855773644-LEED-v5-BD-C-Reference-Guide-Launch-Edition - Page 392

Extracted Content

This credit rewards strategies for reducing refrigerant impact by limiting refrigerant global warming potential under Option 1, and by reducing refrigerant leakage under Option 2. Projects may achieve a maximum of two points using either Option 1, Path 2, or by combining Option 1, Path 2 and Option 2.

There is a third path available for food retailers that comprehensively addresses the high refrigerant emissions associated with refrigeration equipment for cold storage.

Option 1. No Refrigerants or Low GWP Refrigerants

Path 1 rewards the elimination of refrigerants for the few project applications that can accomplish this without jeopardizing thermal comfort or total greenhouse gas emissions.

Path 2 requiring the selection of low-impact refrigerants is more appropriate for most projects, supporting a design that comprehensively addresses decarbonization through electrification using efficient heat pump technology.

PATH 1. NO REFRIGERANTS

To pursue this path, the project cannot use refrigerants in the building or in district energy systems serving the building.

Alternative design solutions — including passive strategies — present opportunities to remove refrigerants from buildings and promote further decarbonization. Consider employing passive cooling strategies such as natural ventilation, night flushing, and thermal massing solutions or passive heating strategies such as solar storage and added insulation. Review opportunities to minimize infiltration and ventilation losses through the building envelope.

Additional considerations Projects are encouraged to pursue a design that includes electrification of space heating, service water heating, and process heating systems with efficient heat pump technology per EAc3: Enhanced Energy Efficiency rather than using electric resistance or fuel heating to meet the requirements for this path. Therefore, Path 1 is limited to one point.

PATH 2. LOW GWP REFRIGERANTS

Path 2 requires the use of refrigerants with weighted average global warming potential that average at least 20% lower than the Refrigerant GWP benchmarks in Table 1 of the credit.

U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, April 2025 Launch Edition 382