Schematic Design

Energy Star labels are not permanent, and Energy Star criteria get stricter over time. If your piece of equipment no longer has an Energy Star label, but you can prove that it did when you bought it, you can still count it.

It is no longer required to track existing reused equipment. Refer to the following LEED Addendum posted on 4/16/10. “Only new appliances and equipment purchased as part of the scope of work for the project need to be included in the credit for EA Credit 1.4. Equipment and appliances must meet the Energy Star criteria current at the time of purchase. Any items that are purchased after the item's category has become ENERGY STAR eligible must meet the Energy Star rating.

You can get a bonus by claiming the original power consumption of the piece of equipment that is being upgraded to more efficient Energy Star equipment.

Part-time students are now included as a type of occupant in Schools. Part-time students are calculated in the same manner as part-time staff.

Dedicated bike lanes need to have sufficient width. Project experience has shown the following to be good guideline.: A dedicated bike lane along a roadway must be physically marked or separated from vehicular traffic. Sidewalks are acceptable if they meet the width requirements for a shared bicycle pedestrian lane. Sample width requirements established by AASHTO (American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials) are:

Healthcare projects are not permitted to include exam room sinks within their WEp1 and WEc3 calculations. These sinks would be considered "process water" and thus should not be included; in addition they are commonly regulated by different standards, and three uses per day would not capture their water use levels.

Project teams are permitted to include classroom sinks within their WEp1 and WEc3 calculations provided the flow fixtures installed have a similar usage pattern and are of a similar fixture type as for a regulated fixture type. For example, classroom handwash sinks would be similar to a standard lavatory sink.

Other rating sytems such as LEED-

Multifamily residential projects may find it difficult to meet the credit unless the units are supplied with fresh air. Typically multifamily projects are naturally ventilated, and they can meet the IEQp1 requirements with operable windows. However, the additional outside air required for IEQc2  compliance may be difficult to provide unless they also duct in extra outside air.

Choose a LEED compliance path to verify that the daylighting meets a minimum glazing factor of 2% for at least 75% of all regularly occupied spaces or a minimum of 25 footcandles for at least 75%of regularly occupied spaces. If 95% of regularly occupied spaces meet the credit requirements, a project can earn an point via IDc1 for Exemplary Performance.