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Achievable prerequisite
This prerequisite is highly achievable, and worth doing, because it will give you valuable information on the performance and efficiency of your operations.
It’s all about documentation
You’ll need to develop documentation that incorporates operational best practices to earn this prerequisite. The focus is on documenting standard operating procedures (SOPs) and best practices for building personnel and establishing a baseline approximation of building energy efficiency, major end-uses, and potential opportunities to reduce energy consumption.
You’ll need to provide the following documents:
- Building Operating PlanA general...
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34 Comments
Energy Star for a Manufacturing - Assembly Company
I'm working with a client that is a manufacturing/assembly company. Their building complex includes a 11,300 sq.ft. office space and a 50,000 warehouse and assembly area. The company produces products that are made up or component parts and the do bend some sheet metal.
On the surface, the manufacturing area does not qualify for the Energy Star tool. However, warehouses do qualify. Energy Star is the only way to earn additional energy efficiency credits.
We think that if we declared the entire manufacturing space a warehouse and then operate the facility with all process equipment unplugged for some period of time, we can determine the power load of the building and then use the Energy Star tool.
What do you think of this approach? What should the measurement time be for load of process equipment (we are thinking 24 hours of each operating scenario)? Are there other approaches that would allow us to use the Energy Star tool?
Jenny Carney replied Director, YRG sustainability Dec 14 2009
Robert - you're right about Energy Star not rating manufacturing spaces. But, the good news is that USGBC has established a path for these unusual building types to perform energy benchmarking to meet EAp2 and earn points under EAc1. If you haven't already, I'd recommend checking out the EAc1 EBOM2009 Case 2 Calculator, which can be downloaded from LEED Online under the Credit Resources for EAc1 (the Reference Guide offers further info about how to use it).
This is the tool that I've seen other building's with big manufacturing spaces use, and the number of points you'll be eligible for will depend on which of the benchmarking options you choose.
In my opinion, you wouldn't be allowed to declare the manufacturing space as a warehouse for the purposes of getting an Energy Star rating because this other benchmarking path already exists and is specifically to help teams benchmark manufacturing spaces. If you do want to try the other route though, I definitely recommend using a Credit Interpretation Request (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) to get an official opinion before proceeding.
CIR Process
In Jenny's response to my initial post she wrote " If you do want to try the other route though, I definitely recommend using a Credit Interpretation Request (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) to get an official opinion before proceeding." I have researched the CIR process and the CIR submission screen asks that we attempt the credit before submitting the CIR. Is it possible to submit a CIR request prior to attempting the credit? Is there a fee for doing so?
Your informed opinions please.
Thanks,
Bob
Jenny Carney replied Director, YRG sustainability Jan 18 2010
Bob, you're correct. You generally need to register the project and then in LEED Online indicate that you are pursuing that credit (this just means marking it in LEED Online as attempted - you don't actually need to compile or submit any aspects of your LEED application at this stage). This will allow you to submit 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 through the online platform, and the fee for CIRs is $220.
If you haven't registered the project yet, there still may be a way to submit the CIR, but I'd recommend getting in touch with the GBCI help folks for the details on if and how it works.
And, in case you haven't checked out this portion of the GBCI web site yet, here's a link to the policy and fees information around CIRs: http://www.gbci.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=168
commercial building document templates for EAp1 submittal
I am looking for detail submittal templates:
- Building Operating PlanA general documentation summarizing the intended operation of each base building system described in the systems narrative; the building operating plan may also be known as "Owner's Operating Requirements" or similar. The operating plan includes the time-of-day schedules for each system for each of the eight day types (Monday to Sunday plus holidays), the mode of operation for each system when it is running (occupied vs. unoccupied; day vs. night, etc.), and the desired indoor conditions or setpoints for each schedule or mode. The operating plan accounts for any differences in needs or desired conditions for different portions of the project building, as well as any seasonal variations in operations patterns. The plan accounts for all the monitored space conditions used to control the base systems, i.e., air temperature, relative humidity, occupancy, light level, CO2 levels, room pressurization, duct static pressure, etc.
- Sequence of Operations
- System Narrative
- Preventive Maintenance Plan
Jason Franken replied LEED Consultant, YRG sustainability Apr 01 2010
Thomas, there are are samples of the Building Operating PlanA general documentation summarizing the intended operation of each base building system described in the systems narrative; the building operating plan may also be known as "Owner's Operating Requirements" or similar. The operating plan includes the time-of-day schedules for each system for each of the eight day types (Monday to Sunday plus holidays), the mode of operation for each system when it is running (occupied vs. unoccupied; day vs. night, etc.), and the desired indoor conditions or setpoints for each schedule or mode. The operating plan accounts for any differences in needs or desired conditions for different portions of the project building, as well as any seasonal variations in operations patterns. The plan accounts for all the monitored space conditions used to control the base systems, i.e., air temperature, relative humidity, occupancy, light level, CO2 levels, room pressurization, duct static pressure, etc. and Sequence of Operations in the LEED for Green Building: Operations & Maintenance Reference Guide (v2009) that you can use as starting points; there are also very comprehensive descriptions of the criteria for the other documents in the Reference Guide as well. A Building Operating Plan is typically built out in an Excel spreadsheet or simple table format, whereas the other documents are usually in a plain written format. We don't provide templates for these documents because they are typically so customized to the conditions and procedures at each individual project building. Start off by spending some time looking through the Reference Guide; the information for EAp1 is actually pretty thorough and can be very useful.
Cost of ASHRAE Level I Energy Audit
Hi I was wondering if someone had a rough figure for the cost of a level I audit? Is the cost based on square footage? I gotten a quote but seems very high. Also, I was wondering if you had any reccommendations for finding an energy auditor in my area. Do you think only engineering firms would have someone capable of performing the audit or might heating and air companies have someone qualified to do the audit?
Tristan Roberts replied Editor – LEEDuser, BuildingGreen, LLC May 12 2010
Rachael, unfortunately LEEDuser can't answer your fee question because, well, it's tough to answer because of the specifics involved in a project, but also because we can't be seen as dictating what a fee "should" be.
I do think that HVAC companies may have staff with the qualifications to do an audit, just keep an eye out for biases. And if you don't like the quote you get, see if you can shop around a bit. A lot of this also depends on your location and what's available.
Kimberly Walton replied Sustainability Project Engineer, PBS&J Aug 18 2010
Check with the building's utility provider - our electric utility did the Level 1 Audit free of charge and also helps us get rebates for lighting upgrades.
Building Operation Plan
In the LEED for Green Building: Operations & Maintenance Reference Guide (v2009) it gives a sample building operation plan on page 130. Under "Process and office equipment status after-hours" it gives "100-300 tons of FC units with chiller waste coils serving equipment loads". What do they mean by "FC units"?
Tristan Roberts replied Editor – LEEDuser, BuildingGreen, LLC May 21 2010
Aileen, that means "fan-coil" units in this context, although "fc1. A footcandle (fc) is a measure of light falling on a given surface. One footcandle is defined as the quantity of light falling on a 1-square-foot area from a 1 candela light source at a distance of 1 foot (which equals 1 lumen per square foot). Footcandles can be measured both horizontally and vertically by a footcandle meter or light meter. 2. The non-metric measurement of lumens per square foot, one footcandle is the amount of light that is received one foot from a light source called a candela, which is based on the light output of a standardized candle. A common range for interior lighting is 10 to 100 footcandles, while exterior daytime levels can range from 100 to over 10,000 footcandles. Footcandles decrease with distance from the light source. The metric equivalent of a foot candle is 10.76 lux, or lumens per square meter." can also stand for "footcandles," a relevant measurement for light pollution reduction and other lighting issues.
2 years metering data
For the Level I Energy audit, it requires analysis of two or more years of utility consumption and cost. The building we are trying to certify shares an electric meter with other buildings on the property. We are going to install a 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. but, in the mean time how do we address this lack of metering data for this individual building for the energy audit. Any suggestions?
Jenny Carney replied Director, YRG sustainability Jun 01 2010
In my experience, most teams perform the preliminary energy use analysis (which is a prelude to the Level I audit) based on an energy use intensity value (e.g., kbtu/sf). Maybe you could take historic campus data to create an EUI that will allow you to perform the analysis and still have a comparison point once your 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. is set up for building specific data (this isn't perfect in terms of establishing a history, but might be workable).
Also, the ASHRAE Procedurs for Commercial Building Energy Audits document states that you need utility data for at least a one-year period (page 6), which is the same as what you'll need to do the EAp2/EAc1 benchmarking. Where are you seeing the 2-year requirement?
Igor Barer replied Director of Engineering Services, Environmental Building Strategies Jun 01 2010
Rachael,
How are you addressing the lack of energy data for EA Prereq 2 & Credit 1?
Are the two buildings that share the meter similar in size and function?
I'll work on digging farther into this so hopefully you won't have to avoid the credit...
Rachael McClain replied Jun 04 2010
Igor-
The metering data I'm referring to is for EA Prereq 1 where it is required to have metering data for the ASHRAE Level I walkthrough analysis. Thanks for your help.
Rachael McClain replied Jun 04 2010
Jenny-
The ASHRAE Procedure for Commercial Building Energy Audits document where it specifies two years is one page one under OUTLINE, under number one. it says "Analysis of two or more years of utility consumption and cost". In your opinion, do you think I should consult with USGBC? Since this is a prerequisiste I don't want to end up having them reject our application if they don't accept an estimation of the utility data. Thanks for your help.
Igor Barer replied Director of Engineering Services, Environmental Building Strategies Jun 04 2010
Rachael,
I was wondering what data you are using for Prereq 2 because that is the same information you'll be analyzing through the Audit process for Prereq 1.
Rachael McClain replied Jun 04 2010
Hi Igor-
We will have to get the building sub-metered and start inputing the data over 12 mo. period (performance period) so we can get a rating for EA prereq 2. We are attempting to complete the Energy Audit now so we can identify energy improvements we can make before the performance period starts.
Igor Barer replied Director of Engineering Services, Environmental Building Strategies Jun 04 2010
Rachel,
Ok - now I understand. You technically have the utility bills for the property... You just happen to have them for multiple units on the property that aren't necessarily being certified at the same time. I think analyzing the bills as you have them as well as doing an audit of the systems to discover expected load for each of the energy using systems will suffice for the "walk-through" audit. To be safe and diligent you will want to compare those expected loads to actual when you start 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)..
AHU serving more than 1 space
If an 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. is serving more than 1 space and these spaces are of different occupancy/usage patterns (ie serving partly an office, a corridor, and an auditorium), how do we input the space assigned to this particular AHU? Do we assume it to be serving the biggest load? or the most used? Or do we enter it once for each of the spaces - how do we account for its capacity for each space?
Jenny Carney replied Director, YRG sustainability Jun 24 2010
Is your question about the ASHRAE 62.1 calculations for EQp1? I'm not sure what aspect of the EAp1 requirements this question would relate to.
Meeting EAp1 using Demand Controlled ventilation
In our existing building we have demand controlled ventilation for which minimum air flow rate is set at 0.006*conditioned area in sq.ft and DCV controls the air flow rate according the CO2Carbon dioxide setpoint. The CO2 sensor is in the breathing zoneThe breathing zone is the region within an occupied space between 3 and 6 feet above the floor and more than 2 feet from walls or fixed air-conditioning equipment. (AHSRAE 62.12007) and the maximum set point for CO2 is 600 ppmParts per million.. The occupancy level fluctuates during the course of the day and I would like to know whether this kind of arrangement meets the IEQp1 requirement? If not how one can meet the IEQp1 requirement with Demand Controlled Ventilation?
Tristan Roberts replied Editor – LEEDuser, BuildingGreen, LLC Jul 02 2010
Anandraj, did you mean to post this question to the IEQp1 forum? I think you're more likely to get an answer there.
Individual document uploads for LEED Online website
The leed online v3 website shows separate file upload categories. If the mechanical engineer has provided the Sequence of Operations and the Systems Narrative as part of the Building Operating PlanA general documentation summarizing the intended operation of each base building system described in the systems narrative; the building operating plan may also be known as "Owner's Operating Requirements" or similar. The operating plan includes the time-of-day schedules for each system for each of the eight day types (Monday to Sunday plus holidays), the mode of operation for each system when it is running (occupied vs. unoccupied; day vs. night, etc.), and the desired indoor conditions or setpoints for each schedule or mode. The operating plan accounts for any differences in needs or desired conditions for different portions of the project building, as well as any seasonal variations in operations patterns. The plan accounts for all the monitored space conditions used to control the base systems, i.e., air temperature, relative humidity, occupancy, light level, CO2 levels, room pressurization, duct static pressure, etc.. Would you recommend separating the documents into their individual documents to facilitate the LEED review process? Or is possible that all documents may be encompassed by the Building Operating Plan?
Jenny Carney replied Director, YRG sustainability Jul 30 2010
John, this is not an uncommon strategy and grouping the documents together isn't usually a problem in my experience. You may want to label the file in a way that makes it clear that the content for for all three key components is included within, and also make it clear within the document where the various content lies. Where reviewers have trouble is a if a really, really long document isn't separated into clearly label ed sections that map to the main keywords (e.b., BOP, Sequence of Ops, etc..
LEED EBOM performance period for EA credits.
I'm a little confused about when the performance period for the building I am certifying should start. They have an Energy Star rating of 85 which was given to them in March of 2010. They will also hopefully be replacing all the HVAC units, but aside from that there will not be a great deal of energy usage change. Can the performance period be retroactive during the time of the Energy Star audit? Can I start it halfway through the Energy Star audit (for my 12 months and then still use the Energy Star audit's info to complete the EA PR 2 credit and EA credit 1?
It seems like because of the Energy Star I can cut down my time for LEED EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems. certification in half from a 1 1/2 years to about 8 months. I would love some advice in this area from anyone who has knowledge. Thanks!
Jenny Carney replied Director, YRG sustainability Aug 11 2010
Hi Adam,
Are you wondering about the performance period timing for the ASHRAE Level 1 Audit (EAp1) or the Energy Star benchmarking (EAp2/EAc1), or both?
Either way, you have some options. For EAp2/EAc1 the normal strategy is to benchmark based on 12 months of consecutive utility data, with the end date of that period meeting the standard performance period timing rules:
a) within a shared 30-day window when performance periods for all prereqs/credits must end, and;
b) the end of that 30-day window landing no more than 60 days prior to the date of submission
If you have an official Energy Star label, meaning that you've had a PE evaluate your benchmarking, sent an application to Energy Star, etc. you can take the streamlined approach for documentation EAp2/EAc1 by simply using the score associated with that label, as long as the label was issued within 1 year of the application date.
For EAp1, the audit generally has to be performed within 2 years of the performance period end date for that prereq (which would need to meet the general rules for performance period timing from above). If you have an older ASHRAE audit you want to use, see the Reference Guide to determine if the exception to this guideline applies to you. The timing of the ASHRAE audit doesn't really need to correlate to the Energy Star benchmarking period in any specific way beyond the standard performance period timing rules.
Anyway, if you have your other ducks in a row and an official Energy Star label, you can use that score of 85 as long as you submit your LEED application before the year is up.
Adam Meltzer replied LEED AP_Designer, Shlemmer+Algaze+Associates Aug 18 2010
Thanks for the comment. What I am really concerned about is the 12-month performance period for all my EA credits. Being that all my other performance periods need approx 3 months and they need to end within 30 days of eachother. Doesn't it make sense to use our renewal date for Energy Star of March 2011 to end the performance period for everything? Then within that time I can do my ASHRAE audits 1 and 2 and get the commissioning credits going as well.
I hope this clears up my concern. Any advice is appreciated.
Jenny Carney replied Director, YRG sustainability Aug 26 2010
Hmm, you could shoot for March 2011 and have until then to use your official label. But, if you're going through the trouble of energy audits/Cx1. Commissioning (Cx) is the process of verifying and documenting that a building and all of its systems and assemblies are planned, designed, installed, tested, operated, and maintained to meet the owner's project requirements. 2. The process of checking the performance of a building against the owner's goals during design, construction, and occupancy. At a minimum, mechanical and electrical equipment are tested, although much more extensive testing may also be included., you'll probably start saving energy and therefore start seeing improvements in your Energy Star score, so you may no longer want to use the official label/associated score.
BOP & ASHRAE
The LEED Guidebook cites the ASHRAE 2007 Handbook as reference material and the sample Building Operating PlanA general documentation summarizing the intended operation of each base building system described in the systems narrative; the building operating plan may also be known as "Owner's Operating Requirements" or similar. The operating plan includes the time-of-day schedules for each system for each of the eight day types (Monday to Sunday plus holidays), the mode of operation for each system when it is running (occupied vs. unoccupied; day vs. night, etc.), and the desired indoor conditions or setpoints for each schedule or mode. The operating plan accounts for any differences in needs or desired conditions for different portions of the project building, as well as any seasonal variations in operations patterns. The plan accounts for all the monitored space conditions used to control the base systems, i.e., air temperature, relative humidity, occupancy, light level, CO2 levels, room pressurization, duct static pressure, etc. has an entry for "outside air" indicating comliance to ASHRAE 62.1-2007.
My question:
1) Does the Building Operation Plan have to comply with the latest ASHRAE Standard, in this case 62.1-2007 or is compliance w/ earlier versions acceptable?
2) If compliance with earlier versions is acceptable, how early a version will be acceptable to LEED?
I ask since my client's building has been in operation since 1991, although they have done a good job updating their facility.
Jenny Carney replied Director, YRG sustainability Aug 26 2010
You might want to check out the criteria for EQp1. Building's with HVAC systems physically capable of meeting 62.1-2007 OA rates must demonstrate they are doing so during the performance period. Assessing compliance against an older version of the standard would not be allowed, though some building's that can't meet ASHRAE 62.1-2007 can use the other compliance path to show at least 10 CFM / person.
Pablo Fortunato Suarez replied Principal ESD Consultant/Architect, GreenArc Sustainable Building & Architecture Aug 30 2010
Thank you Jenny. Regards.
LEED EB O&M
An exisitng Nursing Home (Long Term Care) building is planned to have major renovations including new Mechanical & Electrical Systems, targeted for EB O&M after renovations.
Question: Is there any precidence of getting Innovation Credit for EB O&M by using New Construction Credits E&A for Fundamental Commissioning, M&R Credit for Cpnstruction Waste Management, Recycle Content, Regioanl Materials; IEQ Credits of Construction 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., Daylight Views ?
Tristan Roberts replied Editor – LEEDuser, BuildingGreen, LLC Aug 29 2010
Not exactly, no. All of the topics you mentioned are covered by regular (not Innovation) LEED-EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems. credits, so there is not a rationale for getting Innovation credit for them. However, doing the things you mention will only help you when it comes time to earn those credits.
Feel free to post back with more specific questions.
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