Collect information on all base building systems that use refrigerants, including manufacturer, model number, installation date, refrigerant type, and the amount of refrigerant used in the equipment. See the Documentation Toolkit for a sample inventory form.

Consider monitoring the use and benefit of lighting controls through occupant surveys, per IEQc2.1: Occupant Comfort—Occupant Survey. 

Keep the inventory of controls current, and update whenever lighting systems are altered or if major shifts in tenants or occupancy occur.

Any energy savings associated with lighting controls that have been in place during the project’s 12-month record of energy data will contribute to the building’s performance rating for EAp2: Minimum Energy Efficiency Performance and EAc1: Optimized Energy Performance. 

For projects pursuing MRc4: Sustainable Purchasing—Reduced Mercury in Lamps, ensure that any lamps purchased for lighting upgrades or additions do not exceed the maximum level of mercury permitted.  

Take a holistic approach to lighting upgrades. In addition to improving controllability, consider improvements and trade-offs related to comfortable light levels and color temperatures, efficiency and performance, mercury content, and other factors. There may be easy, low-cost opportunities to do things like install more efficient lamps and upgrade fixtures.

Since the credit sets a very achievable threshold, also consider additional opportunities to enhance building performance and occupant comfort. For example, add lighting zones based on specific types of visual tasks and the availability of natural daylight and consider dimming or “stepped” lighting systems tied to daylighting sensors. 

Determine the upgrades and complete the modifications necessary to meet credit requirements. To achieve this credit lighting controls must be provided for at least 50% of individual workstations and 50% of multi-occupant space in the building.

In special-use spaces—such as museums, visitor centers, or fitness clubs—where visitors have limited access to lighting controls, meet the credit requirement by specifying that building staff will be available to adjust lighting conditions as necessary.  

Although occupancy sensors do not offer occupants as much direct control, LEED allows occupancy sensors as a substitute to other lighting controls due to the energy efficiency benefits.