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Building systems submetering
This credit encourages the use of building systems 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). to enhance the ability of operational staff to analyze specific energy loads and to pinpoint potential areas for improvement in system-level or equipment performance. This detailed analysis is not possible through data collected by regular utility meters.
Although submetering can often lead to energy use reductions, the credit does not require you to demonstrate them.
To submeter or not to submeter
Many...
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12 Comments
EAp2/c1 Metering Requirements Also Earn EAc3.2?
If we had to meter things like hot water usage and chillers on a building level to comply with EAp2/c1 to do building-level metering of all incoming energy inputs, would we automatically be able to comply with EAc3.2? (Assuming that the chiller or boiler was 40% or more of total annual energy consumption).
Interpretation doubt
Hello,
I've got a doubt about the time that we should develop the breakdown of energy.
The guide says: "This analysis of major energy-use categories must have been conducted within 2 years prior to the date of application for LEED 2009 for Existing Buildings: Operation & Maintenance certification."
Do I have to conducted this analysis before the project has been registered or before the submission of the project?
Before submission.
What to do?
Our project team is working on LEED EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems. certification of an industrial compound, and there is a question we are not so sure about and we believe one of you may be able to help. The company which owns the compound we are working on has plans to install meters in the buildings located inside of it, to earn credit EA 3.2 – Performance Measurement: System-Level Metering. However, there are three buildings within the site, and we are wondering whether we will have to install sub meters for all main energy-consuming systems in each building or we can install general sub meters for the main energy-consuming systems of the compound as a whole (which would be easier). We are asking you this because each facility has its own energy distribution characteristics and we believe it will not be worth installing the 79 meters they calculate, for the costs they will pay. Is there any reasonable solution we can apply to earn this credit?
Tenant Electricity Meters
Does anyone have any experience with tenant sub-metering and compliance with this credit? The sub-meters will be arranged to monitor the lighting and plug load energy use of each suite throughout the building. By the letter of the law it seems that EAc3.2/EAc3.3 requires that all sub-metering is broken down by energy use categories and not by end users. It is my feeling however that tenant sub-metering would still meet the credit intent. It allows building tenants to be billed directly for their energy use and, in turn will promote responsible energy management. Finally, tenant sub-metering of lighting and plug loads together is allowable in LEED-CI EAc3.
Before I send through 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 I thought I'd see if anyone could pass through some insight.
Instantaneous and/or totalized
For natural gas metering applications, is continuous logging of instantaneous flows a requirement? Most meters just put out totalized pulses, so I'm assuming that's fine...
Any thoughts?
Does a BAS qualify?
Would a building automation system qualify as the 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). system if it could track energy consumption by end-use?
Hi Matthew -
A BAS could be part of compliance with this credit. However, as I'm sure you know, in order for a BAS to track energy consumption by end use, it will have to be connected to building meters and submeters. It is the extent and coverage of these submeters that is the main focus of this credit. However, a BAS can certainly help with the requirement that meters be read "continuously, automatically, and electronically" (p. 199 of the LEED Reference Guide for Green Building Operations and Maintenance). Other electronic monitoring systems can serve this function as well.
If the BAS tracks run time of Air Handlers, is it possible to derive their energy use by comparing run time to the unit's rated energy consumption? This would be much cheaper than 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)..
I'm not sure that would fulfill the energy metering requirement Nell. I'm concerned that if you multiply the rated energy consumption by the run time you may get inaccurate results. For example, the compressor in the AC unit may not run all the time, or the fan may ramp up and down with a speed drive or pressure fluctuations on the system. This method would only work if the air handlers ran at factory-tested conditions every time they were turned on.
Is it possible to get a determination from the USGBC if they will accept BAS "virtual meters," such as:
- Spot-measured, constant-load motors with integrated average runtime recorded every 15 minutes; or
- kW signals from VFDs, chillers, etc. with integrated average values recorded every 15 minutes?
And the list goes on. I believe there is a good argument for meeting the intent of this credit using these techniques as long as the "meters" are fairly accurate, but more importantly that they are repeatable for reliable (comparative) management purposes.
Anyone in a position to gain such a determination?
"Anyone in a position to gain such a determination?"
You are, if you have a registered LEED project. Submit a credit interpretation request.
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