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RESNET HERS Score Gains Momentum in Homebuilding

RESNET, or the Residential Energy Services Network, was founded in 1995. The concept grew out of a commitment to developing national standards for home energy auditing and home energy ratings. And one part of ratings that we’re going to talk about today is the RESNET HERS Score…

Around the same time, the Building Performance Institute (BPI) was created. BPI also had a focus on home energy auditing. Until recently, BPI was not focused on home energy ratings. It is this piece that has helped RESNET climb to popularity.

What is a Home Energy Rating?

A home energy rating is a score given to a home that illustrates the relative energy use compared to that of a standard home. The score is based on measurements of the home, diagnostic tests performed inside and outside, and other evaluations of airflow in the home. A home energy rating is a quick and easy way of knowing how energy efficient a home is.

Because the HERS score is generally easy to interpret, many programs across the country started to incorporate the score as a requirement. The ENERGY STAR Certified Homes Program is the most well known of these programs. This program certifies houses that were built to a standard that is 15% better than the minimum building code. In other words, if the standard home has a HERS score of 100, an ENERGY STAR-certified home would have to have a HERS score of 85 or better.

The 2015 building code may use the RESNET HERS Score Building codes have also facilitated the rise of RESNET. The International Code Council (ICC) actually partnered with RESNET to allow for the HERS score to be used as a compliance path. The ICC launches a national model energy code, called the International Energy Conservation Code, every three years. State and local governments may choose which version of the code they want to adopt. When they choose, homebuilders must comply with the guidelines found within. In areas where the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code gets adopted, the standard home will need to have a HERS score around 50 to comply. The ultimate goal is to build standard homes with a HERS score of 0 by 2030. We’ve already made vast improvements in the last eight years. We’re basically halfway there.

Who is Using the HERS Score?

The HERS score is a valuable tool for homebuilders. Having been tasked with improving residential energy efficiency to unprecedented levels, homebuilders are increasingly becoming RESNET certified so they can understand the HERS standard and produce HERS scores.

Homebuilders use the RESNET HERS Score With this in mind, RESNET developed a program called EnergySmart Builders. RESNET EnergySmart Builders have made a commitment to rating all of their homes using the HERS system and then marketing the HERS scores. So far, over 300 homebuilding companies have joined the movement. Some of these companies include Beazer Homes, Centex, KB Home, Lennar, and Ryan Homes.

If you’re working in home construction, there’s a good chance that you’re going to see a reference to RESNET or HERS everywhere you look! Get on board and learn how you can participate in these programs. Earn your RESNET certification today!

Energy Auditor Job Profile: What Energy Auditors Do

In a previous post, I wrote about the factors driving residential energy efficiency. Now that we’ve explored why there is a growing demand for energy auditors, let’s take a look at what the energy auditor job actually entails.

An energy auditor’s main goal is to identify and prioritize opportunities for energy savings through data analysis, visual inspection, and the use of various diagnostic tools.

The auditor begins by visually inspecting the exterior of the home, looking for clues of energy waste, ventilation, or drainage problems. On the inside of the home, the auditor will look for obvious signs of air flow problems, measure insulation value in the attic, and search for any gaps within the home that could be causing drafts and air leakage. The auditor will also set up a blower door test to measure air exchange. Once the blower door is running, the auditor can use thermal imaging to find any cold spots or voids of insulation in the wall. Depending on the type of audit, an auditor may also perform a combustion safety test, duct testing, and energy modeling.

Finally, the energy auditor job includes preparing a report to explain any issues that were uncovered. The report will include recommended solutions and potential cost savings associated with each measure, allowing homeowners to prioritize repairs and upgrades. Recommendations may include attic insulation, energy efficient appliance and lighting upgrades, window retrofits, and heating and air conditioning system upgrades.

What does it take to become an energy auditor?

To demonstrate knowledge and qualifications in energy auditing, there are two nationally recognized standards for energy auditors: BPI Building Analyst and RESNET HERS Rater. Both emphasize the house-as-a-system approach to evaluating performance, including a blower door test. Both also teach the same building science principles. Most incentive programs require an energy audit by an individual accredited by one of these organizations in order to qualify for the program.

So, which accreditation is right for you and your career path? That all depends on the type of work you prefer to do.

Energy Auditor The Building Performance Institute (BPI) accreditations focus more on retrofits of existing residential construction. There are multiple accreditations available beginning with Building Analyst and extending into specialty certifications such as Infiltration and Duct Leakage, Building Envelope Professional, Whole House Air Leakage Control Installer, Multifamily Building Analyst, Heating Professional, and AC/Heat Pump Professional. BPI certification has been a critical component of many weatherization programs designed to provide financial assistance to low-income families for energy efficiency upgrades.

The Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) uses a nationally recognized system for inspecting and calculating a score for a home’s performance using the Home Energy Rating System (HERS). A HERS Rater is trained to do both home energy ratings and home energy audits. Home energy ratings generally apply to new home construction or major remodeling. Because energy modeling and duct blaster testing are included in the protocol, RESNET HERS ratings are ideal to predict the energy performance of a new home and identify cost-effective options for improved energy efficiency. A RESNET HERS rating is required for a new home to qualify for the ENERGY STAR Homes designation and an energy efficiency mortgage.

How can Everblue help you get started?

Everblue is the nation’s leading provider of sustainability education and certification with energy efficiency training available nationwide. Everblue’s energy auditing courses include classroom training focused on building science, hands-on field training using diagnostic equipment, and both written and field exams. Everblue instructors are experienced, certified professionals with a disciplined and practical approach to education.

Green jobs have emerged as the quintessential hope for a healthier environment and a stronger economy. Everblue’s training programs will put you on a path to an enhanced career or a new career as a leader in a growing green economy.

Learn more about Everblue's RESNET HERS Rater Training

BPI IDL Certification Now Available for Blower Door Professionals

The Building Performance Institute (BPI) has announced a new designation focused specifically on blower door and duct blaster concepts, called BPI IDL Certification.

BPI Infiltration and Duct Leakage, or BPI IDL, is a standalone certification that emphasizes proper handling of energy auditing equipment – and you heard it here first!

What is BPI IDL Certification?

bpi blower door certification BPI IDL Certification is truly the entry-level skill set for someone looking to become an energy auditor. Not everyone needs to be a full-on BPI Building Analyst with the ability to diagnose and recommend energy efficiency issues in a home. There is a need within energy auditing businesses and HVAC companies to have practitioners go to homes and solely operate blower doors and duct blasters. BPI IDL Certification is a great way to learn how to operate these pieces of equipment and earn yourself a marketable designation!

The certification is meant for individuals who want to perform building air leakage and duct tightness testing on homes for energy code compliance or other performance standards. These types of occupations may include:

HVAC Technicians
Builders
Code Officials
BPI Energy Auditors/RESNET HERS Raters
Building/Home Inspectors
Insulators

How to Earn a BPI IDL Certification

What’s great about BPI IDL training is that there isn’t a big hurdle to jump. To get certified, you simply have to:

complete 2 hours of online training
complete 4 hours of hands-on field training with blower door and duct blaster equipment (provided by Everblue)
pass the field exam with a score of 85% or higher

We are offering BPI IDL training as a standalone course and as part of a new BPI Building Analyst and IDL Combo course. With the latter, you can work toward your BPI Building Analyst and BPI IDL Certifications in a 5-day training course! Depending on the kind of work you do (or want to get into), these two certifications can be very valuable.

Why You Should Pursue BPI IDL Certification

BPI IDL Training focuses on duct blaster certification concepts Although BPI Building Analyst contains knowledge about blower door already, no other BPI Certification (until now) has fully addressed duct blaster. This has been a highly sought-after skill set, and we’re excited to see BPI filling that gap.

It’s very possible that utility programs will start to name BPI IDL as a requirement to participate in their energy incentive programs. For example, one Florida utility had a need for a program that diagnosed and prevented leaky ductwork and unfortunately, there wasn’t one. They ended up naming BPI Building Analyst as the requirement because it was the closest credential to their needs. Had BPI IDL been around at that time, the FL utility could have saved millions of dollars and energy!

Though not specifically listed in the state building code, BPI IDL Certification verifies that an individual can perform blower door and duct testing to the ASTM E1554-07 standard. Achieving this designation is one of the quickest and most affordable ways to meeting this requirement.

BPI Blower Door Certification

In addition to filling utility program needs, BPI Infiltration and Duct Leakage will be a valuable certification for a new energy auditor. This skill set is immediately employable, and we’re excited to help our students hone their skills and earn a marketable designation that will help them reach their career goals.

Everblue’s BPI IDL training is available now! Call us at (800) 460-2575 to learn more!

Learn more about Everblue's Blower Door Test Certification Training

Green Buildings Report: The Drive Toward Healthier Buildings

McGraw Hill Construction released a fascinating report this week titled, “The Drive Toward Healthier Buildings.” The report identifies a general lack of awareness among medical practitioners of the health benefits of green building and sustainability and urges for better understanding of these benefits.

chart showing medical professionals' perceptions of green buildings

What’s fascinating is the fact that the people working in green design and operations largely do so because of the positive contributions to human health. Aside from the added bonus of reducing energy-related costs, many sustainability professionals participate in the industry for its altruistic way of preserving the planet and providing a safer, healthier, and more durable way of living for future generations.

I was very surprised to read about this gap in understanding and advocacy between the medical and construction industries. After all, we’re all playing on the same team with the goal of enhanced human health.

One of the comments in the report that stood out to me was this: “Homeowners today typically look to friends, family, peers, and their doctors for advice on healthy home and building decisions. The challenge is that they are not looking to the industry, which is most well-informed of the ways homeowners can improve the physical environments they occupy. Therefore, because physicians have the second highest influence on these decisions, it is critical that they become informed advocates of healthy design, construction, and operations and maintenance decisions.”

This comment makes me wonder why homeowners aren’t reaching out to home performance professionals directly. I guess they could be asking these questions…

Who is my best resource – home builder? general contractor? realtor? home inspector? construction manager? HVAC technician? interior designer? sustainability consultant? That’s a lot of different people to talk to…
Will this person “greenwash” me or try to upsell me on something?

To resolve this quandary, McGraw Hill’s report simply encourages more green education and communication in the medical industry to help practitioners familiarize themselves with the connection between buildings and occupant health. While building design and construction practices may not be the sole cause or solution for a person’s health issues, the report suggests that general awareness can go a long way in reducing the chances of illness. It helps to ask questions about someone’s living conditions and to seek a holistic approach to enhanced health.

LEED, a rating system for sustainable buildings, focuses strongly on human health and wellbeing. To pursue LEED Certification, construction professionals must achieve a series of points related to improving indoor air quality.

As you can see from this chart, there are several home health hazards that contribute to a person’s overall health. LEED seeks to mitigate these hazards, and others, in residential and commercial settings.

Home Health Hazards Chart

There’s a lot of rich, insightful data in the report that highlights how and why sustainability should extend beyond the architecture and construction industries. Presumably, you live and work in a home or building…thus, green design and operations most certainly impact you, no matter what industry you belong to! What I learned from this report is that we have to do a better job of communicating the health benefits of sustainability to the world. That’s why we’re all in this, isn’t it?

LEED Exam Appointment: What to Expect on Test Day

I took my LEED Green Associate exam early last week. This was my first time taking an exam at a Prometric Testing Center, and I didn’t know what to expect from my LEED exam appointment. I was very impressed by the level of professionalism and security that I experienced. I just wanted to share a few of my observations…

1 – Arrive Early. I had been told several times by friends and colleagues to arrive 30 minutes early. I was told that, in some cases, you would be allowed to start your appointment time early if there were openings in the computer lab. I was pretty surprised when I received a phone call about 2 hours before my appointment inviting me to take the LEED exam earlier in the day.

2 – Locker Space. I was asked to choose a locker from the ones available and place all my belongings inside. The locker was fairly small. It probably would not fit a large purse or puffy winter coat. I was asked to take the locker key with me; it was attached to a round, colored piece of paper denoting the number of the locker.

3 – Rules. At the front desk, I was asked to read a full-page document full of rules and expectations. This document explained information about bathroom breaks and overall test-taking ethics. The receptionist asked for my ID and indicated that I would need to keep my ID and locker key together and face up on the desk.

4 – Security. From here, I was taken to another room just outside where the test-takers were concentrating. I was asked to lift my pant legs to ankle-level, roll up my sleeves, and feel within my pockets — all to show that I had no additional items that would enable me to cheat. The administrator also scanned my front and back with metal detecting equipment.

5 – Signing In. The administrator asked me to sign in prior to the exam.

6 – Laminated Note Boards. I was given two markers and two laminated sheets of paper for note-taking during the exam. The administrator explained that I could not erase the writing on the paper as if it were a dry erase board. If I needed additional sheets of paper, I could raise my hand, and she would provide more. What I liked about the laminated paper was that it was formatted like graphing paper. This helped me keep my notes in a somewhat organized fashion (at first) – to be honest, I abandoned writing in pretty lines about midway through the exam. I found myself using the front of both sheets entirely and in some cases drawing lines to connected thoughts. But that’s just me.

7 – Computer Lab.The administrator walked me into the computer lab where others were already in the middle of their exams. She led me to the desktop computer where the GBCI welcome screen was already visible.

8 – Headset. There was a big pair of headsets available at the desk. I had planned on wearing them during the exam, but I had trouble fitting the headset nicely to my head. I didn’t want to deal with it, and I figured the room would be quiet enough.

9 – 10–Minute Introduction. The first thing I noticed on the computer was a timer in the top right corner. The first few screens simply confirmed my name and the test I was taking. Then I was introduced to the testing screen interface, where it was explained how to move forward and backward and how to mark questions. This was a helpful introduction.

10 – Signing Out.When I was done with my exam, I met again with the administrator and was asked to sign out. She had printed my scores and notarized the results.

LEED Exam Score Sheet Throughout the LEED exam appointment experience, I was supremely satisfied and impressed by the professionalism shown at my local Prometric Testing Center. No wonder the Green Building Certification Institute chose to administer its LEED Accreditation exams in conjunction with these facilities. Utilizing Prometric seems like the best way to standardize the delivery of the exam around the world. This discipline supports and contributes to the fact that earning a LEED credential is a highly respectable achievement. It was all around a satisfying experience, and I’m actually looking forward to taking my next LEED exam!

To learn more, please visit our LEED Exam page.

HERS Ratings Are Expected to Grow Due to IECC Code Requirements

The Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) announced its collaboration with the International Code Council last week in an effort to help home builders transition to the new 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). In the upcoming version of the residential building code, RESNET’s HERS ratings will be an optional compliance path — some people are saying that this compliance path represents the most significant change coming to 2015 IECC.

What is the International Energy Conservation Code?

The IECC, which is updated every three years, serves as the national model energy code and becomes mandatory when adopted by a state or local jurisdiction. When a builder builds a home, he/she has to meet the current energy code for the jurisdiction in which the home is located.

RESNET HERS Index in 2015 Building Code Building codes often offer two paths to compliance: prescriptive and performance. The prescriptive path requires the builder to follow the code 100% by the book. The performance path allows the builder more flexibility as long as he/she can prove the “projected annual energy usage” of the home is equal to or less than a home built to code. Many builders are already using HERS ratings as a way to meet current codes. RESNET has 17 national home builder partners and close to 300 regional/state partners.

As we get closer to 2015, RESNET and ICC have agreed to several strategies for making the new code come to fruition. Those strategies include:

Joint development and distribution of materials that would promote the “Energy Rating Index” compliance path
Development and distribution of materials that would describe and facilitate career enhancement for those in the energy rating field to expand their service offerings to meet the demand for third-party code inspectors
Customized ICC Membership for Certified RESNET HERS Raters, which may include discounted code books and training in relevant areas
Collaboration and co-branding of standards, guidelines, and other products that address the goals of this cooperation

What’s also interesting about 2015 IECC is that it explicitly states what the HERS score will need to be in each climate zone of the United States. You’ll notice that the scores are all in the 50s. The HERS Index itself ranges from 0 to 100, and like golf, the lower the score, the better. The HERS Index was, in some part, based on the 2004/2006 IECC. At that time, a rated home with a score of 100 would have just met the code. This improved slightly with the 2009 IECC; homes using that code probably have HERS ratings in the 80s. We’ll see a really nice improvement with 2015 IECC’s requirements in the 50s.

map of hers ratings scores by region

If a builder chooses to follow the Energy Rating Index compliance path, he/she will need a certified RESNET HERS Rater to perform the home rating. It will be interesting to see how many states adopt the 2015 IECC building code. As of January 2014, only six U.S. states had adopted the 2012 code. Most states (27) are still operating under the 2009 IECC. Given the added flexibility for builders who choose the HERS Index path, we foresee an increase in HERS ratings in 2015 and beyond.

LEED AP Without Specialty to be Called Legacy LEED AP

You may have heard the term LEED AP before, though you might not be aware of the layers that live within this title. Paired with LEED AP, you might have heard the terms Legacy LEED AP or LEED AP Without Specialty. All of these terms mean the same thing and unfortunately, they’re all outdated.

To find out how you can become a LEED AP, visit our LEED Credentialing Process page.

First of all, what is a LEED AP?

For some background, when the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Rating System was established in 1993, it was determined that an individual who passed the LEED Exam would earn the title of a LEED AP, or LEED Accredited Professional.

LEED Version 3’s arrival in June 2009 brought a number of changes and enhancements with it, including a new tiered credentialing system. No longer would a successful exam candidate become simply a LEED AP. LEED v3 introduced new titles called LEED Green Associate, LEED AP (with Specialty), and LEED Fellow.

So what did this mean for the so-called Legacy LEED APs, and what does this mean now?

2009-2013: To Opt In or Not to Opt In

When LEED v3 debuted, the Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) invited the Legacy LEED APs to upgrade their accreditation by declaring a specialty and then completing a 30-hour credential maintenance program before fall 2011. The other option was to simply re-take the LEED Exam.

man unhappy about new leed ap without specialty credential

In November 2012, the GBCI offered another route for remaining Legacy LEED APs to earn a specialty, which was to complete a “Principles of LEED” program, which was comprised of six online modules and corresponding quizzes. In order to upgrade to the v3 credential, a Legacy LEED AP had to agree to the USGBC Disciplinary Policy, agree to complete continuing education requirements, and pay the biennial maintenance fee.

At the end of the day, Legacy LEED APs could carry their credential to their grave, if they had wanted. The GBCI indicated that LEED APs who did not want to opt into the new requirements could stay a LEED AP and remain in the GBCI database. In addition, LEED APs could work on LEED v3 projects and earn a point in the Innovation in Design category for being a LEED AP. (In 2013, it was announced that LEED APs without Specialty would no longer earn the Innovation point. In fact, LEED APs with Specialty who want to earn the extra point now have to be working on a LEED project related to their specialty.)

What would you have done?

2014 and Beyond

The “Legacy LEED AP” title has now been replaced by the “LEED AP without Specialty” title for this group of professionals. Ok, to be fair, the official name has been LEED AP without Specialty for a few years. Many adopted the “Legacy LEED AP” title as somewhat of a slang name. We should, and will, use LEED AP without Specialty going forward.

In a discussion on the USGBC LinkedIn Group page, a LEED AP without Specialty recently noted that his listing on the GBCI directory was no longer visible. This led many LEED APs without Specialty to believe that they were being permanently omitted due to not opting into a newer system of LEED.

Quite a debate ensued, with some LEED APs arguing that they felt pressure to upgrade simply as a means of being included publicly among their esteemed peers in the industry. For them, the omission from the GBCI directory would add a layer of complication for times when they needed to assure a client that they have, in fact, earned a LEED designation. It would also mean having to retain their official certificates and keeping their GBCI numbers on file in case they needed to show proof of their accreditation.

Others argued that it wasn’t appropriate to recognize the LEED APs without Specialty to the same degree as the newer professionals who have made a point to stay abreast of the current developments in green building through continuing education. Many LEED APs without Specialty, they said, might have passed the exam half a decade ago but since remained inactive and disconnected to the green building world of today.

Thankfully, a representative from the USGBC commented on the discussion and noted that some individuals’ listings were not set to “Viewable.” She recommended that LEED APs without Specialty log into their accounts, complete their profiles, and make sure that the profile is set to Viewable. In short, LEED APs without Specialty are still included in the GBCI directory. You just need to check your profile settings. And remember, a LEED AP without Specialty is a LEED AP for life!

Legacy LEED AP is Now LEED AP without Specialty

Keep checking in with us for the latest news regarding LEED Accreditation. Visit our LEED Training page to view a full listing of our green building courses.

14 Ways That Building Analyst Has Changed

You may have heard that the Building Performance Institute (BPI) had updated its popular BPI Building Analyst standard in early February 2014. The new BPI Building Analyst, which has been dubbed “Building Analyst of the Future,” provides a more thorough certification experience and truly addresses the needs and job responsibilities of real home energy auditors.

House graphic The updated standards provide the basis for ensuring that work is being performed according to a uniform set of guidelines and to ensure that candidates not only have the ability to do the right thing but to enforce that they do. When it comes to BPI Certification, we’re talking about the health and safety of fellow man, so it’s important that energy auditors follow the same set of procedures every time they’re out on the job.

We just wanted to take a moment to highlight these changes. Let’s get into it!

BPI Written Exam

Candidates will now be tested on…

Energy Modeling – theories behind why we model
Work Scope Development – theories behind why we develop work scopes and the types of information found on a work scope

BPI Field Exam

Candidates will…

NOT perform draft testing – only spillage
Follow ANSI Z223.1/NFPA® 54 for spillage testing
NOT compare the CAZ depressurization to any threshold values
Need to measure the flow of an exhaust fan
Need to demonstrate more of their skill abilities with the equipment (ie, blower door setup, measuring existing mechanical ventilation, spillage test) but not to a standard
NOT need to complete the BAS ventilation calculations
Instead follow ASHRAE 62.2-2013 for ventilation requirements as part of the new BPI-1200 standard
Need to demonstrate use of the pressure pan
NOT be allowed to perform simulation or “mock” tests
NOT be required to perform as many subjective discussion points during the exam; in fact, the requirements fit on only one page.
Enjoy a shorter field exam (however, time limit and passing score remain the same: 2 hours to complete the exam and 70% overall score with a minimum of 85% in the CAZ and CO sections)

BPI Recertification

Candidates will…

Need to verify their knowledge of energy modeling and work scope development either by earning 6 CEUs from specific training or by providing a signed letter on company letterhead documenting work experience in software modeling.

Ultimately, the changes to the BPI Building Analyst standard provide a more realistic and useful certification for home energy auditors. Now is the best time to explore this designation further and sharpen your skills! Visit Everblue’s BPI Training page to get started.

Learn more about Everblue's BPI Building Analyst Training

Energy Efficiency Being Utilized for Value of Homes

The Appraisal Institute has developed a Residential Green and Energy Efficient Addendum. The Appraisal Institute Green Addendum is the first residential energy efficiency appraisal report addendum developed by appraisers, for use by appraisers when appropriate. This report evaluates items of high performance housing for consideration by appraisers.

Measuring the Value of Home Energy Efficiency

The Appraisal Institute Green Addendum will serve as a tool for appraisers when selecting comparable sales for the property being appraised. If an appraiser had a completed Appraisal Institute Green Addendum on every high-performance house used as comparable sales, it would leave little question on the comparability of the data. The addition of this property evaluation method may aid in a more accurate valuation of the property.

energy efficient home

Download Information about Homes Already In the RESNET Registry

Through an agreement between RESNET and the Appraisal Institute, you can now generate the Appraisal Institute Green Addendum and auto-populate it from the data collected in the home energy rating. Any RESNET Rater with access to the RESNET National Building Registry can produce the Residential Green and Energy Efficient Addendum at the time that a home’s energy rating is entered into the RESNET registry. RESNET Raters can now log into the RESNET Building Registry, view a rating, and then click on “Print Appraisal Institute Addendum” at the top of the screen. It will automatically generate and start downloading a PDF form and auto-fill it with the data currently available in the registry. When RESNET adds additional building description data to the registry, you will be able to fill out a lot more. In the meantime, Raters can use the PDF form to fill out additional information manually and then print it.

This new Green Addendum will help appraisers better understand the value of a house with consideration to its energy-efficient features. This will provide increased value, and likely demand, for homeowners seeking a RESNET HERS rating of their home. To learn more about RESNET Ratings, please visit the RESNET HERS page.

LEED Certification and Solar: How Does Renewable Energy Help?

The LEED standards have been updated since the publishing of this post. For the most up-to-date information about LEED Certification and solar, please enroll in a LEED Green Associate Exam Prep course.

Solar projects can provide a major contribution toward LEED certification. The primary LEED category pertaining to solar is the “Energy & Atmosphere” category, specifically EA Credit 2, the “On-Site Renewable Energy” credit. This credit can provide up to 7 possible LEED points. This could represent over 17% of the points required for certification, depending on which level of certification developers are seeking.

The number of LEED points awarded is determined by the percentage of the facility’s energy costs that are offset by on-site renewable energy. Project performance is calculated by expressing the energy produced by renewable systems as a percentage of the building’s annual energy cost and using the table below to determine the number of points achieved.

LEED Points & Percentage of Renewable Energy

Under the LEED v4 rating system, the “On-Site Renewable Energy” credit has been renamed EA Credit 5, the “Renewable Energy Production” credit. There is also an added provision to account for solar gardens and community renewable energy systems in the overall percentage of renewable energy production. The number of maximum LEED points that can be awarded for this credit has changed as well.

The benefits of implementing solar technology are closely aligned with the overarching goals of LEED, encouraging decreased carbon emissions, reduced reliance on traditional energy sources, improved air quality, and better building decisions. Converting just 50 kilowatts of power from gas to solar every month saves 732 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions annually. According to the EPA, you would need to plant 36 trees to remove the 732 pounds of carbon dioxide from the air. Using solar power can have a huge impact on offsetting atmospheric carbon dioxide and can help pave the way to a more environmentally responsible future.

leed certified solar home

Photo credit: xedos4 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Solar PV arrays aren’t just for homes. PV arrays can now be installed on virtually any building structure, including industrial companies, schools, municipal and state government agencies, agricultural lands, and office buildings. No matter the situation, implementing solar energy brings a building one step closer to becoming LEED-certified.

We are excited to see the increased participation in LEED by corporations across the U.S., and we believe that solar PV projects can and should be a critical component of any LEED project.

So why not consider solar for your next building project? Implementing solar technology can help you gain points toward USGBC LEED certification, generate clean energy, and significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions. Visit our Solar PV Associate, Solar PV Installer, or Solar Sales pages to learn more about how you can become a part of this emerging field!