Take care to balance restoration goals with site uses, and plan to create non-vegetated buffer zones where habitat proximity to the building or surrounding infrastructure might create pest management or safety issues.
If there is adjacent open space that contribute to this credit but falls outside the boundary and overall project scope, consider using the off-site option rather than expanding the LEED project boundary.
Be sure to clearly identify your LEED project boundary and ensure that it remains consistent across all LEED credits, including throughout your SSc5 calculations.
Choose the locations of existing and planned habitat and establish associated restoration goals.
Costs depend on the size and existing conditions of the site. Onsite restoration projects will incur initial costs associated with the purchase and installations of native plantings, but benefits such as reduced irrigation, landscape waste, and maintenance will likely reduce operating costs over time.
You can also combine onsite and off-site options. For example, if a project must have 1,000 ft2 of onsite habitat protected, it can comply by protecting/restoring 500 ft2 onsite plus 1,000 ft2 offsite or 200 ft2 onsite plus 1,600 ft2 offsite.
Employ software that provides an automatic warning system if data anomalies are identified.
Request suggested measurement intervals from the manufacturer.
The time interval between measurement points is not established by the credit requirements. Consider short intervals between measurement points to ensure that any spikes in system use are analyzed and addressed immediately. The optimal measurement interval may depend on the system metered and the data storage capacity available.
No manual readings or temporary equipment are allowed. The submeter must electrically record readings on a ongoing basis. These readings should be relayed back to a personal computer or building automation system.