855773644-LEED-v5-BD-C-Reference-Guide-Launch-Edition - Page 210

Extracted Content

most electric grids. This is different from energy use, which stays constant in the no-change scenario. In addition, time doesn’t impact all sources equally. The annual emissions from electricity use will nearly vanish with a fully decarbonized grid, while those from onsite combustion will remain unchanged, an essential distinction for approaching neutrality by 2050.

Then, through the credits of the EA category, LEED v5 provides a simple framework for designing zero carbon-ready buildings. Through the EA category, this framework lays out three critical steps and four additional strategies for decarbonization are inherent to the building itself, such as better envelopes and electrified heating systems, which must be incorporated from the beginning of the project. The four additional strategies build upon the primary strategies while providing significant carbon impacts.

The three critical steps are electrification, reduced peak thermal loads, and energy efficiency. Electrification is a new credit within LEED v5. As electrical grids decarbonize, the carbon emissions from electrical usage will drastically decrease. However, the emissions from fuelpowered systems in buildings — usually for space heating and service hot water — will remain. Replacing those fuel-powered systems with electrically powered equipment, which can provide heat efficiently, will help emissions shrink to near zero by 2050.

The EAc1: Electrification credit rewards projects that electrify as many of their systems as possible, while providing compliance options for operations during extreme low temperatures and emergency backup systems.

EAc2: Reduce Peak Thermal Loads is another new credit within LEED v5 and a key step to decarbonization. Grid demand will rise as buildings, vehicles, and industries transition from onsite combustion to electricity. By reducing peak thermal loads, project teams can increase the building’s resilience to extreme temperatures and reduce demand on the electrical grid. This credit incentivizes projects to mitigate these peaks.

The third step is energy efficiency — a cornerstone of LEED and high-performing buildings. All LEED v5 projects start with a baseline of energy efficiency, pairing climate zone-appropriate building envelopes with building systems and management practices ( EAp2: Minimum Energy Efficiency, EAp4: Energy Metering and Reporting, and EAp3: Fundamental Commissioning ).

Energy efficiency provides critical benefits, including lower operational costs, less damage due to the extraction and transport of fuels, less air pollution and accompanying health issues. Efficiency reduces carbon emissions — even from electricity — because most grids aren’t carbon neutral yet and won’t be soon. For teams that prefer an alternative to energy modeling,

U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, April 2025 Launch Edition 200