Outdoor air can contain contaminants that lead to unhealthy working or living conditions. You may need to assess the quality of the local outdoor air before bringing it indoors. HHigh efficiency MERV filters (13 or higher) are one solution to treating poor-quality outdoor air before supplying it to the indoors. This can be part of a strategy for achieving IEQc5: Indoor Chemical and Pollutant Source Control.

Demand Control Ventilation (DCV) in conjunction with CO2 sensors can serve the dual purpose of energy conservation and improved indoor air quality. They provide the option of additional ventilation only when CO2 sensors indicate that it is necessary.

Consider the impact of monitoring devices on space and design requirements. Issues to consider include the location of CO2 sensors, the inclusion of outdoor air monitors when designing the mechanical system, and whether to use a building management system (BMS), which allows your ventilation system to automatically respond to changing indoor situations.

CO2 sensors are not the same as CO sensors. CO (carbon monoxide) sensors are much more common, inexpensive, and do not need to be hard wired. Make sure this distinction is clear when talking with the owner, mechanical engineer, and building operator.

CO2 sensors are not standard practice and typically cost $500–$1000 per sensor including installation. Installing CO2 sensors is becoming more common and this price may come down, however. Costs can add up quickly if several sensors are required. In applications with many densely occupied spaces and isolated mechanical systems, like hotels and multifamily, providing CO2 sensors and the associated controls for each unit could become costly, without much added benefit.

Outdoor airflow monitoring devices are the single most costly component of this credit, ranging from $1,000–$5,000 per monitor, depending on size of the ducts and product type. You can reduce this cost by minimizing the number of supply ducts coming into the building. Centralized systems minimize these ducts, thereby minimizing cost.

Consider incorporating CO2 sensors or outdoor airflow monitors into the building design, as required by the credit. Discuss with the project team the indoor air quality (IAQ) and energy benefits of installing monitoring devices in the project.

Determine the best ventilation strategy for your building: natural, mechanical, or mixed-mode ventilation. The choice of ventilation system is more likely to be shaped by the LEED minimum ventilation prerequisite (IEQp1) and increased ventilation credit (IEQc2), not this credit.

If relying on natural infiltration in landscaped areas, keep the plants in those areas healthy and avoid soil compaction from vehicle use.

If using porous paving, implement a plan to maintain its porosity. Vehicle use, sand and organic matter, and snowplowing can all damage or reduce the effectiveness of porous paving.