As the green building industry continues to adapt to global environmental challenges, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has released LEED v5 on April 28, 2025. This update represents a significant shift in how we approach sustainable building design, with a stronger emphasis on decarbonization, quality of life, and ecological conservation.
As a professional focused on energy modeling, I'm particularly interested in how LEED v5 has transformed the energy-related credits from its predecessor, LEED v4. Let's dive into the key changes, particularly focusing on Minimum Energy Performance (EAp2) and Optimize Energy Performance (EAc1).
The Path to LEED v5
Before exploring the specific changes, it's important to understand the context. The transition from LEED v4 to LEED v5 didn't happen in isolation. In March 2024, USGBC implemented an interim energy update to LEED v4, which already raised the bar for energy performance. This mid-cycle update was designed to bridge the gap until the full release of LEED v5, acknowledging that building codes and standards worldwide have evolved significantly since LEED v4's initial release in 2014.
Key Focus Areas of LEED v5
LEED v5 is being developed around three primary impact areas:
- Decarbonization - Addressing both operational and embodied carbon
- Quality of Life - Enhancing human health and well-being
- Ecological Conservation and Restoration - Protecting and restoring natural systems
Of these, decarbonization stands out as the most significant shift that will impact energy modeling practices.
Energy Modeling in LEED v5: What's Changed?
From Energy Cost to Carbon Emissions
One of the most significant changes in LEED v5 is the shift from energy cost savings to carbon emissions reduction as the primary metric for energy performance. While LEED v4 focused on energy cost as the main criterion for the Optimize Energy Performance credit (EAc1), LEED v5 emphasizes carbon reduction to align with global decarbonization goals.
This shift means energy modelers now need to:
- Calculate and report operational carbon emissions
- Consider the carbon intensity of different energy sources
- Optimize building systems for carbon reduction rather than just cost savings
Minimum Energy Performance (EAp2) Changes
The Minimum Energy Performance prerequisite (EAp2) in LEED v5 has:
- Increased the baseline performance requirements beyond those in LEED v4
- Incorporated carbon metrics in addition to energy consumption
- Required more comprehensive modeling of building systems
- Included provisions for grid interaction and load flexibility
- Addressed electrification strategies to reduce fossil fuel consumption
A significant change in LEED v5 is the requirement for projects to comply with ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2019 starting immediately, with a future update to 90.1-2022 starting in 2028. The March 2024 energy update to LEED v4 already increased the threshold for this prerequisite, requiring projects to demonstrate higher energy savings compared to ASHRAE 90.1 baselines, and LEED v5 has pushed this threshold even higher while adding the carbon component.
Optimize Energy Performance (EAc1) Evolution
For the Optimize Energy Performance credit (EAc1), LEED v5 has:
- Restructured the point allocation based on carbon reduction achievements
- Provided additional pathways for buildings with on-site renewable energy
- Rewarded grid-responsive buildings that can shift loads during peak demand periods
- Recognized the value of energy storage systems
- Considered the time-of-use impact of energy consumption on carbon emissions
Integration with Embodied Carbon
Unlike previous versions, LEED v5 will take a more holistic approach to carbon by addressing both operational energy (what we've traditionally modeled) and embodied carbon in building materials and construction. This means energy modelers may need to collaborate more closely with other disciplines to optimize the total carbon footprint of a building.
Practical Implications for Energy Modelers
The transition to LEED v5 will require energy modelers to adapt their practices in several ways:
- New Metrics and Calculations: Instead of focusing solely on energy cost savings, modelers will need to calculate and optimize for carbon emissions reductions.
- Time-of-Use Considerations: With the increasing focus on grid interaction, energy modelers will need to consider when energy is being used, not just how much.
- Tool Updates: Energy modeling software will need updates to properly account for carbon emissions and other new metrics in LEED v5.
- Broader Scope: Energy modelers may need to expand their expertise to include aspects of embodied carbon analysis and grid interaction strategies.
- Enhanced Reporting: Documentation requirements will likely expand to include additional information about carbon impacts and reduction strategies.
Adapting to LEED v5
With LEED v5 now released, energy modelers and building design teams should focus on:
- Getting Up to Speed: Review the newly released LEED v5 reference guides, which USGBC has made freely available with built-in interactive functionality.
- Developing Carbon Literacy: Enhance your understanding of carbon accounting, emissions factors, and embodied carbon concepts to meet the new requirements.
- Updating Tools and Workflows: Ensure your energy modeling software and workflows can adequately account for the carbon emissions and other new metrics required in LEED v5.
- Implementing New Approaches: Begin applying LEED v5's carbon-focused methodology to current and upcoming projects.
- Understanding ASHRAE 90.1-2019: Become thoroughly familiar with the current baseline energy code requirements that form the foundation of the energy modeling credits.
Conclusion
LEED v5 represents a significant evolution in how we measure and optimize building energy performance, shifting from a cost-centric approach to a carbon-focused methodology. This change requires energy modelers to adapt their practices, but it also presents an opportunity to more directly address one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time: climate change.
By embracing these changes and expanding our expertise, energy modelers can continue to play a crucial role in creating truly sustainable buildings that not only save energy but actively contribute to global decarbonization efforts.
Now that LEED v5 has been released, I'll be digging deeper into the specifics of the energy modeling requirements and sharing more detailed insights in future posts.
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Free LEED v5 Reference Guides: usgbc.org/resources/leed-v5-reference-guides