LEED v4 to v5: The Boxing Match
How to choose between v4 + v5
LEED v5 is taking the stage come June 2026! Until then, you can register under either v4 or v5, but your decision depends on your specific project goals. Some considerations to make include: what is your project timeline? What is your budget? How green do you really want to be?
In this second post of our LEED v5 series, we pit v4 against v5, battling it out over project considerations to see which one is the best fit for you and your team.
Welcome to the LEED v4 LEED v5 Boxing Match!
In the Left Corner: LEED v4
LEED v4 is reaching the end of its career, about to retire in June, but it’s still got punches left! V4 brings flexibility and years of experience into the ring.
In the Right Corner: LEED v5
LEED v5 is new to the game, known for its improvements in sustainability and decarbonization, but requires a little more warm up time.
LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE!!
ROUND 1: PROJECT TIMELINE
LEED v4 projects are under a time crunch - they must register by June 2026, and be completed by June 2032. In terms of the project timeline, teams are encouraged to collaborate early for goal setting, but there are less credit requirements, meaning more flexibility in pre-planning.
LEED v5 has no time constraints, so you can take your time to register. However, pre-planning, though not mandatory, is far more critical due to an increase in complex required credits.
If your project is late in design development and still wanting to pursue LEED, then v4 would likely be the path for you.
If your project is early in design development, you have the opportunity to integrate the planning processes required by LEED v5.
DING DING
Round 1 Winner: Both Win!
LEED v5 wins for the future longevity of the project and v4 wins for projects that are already underway
ROUND 2: BUDGET
LEEDv4 has been in circulation since 2013. The credits, standards, and processes are familiar, making it easier for projects to integrate LEED. Standards for materials and resources will not change, meaning less strict restrictions on what building products could be used.
LEED v5 has new requirements, codes, and more stringent regulations that build on lessons learned in LEED v4. This will push project teams to collaborate earlier and experiment with novel ways to achieve their sustainability goals. All this upfront work will improve the building's performance, which should lower operational and maintenance costs than that of a v4 building, over time.
Currently, LEED v4 is a tried and true practice - likely making it the most fiscally sound option of the two. LEED v5 will reach the same familiarity as years go by, but until then…
DING DING
Round 2 Winner: v4
ROUND 3: SUSTAINABLE AMBITION AND MARKETABILITY
LEED v4 relies on older standards and codes (some of which are more than 15 years old!). While these standards still produce a sustainable and efficient building, they are outdated in terms of what a building can now achieve. Additionally, LEED v4 buildings are already out there and have been for a long time. Marketing an old standard may not be as effective as its new and shiny counterpart.
LEED v5 has a large focus on decarbonization. This, along with updated codes, will produce a far more sustainable building than v4. The newness of v5 also allows you the opportunity to become one of the first v5 certified buildings in your state, creating both a monetary and marketing opportunity for all teams involved.
When it comes to sustainability and marketability, there is no comparison. V5 clearly reflects a project team’s sustainable ambition. As for marketability, your v5 project could be the first of its kind in your area, giving it potential to be a headlining project in your city or state.
DING DING
Round 3 Winner: v5
ROUND 4: DOCUMENTATION AND PAPERWORK
LEED v4 is often mired by piles of paperwork and documentation. Most exemplified by the Building Product Disclosure and Optimization (BPDO) credits, project teams were required to seek out various certifications, cut sheets, and other supporting documentation, showcasing a product's sustainable chops. While this process has certainly become more familiar, finding these documents can be a headache, especially as products evolve and documents expire.
LEED v5 recognizes the headaches caused by the paper trail of LEED v4 credits. LEED v5 seeks to reframe this credit, designating it as Building Product Selection and Procurement (BPSP). With this new credit comes a new ambitious tool that streamlines the process of building product documentation for all parties involved: designers, contractors, manufacturers, etc.
Gathering documentation is never an easy task. LEED v5 will give teams new tools to aid them in this process.
While the process of gathering documentation will be easier, LEED v5 will encourage the collection of larger overall quantities of documentation.
Until we can see the LEED v5 material databases in action, we can’t say how much time these new tools will save.
While it will take time to adapt to LEED v5, this round ends in a draw: LEED v4 wins for teams like ours that have robust databases. And LEED v5 wins for the long-run.
DING DING
Round 4 Winner: Both Win!
FINAL WINNER: BOTH WIN
At the end of the battle between v4 & v5, it turns out that you can’t go wrong with either version. This is truly a choice specific to your project goals.
If your building is already in design, get registered now under v4. If you're planning on building in the future, get prepared to incorporate v5. If you're unsure or need help making a decision, come talk to us. Reach out to our LEED team at leed@husarch.com with any questions about how we can help you make the right decision for your project.
As LEED experts, HUSARCH has been closely monitoring the changes between versions, and we are prepared to help you navigate this decision making process.
Keep an eye out for our next post in this series: how we’re preparing for v5; and for future posts that will dive into the details of v5’s upgrades!
About HUSARCH
For more than 15 years and nearly 2 million sf of LEED certified spaces, our team has supported architects, contractors, and owners through the LEED process for both Design & Construction.
With our specialty in LEED administration, we translate requirements into clear action items, we help you build systems that support teams during construction, and we keep projects on track to achieve any desired LEED certification from pre-design through post-occupancy.
We’ve guided teams through the transition from LEED v2009 to LEED v4 and are excited to build upon our experience through this upcoming transition to v5.
Reach out if you need any assistance in your LEED transition, if you have any questions, or you’d like to request a blog topic!
