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LEEDuser Tip Sheets

LEEDuser offers hundreds of calculators, templates, and sample forms that you can use today on your LEED project. Navigate to the LEED credit you’re working on and view the Documentation Toolkit tab.

We also offer the following tip sheets that often go beyond a single LEED credit.

LEED Process

General

  • LEED-NC v4 Explained in Two Pages
    LEED v4 is here. The deadline to register for LEED 2009 passed in October 2016. Already-registered LEED 2009 projects have till June 30, 2021 to submit for certification or upgrade to LEED v4. The most noteworthy changes in LEED v4 are explained here.
  • Essential LEED Interpretations, Addenda, and Rating System Updates
    LEED Interpretations, or LIs, are precedent-setting updates to the LEED rating systems that can be used by all projects. Project teams are required to adhere to both LEED rating system addenda and LEED Interpretations issue before a project's LEED registration date. LEED Interpretations and addenda issued after a project's registration date are optional. We review the key ones here every quarter.
  • LEED Documentation Tips from LEED Reviewers
    Mistakes in your LEED documentation mean extra reviews and possibly losing credits or your whole LEED certification. We sat down with GBCI reviewers to learn their top tips to making quality documentation.
  • LEED Energy and EQ Documentation Tips from LEED Reviewers
    The most important tips on completing quality energy (EA) and ventilation (EQ) documentation for your LEED project, to have a smooth review process.
  • Navigating LEED Online
    Here's a status report on LEED Online and digests of recent updates.
  • Using the Innovation Catalog
    The innovation catalog is a handy resource for browsing the USGBC-approved innovation credits available to your project. Learn how to use it to your advantage.
  • Using the LEED Pilot Credit Library
    All LEED projects can earn Innovation points for piloting credits. To earn a point, here's what projects need to do.
  • Understanding the Cost of LEED-NC Project Certification
    How much does LEED certification cost? Earning a LEED certification for a project involves several different types of costs, and you have to consider each separately to get an accurate picture.

New Construction

Interiors

Existing Buildings O+M

  • How to Use Arc
    The Arc platform allows existing spaces and whole buildings to measure and score operational performance in energy, water, waste, transportation, and human experience.
  • Performance Periods in LEED-EBOM: Rules to Follow
    The LEED-EBOM program is built around the idea of a “performance period,” or a snapshot of time where teams collect performance data for review by GBCI.
  • LEED Recertification: When and How
    Recertification is required within five years if you want to retain your ability to advertise your LEED-EBOM certification. Here’s some key information on how to do that.

Sustainability Concepts

General

Credit Guidance — v4 and v4.1 rating systems

New Construction

Commercial Interiors

Existing Buildings O+M

  • A Guide to Commissioning and Auditing Credentials
    Understand the range of professional certifications available for professionals who can do commissioning and audits.
  • Environmental Best Practices for Deicer Application
    Use this strategy page to support compliance with the deicing component of LEED-EBOM SSc2: Building Exterior and Hardscape Management Plan, or simply as a guide to best practices for deicing at your facility. See that credit page for additional guidance and resources.
  • Renewable Energy and Carbon Offsets EBOM v4 Tip Sheet
    To calculate your project’s required green power purchase quantity for the Green Power credit, choose one of the methods shown here.
  • Waste Stream Audit Protocol
    This protocol will help you conduct a LEED-EBOM-compliant waste audit. It can also be useful in any situation where you want to establish a baseline for the types and quantities of waste leaving your building.
  • Guide to Exemplary Performance Points in LEED-EBOM v4
    Here’s where to look in LEED-EBOM v4 to achieve Exemplary Performance (EP) credits under the Innovation credit. We’ve compiled the benchmarks you’ll need to hit for each credit, and included our own notes on how achievable each benchmark is so that you can focus your efforts and maximize your Innovation points.
  • School as a Teaching Tool Curriculum Ideas
    This document is intended to provide teachers with a starting point for the curriculum assembled for LEED for Schools IDc3: The School as a Teaching Tool.

Other Rating Systems

General

Existing Buildings O+M

  • LEED v4.1 for Building Operations and Maintenance
    If approved by the members, this new set of rating systems will represent a radical shift in how LEED measures the performance of existing buildings.
  • The BIT Building Program
    Learn the basics of BIT Building, a new green building certification program from Southface. Also get tips for establishing green O&M best practices in buildings and portfolios.