855773667-LEED-v5-O-M-Reference-Guide-Launch-Edition-1 - Page 169

Extracted Content

• i = Each refrigerant-using system in the project

  • GWP = The global warming potential for the refrigerant used in each system

  • Rc = Refrigerant charge — the amount (pounds or kilograms) of refrigerant in the system at full charge

REQUIREMENTS EXPLAINED

The credit requires teams to document low refrigerant global warming potential (GWP) vented to the atmosphere during the 12-month reporting period.

No Refrigerants

Projects automatically achieve both points for this credit if they do not have refrigerant-using equipment within the LEED boundary and do not receive energy from a district energy system (DES) that has refrigerant-using equipment.

Refrigerant Leakage Emissions Ratio

The refrigerant leakage emissions ratio encourages teams to properly maintain systems and target a transition to lower GWP refrigerants when equipment replacements are warranted, or new refrigerant-using equipment is installed.

Calculate the refrigerant leakage emissions ratio using Equation 1 from the Rating System. Use the refrigerant inventory and refrigerant leakage tracked for all refrigerant-using equipment in the project, including equipment not under the control of the property owner or management. Follow the guidance in EAp4: Fundamental Refrigerant Management to complete the refrigerant inventory and calculate total refrigerant leakage for the 12-month reporting period.

Tenant spaces If tenant refrigerant data is not accessible to the building owner or facilities manager, this data may be excluded for refrigerant-using systems serving up to 20% of the project’s Gross Floor Area (GFA).

Table 1 shows the maximum annual refrigerant leakage rate for refrigerant leakage emissions ratios by refrigerant. It lists common refrigerants and the maximum allowable leakage rate per refrigerant type necessary to fall under the maximum annual refrigerant leakage emissions ratio. If some project refrigerants exceed this leakage rate, other refrigerants must have lower leakage rates to achieve the overall targeted refrigerant leakage emissions ratio.

U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Operations and Maintenance, April 2025 Launch Edition 159