LEEDv4 Is Here
Are You Prepared?
When the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) first unveiled LEEDv4 to the public in November 2013, it set a new precedent for rigorous measurement of building performance. LEEDv4 emphasizes product transparency, whole building life-cycle analysis, new energy and ventilation standards, among other changes.
It is also the first LEED rating system to have a three-year delay built in to give the market adequate time to prepare. This delay has run its course: as of October 31, 2016, all projects are required to register under the LEEDv4 rating system.
This deadline was pushed back twice in response to industry feedback. V4 is an intimidating prospect for many projects, and—unless they preferred to explore v4 as a progressive alternative—the vast majority continued to register new construction under the LEEDv2009 rating system.
Why the pushback?
LEEDv4 Materials and Resources credits have caused much angst since their introduction, raising questions about the new Building Product Disclosure in particular. The October 31, 2016 deadline was determined following a ballot by members from 46 countries and territories, indicating widespread uncertainty about the new system.
USGBC has made numerous efforts to allay fears and help project managers adjust to the changes. It formed user groups to charter solutions to the concerns raised by industry professionals. A 66-page LEED v4 User Guide was published for interested parties, detailing what credit changes were made and how v4 differs from v2009. Projects pursuing v2009 have had the option to substitute v4 credit language where appropriate and take advantage of a number of incentives USGBC has rolled out in the past year, making the transition to v4 a bit less intimidating for the majority of LEED users. For instance, projects registering for v4 can take advantage of access to a complimentary LEED coach or expert who can answer technical questions, leverage LEED marketing materials, and have an additional call with Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) reviewers beyond the single call that is ordinarily allowed.
What’s next?
The delayed deadline has given much-needed breathing room for project managers and certification teams to adjust to v4. With over 100 v4 beta projects and a growing number of recently registered projects, there is precedent for projects using the new system.
LEEDv4 offers a more ambitious performance standard than v2009, based on the latest energy and water standards and more comprehensive materials credits. Projects that pursue v4 are likely to benefit from more energy-efficient, water-conserving buildings and healthy occupants as a result.
