LEED v5
Existing Buildings
Energy and Atmosphere
Minimum Energy Performance

EBOM-v5 EAp3: Minimum Energy Performance Required

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Credit language

USGBC logo

© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Intent

To promote resilience and reduce the environmental and economic harms of excessive energy use and greenhouse gas emissions by achieving a minimum level of energy efficiency. 

Requirements

Building energy efficiency

  • Property types eligible to receive an ENERGY STAR score in the U.S. and Canada must comply with Option 1. 
  • Property types eligible to receive an ENERGY STAR score outside of the U.S. and Canada must comply with either Option 1 or Option 2.
  • Property types referenced in Appendix II, Table 1, that are ineligible to receive an ENERGY STAR score must comply with either Option 2 or Option 3.
  • All other property types must comply with Option 3 or review additional guidance/requirements.

Option 1. ENERGY STAR Score
During the 12-month reporting period, achieve an ENERGY STAR score of at least 60 using the U.S. EPA ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool54.

To apply Option 1 to projects outside of the U.S. and Canada, consult ASHRAE Standard 169-2021, “Climatic Data for Building Design Standards,"55 and select an ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager location in the same climate zone and with similar climate characteristics.

OR

Option 2. Energy Use Intensity Targets
For the 12-month reporting period, meet the site EUI or source EUI targets established for the project’s building type(s) and climate zone in Appendix II based on ASHRAE 100-2024

OR

Option 3. Performance Relative to Historical Baseline
For property types not eligible to receive an ENERGY STAR score, compare the building’s total annual site and source energy consumption for the 12-month reporting period with historical baseline site and source energy consumption data from a 12-month reporting period with similar occupancy occurring within eight years before the end of the 12-month reporting period. Demonstrate at least an 8% reduction in either site energy use or source energy use beyond the historical baseline. Historical data may be normalized against the reporting period for weather or operational variables, such as occupancy or production throughput.

High-process-load buildings that meet the following criteria demonstrate a 4% reduction in energy use for performance relative to the historical baseline.

  • Building activity classification not referenced in Appendix II, Table 1, Building Category Classifications, or a project narrative demonstrates that the building function is directly linked to heightened energy usage compared to other buildings with the same building activity classification
  • Energy use associated with manufacturing or industrial equipment, including equipment used for conveyance of people or objects, uncontrollable loads, life safety requirements, and/or security requirements, contributes at least 50% of the total energy consumption, meaning that at least 50% of the total building energy consumption cannot be modified using standard efficiency/retrofit measures, including:
    • Envelope improvements;
    • Internal load reductions to lighting, ENERGY STAR-eligible equipment, and so forth;
    • HVAC or domestic hot water (DHW) efficiency upgrades; and
    • Controls upgrades to HVAC, DHW, or lighting systems.
       
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Credit language

USGBC logo

© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Intent

To promote resilience and reduce the environmental and economic harms of excessive energy use and greenhouse gas emissions by achieving a minimum level of energy efficiency. 

Requirements

Building energy efficiency

  • Property types eligible to receive an ENERGY STAR score in the U.S. and Canada must comply with Option 1. 
  • Property types eligible to receive an ENERGY STAR score outside of the U.S. and Canada must comply with either Option 1 or Option 2.
  • Property types referenced in Appendix II, Table 1, that are ineligible to receive an ENERGY STAR score must comply with either Option 2 or Option 3.
  • All other property types must comply with Option 3 or review additional guidance/requirements.

Option 1. ENERGY STAR Score
During the 12-month reporting period, achieve an ENERGY STAR score of at least 60 using the U.S. EPA ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool54.

To apply Option 1 to projects outside of the U.S. and Canada, consult ASHRAE Standard 169-2021, “Climatic Data for Building Design Standards,"55 and select an ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager location in the same climate zone and with similar climate characteristics.

OR

Option 2. Energy Use Intensity Targets
For the 12-month reporting period, meet the site EUI or source EUI targets established for the project’s building type(s) and climate zone in Appendix II based on ASHRAE 100-2024

OR

Option 3. Performance Relative to Historical Baseline
For property types not eligible to receive an ENERGY STAR score, compare the building’s total annual site and source energy consumption for the 12-month reporting period with historical baseline site and source energy consumption data from a 12-month reporting period with similar occupancy occurring within eight years before the end of the 12-month reporting period. Demonstrate at least an 8% reduction in either site energy use or source energy use beyond the historical baseline. Historical data may be normalized against the reporting period for weather or operational variables, such as occupancy or production throughput.

High-process-load buildings that meet the following criteria demonstrate a 4% reduction in energy use for performance relative to the historical baseline.

  • Building activity classification not referenced in Appendix II, Table 1, Building Category Classifications, or a project narrative demonstrates that the building function is directly linked to heightened energy usage compared to other buildings with the same building activity classification
  • Energy use associated with manufacturing or industrial equipment, including equipment used for conveyance of people or objects, uncontrollable loads, life safety requirements, and/or security requirements, contributes at least 50% of the total energy consumption, meaning that at least 50% of the total building energy consumption cannot be modified using standard efficiency/retrofit measures, including:
    • Envelope improvements;
    • Internal load reductions to lighting, ENERGY STAR-eligible equipment, and so forth;
    • HVAC or domestic hot water (DHW) efficiency upgrades; and
    • Controls upgrades to HVAC, DHW, or lighting systems.
       
See all forum discussions about this credit »