LEED Energy Update and What It Means for Your Projects

LEED v4 will update energy requirements to LEED v4 and 4.1 effective March 1, 2024, impacting all projects that register on or after that date. The new version will bring higher requirements for energy performance and a process to evaluate and reward GHG emission reductions, promoting GHG emission cuts and increased energy efficiency. 

Here are a few changes: 

• Projects applying to LEED v4 Building Design and Construction (BD+C) will have a more stringent requirement of 10% improvement beyond ASHRAE 90.1-2010 for Minimum Energy Performance Prerequisite.  

• Projects applying to LEED v4.1 should comply with ASHRAE 90.1-2016 to meet the minimum energy prerequisite. 

• Minimum performance improvement may be documented using a cost metric, a source energy metric, or a GHG emissions metric.

• Projects applying either LEED v4 or v4.1 options can demonstrate additional performance improvement for electrification by applying EApc161: Electrification ACP: Energy Simulation Path.

For a complete list of changes, refer to the USGBC’s website. LEED projects registered on or after March 1, 2024, may face longer timelines and increased costs due to these new requirements. Contact ENERlite Consulting to register your LEED project before March 1, 2024, to avoid these consequences. 

Further Resources: USGBC LEED v4 energy update content