Example

the long-term or life cycle benefits of a credit

or group of credits can provide clear

justification for the first cost investment.

Prime benefits to consider include building

operational savings (energy, water, sewer, and

maintenance costs), which can typically be

quantified and evaluated in detail. In addition,

worker productivity benefits (resulting from

daylighting, views, occupant control, etc.)

should be given significant consideration,

particularly in the context of GSA's workplace

initiatives (e.g., "The Integrated Workplace"

and "Workplace 20.20" programs).

Has money been saved in other areas of the project

that can be applied toward the moderate or high cost

items? While the cost of an individual LEED

Figure 2-11. Exterior Light Shelves at the U.S. EPA

credit may be moderate or high, the overall

Regional Headquarters, Kansas City, Kansas. The

project budget may support a number of such

exterior light shelves reflect natural light upward across the

measures. Through integrated design

interior ceilings, thereby projecting light deeper into the

solutions, trade-offs can occur between

building. The light shelves also help to reduce glare and

reduced project costs (e.g., reduced HVAC

increase the visual comfort of the interior spaces for the

equipment sizes, elimination of irrigation

building occupants. (Photo: Don Horn)

systems, elimination of perimeter heating

systems) and moderate- or high-cost green

measures. Cost trade-offs can benefit from

creative thinking--sometimes the most

significant trade-offs occur from project-

specific conditions that are not initially

obvious (e.g., installing a green roof to avoid

stormwater detention systems which would

otherwise be required by code).

Example

In evaluating moderate and high cost LEED

credits, it is important to consider the overall

project goals, and the level of the LEED rating

being pursued. For example, Table 2-6

summarizes the "moderate-cost" and "high-cost"

credits identified as options for the "Low-Cost"

Gold-rated Courthouse model of the GSA LEED

Cost Study. Since 35 likely credits were already

identified in the "Initial Considerations" stages of

the LEED evaluation process, only 6 of the 20

credit options identified are necessary to reach the

Gold threshold (including 2 extra "insurance"

credits). The evaluation process can therefore

focus on which 6 of the 20 available points are

most beneficial to the overall project, using the

assessment considerations noted above and in

step 7.

GSA LEED APPLICATIONS GUIDE

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