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Your time to shine
This credit offers talented, motivated project teams a chance to demonstrate leadership in the green building industry by presenting new and creative solutions to sustainable design.
Three paths to four possible points
Teams can earn as many as four points under this credit. There are three standard paths to earning an IO point:
- Innovation in Operations—Deliver an environmental benefit not currently addressed in the existing LEED rating system.
- Exemplary PerformanceIn LEED, certain credits have established thresholds beyond basic credit achievement. Meeting these thresholds can earn...
Step-by-step credit help
Got the gist of the LEED credit but not sure how to actually achieve it? LEEDuser gives step-by-step help. Members get:
- Checklists covering all the key action steps you'll need to earn the credit.
- Hot tips to give you shortcuts and avoid pitfalls.
- Cost tips to assess what a credit will actually cost, and how to make it affordable.
- Ideas for going beyond LEED with best practices.
- All checklists organized by project phase.
- On-the-fly suggestions on useful items from the Documentation Toolkit, Resources, and Credit Language.
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Credit language straight from USGBC
Need to check up on the exact LEED credit language from the LEED Rating System on the fly? LEEDuser includes the verbatim language. Members get:
- Easy access to the official LEED credit language with just a couple of clicks.
- On the jobsite without your bulky LEED Reference Guide? Check up on the credit language details here.
- Credit language content is used by permission of the U.S. Green Building Council.
Your credit-by-credit reference library
Why waste time chasing down referenced standards and supporting resources when LEEDuser links you directly to the ones you need? LEEDuser has gathered all the best tools out there and organized them by credit for easy reference. Members get links to:
- Organizations that can give information or help on a credit.
- Standards or studies that are key reference points for credits and prerequisites.
- Articles that help explain important topics.
- Key documents or references for credit inputs.
- Software tools you can use to run calculations or simulations.
Documentation Toolkit
In the end, LEED is all about documentation. LEEDuser’s Documentation Toolkit saves you time and helps you avoid mistakes with:
- Calculators to help assess credit compliance.
- Tracking spreadsheets for materials purchases.
- Spreadsheets and forms to give to subs and other team members.
- Guidance documents on arcane LEED issues.
- Sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions.
- Examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects.
30 Comments
More than one EP per section?
Can you have more than one EP per section.....for example for MR credit 2 AND MR credit 6?
Yes, there is no limit per category—you can earn EP for both of those.
Let me clarify for IUOM, can you earn more than one EP for the same section.
Matthew, again there is no restriction on how many EP points you can earn in one section, whether it be MR, SS, EA, etc. The only limit is on the overall number of points you can earn.
Innovation Credit Catalog
What happened to the Innovation Credit Catalog where past attempts for unique ID strategies are published as approved or denied? I can't find it on sgbc.org. I think it disappeared when 'LEED Interpretations' came out.
It was very useful. I'm trying to come up with new ideas for O+M IO strategies. Theres a few good one on this thread, but I'd like to see more.
Alyson, this catalog is still available, and a link to it is shown above under the Resources tab. It has not been updated in a long while, but it is still useful.
Rejection of IO credit to be replaced with another
We are sitting on 8 credits that each have achieved EP. If I submit three and say, one gets rejected for some reason (like the reviewer stating our copy paper for MRc1 isn't 50% FSCIndependent, third-party verification that forest products are produced and sold based on a set of criteria for forest management and chain-of-custody controls developed by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), an international nonprofit organization. FSC criteria for certifying forests around the world address forest management, legal issues, indigenous rights, labor rights, multiple benefits, and environmental impacts., but just has some unquantifiable FSC content), could I automatically submit one of the other 5 that are viably eligible? How does this work?
HI Andrea,
if you don't achieve the EP point for a particular credit in the preliminary review, you can replace it with another credit that qualifies for an EP point in the final review. It would be safest to submit credits that have already been achieved in the preliminary review that qualifies for EP.
EBOM IO 2009 - SS cr 8
1. SS cr 8 - would the addition of timers and sensors for internal light fixtures in multiple zones qualify as an IO point? The credit only goes so far as to shield exterior fixtures or monitor night time illumination levels. The addition of timers and sensors would reduce the interior light pollution sources.
Salvatore, I am a bit confused by your question. Interior lighting controls are part of the requirements for SSc8, so I am not sure how you could qualify under IOc1 for having those controls.
Innovative water efficiency
A project considering LEED EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems. is looking to add a new rainwater catchment system because it will be lower-cost then replacing old sanitary ware. LEED EBOM fixtures and fittings efficiency is exactly that--there is no way to show reduction of water use through any other means (I don't want to try to input this through an alternative pathway because the credit intention is quite clearly defined). This would appear,then, to be a candidate for an innovation point. Is there any way to understand what the likely benchmark would be in terms of water use reduction? The fixtures reduction is shown in 5% increments but this seems a low benchmark for reducing water use through rainwater catchment. We have a number of small roofs potentially to collect from so the total reduction really makes a difference in terms of investment. Any advice gratefully received!
Set your baseline annual water consumption and calculate the percent savings achieved with the rainwater catchment system. If a reduction of 35% is achieved, an exemplary performanceIn LEED, certain credits have established thresholds beyond basic credit achievement. Meeting these thresholds can earn additional points through Innovation in Design (ID) or Innovation in Operations (IO) points. As a general rule of thumb, ID credits for exemplary performance are awarded for doubling the credit requirements and/or achieving the next incremental percentage threshold. However, this rule varies on a case by case basis, so check the credit requirements. point should be awarded. If the reduction is between 10% - 30% you should be awarded credits under WE Credit #2.
Possible IO Credit
I have a question about the scope of this credit. I am working with a client who has started a large amount of initiatives to educate his building occupants about sustainability; forming a green committee to discuss how to make the office more sustainable, giving employees tips on how to make their homes more efficient, placing more recycling receptacles, coordinating a group to organize carpools, he has even created a competition to see which employees can save the most amount of energy at home (winners get x months energy bills paid for).
While it would be relatively hard to quantify this credit, I believe a real effort has been made to educate the occupants that isn't addressed by EB. Would this idea of exemplary occupant education and participation in sustainability be a viable approach for obtaining a point in this category?
Thanks
Ben, that is definitely a valid way to earn an IOc1 point.
Just to be clear on terminology -- it's following the Innovation path for the credit, not the Exemplary PerformanceIn LEED, certain credits have established thresholds beyond basic credit achievement. Meeting these thresholds can earn additional points through Innovation in Design (ID) or Innovation in Operations (IO) points. As a general rule of thumb, ID credits for exemplary performance are awarded for doubling the credit requirements and/or achieving the next incremental percentage threshold. However, this rule varies on a case by case basis, so check the credit requirements. path.
LEED IOc EMS of ISO
When referring to ISO, does this credit require a new program or just highlight an existing practice that is not covered by LEED? Somewhere along the lines of regular measurement and monitoring of air quality, waste water quality, and occupational noise. This brings direct benefit to the users, and may be considered something that LEED does not cover in this much detail.
Hi Pablo,
The Reference Guide suggests implementing an Environmental Management System that conforms to ISO 14001-2004 standards. In my experience and research, LEED EB and ISO 14001 complement each other well. The ISO 14001-2004 guidance for an EMS is specific and requires that the following components be included:
- General Requirements
- Environmental Policy
- Planning
- Implementation and Operation
- Checking
- Management Review
ISO 14001 aims to lead an organization to a commitment of performance, however it is not directly related to the operation of a facility. The commitment takes shape in an organization specific Environmental Management System (EMS) that directly addresses the organization’s interaction with the environment and use of natural resources, along with other policies related to emergency preparedness. An organization should establish an EMS that is custom fit to their organization and the specifics of the program are left to be determined by the organization.
Hope that helps!
Thank you Natalie. My client does have EMS based on ISO 14001. However, what I read from the guidebook is that it has to be a new one ('create a program') not covered by LEED credit points? Not sure I'm interpreting it right. I read here above that an innovation can also be in the context of a 'suggested new credit' of sorts. If that is the case, then what LEED does not cover is the checking part (measurement and monitoring), to be specific - in my client's EMS, for the said items (air quality, occupational noise, effluent water) which they do regularly.
So I wanted to clear out the following:
1) if I read the rule right by focusing in on those three areas
2) if LEED will accept this given that it is recent practice, or
3) does it have to be a newly created program, or
4) will the existing very robust EMS (EHSMS) do - it has been in place for about a decade
Hope get some more clarification.
I would submit the established and robust EMS the client has in place. In my interpretation, the intent of this suggested innovation approach is to have an EMS in place, whether it is newly created or has been established for years. Depending on the organization and their particular EMS, there may be some overlap with LEED EB credits, which should not preclude the EMS from meeting the innovation credit requirements. Additionally, you may include a narrative that summarizes the ISO 14001-2004 Environmental Management System requirements and address how your EMS meets each requirement (including all 6 areas listed in my previous post).
I hope this helps clarify.
Exemplary Performance 2008 vs. 2009
I understand that in LEED 2009 you can achieve up to 3 points for exemplary performanceIn LEED, certain credits have established thresholds beyond basic credit achievement. Meeting these thresholds can earn additional points through Innovation in Design (ID) or Innovation in Operations (IO) points. As a general rule of thumb, ID credits for exemplary performance are awarded for doubling the credit requirements and/or achieving the next incremental percentage threshold. However, this rule varies on a case by case basis, so check the credit requirements.. How is this different from LEED 2008? I had a colleague achieve multiple exemplary performance credits under 2008. However, the 2008 reference guide states: "Only one IO point can be earned for exemplary performance (page 494, Option A, last sentence). Am I reading this statement incorrectly, and can you actually achieve 4 exemplary performance credits under 2008?
I know this is a LEED 2009 forum, but unfortunately there is little to no guidance available for LEED-EB O&M (2008).
Hi Chris,
For each credit within IO you can choose to follow option A or option B. Option A allows you to get an IO point for an EP within EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems., while Option B allows you to propose your own strategy (one not outlined in EBOM). You have these options for each credit and you can earn 1 IO point for the completion of each credit. I believe the line under option A is referring to you only being able to earn one point per credit. You can earn a total of 1-4 points under IO, one from each credit.
ISO14001 and EHSMS18001
The LEED Guidebook mentions environment management systems conforming to ISO 14001-2004 in the development of environmental policies and objectives as a possible path to an Innovations in Operations credit. My client has been practicing this and EHSMS 18001. They are ISO 14001-2004 certified.
Is the latest certificate sufficient as documentation or are there other documentation requirements to get this credit point?
Yes, you're referring to page 471 of the LEED-EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems. Reference Guide.
I think you would have to do more than what you describe to document this credit. See the full text of the Reference Guide reference for what that might entail. Also see our guidance above under "Successful Strategies" for how to correctly approach an innovation credit.
IOc1 Innovation in Operation
Green waste management with biomethane generation on-site can be considered as an innovation point?
I would say potentially, but you have to develop this idea quite a bit more, according to the requirements discussed in the tabs above.
Thank you very much Tristan...
Can you give me an idea what would be the credit requirements for the above mentioned innovation point?
Thank you in advance.
Another queries, regarding Green Educational Program
If the project has submitted green educational program for a previous leed nc v2.2 ceritification, and now applying for a LEED EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems. v3 certification, it can be submitted again in improved version? with the proof that it is on-going education for the building occupants and the public.
Jovelyn, please read the guidance and requirements shown above under the various tabs, and let me know what specific questions you have.
The green educational program you submitted before would be eligible for IOc1 under EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems., although I can't say from experience how successful that topic has been.
Shouldn't there be a 3rd path to recieve one point from a pilot credit from the usgbc website. Of the 10 pilot credits only 3 apply to EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems.. Has anyone had any luck w/ these 3 potential credits?
Yes, there is that third path, which is discussed above. This path is VERY new so I don't think anyone has completed it, particularly EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems., since those credits are just out of the gate.
IOc1 Exemplary Performance, multiple EP points for EAc4
Could you achieve multiple Exemplary PerformanceIn LEED, certain credits have established thresholds beyond basic credit achievement. Meeting these thresholds can earn additional points through Innovation in Design (ID) or Innovation in Operations (IO) points. As a general rule of thumb, ID credits for exemplary performance are awarded for doubling the credit requirements and/or achieving the next incremental percentage threshold. However, this rule varies on a case by case basis, so check the credit requirements. Points by exceeding a credit by multiple thresholds? Or can you achieve only one EP point per existing credit?
Example: LEED EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems. 2008 - EAc4 provides points for onsite renewable energy at the following thresholds:
3% - 1 point
6% - 2 points
9% - 3 points
12% - 4 points
If a project were to achieve 19% onsite, would it be eligible for 1 or 2 EP points associated with EAc4?
Ryan, good question, but you can only earn one EP point per credit, and you can only earn 3 EP points overall, even if you meet the thresholds for more than 3 credits.
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