-
Some common misconceptions
This credit can be fairly difficult to understand at a glance. So let’s start by getting some common misconceptions out of the way.
One common misconception is that this credit specifies or prohibits a certain refrigerant type. That was true in early versions of LEED (and is still the case in the prerequisite, EAp3). For this credit, there are both HCFCsHydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are refrigerants that cause significantly less depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer than chlorofluorocarbons. (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) and HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons...
Step-by-step credit help
Got the gist of the LEED credit but not sure how to actually achieve it? LEEDuser gives step-by-step help. Members get:
- Checklists covering all the key action steps you'll need to earn the credit.
- Hot tips to give you shortcuts and avoid pitfalls.
- Cost tips to assess what a credit will actually cost, and how to make it affordable.
- Ideas for going beyond LEED with best practices.
- All checklists organized by project phase.
- On-the-fly suggestions on useful items from the Documentation Toolkit, Resources, and Credit Language.
-
Credit language straight from USGBC
Need to check up on the exact LEED credit language from the LEED Rating System on the fly? LEEDuser includes the verbatim language. Members get:
- Easy access to the official LEED credit language with just a couple of clicks.
- On the jobsite without your bulky LEED Reference Guide? Check up on the credit language details here.
- Credit language content is used by permission of the U.S. Green Building Council.
Your credit-by-credit reference library
Why waste time chasing down referenced standards and supporting resources when LEEDuser links you directly to the ones you need? LEEDuser has gathered all the best tools out there and organized them by credit for easy reference. Members get links to:
- Organizations that can give information or help on a credit.
- Standards or studies that are key reference points for credits and prerequisites.
- Articles that help explain important topics.
- Key documents or references for credit inputs.
- Software tools you can use to run calculations or simulations.
Documentation Toolkit
In the end, LEED is all about documentation. LEEDuser’s Documentation Toolkit saves you time and helps you avoid mistakes with:
- Calculators to help assess credit compliance.
- Tracking spreadsheets for materials purchases.
- Spreadsheets and forms to give to subs and other team members.
- Guidance documents on arcane LEED issues.
- Sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions.
- Examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects.
17 Comments
Sample Form Problem
Applying values to "Refrigerant Impact Calculaton" chart, we have final impact per tone equal to 100 for each device. "average refrigerant impact per ton (must be less than or equal to 100)" is 100. Even than we can get 2 points in summary (all other areas are correct and checked).
DId some of you had such a problem? Should we describe it in "special circumstances" of sample form?
Thanks.
BH, I would try upgrading to the most recent v4 form.
Also, are you using the actual LEED Online form for documentation, or the sample form? The sample form is just for informational purposes.
Hi BH
I just ran in to the same problem I think. Although everything is filled out correctly in the version 4 form and the value is well under 100 the number of credits earned still remains zero. I have done this credit before and I'm confident nothing is missing. So as Tristan says above I am going to try the feedback form online and see if there is a better version of it.
Maria
Make sure that under credit information, you have checked the number of points you're trying to earn (assuming that option is available on this credit.)
No sorry, it's a 2 or nothing credit. Nothing to check.
Alright, well it was worth a shot. You should submit feedback. In addition I would call GBCI and have them open the form to see if they can reproduce the issue. It's nice to know that it's not just your machine. They will also document the interaction which is helpful when you get a response to your feedback message.
Good luck!
HVAC System
HVAC for the whole building is in the process of being designed (VRF system). We would like to know if the system can be installed in 2 stages, but we would like to submit the LEED certification after stage 1 is completed. Is this a valid approach for LEED CS 2009? Could this stepped approach in installing the HVAC System compromise the certification?
• The first stage comprises all piping and HVAC preparations for the whole building, but HVAC equipment would be initially installed only in the areas to be occupied by the owner of the project. This would happen before full occupation and appropriate commissioning tests are conducted.
• The second stage of the project is to install HVAC units on the tenants’ spaces as they occupy their rented areas.
Yolanda, your description seems consistent with how a typical CS HVAC system might be installed, and seems consistent with the credit requirements. You do need to require the use of certain systems in your tenant lease agreements to qualify for the credit, however.
Please, How to calculate the
Please,
How to calculate the Refrigerant Charge??
Thanks!
Joaquim, I would consult the manufacturer, and/or check the nameplate on the HVAC unit.
leakage rate
I was told that "the USGBC changed the way they force manufacturer's to calculate their refrigerant amounts within the last year. The biggest change has been the leakage percentage. Where this manufacturer had used 0.73% in the past based off of their own studies of their equipment, the USGBC now requires every manufacturer to use 2% which obviously increases the refrigerant amount. Combine this with the mandated minimum efficiencies which forces everyone to use larger condenser coils, and no manufacturer meets the USGBC refrigerant requirements."
Is this true and IS the bar for compliance set that high in LEED 2009?
Thanks, John
John,
This is true for v2.2 projects registered after April 30, 2009, but not true for LEED 2009. The default leakage rateThe speed at which an appliance loses refrigerant, measured between refrigerant charges or over 12 months, whichever is shorter. The leakage rate is expressed in terms of the percentage of the appliance's full charge that would be lost over a 12-month period if the rate stabilized. (EPA Clean Air Act, Title VI, Rule 608). is still 2%, but according to the Reference Guide, "Applicants may use alternative values for refrigerant leakage rate...provided the alternative values are approved by the USGBC."
When using alternative values in the calculations, they ask for documentation of the Manufacturer's test data; leak detection equipment; preventative maintenance program to minimize leakage; and a program to recover/recycle the refrigerant at the end of life.
So if you have the manufacturer leakage rate and the other components in place, you should be able to use an alternative leakage rate as long as it is accepted by the reviewer.
Daniel thanks. Our preferred RTU manufacturer is asking if there is a set process for pre-approval of alternate leakage rates by the USGBC, or is this 'approval' done on a project by project alternative basis during certification? Or could one project's credit success via an alternative compliance path and leakage rate constitute 'approval' for subsequent projects? Thanks for any guidance. John
John,
For 2009, there is no pre-approval process and approvals are on a project by project basis. As you said, you would submit the documentation along with your design or construction submittal as an alternative compliance path.
Average Maximum Refrigerant Charge, or Charge per Unit?
I am having trouble understanding the allowable amount of refrigerant charge if I have multiple chillers and would like to pursue EA Credit 4. According to the reference guide, "Most projects have multiple units of base building NVAC&R equipment, but if each unit is compliant, the project as a whole meets the requirement." What happens if I have two units, only one of which is compliant on its own, but if the two units are averaged together, then they're compliant? Or, more simply, I am I allowed to use the average, or does one chiller with too much refrigerant charge make me ineligible for this credit?
The calculations are the weighted average refrigerant impact of all pieces of equipment. So if one unit is compliant and one isn't, but their weighted average is compliant than your project is compliant.
Thanks very much, this is extremely helpful.
Please register to use the forum.