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An easy credit, if the owner is on board
This credit requires surveying building occupants to find out if they are satisfied with thermal conditions in the building, as defined by the thermal comfort variables defined in ASHRAE 55-2004. The credit costs little or nothing to implement (although it does take some time), and provides important feedback to building owners and operators.
Do it yourself, or get help
If you have the internal staff resources and don’t want to pay for an outside service, you can go with a simple self-administered online survey.
If you want some hand-holding, can afford the (relatively low) fee, and are interested in a more comprehensive occupant survey (beyond just thermal performance) that gives you results in the context of a large dataset, use the service from UC...
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2 Comments
Monitoring system required?
Are you certain this must be provided in addition to a survey for NC and CI projects? The CI reference guide (page 389) states "Analyzing environmental variables (typically by monitoring space temperature and relative humidity) is an ALTERNATIVE APPROACH [emphasis added] to determining if a facility is providing thermal comfort for its occupants..." and later goes on to state, "Even though this credit DOES NOT REQUIRE A MONITORING SYSTEM [emphasis added] in addition to occupant surveying to verify the thermal comfort conditions, it might be beneficial..."
On the small CI project we are helping to get certified, I don't see the owner wanting to go to the expense of sensors in dozens of small offices and exam rooms, spitting out data at 15 minute intervals that would have to be processed and analyzed by someone on their staff. I think they feel that they'd rather rely on the survey results.
Steve Loppnow replied Research Consultant, YRG sustainability Feb 08 2010
Dave,
This is something that the LEEDuser team has come up against as well. We are still working to bring the specifics of the requirements for monitoring systems into focus. While you are correct that the CI Reference Guide clearly states that monitoring systems are optional, the CI credit form provides a check box that must be filled for a point to register in the credit form. A similar check box appears in the NC credit form. I would encourage you to contact the GBCI to request clarification on the requirements, however past experience indicates that "permanent monitoring systems" can be as basic as programmable thermostats that measure temperature and humidity. It may be best to plan for the more stringent approach until you can confirm the less stringent approach via the GBCI.
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