Interior Environmental Control Strategies to Support LEED 4.1

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the most widely used rating system for green buildings and available for nearly all building types. The framework is built in the spirit of health, efficiency, and cost-savings, and is meant to advance the industry and improve the built environment for people and planet. In 2019, LEED v4.1 was released with emphasis on performance monitoring and human health factors like indoor air quality. Naturally, the state of indoor climates and the means in which we create them offer an opportunity for construction contractors and building owners.

Polygon Climate Control has long been supporting clients pursuing and achieving LEED certification for their buildings. Polygon Group's environmental consultants who are LEED GA and AP along with senior engineering leaders suggest that our portfolio of technology and services can contribute to two categories: Indoor Environmental Quality and Innovation.

Together, we have developed the following strategies which take advantage of traditional climate control equipment, but also our industry-leading IoT solutions for indoor air quality (IAQ), water damage prevention, and energy management. We invite you to discuss these strategies for your active or future projects and buildings. We also welcome your feedback on these suggestions.

EQ: Construction Indoor Air Quality Management Plan

The LEED v4.1 EQ: Construction Indoor Air Quality Management Plan credit requires projects to implement strategies that minimize air pollution and protect workers and building occupants from airborne contaminants during construction. This includes controlling dust, managing moisture, using low-emitting materials, and ensuring proper ventilation to prevent contamination of HVAC systems. It is important because it improves indoor air quality, reduces health risks, and ensures a cleaner, healthier environment for future occupants. Control measures are based on Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning National Contractors Association (SMACNA) IAQ Guidelines for Occupied Buildings under Construction which states that absorptive materials stored on-site and installed must be protected from moisture damage.

How we can help: Polygon Climate Control can aid in monitoring humidity and the building envelope to detect leaks, identify potential problems, and control excessive moisture on the jobsite. We also provide water risk management technology that monitors the flow of water pipes and can turn valves off remotely in the event of an incident. Secondarily, Polygon Climate Control provides temporary HVAC systems so that permanent house systems do not need to be compromised during construction. Ventilation equipment may be outfitted with filters of at least MERV 8 and only supply new, treated air to prevent contaminants from entering the space. By connecting real-time sensors to dehumidification and other climate control equipment, contractors can craft a more robust moisture control plan.

EQ: Indoor Air Quality Assessment

The LEED EQ: Indoor Air Quality Assessment credit relates to establishing better quality indoor air post-construction and during occupancy. This credit can be fulfilled either by a) performing a flush-out of the building post-construction or b) performing air quality tests for contaminants such as particulates, VOCs, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide. The flush-out is typically performed by running the building’s AHU at 100% capacity with the make-up air dampers fully open to meet a minimum prescribed amount of fresh air per square meter or foot of occupied floor space.  This is often for a longer duration of time (2 weeks or more). 

How we can help: Polygon Climate Control can aid in providing dedicated AHU equipment to deliver make-up air to perform flush-outs and simultaneously monitor key IAQ parameters before, during, and after. Our IAQ sensors may also help inform the need for testing and/or deliver further validation of conditions in various spaces.

Innovation

The LEED v4.1 Innovation credit rewards projects for implementing innovative sustainable strategies beyond existing LEED requirements or demonstrating exceptional performance in a specific credit category. It allows teams to earn points by introducing new design approaches, exceeding credit thresholds, or achieving pilot credits. This credit is important because it encourages creativity, continuous improvement, and leadership in sustainability, driving the industry toward more advanced green building solutions. It is important to note that pilot credits have limited availability due to final dates of registration to participate in the pilot credit program. Therefore, the possibility to assist with innovation and pilot credit fluctuates depending on the project and specific timelines.

For example, the LEED WEpc153: Water Leak Detection and Monitoring credit promotes the use of automated systems to detect and monitor water leaks in buildings, helping to prevent water waste and property damage. It requires projects to install leak detection technologies, such as sensors and smart meters, to identify abnormal water usage patterns and alert building operators. This credit is important because it enhances water efficiency, reduces operational costs, and supports sustainability by preventing unnecessary water loss.

How we can help: Polygon Climate Control can provide permanently installed water leakage monitoring equipment on the project irrigation system, 50% of project flush fixtures and makeup water systems. It can be integrated into the building monitoring system (BMS) and initiate real-time alarms upon a potential leak.

Another consideration is a strategy not addressed in the LEED green building rating system. This effort must achieve significant, measurable environmental performance and represent a new area of excellence that can be used to improve buildings in the future.

How we can help: Polygon Climate Control’s automated control features may be a viable candidate for this credit. The smart controller takes real-time data of conditions (temp, RH, wood moisture content, etc.) and automatically turns climate control equipment on and off. This approach leads to a more energy-efficient and sustainable construction process when compared with running equipment continuously. Since the actual power consumption can be measured, the savings can be quantified through external analysis (e.g. energy savings, reduced indirect or direct carbon emissions etc.) and submitted to USGBC for consideration. While the council makes the final decision on whether a point is awarded, the proactive approach to monitoring and control the environmental offer great potential for energy and cost savings at scale.

Our Team

		Gosia Gruszczynska Director of Environmental Consulting Services, LEED Green Associate Gosia Gruszczynska has over 8 years of environmental consulting experience in the construction field. She holds a civil engineering degree from KTH Royal Institute of Technology and previously spent six years as a construction engineer at Peab before joining in 2022. She has worked on many projects aimed at achieving the Swedish environmental certification Miljöbyggnad as well as a Skanska construction project pursuing LEED. Today, Gosia leads a team of environmental consultants and engineers for Polygon Sweden helping clients throughout Europe and the US achieve desired certifications.
		Emma Nyholm-Humire Environmental Consultant, LEED AP® Building Design + Construction Emma Nyholm-Humire is an energy and environmental engineer for Polygon Sweden. Having joined in 2023, she has spent more than 3 years performing energy building calculations, LEED certifications for buildings (aiding throughout design and construction stages) and LCAs including several large office LEED projects for Vasakronan and Vectura. Emma holds a master's degree in Energy Technology from KTH, The Royal Institute of Technology and is a LEED Accredited Professional.
		David Simkins Director of Technology and Engineering, Polygon US David Simkins is the Director of Engineering and Technology at Polygon US, where he has dedicated over 15 years to advancing the company’s innovative solutions. In addition, he has served on the Board of Directors for Caption Data Limited for the past five years, a leader in the domain of remote monitoring based on IoT and a company that Polygon Group acquired in 2022. With approximately 35 years of experience in the temporary climate control industry, David brings unparalleled expertise in designing and optimizing energy-efficient HVAC systems. His work focuses on leveraging advanced monitoring technologies to reduce energy consumption and provide sustainable, cost-effective solutions for clients.

Environmental Consulting Services

Environmental certifications are tools to create sustainable, future-proof buildings, reduce risks, and boost profitability. Polygon Climate Control offers leading expertise in environmental certifications and sustainable construction, helping clients select the certification system that suits your project's goals and preferences.

With various options available, we work with you to determine the best certification and comprehensive solution that combines customer value, business benefits, and sustainability. Thanks to our expertise in multiple certifications, we can guide you in making the right choice.

We support your project from start to finish, handling certification, verification, and documentation. If you need internal environmental support, Polygon Climate Control is here for you.

For more information on Polygon Sweden visit their website here.

Sources:

• https://axaxl.com/fast-fast-forward/articles/dont-go-with-the-flow_water-is-the-new-fire-in-construction-risk
• https://www.mylosscontrolservices.com/learning-center/articles/water-damage-in-construction
• https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/what-are-the-who-air-quality-guidelines
• https://www.agcs.allianz.com/news-and-insights/expert-risk-articles/water-damage.html
• https://9foundations.forhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/9_Foundations_of_a_Healthy_Building_February_2017_R1.8.pdf