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Eliminate CFC-based refrigerants
This prerequisite focuses on the elimination of CFC-based refrigerants that contribute to ozone depletion in HVAC&R equipment. Although fire suppression systems are covered by EAc4, you're not required to consider them for this prerequisite. Doing so in conjunction with EAc4 is a good idea, however.
The credit covers all space-conditioning and refrigeration systems included in the LEED scope of work, including chillers; unitary HVAC equipment (split and packaged); room and window air-conditioners; computer, data center, and telecom room-cooling units; and commercial refrigeration equipment. The prerequisite does not, however, apply to small units and other types of equipment, such as refrigerators and small water coolers that contain less than 0.5 pounds...
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34 Comments
September 2011 ADDENDA
I was looking for EAp3 addendas and found that all requirements on existing CFC based HVAC system phase out was removed from the Refence Guide (5/9/11). Did anyone noted that or had a recent case where even with a CFC based existing system had not even to explain why phase out was not considered?
In this case I understand that LEED User might review this pre requisite with these information.
DES and required Leakage Rate Calculations
I have a project on a looped DES with a couple of non-compliant CFC-chillers upstream/on the same loop.
A 3rd-party audit has determined that phase-out is not economically beneficial in 10-years or less, so we will be filing for the alternative compliance path and including this assessment for the reviewers.
BUT, per the DES guidance document "Treatment of District or Campus Energy in LEED . . . 2009-Design & Construction," the owner is also required to reduce any CFC leakages to 5% or less using the EPA Clean Air Act, Title VI, Rule 608.
Using the required EPA calculation (as also explained in the LEED EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems. 2009 reference guide on page 148), how do we "set the time" for the calculation?
To be clear, do we perform this calc for each piece of CFC-equipment and set T for time to the last time refrigerant was added OR 365 days, whichever is shorter? Or does the time start at some other benchmark, such as the project registration date?
Please clarify--thanks very much!
Brooks, I'm not sure I understand your question, but I'll try to answer it. First, the calculation is performed for each HVAC&R "system." So this may or may not be the same as each piece of equipment.
In terms of T for time, I think the options are clear: 365 or last time refrigerant was added, whichever is less. It doesn't relate to project registration date.
new project with old HVAC
I would like to know if the following complies with EAp3:
We have a new construction (in process 2011) and the owner is purchasing an old HVAC systems that used R-12. Would we comply with EAp3 credit by changing the refrigerant to R-22?, or would we need to adapt the equipment compressor to use R-134A?
It is not clear in the credit, if I can use older equipment for a NC and the equipment coming from a different source.
Correction to the above question, the refrigerant of the HVAC being purchased is R406A which is a mix of R22 (55%), R142b (41%) and R600 (4%). Would R-406A be acceptable for crdit EAp3? It is not under the drop down menu of the form, but could it be used showing that it has low IDP and GWP values?
Timo, I would say that this is acceptable, as I don't believe any of those refrigerants are CFCsChlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are hydrocarbons that are used as refrigerants and cause depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer.. On the LEED Online form, I would probably enter R-22 as the closest fit, and explain in the narrative how you documented it.
Manufacturer Name and Model Number
Hello,
As you know, the LEED online Letter template requires us to input the Manufacturer Name and Model Number of the refrigeration systems being used on the project
The issue we're facing is that the exact models have not been chosen yet. They will be selected and purchased by the contractor based on the performance specifications. The M&E have already specified the max Refrigerant Charges allowed and the fact that CFCsChlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are hydrocarbons that are used as refrigerants and cause depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer. are prohibited.
Knowing that this is a design credit, can I upload the excerpt of specs showing the max Refrigerant Charges and the non-CFC requirement ? Or should I wait till the contractor chooses the models (which is at construction phase)
Thanks for help,
I would wait till you have the required information and submit at the construction phase.
On the other hand, you could try entering the information now as best you can, and you'll have a chance to modify it later if the reviewer questions it.
Thanks Tristan !
Need some clarity on 3rd party audit of Refrigerant phase out.
Dear All, We are working on a project opting for LEED CI, the building owner has recently replaced the refrigerant (R22) & not interested in changing now. In the case of economic feasibility could we get it done from the HVAC consultant/ 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. Agent of our project space itself? What does 3rd party means here exactly?
Yes, the HVAC person or CxAThe commissioning authority (CxA) is the individual designated to organize, lead, and review the completion of commissioning process activities. The CxA facilitates communication among the owner, designer, and contractor to ensure that complex systems are installed and function in accordance with the owner's project requirements. could do it. Third-party means not the owner.
Refrigerant phase-out for DES system
I am working with a client to determine if they will be able to achieve certification using LEED EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems.. The building is connected to a district chilled water plant where R-11 is used. My client purchases the water, they do not own the plant, therefore have no influence on chiller phase-out or replacement. Is there any guidance available on how to meet this prerequisite under these circumstances?
If we pursue the economic analysis option, should would be considering stand alone refrigeration equipment for this building replacing connection to the district plant? An analysis for replacing chillers does not seem to apply to my client since they would not own the chillers or finance the replacement.
Sarah, a good starting place may be the DES guidance doc for EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems.. I posted a link to it on the EAp1 forum.
Natural Ventilation Only
My project will not use any mechanical ventilation system. Is that satified with the requirements of this credit?
Yes, if you also avoid CFC-based refrigerants in any fire suppression systems.
Refrigerant Phase Out Feasibility
We are designing a building for a client that will use purchased steam and chilled water from a local central plant. The central plant still has R-11 chillers and we advised them they needed a phase out plan. The client has engaged a third party to prepare a study of two phase out alternatives; replacement and retrofit. Can anyone provide guidance as to the level of effort required by USGBC/GBCI in the study of the feasibility of refrigerant phase out in order to claim exemption from the pre-requisite? At the surface it seems like it won't be hard for the client to squirm out of this pre-requisite.
The latest district energy system guidelines provide the details of compliance with EAp3 Prerequisite. These are copied below, and available at http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=7671
"All applicable upstream systems must either be CFC-free or a commitment to phasing out CFC- based refrigerants must be in place, with a firm timeline of five years from substantial completion of the LEED project. Prior to phase out, reduce annual leakage of CFC-based refrigerants to 5% or less using EPA Clean Air Act, Title VI, Rule 608 procedures governing refrigerant management and reporting.
An alternative compliance path for buildings connected to a central chilled water system requires a third party audit showing that system replacement or conversion is not economically feasible. The replacement of a chiller(s) will be considered to be not economically feasible if the simple payback of the replacement is greater than 10 years. To determine the simple payback, divide the cost of implementing the replacement by the annual total cost avoidance for energy (consumption and demand charges) that results from the replacement and any difference in maintenance costs including make-up refrigerants. If CFC-based refrigerants are maintained in the central system, reduce annual leakage to 5% or less using EPA Clean Air Act, Title VI, Rule 608 procedures
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governing refrigerant management and reporting and reduce the total leakage over the remaining life of the unit to less than 30% of its refrigerant charge."
Thank you for your reply, we understand the DES rules but my question really had to do with trying to understand the level of rigor required in the audit to confirm the financial feasibility of the refrigerant replacement.
Is there a sample audit that has been previously submitted to USGBC that could be posted as a template to follow. My concern is that the client will commission a third party audit that will not, in my opinion, have the level of rigor suitable for a LEED pre-requisite. I was hoping to gain knowledge of the level of effort required so I can help ensure an audit is performed that meets the rigor of the LEED review process.
Audit maybe a standard walk-through. You can use ASHRAE level II as a process, limited for the chiller. The audit needs to result to answer the questions- how old is the chiller, how much energy it will save if replaced, refrigerants used, leakage rates and supporting documentation to go with it.
EAp3 - Refrigerant Free Project, Not documenting Compliance
We have a project located on a university campus. The chilled water from the campus cooling plant will not be hooked up to the new facility. All cooling is achieved by natural ventilation, or forced ventilation and direct evaporative cooling.
Everything on the form appears correct, however the form does not indicate that the project is complying with the prerequisite.
I feel like I am overlooking something.
What am I missing here?
Thanks.
Have you double-checked that there isn't something in one of the project information forms that would affect this form for you? For example Plf2 has a place that indicates whether the project is connected to campus chilled water. I think that if this box is checked you see a completely different form for EAp3.
R22 & R123 - How do they meet EA p3 requirement?
I'm not sure I understand the question above? My project team decided to commit to LEED certification under the NC rating system after our design was completed and scope was purchased. Can the construction team respond to the fundamental phase out requirements referenced in EAp3 in lieu of the designer? (FYI - Computer Room units were designed to use R22 and chillers were designed to use R123) They were purchased over a year ago)?
Thomas, I am not sure I understand your question, since R-22 and R-123 refrigerants are compliant with EAp3. Why do you want to phase them out?
Can I use HCFC refrigerant, such as R22 and R123?
What the detailed meaning of CFC-based refrigerant? If I use HCFC refrigerant, can I meet the EA p3 requirement?
Atkins,
Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) is an organic compound that contains carbon, chlorine, and fluorine, produced as a volatile derivative of methane and ethane. Yes, you meet the requirement of this prerequisite if you use HCFC refrigerant such as R22 and R123.
Quantity of Equipment
I'm trying to fill out the LEED online form for this credit and it seems to only let me add up to 10 rows for equipment. We have more than 10 pieces of equipment using refrigerant between HVAC and food service. Should I just group similar equipment together (as long as its the same refrigerant type) even though they do not have the same model number?
I think you are referring to the LEED-NC v2.2 form. Different equipment models have different refrigerant charge so need to be separately listed for EAc4 calculations. You can use the EAc4 calculator found in the Documentation Toolkit above that can list all the equipment. In the LEED template, add a narrative about using supplemental calculators to complete these calculations and upload the document on LEED Online.
I'm using the LEED 2009 template and it's definitely only letting me have 10 rows. After that, it adds a blank page but no more rows. I could try grouping similar equipment together as Ryan suggested, unless anyone has any further advice.
Kenneth, you could also follow the suggestion I gave about the supplemental calculator, or another option is to contact GBCI and ask them to add rows to the form. They have reportedly been amenable to this on forms for other LEED 2009 credits.
Installation Date
How can this be a design credit yet you must document an installation date for equipment?
Hi Alison, you are right this is a design credit and can be submitted during design phase. For ‘Installed’ date you can put an approximate date the air conditioning equipment will be installed. The field is useful for the review team to estimate available refrigerants at the time of installation. This credit covers all projects including major renovation that may have existing systems.
My project team decided to commit to LEED certification under the NC rating system after our design was completed and scope was purchased. Can the construction team respond to the fundamental phase out requirements referenced in EAp3 (FYI-our MDFMedium-density fiberboard (MDF): Panel product used in cabinets and furniture; generally made from wood fiber glued together with binder; similar to particleboard, but with finer texture, offering more precise finishing. Most MDF is made with formaldehyde-emitting urea-formaldehyde binder. Liebert units were designed to use R22 and were purchased 1 year ago)?
Refrigerant quantities as a % of the overall project equip.????
Our review of EAp3 (v2.2) has asked for a narrative that includes the refrigerant quantities as a percentage of the overall project equipment. Can anyone help us determine what they are asking for?
Hi Sara, EAc4 uses 'Rc' that is refrigerant charge in lbs/ton for each air conditioning equipment. This is pounds of refrigerant required per ton of air conditioning capacity (lbs/tons). It sounds like the reviewer is asking for the same information.
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