LEED v4 Update

Beginning March 1, 2024, all projects newly registering for LEED certification will be held to higher energy performance thresholds.  According to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), these updated LEED v4 requirements are intended to swiftly decarbonize building operations and are reflective of the urgency of the climate crisis. The update is intended to achieve increasing levels of energy performance beyond the prerequisite standard to reduce the environmental and economic harms associated with excessive energy use.

This update – recently balloted and approved by the USGBC membership – raises the thresholds for energy performance and emissions reductions, along with the addition of a new greenhouse gas emissions metric. Up to 20 LEED points are still available in the energy & atmosphere category of LEED, but the updated reduction thresholds have been increased for each LEED point up to the highest exemplary performance at 100% improvement. See the updated thresholds on USGBC’s website.

The updated thresholds were determined based on 2030 climate goals. Minimum improvement thresholds for the prerequisite were linked to ASHRAE 90.1-2016 average improvements beyond ASHRAE 90.1-2010. Optimize Energy Performance points are awarded based on incremental improvements to energy efficiency and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with near zero GHG emissions required for projects achieving the maximum number of points.

Achieving 92-98% Energy Efficiency

GreenGirt® composite metal hybrid (CMHᵀᴹ) continuous insulation and SMARTci® building enclosure systems available from Advanced Architectural Products help buildings achieve 92-98% energy efficiency – providing a substantial contribution to help buildings meet the new LEED energy efficiency thresholds and earn LEED certification.  Advanced Architectural Products has also developed an easy-to-use calculator to quantify energy savings by using GreenGirt CMH and SMARTci systems – use the energy savings calculator on greengirt.com.

Additional Information

For more information on how GreenGirt CMH continuous insulation and SMARTci building enclosure systems combine structural integrity with thermal insulative properties, explore greengirt.com or contact us today.

For additional detail on the LEED v4 energy update, read USGBC’s LEED v4 Energy Update FAQ document on usgbc.org.

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