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M&V helps buildings live up to expectations
Despite aiming high during design, LEED-certified buildings don’t always perform as well as expected. A measurement and verification (M&V) program can make building operators aware of performance issues, and can locate the source of problems or identify poor design assumptions while providing a better overall sense of how the building’s systems are functioning.
While M&V can be applied to a variety of metrics, including water use and indoor environmental quality, EAc5.1 focuses only on energy performance. To earn it, you’ll need to develop an M&V plan, install devices to support the plan, and provide guidelines for tenants to carry out submetering...
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14 Comments
Extra Point = Building Performance Partnership
From the USGBC website:
"LEED 2009 for New Construction, LEED 2009 for Core & Shell, or LEED 2009 for Schools projects that participate in BPP Data Collection Phase 1 and signing a USGBC data release form (available via LEED Online) can earn one point under the Energy & Atmosphere Credit 5. Note: This option will be available in LEED Online soon."
Is there any more information on this? Is this an alternate option to this credit, or an additional point?
Tristan Roberts replied Editor – LEEDuser, BuildingGreen, LLC May 17 2010
Great question! I think this is pretty cool initiative. Unfortunately USGBC doesn't have any more info on it right now. LEEDuser is watching it closely and we'll post info on it when we can.
M&V Reporting Period
For the MPRs for a Core & Shell project, the five year data reporting period begins when occupancy achieves 50% of its "Typical Physical Occupancy". Is the start point the same for M&V?
Christopher Schaffner replied Principal, The Green Engineer, LLP Jul 13 2010
The start point for the M&V effort should be outlined in your M&V plan. In most cases, the clock would start running at move-in, but in the case of phased occupancy as you describe, I think it is really up to the M&V folks on your team to identify the appropriate timing.
Gordon Shymko replied Principal, G. F. Shymko & Associates Inc. Jul 14 2010
I agree with Chris on this, but would add that the building should be as close to full and stable long term occupancy as possible. The objective of M&V is to verify that the building is operating/performing as intended, and this can really only be accomplished if the building is occupied as intended.
A question on a related subject
Hi, I could not find were to post this question, but I choose this space just because is somehow related to it:
The PI Form 1: Minimum Program Requirements asks that the the "Data Release Form must be on project owner letterhead, signed by the project owner and uploaded to LEED Online". However I have not been able to find were in LEED Online can upload this document.
¿Could you please help me with this issue?
Tristan Roberts replied Editor – LEEDuser, BuildingGreen, LLC Aug 16 2010
We were just discussing this very question under the LEED-EBOM EAc1 forum. I will refer you to that conversation.
M&V Plan for base building
I am currently working on an M&V plan for the base building of a Retail Center. After reading further into EAc5.1, I noticed that this credit is separate from tenant spaces. The only actual Landlord areas are a couple of riser rooms, exterior and parking lot lighting. With this scope, would we be eligible for this credit?
Gordon Shymko replied Principal, G. F. Shymko & Associates Inc. Aug 02 2010
In general, the M&V program is limited to the base building systems. If the extent of the base building is extremely limited, then the project may fall into the category of "not all projects are eligible for all LEED credits". I suggest a 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 in this particular case.
M&V Plan - Questions
Dear all,
I am attempting LEED 2009 CS, EA Cr 5.1 & Cr 5.2.
My project is 4 multi-storey commercial buildings, whereby a different tenant occupies each floor of a building.
1) When considering Fans, do we need to install 1 submeterSubmetering is used to determine the proportion of energy or water use within a building attributable to specific end uses such as tenant spaces, or subsystems such as the heating component of an HVAC system. for all fans of the building, or 1 submeter per fan (meaning 1 submeter per tenant) ?
2) We have primary and secondary pumps. Should we submeter both types of pumps together, or submeter each separately?
3) There is a meter for "IT and small equipment", a meter for "fans", a meter for "pumps", and a meter for "total electricity consumption". The remaining category is the HVAC. Do we need to install a dedicated submeter for the HVAC, or are we allowed to subtract the IT, fans, and pumps consumption from the "Total electricity consumption", to get the remaining HVAC consumption?
Many thanks!
Christopher Schaffner replied Principal, The Green Engineer, LLP Aug 25 2010
5.2 is satisfied by submeteringSubmetering is used to determine the proportion of energy use within a building attributable to specific end uses or subsystems (e.g., the heating subsystem of an HVAC system). each tenant space independently.
For 5.1, you really need to start with your M&V plan. First decide which IPMVPThe International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP) provides best-practice protocol for measurement and verification of new construction. This standard is referenced in LEED's measurement and verification credits. path you are following. The answer to questions 1&2 above depend on the M&V plan you develop. If the fans are AHU1.Air-handling units (AHUs) are mechanical indirect heating, ventilating, or air-conditioning systems in which the air is treated or handled by equipment located outside the rooms served, usually at a central location, and conveyed to and from the rooms by a fan and a system of distributing ducts. (NEEB, 1997 edition) 2.A type of heating and/or cooling distribution equipment that channels warm or cool air to different parts of a building. This process of channeling the conditioned air often involves drawing air over heating or cooling coils and forcing it from a central location through ducts or air-handling units. Air-handling units are hidden in the walls or ceilings, where they use steam or hot water to heat, or chilled water to cool the air inside the ductwork. fans, one per tenant, then typically they would be metered individually. I would probably not meter each pump, but would instead trend data from the pump VFDs through the BAS.
For question 3, it is certainly appropriate to calculate some end uses, rather than metering them directly. If you've metered the total, and everything but "x", you know "x" as well.
Christopher Schaffner replied Principal, The Green Engineer, LLP Aug 25 2010
Actually, you could also gather data for each AHU1.Air-handling units (AHUs) are mechanical indirect heating, ventilating, or air-conditioning systems in which the air is treated or handled by equipment located outside the rooms served, usually at a central location, and conveyed to and from the rooms by a fan and a system of distributing ducts. (NEEB, 1997 edition) 2.A type of heating and/or cooling distribution equipment that channels warm or cool air to different parts of a building. This process of channeling the conditioned air often involves drawing air over heating or cooling coils and forcing it from a central location through ducts or air-handling units. Air-handling units are hidden in the walls or ceilings, where they use steam or hot water to heat, or chilled water to cool the air inside the ductwork. in the manner I described for the pumps. But for utility consumption accountability, you probably want AHUs serving a single tenant on the tenant electric meter.
George Abou Adal replied Aug 25 2010
Thanks Christopher!
I am using Option B: Energy Conservation Measure Isolation.
I understand from you that every AHU1.Air-handling units (AHUs) are mechanical indirect heating, ventilating, or air-conditioning systems in which the air is treated or handled by equipment located outside the rooms served, usually at a central location, and conveyed to and from the rooms by a fan and a system of distributing ducts. (NEEB, 1997 edition) 2.A type of heating and/or cooling distribution equipment that channels warm or cool air to different parts of a building. This process of channeling the conditioned air often involves drawing air over heating or cooling coils and forcing it from a central location through ducts or air-handling units. Air-handling units are hidden in the walls or ceilings, where they use steam or hot water to heat, or chilled water to cool the air inside the ductwork. Fan is to be metered alone.
Regarding the pumps, if I want to install submeters (and not trend data through the BAS), should I install for each of the primary and secondary pumps?
Many thanks!
Christopher Schaffner replied Principal, The Green Engineer, LLP Aug 25 2010
If this is new construction and/or the ECMS implemented are interactive, Option B may not be appropriate. Under Option B, you need to meter the ECMs you have implemented.
To your specific question, I'm struggling to understand what you'd learn by metering the pumps individually.
Again, first develop the M&V plan. Design the metering per the plan.
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