor radiant heating system, or a natural ventilation system.

It is also helpful for projects attempting this credit to pursue EQc6.2: Controllability of Systems—Thermal Comfort. When occupants have control of their thermal comfort they tend to be more satisfied. 

Can you earn this credit? Confirm whether you can also achieve credit EQc7.1, which you have to earn to get credit for EQc7.2 (per LEED-NC errata posted 8/1/07).