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Buying Energy Star equipment is easy…
EAp2 requires that 50% (by power rating) of new equipment and appliances purchase for the LEED-CI scope of work be Energy Star labeled. Projects that go beyond the 50% requirement can achieve up to four additional points under EAc1.4 by specifying 70%, 77%, 84%, or 90% Energy Star equipment.
…But keeping track of the wattage is a chore
Completing the rated powerRated power is the nameplate power on a piece of equipment. It represents the capacity of the unit and is the maximum that it will draw. listing for each appliance and piece of equipment is the most time-consuming part of this credit. The LEED documentation requires not just checking a box to confirm that equipment is Energy Star; you will also need to assign a rated power to each model of appliance, computer, monitors, etc., which sometimes requires pulling the specification sheet or looking on the device’s nameplate.
In the past GBCI has allowed a shortcut: you could use standard rated power values from Table 2 in the LEED Reference Guide, but LEEDuser has found that this is no longer allowed.
Rated power is not the amount of power a piece of equipment will actually use, but simply the “nameplate power.” It represents the capacity of the unit and is the maximum that it will draw. The actual power used by equipment or appliances is often less than half the rated power. Rated power is what you have to use for the calculations for this credit.
Pay attention to types of equipment to includeCalculations for achieving this credit have to include all of the following, provided they are available in an Energy Star labeled model and are in your project's scope of work to purchase or install new:
- appliances
- office equipment
- electronics
- commercial food service equipment.
If an entire product type is not Energy Star labeled, that equipment is excluded from your calculations. Conversely, equipment outside the four categories that is Energy Star labeled must be included in your calculations. HVAC, lighting, and building envelope products are excluded from calculations for this credit.
Any categories added to the Energy Star list as the program grows may be used in the project team’s calculation. You can check out the Energy Star website for updates to product categories.
Understand how old vs. new equipment is treated
When LEED 2009 was released in June 2009, the LEED Reference Guide described this credit as referring to all equipment used on the project, whether new or existing. However, as clarified in the April 2010 LEED addenda from USGBC, the credit is only applicable to equipment installed or purchased new for the scope of work covered by the LEED-CI project. This clarification, which also applies to EAp2 means that project teams have neither an incentive or a disincentive to replace older equipment. Teams may choose to purchase newer, more efficient equipment, or preserve older equipment that still has useful life.
Projects still may include used equipment in their credit documentation, but if they do, they must include all the older equipment being used, not just some of it.
FAQs for CI EAc1.4
Does my piece of equipment qualify for Energy Star? Is there an Energy Star label for my piece of equipment? Where can I find out more about Energy Star and how it relates to my equipment type?
For all questions related to qualifying Energy Star equipment, please refer to the Energy Star website products section.
There is not an Energy Star category for a very specific type of an appliance that fits within a broader appliance category. Can I exclude my product?
Details for each qualifying product are given in specifications on the Energy Star website under each product category. If your equipment type is not eligible for Energy Star, you should be able to exclude it from your calculations. However, make sure the product type is actually not eligible if you are excluding it from the calculations. If there just aren’t enough models on the market yet, but the product is eligible, you have to include it in your calculations.
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USGBC
Excerpted from LEED 2009 for Commercial Interiors
EA Credit 1.4: Optimize energy performance - equipment and appliances
1-4 Points
Intent
To achieve increasing levels of energy conservation beyond the prerequisite standard to reduce environmental and economic impacts associated with excessive energy use.
Requirements
For all ENERGY STAR® eligible equipment and appliances installed as part of the tenant’s scope of work, achieve one of the following percentages (by rated powerRated power is the nameplate power on a piece of equipment. It represents the capacity of the unit and is the maximum that it will draw.). Equipment that meets the same requirements as ENERGY STAR® qualified products but does not bear the ENERGY STAR® label is acceptable. Projects outside the U.S. may use a local equivalent to ENERGY STAR®.
Percent Installed ENERGY STAR Qualified Equipment of ENERGY STAR Eligible Equipment Points 70% 1 77% 2 84% 3 90% 4
This requirement applies to appliances, office equipment, electronics, and commercial food service equipment. Excluded are HVAC, lighting, and building envelope products.
Potential Technologies & Strategies
Select energy-efficient equipment and appliances, as qualified by the EPA’s ENERGY STAR Program (http://www.energystar.gov).
Web Tools
Energy Star appliance list
This website lists all the equipment and appliances that are labeled Energy Star. Each category has a downloadable list of labeled products, updated every few months.
Organizations
Energy Star
ENERGY STAR is a government-industry partnership managed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. The program’s website offers energy management strategies, benchmarking software tools for buildings, product procurement guidelines, and lists of ENERGY STAR–qualified products and buildings.
Department of Energy, Energy Information Agency
This website links to EIA’s Commercial Building Energy Consumption Survey.
Publications
Electricity Used by Office Equipment and Network Equipment in the U.S.: Detailed Report and Appendices, by Kawamoto, Kaoru, et al. (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, February 2001)
This ongoing project explores the effects of computers and other information technology on resource use.
Product Data and Energy Star
To earn and document this credit, you'll need to track down product data, including rated powerRated power is the nameplate power on a piece of equipment. It represents the capacity of the unit and is the maximum that it will draw., from cut sheets like the example shown here. You can also use Energy Guide labels like the example given to confirm that a product has earned the Energy Star label, and confirm the rated power of the equipment or appliance.
Enery Star Compliance Calculator
Use this calculator to track and log the percentage of your project's equipment that qualifies for Energy Star. Note: this calculator lists typical equipment for an office and may a model, but not a suitable tool, for other project types.
Design Submittal
Documentation for this credit can be part of a Design Phase submittal.
CI-2009 LEED Online Sample Forms – EA
The following links take you to the public, informational versions of the dynamic LEED Online forms for each CI-2009 EA credit. You'll need to fill out the live versions of these forms on LEED
Online for each credit you hope to earn.
Version 4 forms (newest):
Version 3 forms:
- EAp1: Fundamental Commissioning
- EAp2: Minimum Energy Peformance
- EAp3: Fundamental Refrigerant Mngt.
- EAc1.1: Optimize Energy Perf.—Lighting Power
- EAc1.2: Optimize Energy Perf.—Lighting Controls
- EAc1.3: Optimize Energy Perf.—HVAC
- EAc1.4: Optimize Energy Perf.—Equip. & Appliances
- EAc2: Enhanced Commissioning
- EAc3: Measurement & Verification
- EAc4: Green Power
These links are posted by LEEDuser with USGBC's permission. USGBC has certain usage restrictions for these forms; for more information, visit LEED Online and click "Sample Forms Download."
LEED-CI Silver Office – EAc1.4
Complete documentation for achievement of EAc1.4 on a LEED-CI 2009 project.
LEEDuser is produced by BuildingGreen, Inc., with YR&G authoring most of the original content. LEEDuser enjoys ongoing collaboration with USGBC.
188 Comments
To include rented vending machine?
Hi,
My client is thinking of renting a vending machine for his office pursuing LEED-CI certification. Would we have to include the vending machine in the calculations even though vending machines don't fall under any of the Energy Star categories specified for this credit (appliances, office equipment, electronics, commercial food service equipment)?
Also, I don´t know if the fact that the vending machine is being rented makes a any difference? Technically, it is not being purchased or installed new within the LEED-CI project scope.
Thanks for your help!
Hi Alejandro,
Yes, you are obliged to include all eligible equipment in this credit. Vending machines are eligible for Energy Star rating. The "new" part is an issue but not with respect to leasing, only with respect to re-using. In other words, leased equipment is included as if it's newly purchased. Only eligible equipment moved from another location for reuse can be excluded.
Hi Alejandro,
I concur with Michelle, as I've always included vending machines whenever they're within the project scope whether purchased or leased. The following is a link to more information about Energy Star for vending machines:
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find_a_product.showProduc...
The following is a link to a listing of all ES qualified vending machines:
http://downloads.energystar.gov/bi/qplist/Vending_Machines_Product_List.pdf
Hope that helps. If your client hasn't already rented the machine, they can always make Energy Star a requirement of the rental agreement - just a thought.
Thanks!
Just one more question: According to the document "Vending Machines Program Requirements Version 3.0" developed by Energy Star, only products that meet the definition of a Refrigerated Beverage Vending Machine as specified in such document are eligible for ENERGY STAR qualification.
Does this mean that if my client is leasing a vending machine for snacks (i.e. non-refrigerated, non-‘‘sealed beverage’’ merchandise), it does not have to be included in the calculations for this credit?
Hi Alejandro,
Yes, your vending machine would be excluded from the refigerated beverage requirements. You should plan to explain that in the Special Circumstances so the reviewers know you didn't miss it or fail to include it as eligible.
Energy Star Equipment Eligibility
As we all know, our Energy Star requirement is based on the eligibility of the equipment for rating and that eligibility is defined by Energy Star not by the USGBC. If a general category is not rated, like microwaves or ranges, things are fairly straightforward.
If the definition found in the Program Requirements document clearly excludes the equipment, like monitors over 65" or combi ovens with steam, then things remain straightforward. However, plan on uploading your excluded equipment cutsheet and definition to confirm this for the reviewer.
We recently, however, saw a piece of equipment that couldn't be easily excluded based on the program definition. These electric Panini grills seemed to meet the definition for griddles, i.e., two platens, grooved or smooth, contact cooking, thermostat, etc. When we reviewed the products that were rated, however, we noted that the scale of the equipment rated was very different than our equipment. Asking the manufacturer often results in the answer that best suits their sale of the equipment, so we went to Energy Star.
I am posting this because when I made contact with Energy Star to ask the simple question were these grills eligible, the answer was very tough to get. The first line of response was "this equipment isn't rated because the manufacturer hasn't partnered with us". I clarified that I knew they weren't rated but were they eligible. The next response was that "it's up to the manufacturer to determine that". Obviously that would be a fox and henhouse scenario for this kind of situation.
Ultimately, I had to track down the third party company that is doing the responses for Energy Star and call them on the phone. Once I was able to make clear what I needed to know, I got a rather reluctant response from a tech person via email that "the intent of the program definition" was in fact larger, free standing equipment vs. the countertop device I am looking at.
This may sound ridiculous but these 2 electric Panini grills drew so much power, compared to the more efficient larger equipment, that they took a 100% Energy Star result worth 5 pts down to 54% or barely making the Prereq.
We have excluded this equipment based on the "intent" of the program definition as the USBGC has always recognized intent. However, I was personally disheartened at how hard it was to get this answer and how hard it was to explain what I was asking. There are certainly pros and cons to LEED piggybacking on other organization's standards.
Very interesting, Michelle.
I am in the food service industry. An Energy Star partner manufacturer agrees to provide E/S with shipment data per sku each year as only the top 20% of appliances are supposed to make the list. Sometimes that criteria is a bit odd, such as a reach in refrigerator being judged with door closed when it opens 50 times/day. But manufacturer partners agree on how it should be judged. Like a swimsuit competition where contestants agree it's all one piece.
A panini is not a "griddle" or grill. In fact, it doesn't typically go under a hood unless one is actually "grilling" grease-laden product, and panini's are most frequently considered/called "sandwich presses," where speed is favored and some are self-serve. Plus, when called a "press", it takes them out of the grill/griddle/hood-requiring category. Yep, they use a lot of energy, as do the merchandisers ice cream novelty providers give for free, where there is no E/S category. BUT, where the whole griddle/panini kind of blows up is that there are ventilation/capture-containment, heat gain elements that are NOT considered! In many cases, those are the big get. Griddle is on all day, as is the ventilation and other equipment used to maintain cooling in the kitchen. I have never heard of a gas panini, either. Cooking equipment is generally production-related, however, and Panini's are generally not volume. Hope this helps.
Dishwashers - Water Consomption
Besides the energy requirement for ES requirements are also made on the consumption of water (Standard Sized Models: equal or less 4.25 gpc).
For a European project I want to show equivalency for a European (not Energy Star qualified) dishwasher. For the intent of this credit do I have to show equivalency for both, energy and water consumption? Or only for energy consumption.
This is an energy credit, not a water credit.
Thanks!
For this credit just energy.
If it is a Commercial Interiors project, EAc1.4 has the Energy Star component. Energy Star for Commercial Warewashers includes water usage. Since the more water that is used, the more primary water heat (hot water TO the dishwasher) water consumption does affect energy.
Rated Power for an Ice Machine
We have a number of ice machines on our project that are Energy Star certified. The manufacturer will only provide us power usage in the form of kWhA kilowatt-hour is a unit of work or energy, measured as 1 kilowatt (1,000 watts) of power expended for 1 hour. One kWh is equivalent to 3,412 Btu./100 lbs of ice (which is the Energy Star criteria). From the spec sheet, we know that the maximum output is 390 lbs. over a 24 hour period. Is it acceptable to use this information, and calculate the watts by using the formula:
P(w) = 1000 x E(kWh) / t(hr)
For example, the machine uses 5.79kWh/100 lbs of ice. Multiply that by 390 lbs per 24 hours equals 22.581kWh per day. Using the formula above, this would translate to 952.125 watts.
Can we use this as our rated powerRated power is the nameplate power on a piece of equipment. It represents the capacity of the unit and is the maximum that it will draw. given that the manufacturer will only provide power use in kWh/100 lbs ice?
Hi William,
We also often have difficulty getting the rated powerRated power is the nameplate power on a piece of equipment. It represents the capacity of the unit and is the maximum that it will draw. of pieces of equipment. It's hard to get from manufacturers and finding a nameplate is unrealistic. We make our calculations with Volts x Amps to get kWhA kilowatt-hour is a unit of work or energy, measured as 1 kilowatt (1,000 watts) of power expended for 1 hour. One kWh is equivalent to 3,412 Btu. rated power. The ice machines I have seen cut sheets for do supply that info. We have been doing this consistently on our projects with no challenges.
kWhA kilowatt-hour is a unit of work or energy, measured as 1 kilowatt (1,000 watts) of power expended for 1 hour. One kWh is equivalent to 3,412 Btu. per 100 lbs. of ice is one of the most effective way to determine how much ice will be used. Same goes for warewashing in determining dishwasher run time. A kitchen designer will design for a meal count, and it is very easy to determine how much ice is needed to feed X number of people. A fast food figure is considered .9 lbs./guest; a hotel, 3-5 lbs./room, 10 lbs./patient bed., 1.7 lbs. sit down restaurant guest, etc. A salad bar using ice uses 30 lbs./sq. foot. So the really easy part is to factor the guests, and where else ice is used. A cold plate on a beverage dispenser is capacity of dispenser plus 40%. I love ice because it is very simple to figure out how much you need. Something else to consider is that numbers are based on 90 degree air, 70 degree water temperature, so climate has a big impact. If you want a chart of usage per guest depending on function, contact me and I will give it to you.
Steam Ovens and Energy Star Rating
Hi, I have a question regarding the Energy Star Rated Ovens. I´m working with a LEED CI 2009 project in Argentina and I´m having trouble finding an ES Rated Oven. For LEED CI I have to document that at least 50% of my energy use for appliances and equipment comes from ES certified products. The project is mainly a kitchen and a dining room. I have a doubt with the ES Steam Ovens and want to verify that "Qualifying Products: Any commercial steam cooker that meets the definition in Section 1A is eligible
for the ENERGY STAR. For purposes of this Version 1.0 specification, only 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-pan capacity units may qualify for ENERGY STAR."
This is taken from the document "Energy Star - Steam_Cooker_V1 0_FINAL_spec.pdf" from the Energy Star webpage.....
I want to verify that a 10 or a 20-pan oven is indeed excluded from the ES Rating so far.
Any input?
Thanks!
As far as I can tell all steam cookers over 2 pans must comply. The document you cite appears to be from 2005 and could be out-of-date. The product criteria on the commercial steam cooker page indicates it applies to 3, 4, 5 and 6 pan or larger steam cookers.
LEED CI Project in Argentina, mainly KITCHEN NON "ES"
I´m working in a project in Argentina which is up for LEED CI. The project is mainly a new commercial kitchen and dining area for 250 persons. The rest of the space has some offices for 50 persons, bathrooms, storage, etc. The main purpose for this addition is to serve other company areas that have been already certified under LEED CI.
The problem is that most of the kitchen equipment has an Energy Star equivalent but we have not been able to acquire / buy said equipment. There are very strict importing restrictions in the country and ES commercial kitchen equipment is not sold here. Any comments? Right now I do not even get to the 50% EAp2 prerequisite requirement.
I´m thinking of indicating that "Special circumstances preclude documentation of credit compliance with the submittal requirements outlined in this form"... I would send a thorough narrative and a letter from the owner stating they are committed to buy the rest of the equipment as ES... But do not know if this will suffice.... Any thoughts? Inputs?
Gracias!
I think you would need to demonstrate Energy Star equivalency related to the equipment you did buy to earn the credit. You are asking to be exempt which I do not think would be accepted. In my opinion there is not a real difference between not being willing to buy the ES equipment and not being able to do so. Your best bet would be to try and demonstrate that you have purchased energy efficient kitchen equipment in alignment with the credit intent.
Thanks Marcus. I´m still trying to figure out how the new Kitchen Equipment compares to the ES Standard.... Will see and let you know!
calculating rated power and bigger questions
I cannot get the nameplate power from an Energy Star residential refrigerator used for a commercial project. I called the manufacturer, checked the manuals, etc. no luck. Can I calculate the rated powerRated power is the nameplate power on a piece of equipment. It represents the capacity of the unit and is the maximum that it will draw. in wattage from the published voltages times the amps? Really, it makes little difference - we have 100% energy star appliances whatever the number here is.
Bigger question - shouldn't this credit be determined by predicted kWhA kilowatt-hour is a unit of work or energy, measured as 1 kilowatt (1,000 watts) of power expended for 1 hour. One kWh is equivalent to 3,412 Btu. / year and not rated power? Annual expected usage is what Energy Star uses to rate products and what makes sense given the intent of the credit.
Same big question for lighting - actual predicted usage (with controls, etc) is what should count - not LPDLighting power density (LPD) is the amount of electric lighting, usually measured in watts per square foot, being used to illuminate a given space..
The idea is to isolate the scheduled run time from the overall power. Power is a design issue, energy use is an operational issue. Since schedules vary considerably it is more difficult to do comparisons.
sorry, not sure I agree with you Marcus. Designing a low energy building is all about understanding operational issues and offering effective options for occupants to be able to lower their energy use.
but on to more LEED nitty gritty - can you or anyone out there tell me whether LEED CI EAp2 and EAc1.4 still exempts existing equipment from being Energy Star rated? A review just back holds the prereq and credit pending with only the following comment:
'Please revise the Energy Star rated calculations to include all installed eligible equipment and appliances'
I was not stating my opinion on one vs the other, I was stating why I thought it is the way it is from a comparative perspective. This is a design based credit in a design based rating system. At this point there are no occupants to offer operational solutions. Design professionals understand W/sf but not kWhA kilowatt-hour is a unit of work or energy, measured as 1 kilowatt (1,000 watts) of power expended for 1 hour. One kWh is equivalent to 3,412 Btu./sf. So that is why it is the way it is in my opinion.
You make a good point about understanding operational issues related to energy use. Not sure how much influence these calculations have since they are just a prediction and the real bottom line is in the actual operation. Just like an energy model the true value of making a prediction is when you compare it to the actual data and learn from it. Just making the prediction has very limited value in my expereince.
It is my understanding that only newly purchased equipment counts. This was a change awhile back. I have argued in the past that all the existing equipment should count. Operationally the organization should have already been purchasing Energy Star equipment. To let a project buy one new copier and exempt the rest of what they are going to use makes no sense to me.
Agreed, the equipment actually USED is what is vital. In the case of commercial kitchens, it's a shame that old equipment can be re-used and the job isn't penalized, particularly when it comes to dishwashers, where the water usage has dropped dramatically. Example, over 300 gallons/hour down to 112-126. E/S standard is based on gallons per rack, one rack, 2.5 people approx. and idle energy, which is like "breaktime" for a dishwasher, because it isn't running. Dishwashers are frequently leased from chemical companies, however, and end up NIC, but their water and power are generally listed in the job.
Relocated Office Equipment
I have a large CI project where the client will be moving to a new facility, bringing with them a lot of office equipment they currently are using. Would these credits still be achievable? Thanks!
There is a thorough discussion on this subject over on the EAp2 page. Basically the old equipment is excluded from the calculations which only applies to the new equipment. Personally I disagree that this should be the case and it interested you can read my rational on the EAp2 page.
Energy Star Logo
In one of our project, the owner has purchased the Lenovo ThinkCentres for their office. In the specifications, it was mentioned that it is Energy Star and EPEAT Gold. But we couldn't find the Energy Star logo on the computer. How can we ensure that the computers are Energy Star? Thanks..
Have you checked on EneryStar's website?
Search their product data base http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_find_es_products
Energy star Equipment documentation
Hi,
While documenting energy star rated products for EAc1.4, the rated powerRated power is the nameplate power on a piece of equipment. It represents the capacity of the unit and is the maximum that it will draw. is to be used. My understanding is that this is the name plate power for the appliance. However, if a situation where the rated power is not available, will USGBC allow the use of generalized wattage rating (from a legitimate online source) for those products? If yes, how should this be documented? If not, how do I work around this?
Kalyan, the Bird's Eye View text above delves into this question to some degree. I would be skeptical about using a source like what you describe, but a more concrete example of what you mean would help.
Server Room Equipment
Is there a list of the types of Energy Server Room Equipment to include in the calculations? For example, do we need to include WLAN controllers, control systems, etc.?
In GBCI reviewer's eye, they want to include every IT equipment that is qualified under DOE Energy Star Server Version 1, excluding 6 specific equipment types that are explicitly ineligible within Energy Star Version 1.
I disagree with them. In the context of the LEED guideline and intention, I believe this credit should only apply to appliances and commercial goods. Still fighting it, welcome aboard!
If there is no new equipment/appliances
I'm working on LEED CI project. I have asked client to list up the newly purchase equipment/appliances, but they have plan to use current ones after moving to new site. Now we're preparing design submission.
In this case, how can I document for EA P2 and EA C1.4?? Is it still eligible to achieve credits?
You will not qualify for any credits under EAc1.4, but a narrative for EAp2 should be sufficient.
Refrigerators
I want to be able to supply to LEED certified buildings and customers. To apply towards a LEED credit, do refrigerators and refrigerator-freezers only need to meet EnergyStar requirements? Or do they also need to have Green Seal or Greedguard certification?
Rebecca, Energy Star is the required certification for equipment for LEED. The IAQIndoor air quality: The quality and attributes of indoor air affecting the health and comfort building occupants. IAQ encompasses available fresh air, contaminant levels, acoustics and noise levels, lighting quality, and other factors. certifications you mention are not necessary.
EnergyStar for Server Equipment
We have an office building with some server rooms (around 40 kW). Is the server equiment excluded from energystar!?
It is extremely difficult to find suppliers offering energystar rated datacenter equipment...
The EU EnergyStar Product Database includes just small-scale servers (http://www.eu-energystar.org/en/database/?cmd=selectform;table=ce_deskto...).
Only equipment that has an EnergyStar option is counted in the credit calculations, so just the small scale servers would be included.
Comparison EU energy rating vs Energy Star
Please, has anyone done the comparison between Energy Star and the European energy rating system for appliances? Can you share it?
Maria, did you find some information regarding European energy rating system? Does it comply with Energy Star requirements or is it acceptable by USGBC? I have the same problem with a project located in Poland.
Hi Adam
I have found a LEED InterpretationLEED Interpretations are official answers to technical inquiries about implementing LEED on a project. They help people understand how their projects can meet LEED requirements and provide clarity on existing options. LEED Interpretations are to be used by any project certifying under an applicable rating system. All project teams are required to adhere to all LEED Interpretations posted before their registration date. This also applies to other addenda. Adherence to rulings posted after a project registers is optional, but strongly encouraged. LEED Interpretations are published in a searchable database at usgbc.org. for a Chinese project, no 10043 from Sep 2011. I understand that you can use another system, but you have to show for every product that it is at least as stringent as Energy Star. So I have started a spreadsheet for all my products, showing energy usage and water usage, rated powerRated power is the nameplate power on a piece of equipment. It represents the capacity of the unit and is the maximum that it will draw. etc. I have not found the general rules for the EU labeling anywhere, so I have to do it for every product that is chosen. If you know a standard that states the limits for the EU rating system, then please tell me. For screens and computers etc there is Energy Star even in Sweden, so there we will go for that. But I haven’t had a chance to submit yet so I don’t know what reviewers will say yet. Keep me posted on how it goes for you!
exclusions
Hi there,
I was wondering if there are exclusions to some of the pieces of equiptment that would qualify as Energy Star? For example, refrigerators should be included as a relevant 'Equiptment Type' on the template for LEED online, but what about medical refrigerators? Do you think we could omit those or act as though they are 'normal' fridges?
Thanks.
Hi Naten,
The program requirements for each equipment & appliance category detail definitions of included and excluded appliances for each category. I would assume that a medical refrigerator does not fit the bill of either the residential refrigerator or commercial kitchen refrigerator categories, but be sure to read both refrigerator program requirements closely. They can be found here: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=product_specs.pt_product_specs
Non ES rated Oven project in europe
Hello everyone,
I have a LEED CI in europe and i have an issue with an oven, it is non ES rated and the manufacturer do not have any information in btuh. the only information provided is that he total rated load is 2.3 kW.
How could i comply with the LEED requirements here .
Thanks
Convert kW to Btuh and see if it is comparable to the EnergyStar rated equipment. For further information on documentation guidance I would look at the EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems. MR2.1 Alternative Compliance Path here: http://tinyurl.com/6mjak4d. This should give you the information you need.
Documenting Rated Power for Gas Appliances
Does anyone have experience documenting the rated powerRated power is the nameplate power on a piece of equipment. It represents the capacity of the unit and is the maximum that it will draw. of a gas appliance? Are we to only document the electricity usage of gas appliances, or do we account for the gas usage? The power data that I'm getting from the manufacturer for a gas oven is in BTUA unit of energy consumed by or delivered to a building. A Btu is an acronym for British thermal unit and is defined as the amount of energy required to increase the temperature of 1 pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit, at normal atmospheric pressure. Energy consumption is expressed in Btu to allow for consumption comparisons among fuels that are measured in different units.'s and is a rather high number representing the gas load of the oven. I'm wondering if I am supposed to calculate what an equivalent value would be in watts, or if perhaps only the electricity usage of the oven is supposed to be included in the rated power spreadsheet? Thanks.
Only electric appliances are included in the Energy Star calculations.
Thanks Dan. That's a bummer to hear, as the Commercial Fryers Energy Star standard includes efficiency criteria for gas fryers, and the list of qualified products includes a number of gas fryers. We were hoping we could include ours in the credit form list to bump up our overall EAc1.4 percentage. I'll update the comment thread if I happen to learn anything more during our project's GBCI Review. Thanks again!
100% Energy Star letter
Has anyone heard of (or tried) submitting a letter from ownership that states they promise to buy 100% of all equipment and appliances that are elibigible for Energy Star as Energy Star rated? I've been told this is an alternative compliance path but can't find out much more.
Thanks!
Yes, providing a letter head letter from owner indicating they committed to buy ES rated equipment for future was accepted for my project.
Amber- Did you have any new equipment or appliances as part of your tenant improvement scope? Did you end up submitting a letter? If so, where? Did you complete any of the table EAp2-4 ENERGY STAR Equipment as 50% is required for compliance with the prereq...I would appreciate your reply/insight. Thank you!
Rheem Hot Water Heaters
I am trying to determine if we need to include the conventional commercial gas/electric water heater in our Energy Star documentation. This particular type of system is not listed in the ES products list. It seems they are only concerned with gas condensing or heat pumpA type of heating and/or cooling equipment that draws heat into a building from outside and, during the cooling season, ejects heat from the building to the outside. Heat pumps are vapor-compression refrigeration systems whose indoor/outdoor coils are used reversibly as condensers or evaporators, depending on the need for heating or cooling. In the 2003 CBECS, specific information was collected on whether the heat pump system was a packaged unit, residential-type split system, or individual room heat pump, and whether the heat pump was air source, ground source, or water source. water heaters. I think also since water heaters are covered in ASHRAE 90.1-2007 Section 7.5, as required by EA Prerequisite 2, they would not need to also comply with ES. Does anyone know if we are able to mark our conventional water heater as ineligible for ES compliance?
Hi Elizabeth, this link regarding the water heater spec revisions may be helpful: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=revisions.waterheaters_spec.
POS system
Does anyone have the experince in retail project ? I am wondering if Point of sale system(Energy Star qualified) count as an Energy Star appliance for this credit, or only Televsion, computers, etc.?
Hi Eddy, if the equipment is Energy Star eligible and not in one of the excluded categories (HVAC, lighting, and building envelope), then you should include it in the calculation. I did a quick search and did not find this type of system in the Energy Star database as eligible: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_find_es_products. If you believe the product is eligible but can't find it, I suggest calling Energy Star Hotline to confirm.
Hi Eddy,
I am trying to determine the same. I have not found any specific language in the "Computer" Energy Star Program Requirements which seems to either confirm or deny the eligibility of a POS in the standard Computer category. Given its unique purpose and features which make it very different than a typical computer, I am inclined to believe that they are not eligible. Please let us know if you learn anything else about them through the Hotline.
Existing Computers/ New Computers
We have a renovation project at a college where we have a large number of existing computers, monitors and printers that were excluded from the ENERGY STAR calculations. After the review, LEED had stated that if they were existing before the project they could be excluded; however, I have discovered that a few new ones have been installed after completion. My question is, if we include the new ones into the cals, do we also need to include the existing ones? LEED's Review Report has been very unclear on this and I do not have time to wait for a 4-6 week response from LEED. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Dominique,
Only the few new appliances and equipment purchased as part of the scope of work for the project need to be included in the calculation. You may exclude the existing equipment.
Thanks. One more for you: We were told to exclude projectors from the calcs (engineer thought they were ENERGY STAR rated). Does this mean we need to exclude them altogether or just include them in the non-ENERGY STAR column? I really appreciate it.
Sure. If a product is not eligible for an Energy Star rating, exclude it from the form/calculation entirely. If a product is eligible, but does not have an Energy Star rating, include it in the calculation in the non-Energy Star column. This link can help you determine if a product is eligible: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_find_es_products.
CI Project outside US - Energy Star list
We are working in a CI project in Argentina. The devices we are including (such as LCD displays, PC's and printers etc) are Energy Star rated (the information is included in the brochure), but they are not listed in the Energy Star excel for US , in the EPA website. Is it enough if I upload the brochures?
Thank you,
I don't believe this is required supporting documentation. Unless the credit form requests this documentation, it is not required for submittal.
Thanks for your answer. So , it is acceptable if the devices are not listed in the EPA Energy Star website? (even though they are labeled with the Energy Star logo)? Do you know if the EPA Energy Star website has a section for devices not sold in the US and Canada ? The list there specifically says "for devices sold in the US and Canada" and we haven't been able to find any other list. Thank you !
LEED InterpretationLEED Interpretations are official answers to technical inquiries about implementing LEED on a project. They help people understand how their projects can meet LEED requirements and provide clarity on existing options. LEED Interpretations are to be used by any project certifying under an applicable rating system. All project teams are required to adhere to all LEED Interpretations posted before their registration date. This also applies to other addenda. Adherence to rulings posted after a project registers is optional, but strongly encouraged. LEED Interpretations are published in a searchable database at usgbc.org. 10043 addresses a similar situation: "The project should pursue the prerequisite using the standard approach, identifying all equipment that has actually achieved an Energy Star rating as such, and identifying all local Chinese products that meet the Energy Star criteria as Energy Star equipment. Backup must be provided showing that these Chinese products meet the Energy Star criteria."
It sounds like the brochures you have documenting compliance with Energy Star criteria will be sufficient.
Hi Samantha/Romina
Im working for a project where the appliances in building are local energy star certified. I understand from one of the CIRCredit Interpretation Ruling. Used by design team members experiencing difficulties in the application of a LEED prerequisite or credit to a project. Typically, difficulties arise when specific issues are not directly addressed by LEED information/guide's that even though the product is not energy star certified, as long as it meets the energy star certification criteria, it can be counted towards energy star certified product. If my interpretation is correct, what is the way to show that the product meets energy star criteria? Is there any calculator available in LEEDUser or EPA energy star website? Can you please guide me.
Thanks
Sriman
Hi Srimannarayana,
You'd have to provide documentation (I assume from a third-party certifier) that the product meets the ES specifications for the product category: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=product_specs.pt_product_specs.
Wine Coolers
Do wine coolers qualify for Energy Star?
No, these products cannot currently qualify for ENERGY STAR. The ENERGY STAR program qualifies full-size and compact refrigerators and freezers. The current ENERGY STAR Program Requirements for Residential Refrigerators and/or Freezers covers products that meet the definition of a refrigerator, refrigerator-freezer, or freezer, as defined by the U.S. Department of Energy's Appliances and Commercial Equipment Standards Program but does not cover the following products:
Wine refrigerators (also referred to as: wine cooler or wine chillers)
Kegerators (also referred to as: beer coolers or beer refrigerators)
Beverage chillers (also referred to as: beverage centers)
EPA may consider the inclusion of these products in future product specification development. (Energystar.gov)
Energy Star Appliances & Equipment as Innovation for LEED-NC
Does anyone have experience submitting this for an innovation credit under the LEED-NC rating system? Would one gain an innovation point if 70% of eligible equipment was demonstrated to be ENERGY STAR (by rated powerRated power is the nameplate power on a piece of equipment. It represents the capacity of the unit and is the maximum that it will draw.)?
Rated Power for Projector
Hi All,
Could you help me find the rated powerRated power is the nameplate power on a piece of equipment. It represents the capacity of the unit and is the maximum that it will draw. for a NEC projector Model # P350W? I called manufacturer and they couldn't help me out.
Thanks!
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