According to city staffers, proposed alterations for the building envelope include: glazing to have low-e coatings and solar control coatings, better insulation for walls, increased insulation for semi-heated spaces; easy pre-calculated/prescriptive credits for glass solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) in lieu of shading coefficient (SC), overhangs/setbacks, north windows, slab edge and tapered roof insulation; more default tables for mass walls and overhead glazing.

For the mechanical systems, major changes include: increasing minimum equipment efficiencies and motor efficiencies, more use of outside air for cooling in lieu of mechanical refrigeration, better motors (electronically-commutated) for fans in ceiling mixing boxes, limits on damper leakage, better duct sealing, clarification of the commissioning requirements, better controls for parking garage ventilation, and requirements to complement water conservation programs.

For lighting, key code amendments call for: more efficient lighting (1.0 W/sf for open offices), automatic controls for all buildings, offices less than 300 square feet to have occupancy sensors, daylight zones to have dimming controls, prescriptive lighting option to have continuous dimming controls.