As of 2019, the newest version of the LEED v4.1 reference guide has taken effect. Which is currently acting as a manual for sustainability managers, consultants, architects, engineers, and designers to design and construct more sustainably.
It is what professionals follow to make sure a project achieves the prerequisite or credit when under the LEED certification process.
Different LEED v4.1 reference guides
In the LEED reference guides, there are primarily 21 different modifications. Those guides differ according to the LEED rating system like the ID+C, O+M, and similar. The most famous guide is the LEED v4.1 reference guide BD+C since it supports new construction and major renovation.
You can buy the full reference guide at the USGBC website here, but it is intended for professionals that are certifying a project and not as an exam prep course. Since you have much more comprehensive information that suits a sustainability consultant.
Now you can download a free version of the LEED v4.1 reference guide here to check what the guide consists of. Now if you intend to take the Green Associate or LEED AP then you need proper training. You can get started with our free trainings in the below button.
LEED v4 vs LEED v4.1 reference guide
The LEED v4.0 Rating System was released in October 2014 and then upgraded to the LEED v.4.1 reference guide in 2019. In contrast to LEED v4, which brought substantial improvements from LEED v3 2009 with major changes in the categories, credits and prerequisites.
Whereas the v4 to v4.1 the changes were minor and negligible when considering taking the exam. This next iteration of the rating system’s evolution, is constructed atop established credit norms.
LEED v4.1 is an update that focuses on the flexibility, application, and execution of the LEED grading system. Because it is a system that is founded on establishing a consensus, the current edition of LEED is mostly the result of input that was offered by construction stakeholders and green building project teams.
The following are some of the aims of this update:
- Address the issues given by the market and learn from the experiences of LEED v4 project teams.
- Please ensure that LEED’s reference standards and performance criteria are regularly updated so that it can retain its position as the gold standard for environmentally friendly construction across the globe.
- Build up demand for LEED certificates.
- Maximize the building’s efficiency throughout its useful life.
- Reward leaders based on their achievement, and provide reporting on performance, to enable building owners to analyze their progress toward environmental, social, and governance goals.
Why LEED v4.1 reference guide?
With LEED v4.1, the rating process has been simplified. In addition to streamlining the scorecard and standards, new mechanisms for monitoring and ranking performance have been included right into the system. With this, it’s much easier to get individual rooms or floors certified under LEED’s stringent standards.
- Performance is going to be added, and the integration will make use of the performance score on the Arc platform.
- In the areas of energy, water, indoor air quality, and basic policies, criteria will be eased.
- When it is judged essential, international standards will be either added to or amended.
- In order to address interior spaces, terminology will be introduced to the LEED O+M grading system.
An initial certification will be granted to projects using LEED v4.1 O+M provided they demonstrate that they have implemented environmentally responsible business practices and achieved a certain performance score using LEED Online.
The degree of LEED certification attained is based on the total number of performance points earned.
If you are interested to check each difference in the update from LEED v3 2009 to LEED v4.1 reference guide fully, you can download the document below.
LEED Exam Preparation
Know that we have gone through the change and update. As clearly stated before if your looking to certify a building then the reference guide is a must and should be bought. But if you are considering the LEED accreditation, basically tackling the exam to become a LEED Green Associate or LEED AP then the reference guide is not ideal as a preparation.
If your looking for the title then get started with our free intro training.
