LEED CREDIT: à la carte

In the years since the USGBC has offered LEED programs for existing buildings, LEED certification has evolved from an elite niche service offered by specialized consultants to a mainstream professional quality control service offered by many major property management service firms. Rather than competing as generic LEED administrators, Healthy Buildings has responded to this evolution in the industry by building on our nationwide reputation for high quality technical services in the field of indoor environmental quality. During the past few years we have developed exceptional expertise in several of the most technically challenging LEED EBOM credits and prerequisites, so that we can offer these credits as a specialized resource to property management and LEED consultants alike.

Due to the specialized nature of these credits, there is a high value in outsourcing them to specialists. Risk of failure is reduced, and upfront investment in development of expertise is minimized. Moreover, this expertise is not sitting idle between projects or wasted once the projects are complete. Let us complete these complex credits so that your LEED administration team may focus on completion of the project as a whole.

The “à la carte” method is designed to obtain LEED credits one-by-one through our technical expertise. Our talent matrix has specialized skill sets allowing us to facilitate individual credits or points in a much more efficient and cost effective manner than LEED generalists.

LEED NC EQc3.2 and LEED CI EQc3.2 – Indoor Air Quality Testing

Healthy Buildings originally co-wrote the indoor air quality testing method published by USGBC for EQc3.2. The advantages of using the IAQ test method to earn this credit over the flush-out procedure include minimal impact to the construction schedule, lower cost, and enhanced liability. Healthy Buildings has successfully earned this credit in over 200 LEED projects. Through coordination and using instantaneous sampling equipment, we ensure favorable conditions prevail before IAQ sampling.

LEED EBOM IEQp1 – Minimum Indoor Air Quality Performance (Ventilation Testing)

Healthy Buildings utilizes the ASHRAE ventilation calculator to determine the minimum required Outside Air per ASHRAE 62.1 – 2007 for each air handing unit providing ventilation in the building. Following identification of critical ventilation zones and completion of the ASHRAE calculators, our IAQ Project Manager measures the outside air at each air handling unit to ensure compliance. Our team will ensure proper operation of building exhaust systems, including: restroom, kitchen (if applicable) and parking. Healthy Buildings will complete the LEED-Online Template and upload required documentation.

LEED EBOM EAp1- Energy Efficiency Best Management Practices – Planning, Documentation, and Opportunity Assessment (ASHRAE Level I Energy Audit)

Healthy Buildings conducts an energy audit that meets the requirements of the ASHRAE Level I, walk- through analysis. Potential low-cost or no-cost changes to the facility or to operating and maintenance procedures are identified and the resulting energy and maintenance savings are calculated. Estimated savings from capital projects are also included. A rough estimate is compiled to determine the breakdown of energy use for major end-use categories. Healthy Buildings provides LEED-compliant examples and works with the Owner to document a systems narrative, preventative maintenance plan, building operating plan, and sequence of operations. Healthy Buildings completes the LEED-Online Template and uploads required documentation.

LEED EBOM EA Credit 2.1 – Existing Building Commissioning – Investigation & Analysis

Option 1

Healthy Buildings conducts a site assessment to understand how and why the building systems and equipment are currently operated. The site assessment often includes in-depth interviews with building operators and staff, a review of existing operating documents, and a detailed recording of equipment status and condition. A retro-commissioning plan is developed and implemented for all of the building’s major energy-using systems. Healthy Buildings generates a Master list of findings that includes all operating problems that affect occupants’ comfort and energy use and detail every problem identified during the investigation and analysis phase, even if it was immediately adjusted, repaired, or rectified. A cost-benefit analysis will be performed for each potential operational change, technological upgrade, and capital improvement. Healthy Buildings will complete the LEED-Online Template and upload required documentation.

LEED EBOM EAc2.1 – ASHRAE Level II Energy Audit

Option 2

An ASHRAE Level II energy audit builds upon the Level I audit and further documents the breakdown of energy use in the building. The Level II audit focuses more closely on the measurements requiring capital and a detailed savings and cost analysis will be performed for each measure that meets the Owner’s constraints and economic criteria. Healthy Buildings will complete the LEED-Online Template and upload required documentation.

LEED EBOM EA Credit 2.2 – Commissioning, Implementation

Healthy Buildings documents the implementation of low or no cost operational improvements and assists the Owner in creating a capital plan for major retrofits or upgrades. The observed and/or anticipated financial costs and benefits of the measures are demonstrated. In addition, Healthy Buildings provides sustainability training for management staff. Healthy Buildings updates the building operating plan as necessary to reflect any changes in: occupancy schedule, equipment runtime schedule, design set points and lighting levels. Healthy Buildings completes the LEED-Online Template and upload required documentation.

LEED EBOM EA Credit 2.3 – Ongoing Commissioning

An ongoing commissioning program includes elements of: planning, system testing, performance verification, corrective action response, ongoing measurement, and documentation to proactively address operating problems. Healthy Buildings creates a written plan that summarizes the overall commissioning cycle for the building by equipment or building system group. At least half of the commissioning cycle should be completed prior to the end of the performance period. Healthy Buildings completes the LEED-Online Template and upload required documentation.