6.1 EA Prerequisites

Why EA Prerequisites Matter

Energy & Atmosphere (EA) is the largest single category on the LEED v4/v4.1 BD+C scorecard at 33 points, roughly 30% of the available 110 points. Before any project can claim a single EA credit point, it must satisfy four non-negotiable prerequisites. The exam loves to test the exact timing, scope, and reference standard for each one because they are the most common ways real projects fail to certify.

Quick Answer: The four EA prerequisites are (1) Fundamental Commissioning and Verification, (2) Minimum Energy Performance, (3) Building-Level Energy Metering, and (4) Fundamental Refrigerant Management. All four must be met for any LEED BD+C certification level (Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum).

EA Prerequisite 1: Fundamental Commissioning and Verification

Commissioning (Cx) is the quality-assurance process that verifies the building's energy-related systems are installed and operate the way the owner intended. The LEED requirement closely mirrors ASHRAE Guideline 0 and ASHRAE Guideline 1.1.

Who Must Be Engaged

A qualified Commissioning Authority (CxA) must be engaged no later than the end of the Design Development (DD) phase. The CxA must have documented commissioning experience on at least two similar projects. For projects under 20,000 ft², the CxA may be a qualified employee of the design or construction firm. For projects 20,000 ft² and larger, the CxA must be independent of the design and construction teams (but may be an employee of the owner).

What Gets Commissioned

The Cx scope must cover all energy-related systems:

• Mechanical — HVAC, including controls
• Electrical — lighting and lighting controls, including daylight responsive controls
• Domestic and process water heating
• Renewable energy systems

Refrigeration systems are not part of fundamental Cx scope but are addressed under refrigerant management.

The Eight Cx Tasks

A post-occupancy review within 10 months of substantial completion is required under Enhanced Commissioning (covered in 6.3) but is not part of fundamental Cx.

EA Prerequisite 2: Minimum Energy Performance

This is the gateway prerequisite that ensures every LEED building beats baseline code. The reference standard is ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2016 with errata (or a USGBC-approved equivalent for projects outside the United States).

Three Compliance Paths

1. Option 1: Whole-Building Energy Simulation — Demonstrate, using ASHRAE 90.1-2016 Appendix G Performance Rating Method (often called the Energy Cost Budget or ECB Method), that the proposed design beats the baseline by at least:
   • New Construction, Schools, Retail, Data Centers, Warehouses, Hospitality: 5% better
   • Core and Shell: 3% better
   • Major Renovations: 2% better
2. Option 2: ASHRAE 90.1-2016 Prescriptive Compliance — Comply with the prescriptive envelope, lighting, HVAC, and service water-heating requirements without performing a simulation. Available to most building types under a specified size threshold.
3. Option 3: Advanced Buildings Core Performance Guide — Comply with Sections 1, 2, and 3; available only to projects under 100,000 ft² and not for healthcare, warehouse, or laboratory projects.

The metric used to measure performance is energy cost, not site energy or source energy. Energy cost reflects real-world utility rates and gives modeling teams credit for fuel switching and on-site renewable generation.

EA Prerequisite 3: Building-Level Energy Metering

Projects must install new or use existing building-level energy meters (or sub-meters that aggregate to a whole-building total) for all energy sources used by the building. This includes electricity, natural gas, chilled water, steam, fuel oil, propane, biomass, and others.

The project team must commit to sharing whole-building energy consumption data with USGBC for at least five years after the project receives occupancy or until the building changes ownership. Monthly data is acceptable; ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager is the most common reporting tool.

EA Prerequisite 4: Fundamental Refrigerant Management

The goal is to protect the stratospheric ozone layer by eliminating ozone-depleting refrigerants. The requirements are:

• No use of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)-based refrigerants in new base-building HVAC&R systems.
• For projects reusing existing HVAC&R equipment that contains CFCs, the project team must complete a comprehensive CFC phase-out conversion prior to project completion. If a phase-out plan demonstrates a payback period greater than 10 years, the equipment may remain in service.
• Small HVAC units containing less than 0.5 lb of refrigerant and other equipment such as standard refrigerators, small water coolers, and any equipment with refrigerant charges below 0.5 lb are exempt.

Exam Tip: The fundamental prerequisite addresses ODP (ozone depletion) only. The optional Enhanced Refrigerant Management credit (covered in 6.5) adds GWP (global warming potential) to the analysis.