Before the Performance Period

Assess current performance and Energy Star eligibility. Benchmark current performance based on the option that applies to the project building. Make operational improvements or equipment upgrades to meet minimum energy performance requirements.

Facilities staff can perform these modifications, making costs minimal.

Remove unnecessary lighting of architectural and landscaping features.

Redirect exterior lighting wherever possible to direct downwards rather than upwards to reduce night sky illumination.

Minimize light trespass at the LEED project boundary, and develop a plan for performing required measurements during the performance period.

Measure the night illumination levels at regularly spaced points around the perimeter of the property, taking the measurements with the building’s exterior and site lights both on and off. The building’s interior lights must be in the same state during both measurements.

Option 3 – Measure Site Perimeter Illumination

Costs will vary depending on the number of fixtures or lamps that must be retrofitted or replaced to meet the shielding requirement. Reducing wattage may be less expensive in some cases than adding shielding.

Replacement of high-wattage lamps with low-wattage, lower-lumen alternatives can eliminate the need for shielding to meet credit requirements. For instance, LED lighting that is less than 50 watts may be sufficient for directional lighting in exterior situations.

When replacing fixtures, fully shielded fixtures can generally be specified with no additional cost premium. It may be possible to retrofit existing fixtures with compliant shielding to prevent the need for complete fixture replacement.