What do we do if we do not have cut sheets for fixtures installed many years ago?
Measure flow rates for a 20% sample of each fixture type with an unknown flow rate per flush volume.
In the credit calculation worksheet for indoor water usage, does each fixture needs to be listed separately (toilet #1, toilet #2, etc.) or can the fixtures can be grouped together, for example, with all toilets with the same GPF?
Fixtures can be grouped by type (as long as they have the same flush/flow rate).
Our plumbing fixtures are served, in part, by nonpotable water. How do we account for this?
Nonpotable water cannot be applied to the prerequisite calculation, but it can contribute to compliance for the corresponding credit. Once the annual design case water is calculated, nonpotable water can be subtracted to determine total water savings.
We want to pursue this credit but are concerned about fees. What are our options?
Fees for access to shared spaces are completely up to the discretion of the parties that are involved. Your best option for reducing or eliminating fees is to discuss your needs with multiple organizations and find the best fit for your budgetary and facility needs.
Our utility meters cover all energy supplied to the building. Do we have to install more meters to earn this prerequisite?
These meters meet the requirements if you can access monthly consumption data.
Is there an example commitment letter that I can use?
USGBC has not provided a commitment letter template. However, Minimum Program Requirement 6 from the LEED 2009 rating system included a requirement for sharing water use data, which is outlined on Project Information Form 1. The language on the PIf1 form can provide teams with a good starting point for developing their own commitment letter.
I don’t know what my tenants are purchasing, so how do I determine the building’s top five product categories?
The policy needs to cover products purchased by the building management, at a minimum. This means you can develop the policy based on the purchases you’re responsible for and have data on. The Multitenant Buildings section under Project Type Variations in the LEED Reference Guide includes additional information for buildings with tenants.
We already do a waste audit every year. Will this audit count for LEED compliance?
The prerequisite lays out specific procedures and requirements for the audit. Review the LEED Reference Guide carefully (see the Waste Audit Procedures section) to see if your current audit will work.
The LEED Reference Guide states that Case 1 “is available if the building has an official ENERGY STAR label that was awarded within the 12 months preceding the end of the LEED performance period” but it also seems to indicate that the ENERGY STAR scor
If the project has been awarded a label within the last 12 months, it is eligible for the streamlined path. If it does not pursue the official label, then the period upon which the score is based must coincide with the end of the performance period.
Is there a way to earn this prerequisite without meeting the Energy Star score of 75 or achieving a 25% improvement over the median building?
Yes. If you’re in this boat, check out the Energy Jumpstart pilot credit. This pilot credit is available for LEED v4 projects and requires a 10% improvement over a historic baseline for your building. Meeting the pilot credit won’t necessarily be easy, but it can be a viable option for buildings that are not yet in the top 25% of performers.