Discussion and recommendations
Improvements to the LEED rating system
In general, findings supported that LEED certification aids in the development of satisfactory environments, however, there are still ways for the reliability of this tool to be enhanced. For example, while Building A and Building B exceeded the CBE standards in each IEQ measurement area, neither met the 80 percent thermal comfort satisfaction rating recommended by the USGBC’s LEED rating system. Occupants in both buildings shared similar complaints with regards to thermal set points and their lack of thermal controls. As a result, these buildings fell as far as 20 percent below the USGBC’s standard for thermal comfort. Thus, if the points previously awarded during the LEED certification process were reevaluated for both buildings, Building A would not be eligible to receive a point under IEQ Credit-7.2 thermal comfort: verification and Building B would lose a point for this same credit.
Under the current LEED rating system, certified projects are rarely audited to ensure that long-term credit requirements have been completed post-occupancy. For example, several credits including SS Credit 7.1 – heat island effect: non-roof, WE Credit 1 – water efficient landscaping, WE Credit 3 – water use reduction, EA Credit 1 – optimized energy performance, EA credit 3 – enhanced commissioning, EA credit 5 – measurement and verification, and IEQ credit 7.2 – thermal comfort: verification either allow applicants to make predictions on the performance of building systems or rely on building owners to follow through on prescribed steps after final certification has been awarded (USGBC, 2013a). This particular aspect of the LEED rating system has been questioned by designers, architects, engineers, and energy experts who argue that because occupant satisfaction and building performance is not tracked, certified buildings are falling short of their sustainable goals (Navarro, 2009). Thus, it can be suggested that projects receive anticipated points for the first few years of operation and only be awarded final certification after occupancy, performance, and satisfaction levels have been determined. In this way the credibility of the LEED rating system may be enhanced and campuses in particular will be aided in delivering exceptional environments to their students.