Before deciding which compliance path to follow, consider the age and condition of your base building system. It may make more sense to develop a phase-out plan for CFC-based refrigerants in equipment that has nearly reached the end of its useful life. Alternatively, if you have newer CFC-containing equipment that is still performing very well, it may be better to perform the economic feasibility analysis to determine the payback period for retrofitting your equipment.

If CFC-based refrigerants are used in the building, you must either commit to a comprehensive CFC phase-out plan or complete an economic analysis to determine whether conversion or replacement of the HVAC system is economically feasible.  

There is no reason not to earn this credit, as long as you are willing to take a bit of extra time to specify compliant products, and make sure that only those products are used on the jobsite.

Upload to LEED Online a copy of the building’s ongoing commissioning plan, along with documentation summarizing the overall commissioning cycle of the building. Include a building equipment list outlining the performance measurement frequency and procedures for responding to deviations from expected performance. Also include a budget for the overall commissioning cycle and costs for the completion of each major commissioning task within the cycle.

Document the deficiencies uncovered and corrective actions taken for commissioning tasks performed during the performance period.

Update the building operating plan based on any changes that are made as a part of the ongoing commissioning activities.

Provide a clear budget for the commissioning cycle along with the credit submission that demonstrates that what has been completed as of the end of the performance period is greater than 50% of the total ongoing commissioning budget.

Conduct at least half of the first commissioning cycle within two years of the LEED certification application.

The ongoing commissioning cycle typically begins with a full retrocommissioning process and then focuses on repeating key aspects of functional testing and performance monitoring on a continuing basis.

The commissioning plan and budget should include substantial detail, particularly around system testing and performance verification. LEED reviewers will be looking for clear evidence that functional tests are well-defined for major systems and that the commissioning tasks and monitoring mechanisms rise above standard preventive maintenance and BAS-based monitoring actions.