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The Intent of this credit is to reduce the amount of harmful refrigerants used in cooling systems.

Requirements: You can either not use any refrigerants, or use refrigerants that meet certian specifications pertaining to their LCGWP, LCODP, ODP, GWPr, etc values.

Approach: Select equipment that does not need harmful refrigerants.  If doing a building remodel and using existing mechanical equipment,  create a comprehensive phase-out plan to eliminate harmful refrigerants.

There are several calculations involved in this credit, and it is part of the design submittal.

Intent: Properly commission the building to ensure proper function of equipment.

Requirements: There are several more requirements for this credit than for the corresponding prerequisite.  Take a look at your LEED manual for all the details.

Approach: Follow the directions in the LEED manual.

The Intent of this credit is to increase the use of ons-ite renewable energy.

Requirements: Utilize solar, thermal, wind, etc. renewable energy sources in order to offset the building’s energy costs.  2.5% savings results in 1 point; 7.5% savings results in 2 points, and 12.5% savings results in 3 points.

Referenced Documents: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers

Approach: Obviously, incorporate renewable energy sources in the design of the building.

There are several Calculations involved with this credit, no Exemplary Performance points available, and it is part of the Design Submittal.

The Intent of this credit is to increase the level of energy efficiency in the building.

Requirements: There are 3 options to achieve points for this credit.  The first option is for a whole building energy simulation and there are 1-10 points available, depending on what level of performance your building achieves.  The 2nd option is to comply with ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guide for Small Office Buildings 2004 and there are 4 points available for this path.  The last option is to comply with the Advanced Buildings Benchmark and there is one point available for this option.

You can only select one of the options, so you can’t choose all 3 and then try to claim 15 points for this credit.

There are several Referenced Standards and Calculations for this credit.  There are no Exemplary Performance points available, and this credit is part of the Design Submittal.

Intent: Minimize ozone depleting chemicals

Requirements: No CFC based refrigerants in new buildings; CFC phase out in existing buildings

There are no Calculations or Exemplary Performance points available for this credit.  The documentation is part of the Design Submittal.

The Intent of this credit is to set a minimum performance level for energy systems.

Requirements: The project must comply with: ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004

There are a few calculations required for this credit, no Exemplary Performance points available, and the documentation is part of the Design Submittal.

The Intent of this credit is to make sure that the building’s energy systems are installed correctly and performing to the owner’s, design, and construction requirements.

Requirements: There are 6 required items in order to achieve this credit:

1. Designate a Commissioning Authority (CxA) to lead the completion of the Commissioning process.

2. The owner must document the Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR) - The Design team must complete the Basis of Design (BOD) - The CxA shall review.

3. Incorporate Commissioning requirements into the construction documents.

4. Develop and implement a Commissioning Plan.

5. Verify installation and performance.

6. Complete a Commissioning report.

This is a Prerequisite and must be completed to achieve any of the LEED certification rankings for a building. This credit is part of the Construction submittal.

Today, buildings cause large amount of pollution through their energy consumption.  Buildings consume about 68% of the electricity generated in the United States.  This electricity is not usually produced by “green” resources - most of the electricity is generated from using fossil fuels which further deplete our source of limited fossil fuels and also add to the growing problem of global warming, along with pollute our atmosphere with chemicals known to cause health problems.

Intent: Maximize efficiency of water systems to reduce the amount of water needed from the utility.

Requirements: The building must use 30% less water than the calculated baseline (not including irrigation) in order to achieve this credit.  The baseline is calculated after meeting the Energy Policy Act of 1992.

Approach: Employ various strategies, including dry fixtures such as composting toilets and waterless urinals.  Use occupant sensors, stormwater capturing systems along with graywater reuse systems.

Referenced Standard: The Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 1992.

Exemplary Performance points are available for buildings that increase the requirement to 40%.  There are plenty of Calculations necessary for the design submittal of this credit.

Intent: Maximize efficiency of water systems to reduce the amount of water needed from the utility.

Requirements: The building must use 20% less water than the calculated baseline (not including irrigation) in order to achieve this credit.  The baseline is calculated after meeting the Energy Policy Act of 1992.