LEED Certification
EA Prerequisite: Minimum Energy Performance. EA Credit: Optimize Energy Performance. Full Appendix G simulation with iterative scenario testing to maximize your point capture.
The Opportunity
EA Credit: Optimize Energy Performance offers up to 18 points in LEED v4; more than any other single credit. But each optimization scenario requires a full building re-simulation: modify the model, run it, document the changes, compare results. At 4–8 hours per scenario, testing 8–12 design alternatives adds 40–80 hours and $8,000–$20,000 on top of the prerequisite work. Most teams prove the 5% minimum and move on. The optimization points go unclaimed.
33
points
Energy & Atmosphere
Up to 18 pts from Optimize alone
16
points
Sustainable Sites
11
points
Water Efficiency
13
points
Materials & Resources
16
points
Indoor Environmental
6
points
Innovation
Energy credits are the highest-value category in LEED, and the hardest to earn. When scenario testing costs days instead of weeks, projects stop settling for the minimum.
The Economics
Traditional process
Specialist hours
190–350 hours
Project cost
$40K–$97K
Timeline
4–8 months
EA optimization points
0–5 points (settle for prereq)
Prereq simulation
4–8 weeks
With Roovie
Specialist hours
45–110 hours
Project cost
Subscription-based
Timeline
2–4 months
EA optimization points
10–18 points (optimization is now economical)
Prereq simulation
Days
6 of 11 LEED energy steps require simulation. Roovie fully replaces or directly provides data for all 6.
Full Workflow
The full LEED energy process spans 11 steps from project registration to GBCI review. 6 of them require building energy simulation. Roovie fully replaces or directly feeds all 6.
Choose LEED BD+C, ID+C, O+M, or ND. Locks the credit structure and LEED version.
Register through USGBC platform. Establishes project workspace and locks LEED version.
Early-phase energy analysis evaluating massing, orientation, and envelope tradeoffs. Required for IP credit documentation.
Earn credits across all LEED categories. Energy modeling runs in parallel with design, informing envelope, HVAC, and lighting decisions.
Full Appendix G simulation: baseline + proposed models, 8,760-hour annual run, ≥5% improvement required. This is the single largest modeling effort.
Iterative scenario testing for additional LEED points (up to 18). Each scenario = full re-simulation. Testing 8–12 scenarios traditionally adds 40–80 hours.
Size on-site renewables against annual energy cost from simulation. Credit based on % offset.
Analyze hourly building load profiles against grid signals for load-shifting strategies. Requires 8,760-hour data.
Zone-level ASHRAE 55 compliance using simulation output. PMV/PPD calculations from zone temperatures and humidity.
Assemble all credit documentation (narratives, simulation reports, input summaries, output tables) into LEED Online. Energy docs alone = hundreds of pages.
Respond to GBCI reviewer comments and clarification requests. Typically 2–4 weeks turnaround per round.
6 of 11 steps require energy simulation.
Roovie fully replaces or directly provides data for all 6.
Next step
Send us your project address. We'll show you what Roovie can do for your LEED energy credits.