Rating System

LEED BD+C: New Construction

Rating System Version

v2 - LEED 2.1

Inquiry

Exceeding Code Requirement for Bathroom Exhaust Our project is a low-rise residential development, and we plan on applying for an innovation credit for greatly exceeding the code requirement for bathroom exhaust. We are using high-volume, low-sone fans to deliver 12 air changes per hour. Code requires only 5 air changes per hour. The Intent would be to greatly reduce or eliminate problems caused by moisture entrapment in residential bathrooms. The requirement would be to increase the air changes per hour by a factor of 2 or more over the code requirement. The submittals would explain the design of the exhaust system and would provide literature and data on the role of bathroom moisture in causing degraded indoor air quality in residential buildings. We are proposing this credit as an Innovation point because it a residential issue that is not covered in any of the standard LEED v2 credits. If we can demonstrate in our application that 12 air changes per hour will have a measurable impact on the life of indoor materials, on indoor air quality, and on occupant comfort, will this be a reasonable approach to an Innovation Credit?