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LEED’s performance focus emphasizes attacking root causes—internal gains—before selecting equipment. Efficient luminaires with appropriate optical control and continuous daylight dimming reduce lighting energy and cooling loads. Managing plug/process loads with advanced power strips, networked receptacle controls, and efficient equipment lowers base loads significantly. With these reductions captured, a refined energy model enables right-sizing HVAC components, improving first cost and part-load efficiency. Commissioning then ensures sequences—economizers, temperature/pressure resets, demand-controlled ventilation—operate as intended, translating modeled savings into operation. Oversizing raises capital and often causes short cycling and poor humidity control. Relying on broader setpoints risks comfort and does not address waste at its source. Increasing outdoor air continuously elevates conditioning energy and can worsen humidity control. A load-first, controls-verified path delivers persistent savings, better comfort, and stronger documentation for energy credits.