If you're a LEED AP you passed a pretty difficult test, so how difficult could a LEED energy model be? Well, doing an energy-model is one thing, but doing a LEED energy-model is another. With countless nuances in LEED modeling, it takes a decent bit of experience to get good at modeling for LEED. To be honest, I have seen some horrible models. In fact, in my years working in TRACE 700 support, I've told many LEED APs that he or she would save money by sub-consulting the project to a firm with more experience.

How can you avoid this? Well, we recommend making friends and getting training! We offer a low cost "LEED for Energy-Modelers" trainings available to get you started. Check out the free LEED energy modeling cheat sheet, which contains dozens of tips and gives a common step by step procedure on what a modeler would need to accomplish in energy-modeling software.

The other most important thing when doing models is to have an experienced friend or a paid consultant on standby. A good idea is to get involved in a community. We recommend joining the Onebuilding.org mailing lists, as well as participating in our energy modeling user forum