Some LEED v4 Changes You Should Know About

LEED v4 represents the largest change since the inception of LEED. Updating of credit rating makes sense. LEED v4 mixes familiar ratings and updated goals. In a lot of ways, LEED v4 is more challenging, but what’s been learned over the course of the years is that most of the LEED rating buildings are going from Basic to Gold standards or higher. LEED v4 is increasing the building standards — they are continuing to pushing the LEED green building standards.

The USGBC is continuing to up the bar and lead the market to more healthy and productive buildings and protective habitats. Some people feel that the standards are too ambitious, but the challenges are being taken on.

LEED v4 was carefully developed. The USGBC engaged the building development community by having 6 public comment periods and had technical advisory boards to get feedback for LEED v4. They took lessons learned, what professionals have learned and the technologies available to help push the green building thresholds. Even though some organizations will hold off on LEED v4, if an organization wants to differentiate themselves, they will gravitate to LEED v4.

With LEED v4 there is a new “Do More Good” mindset. There are impact categories like reducing a building’s footprint to creating a “good” environmental footprint. LEED is looking for buildings to impact the environment as little as possible – and improve the environment as much as possible.

LEED v4 Important Changes

Here are some important changes to LEED v4 that you should be aware of as you’re planning your next LEED project.

LEED v4 raises the bar for energy efficiency levels. In fact, 20% of the rating system’s points are based on this category. You must apply innovation and systems that work together to achieve these rating goals.

HVAC systems are in for a major overhaul. Chilled beams, thermal storage, dedicated outside storage, etc. will be necessary. You have to go beyond a “conservation mentality.” This is one of the biggest concerns that building teams have. It really takes the whole team to work together – from the very beginning of the project.

Water consumption across the entire building has also changed. Whole building level and sub-level metering is also required to track efficiency. Metering is a valuable tool to better manage a building’s water consumption. LEED v4 eliminates low-flush toilets which can require two flushes. To pass, toilets must be able to be “one-flush” toilets. “Storm water,” which often has a negative connotation, has been replaced with “rain water” to put a more positive spin on water. Rain water will also have to be addressed throughout the year – not just during certain times of the season.

Building level metering: You will need to evaluate buildings based on real performance as their actual model expected them to perform. Facility managers will have valuable performance information. Energy data needs to be remotely accessible and needs to be accessible for at least three years. This new credit reminds people that LEED is about ongoing sustainability and improvement. Performance verification is important in LEED v4.

Plug-loads: Any piece of equipment that plugs into an outlet impacts the energy use of a building. Plug loads account for 30% of a building’s energy use. Buildings will have to pay attention to computers, copiers, lighting, etc. that are plugged into outlets and evaluate how much energy is being used.

Building product manufacturers will be required to provide life cycle assessments that are verified by environmental declarations. New credits: Environmental production declarations, sourcing of raw materials, material ingredient reporting. EPV Credit LCA assesses the various stages of the product life cycle. Products used will have to show the life cycles of the products – showing more transparency.

Product transparency is very important. Designers, building owners, contractors, etc. are excited to see what’s going into the buildings they are constructing. LEED v4 rewards attention to this effort. This has normally been a very arduous task. Architects don’t have time to investigate the LCA of all the products that go into constructing a building – and this investigative work takes them away from other valuable tasks they need to work on. LEED v4 is rewarding products/manufacturers that show transparency. Architects are now often able to view Environmental Product Disclosers (EPDs) to see how a products will impact their designs.

Transparency among US Based Manufacturers is relatively new. One tool, called SPOT/Green Wizard, allows manufacturers to share information. This makes it easier for architects and engineers to research information.

Companies that adapt the quickest will benefit/competitive edge. Those that don’t bother with product disclosure will be left behind. Life Cycle Assessment and supply chain transparency will become a part of the new normal.

The use of bio-based raw materials is incentivized in a new product disclosure credit. Under the building product disclosure and optimization sourcing credit, it encourages the use of bio-based building products. For the Optimization of Sourcing of Raw Materials Product Disclosure Credit/Leadership Extraction Practices, a project must prove at least 25% materials costs have some sustainable benefits.

The Integrative Process credit supports a more holistic project approach. This new credit helps get the project team together on the project before, during and after the design phase. The USGBC wants teams to map the process, use a life cycle approach, reduce costs, reduce change orders, make early decisions about how you site the building, the envelope, etc. Teams are encouraged to run a variety of scenarios to determine how every aspect of the building is connected. LEED v4 knocks down silos.

Envelope Building Commissioning is an essential part of the building process. Building envelope commissioning is part of the enhanced credit. Targeting the building enclosure is important because it helps ensure that the building performs as intended. The building envelope plays a major role in the energy efficiency. There are thousands of details and materials. The commissioning process gives a greater likelihood that the building envelope will perform as expected.

Acoustic Performance is one of the biggest complaints of LEED certified buildings. Buildings have become louder. Acoustics is one of the biggest ways to gauge occupant satisfaction and productivity. Our sense of hearing is a significant factor of comfort and our ability to perform. Acoustic consultants may need to be called in to balance LEED sustainable qualities and acoustic performance. You should plan acoustics at the site assessment phase.

Demand Response is a new credit. If you go for the DR credit, you can be awarded two points in a DR program if you can shed at least 10% of the energy use at peak times. In the past, DR has been used in larger buildings, but now it is opened to smaller buildings. The cost savings and stress on the grid is also a great benefit.

Planning ahead and speaking with the utility company in your region early on is important – especially to see if there are any additional financial benefits to becoming a part of the Demand Response program.

Indoor Environmental Quality credits. Occupied spaces must be comfortable for the people occupying the space – temperature, lighting/visual comfort, noise, etc. For example, now the visual line of site for windows should include a variety of sight angles – you can’t just have a window that faces a brick wall or a dumpster and have that count towards your credit. Also, air quality should be tested before occupancy.

Green power has been upgraded and carbon offsets have been added for the first time. The green power must be Green eEnergy certified. RECs aren’t a new thing to LEED, but carbon offsets are new. A free online tool called JustGreen is available. You can enter your project type, building location and square footage. You can then find out the RECs and carbon offsets.

Additionally, one of the best features of LEED v4, is the new step-by-step credit submittal process. There’s even a guidance process which makes it even easier to submit your project. This means you can spend more time working on your project instead of documenting your LEED project!