Module 9 – LEED Rating System
BCIT Mechanical Engineering MSYS 4486 - Energy Management
Module 9 – LEED Rating Systems
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is an internationally recognized
green building certification system, providing third-party verification that a building or
community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across
all the metrics that matter most:
o Improve energy efficiency,
o Water efficiency,
o CO2 emissions reduction,
o Improved indoor environmental quality, and
o Stewardship of resources.
Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED provides building owners
and operators a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and
measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.
LEED Canada Rating System
LEED provides a point system to score green building design and construction. The system
is categorized in five basic areas: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and
Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, and Indoor Environmental Quality. Different
categories of LEED rating systems for building design in Canada are available, including
o New Construction and Major Renovation
o Core and Shell
o Schools
o Retail
o Data Centers
o Warehouse and Distribution Centers
o Hospitality
o Health care
o Multifamily Midrise
Minimum Program Requirements (MPRs)
After September 1, 2012, new projects must first meet the Minimum Program Requirements
(MPRs). For LEED New Construction Canada, the MPRs include:
must comply with environmental laws,
must be a complete, permanent, building or space,
must use a reasonable site boundary,
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Module 9 – LEED Rating System
BCIT Mechanical Engineering MSYS 4486 - Energy Management
must comply with minimum floor area requirements, and
must comply with minimum occupancy.
LEED Canada for New Construction and Major Renovations and Core and Shell
Development certifications are awarded according to the scales in the following table.
Categories Points
Credits
8 Sustainability sites 26
3 Water efficiency 10
6 Energy and atmosphere 35
7 Materials and resources 14
8 Indoor environmental quality 15
Sub-total 64
Design process and innovation 6
LEED Accredited Professional 4
Total LEED points available 110
Buildings are awarded points based on the extent various sustainable strategies are
achieved. The more points awarded the higher the level of certification achieved. The credit
rating system is based on the point system described above, which is categorized into four
different levels:
• Certified 40 to 49 points
• Silver 50 to 59 points
• Gold 60 to 79 points
• Platinum 80+ points
LEED Canada New Construction Rating System on Energy and Atmosphere
The energy and system efficiency performance refers to the Ashrae Energy Standard 90.1
as the bench mark. Credits points are awarded to the system that exceeds the Ashrae 90.1
requirements. Renewable energy sources, such as the solar, wind, and water and geo-
power are encouraged and the atmosphere is addressed by supporting the ozone
protection protocol.
The goal of energy and atmosphere credits are as follows:
1. Establish energy efficient and system performance
2. Optimize energy efficiency
3. Encourage renewable and alternative energy sources
4. Support ozone protection protocols.
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Module 9 – LEED Rating System
BCIT Mechanical Engineering MSYS 4486 - Energy Management
In this energy and atmosphere category, there are three perquisites and six credits with
total of 19 points. These credits and points are as follows.
Prerequisite 1 Fundamental Commissioning of Building Energy Required
Systems
Prerequisite 2 Minimum Energy Performance Required
Prerequisite 3 Fundamental Refrigerant Management Required
Credit 1 Optimize Energy Performance 1-19
Credit 2 On-Site Renewable Energy 1-7
Credit 3 Enhanced Commissioning 2
Credit 4 Enhanced Refrigerant Management 2
Credit 5 Measurement and Verification 3
Credit 6 Green Power 2
Prerequisite 1: Fundamental Commissioning of Building Energy
To verify that the project’s energy related systems are installed, calibrated and perform
according to the owner’s project requirements, basis of design, and construction documents.
A building’s energy system is certified (commissioned) to do as it was built to do. If it is a
commercial building, the energy system must perform as a commercial building given the
building codes (laws).
Prerequisite 2: Minimum Energy Performance
To establish the minimum level of energy efficiency for the proposed building and systems
to reduce environmental and economic impacts associated with excessive energy use. The
minimum level of energy efficiency is established by Ashrae 90.1 or local energy code,
whichever is more stringent.
If the building was commissioned to suit 500 occupants, its energy system must deliver the
necessary amount of ventilation, lighting, hot water, and electricity for these occupants to do
work in a safe & efficient manner.
Prerequisite 3: Fundamental Refrigerant Management
To reduce stratospheric ozone depletion. Zero use of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)-based
refrigerants in new base building heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration
(HVAC&R) systems.
Credits 1, 2, and 6 are related to energy efficiency and are described briefly below.
Credit 1: Optimize Energy Performance (19 points)
To achieve increasing levels of energy performance beyond the prerequisite standard to
reduce environmental and economic impacts associated with excessive energy use. The
assessment of building energy performance is to carry out energy modeling to determine
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Module 9 – LEED Rating System
BCIT Mechanical Engineering MSYS 4486 - Energy Management
the energy costs of the proposed building and to compare that with the baseline required
by either MNECB 1997 (path 1) or ASHRAE 90.1 (path 2). The minimum energy cost
savings percentage for each point threshold is as follows:
PATH 1. Model National Energy Code For PATH 2. ASHARE 90.1
Buildings
NEW BUILDINGS POINTS FOR NC
NEW BUILDINGS POINTS FOR NC 12% 1
25% 1 14% 2
27% 2 16% 3
28% 3 18% 4
30% 4 20% 5
32% 5 22% 6
33% 6 24% 7
35% 7 26% 8
37% 8 28% 9
39% 9 30% 10
40% 10 32% 11
42% 11 34% 12
44% 12 36% 13
45% 13 38% 14
47% 14 40% 15
49% 15 42% 16
50% 16 44% 17
52% 17 46% 18
54% 18 48% 19
56% 19
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Module 9 – LEED Rating System
BCIT Mechanical Engineering MSYS 4486 - Energy Management
Credit 2: On-Site Renewable Energy (7 points)
To encourage and recognize increasing levels of on-site renewable energy self-supply to
reduce environmental and economic impacts associated with fossil fuel energy us. The
minimum renewable energy percentage for each point threshold is as follows:
PERCENTAGE RENEWABLE ENERGY POINTS
1% 1
3% 2
5% 3
7% 4
9% 5
11% 6
13% 7
Credit 6: Green Power (2 points)
To encourage the development and use of grid-source, renewable energy technologies on a
net zero pollution basis. Engage in at least a 2-year renewable energy contract to provide at
least 35% of the building’s electricity from renewable sources. Renewable sources are those
that meet the Environmental All purchases of green power shall be based on the quantity of
energy consumed, not the cost.
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Module 9 – LEED Rating System
BCIT Mechanical Engineering MSYS 4486 - Energy Management
Energy Efficiency of Windows and Glazing
There are three commonly used terms to describe the energy performance of windows,
doors and skylights, including:
U-Factor
This is a measure of the overall rate of heat transfer through the entire window or door
product. While the rate of heat transfer varies through the frame, the glass edge and the
centre of glass, the U-Factor represents the combined rate of heat transfer through all of
these components. Lower U-Factors are always desirable as they represent less heat
transfer (primarily winter heat loss) and therefore less energy needed for heating and
cooling.
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)
This is the proportion of solar radiation transferred through the window or door, and is a
decimal fraction between zero (no solar radiation passing to the interior) and 1.0 (a hole in
the wall, where all of the solar radiation passes to the interior). Windows with high solar
heat gain can reduce the need for heating in winter. However, in some buildings it is also
beneficial to reduce solar heat gain in summer for comfort or to reduce the need for cooling.
When using high SHGC windows to maximize heat gains in the winter, it is wise to use
external shading to minimize unwanted heat gain in the summer by means of trees, roof
overhangs, awnings or exterior shades.
Energy Rating (ER)
This is a value used to compare the energy performance of windows under winter
conditions only. It is calculated using a formula that evaluates both heat lost through the
window and incoming heat captured during the day from the sun. Therefore, ER is a
formula that includes the U-factor, air leakage and the benefit of potential solar gain. The
higher the ER number, the more energy efficient the product.
For the occupants, better energy efficiency will lower heating costs and will improve
comfort. The higher insulating value of the glass will mean warmer interior window surface
temperatures. The higher surface temperature also means that there will be less
condensation on the interior surface compared to what would be the case with regular clear
glass.
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Module 9 – LEED Rating System
BCIT Mechanical Engineering MSYS 4486 - Energy Management
BC Energy Efficiency Act (EEA) FOR: Windows, Glazing, Doors, Skylights
The regulations for the Energy Efficiency Act (EEA) establish minimum energy
performance requirements for windows and glazed doors sold in B.C, including
manufactured fenestration products of all new and existing buildings. These products are a
key component of a building’s exterior envelope that affects the energy usage require to
heat and/or cool the conditioned space.
It is organized according to the following 4 product types:
1. Windows, glazing and sliding glass doors for low-rise buildings and skylights for all
building.
2. Windows, glazing and sliding glass doors for high-rise and large buildings
3. Glazing for installation in manufactured door slabs, side lites and transom lites
4. Door slabs
The maximum U-values for the products used in low-rise building are summarized as
follows:
Product Maximum U-Value Effective Date
W/(m2-K)
Vinyl and fiberglass 2.0 March 1, 2009
windows and sliding doors
Wood windows and sliding 2.0 January 1, 2011
glass doors
Metal windows and sliding 2.57 June 1, 2009
glass doors 2.0 January 1, 2011
Skylights (for low-rise and 3.1 March 1, 2009
high-rise)
Test standards for windows and glazing assemblies include either Canadian Standards
Association (CSA) A440.2 (2004) or NFRC 100 (2004), both applying to the overall
assembly. Exemptions apply to products installed in designated heritage buildings and
large buildings that are compliant with ASHRAE Standard 90.1. The multitude of
effective dates was designed to address varying degrees of market readiness for different
product types.
The Act requires all windows and doors sold in B.C. to display labels verifying their
energy performance characteristics, whether installed in new homes or as replacement
products in existing homes. Two levels of labelling are required: (1) a permanent label,
word mark, trademark or symbol from a Canadian Standards Council accredited
certification organization or an NFRC accredited Inspection Agency that verifies that the
product complies with the requirements, and (2) a temporary label setting out the U-value
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Module 9 – LEED Rating System
BCIT Mechanical Engineering MSYS 4486 - Energy Management
in metric units. The latter is designed to educate consumers and encourage energy
performance beyond the regulated levels, and can be removed by the end consumer.
Reference
LEED Canada Rating Systems, Canadian Green Building Council,
[Link]
grams/LEED/CommercialInstitutional/RatingsSystems/LEED_Canada_Rating_S.aspx?h
key=5490b62b-b10f-45b7-9c41-2b5a299655b8
LEED Building and Energy Series: Energy and Atmosphere Prerequisites, Canadian Green
Building Council,
[Link]
g_green_with_LEE.aspx?hkey=01b3d086-d0a4-42cf-9e61-7830d801c019
Improving Energy Performance in Canada, Natural Resources Canada, 2014.
[Link]
[Link]
British Columbia Energy Efficiency Act: Regulations for Windows and Glazing, Doors
and Skylights, BC Building Envelope Council May 2009,
[Link]
[Link]
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Module 9 – LEED Rating System
BCIT Mechanical Engineering MSYS 4486 - Energy Management
Exercise:
1. What is the main purpose of LEED rating system?
2. What are the five main areas that LEED rating system to improve in buildings
design?
3. What are the five areas that the LEED rating system award points to building?
4. What is the total points for the LEED Canada for New Construction and Major Renovations?
What are the four levels of certification?
5. What are the three perquisites of the LEED Canada for New Construction and Major
Renovations?
6. What are the three credits of the LEED Canada for New Construction and Major
Renovations related to energy performance?
7. Explain the three terms in describing the energy performance of windows, doors and
skylights.
8. What is the purpose of BC Energy Efficiency Act (EEA)?
9. What are four products that the purpose of BC Energy Efficiency Act (EEA)
regulate?
10. What are the two levels of labelling required in the BC Energy Efficiency Act?
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