Capturing useful energy from natural energy flows like sunshine, wind, moving water is a great concept. The technologies to capture this energy aren’t cheap, however, nor do they work equally well in all locations. Typically, it’s hard to generate a significant fraction of total electricity we use onsite.

All multi-occupant spaces (like classrooms or auditoriums) must have at least one occupant comfort control. Multifamily housing must also have one control per unit.

For individual spaces or open-plan offices, at least 50% of occupants must be able to control their individual comfort conditions.

You won’t meet the requirements for this credit with conventional building design. You’re likely to need additional insulation, increased wall mass, adjust wall assemblies and layout, and make changes to the mechanical system design.

Pick up the phone, call the local utility and a couple of green power providers—companies that sell renewable energy credits (RECs), which provide funding to renewable energy generation, supporting its development. Give them your project’s estimated energy consumption. Sit back and receive estimates.

This credit can be easy and with little or no cost premium if your project only has a small amount of wood. A multifamily high-rise, for example, may have little wood on the project except for doors and cabinetry. In this case, it would be easy to reach the 50% Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) threshold.