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Since passing LEED for New Construction for total square footage certified in December 2011, LEED-EBOM is the most popular rating system in the LEED suite. The enhanced commissioning (Cx) and measurement and verification (M&V) credits are examples of good opportunities that tie design and construction to operations in previous and the current version of LEED for New Construction rating system. But there are other areas where LEED-EBOM seeks to continuously improve performance for the life of the facility. The following highlight some of these opportunities to create buildings of higher value while decreasing operational and life-cycle costs:
— Prerequisite and Credit: Indoor Water Use Reduction. Lowering water use saves operating expenses for both the water itself and the heating or pumping that could be associated with its use. For a building with a certificate of occupancy dated 1995 or later, the baseline is 120 percent of the water use that would result if all fixtures met the code requirements. For a building with a certificate of occupancy dated before 1995, the baseline is 150 percent of the water use that would result if all fixtures met the code requirements.
— Prerequisite: Building-Level Water Metering. Not having a building meter is a little like driving a car without a speedometer or a fuel gauge. Without a building-level meter it is impossible to know what events or use patterns lead to the highest consumption of water and related spikes in a utility bill over the course of the year. Over time, learning the patterns of use will lead to reduced overall usage and cost associated with the water consuming fixtures.
— Credit: Water Metering. If a whole building meter is a good idea, then sub metering specific uses is even better.
— Prerequisite: Energy Efficiency Best Management Practices. One perquisite promotes continuity of information to ensure that energy-efficient operating strategies are maintained and provide a foundation for training and system analysis. This is essentially an ASHRAE Level 1 Energy Audit and can be your first step towards long term high performance building management. Remember, an audit has no payback and is only the starting point for determining how to proceed with optimizing energy consuming systems.
— Prerequisite: Minimum Energy Performance. Create a benchmark using Energy Star's Portfolio Manager. A minimum of 75 is required for any level of certification.
— Prerequisite: Building-Level Energy Metering. For the same reasons described above for water, this could be one of the best improvements a building can make. No building level meters? Time to get some.
— Energy and Atmosphere Credits:
— Jamie Qualk
Newest Version Of LEED-EBOM Is Designed To Drive Better Building Performance
LEED-EBOM Commissioning Credits Focus On Maintaining Efficient Operations
LEED-EBOM Certification Hinges On Three Areas: Energy Star, ASHRAE 62 and Water Use
LEED-EBOM Focuses On Continuously Improving Performance