NC-v2.2 EAc5: Measurement & Verification

  • NC_v2-2-EAc5_Type1_M&V Diagram

  • Monitor energy—or more

    Measurement and verification (M&V) involves recording actual energy use over the course of occupancy, and comparing that data with the estimated energy use seen in the design. The M&V process ensures all systems are performing as specified and identifies any anomalies in equipment, operations procedures or user habits. In addition, an M&V plan can help reduce energy costs, assist with commissioning, and, over time, document and improve the efficiencies of energy conservation measures.

    M&V gives you a plan and a system to compare your project’s actual performance against design predictions. While M&V can be applied to a variety of metrics including water use and indoor environmental quality, this credit focuses only on energy performance. To earn it, you’ll need to develop an M&V plan, and install devices to support the plan. The credit requirements don’t tell you exactly what systems to monitor—that depends on your mechanical system design and what equipment you have installed. In general, you are expected to monitor energy from all systems or components that will provide data points for end uses identified in the energy model and that will help in the recalibration of the model. 

    What’s it cost?

    The cost of M&V varies a lot. Added costs come from designing and installing specific monitoring systems, including adding multiple meters and wiring. The cost is higher in larger and more complex buildings or those with multiple uses. The cost premium will be lower if your project already plans to include a Building Management System (BMS) or submeters to record usage data. If your building is small with a minimum set of uses, and needs only few meters to meet the credit, an M&V system might also be relatively affordable.

    For large buildings that have complex mechanical and electrical systems and that do not have a BMS, adding the equipment and systems needed to implement an M&V plan is likely to be cost-prohibitive. Some projects also find that Option B (see the Checklists tab) is particularly costly due to the requirements of added meters and wiring. 

    Is it worth it?

    Despite aiming high during design, LEED-certified buildings don’t always perform as well as expected. An M&V program will not only help building operators be aware of performance issues, it can locate the source of problems or poor assumptions, and provide a better overall understanding of the value of energy-saving strategies.

    To make the investment worth it, the owner must be committed to developing and implementing the M&V plan, analyzing and understanding the building’s performance, and acting on the results. The cost premium of M&V installation and operation is typically offset by long-term energy savings, but this is highly dependent on the building type as well as the owner’s willingness to make needed changes and upgrades. The credit is generally more applicable for larger commercial buildings than residential buildings since its cost benefits may not affect the developers directly. Residential buildings may also see less benefit because the building operator has little control over energy use by residents.

    Who does it?

    The “M&V provider” takes responsibility for developing the M&V plan. This role can be filled by the commissioning agent, energy modeler, mechanical engineer, project engineer, or a facilities manager.

    What’s the standard?

    The industry standard for M&V, both in the U.S. and internationally, is the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (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.), owned by the nonprofit Efficiency Valuation Organization. LEED has singled out Volume III of the IPMVP guidance as the basis of its requirements. Several organizations have published M&V guidelines based on IPMVP. Among them are ASHRAE, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP), and some utilities and states that fund energy-efficiency projects. Some organizations with M&V standards offer guidance in writing M&V plans, including sample language. (See Resources for more information.)

Legend

  • Best Practices
  • Gotcha
  • Action Steps
  • Cost Tip

Pre-Design

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  • Consider incorporating a Building Management System (BMS) into the building. A BMS will streamline implementation of this credit, while offering other benefits.

  • Consider the impact of an M&V program on mechanical system design requirements. Consider whether or not your mechanical system is capable of providing the necessary outputs for the BMS or monitoring system. The outputs are typically the energy usage recorded as kWh, Btus or therms for a given period of time. It may be an automated record kept by the BMS, or a metered reading on the equipment manually carried out at regular intervals. The specifics of the output metric and duration would be determined in the M&V plan and depend on the system installed. 

     

  • The “M&V provider” develops M&V plan. This role can be filled by the commissioning agent, energy modeler, mechanical engineer, project engineer, or a facilities manager. 

     

  • Contract with the M&V provider early in the process so that system components and recommendations can be implemented seamlessly into systems rather than becoming add-ons.

Schematic Design

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  • Discuss as a team whether M&V will contribute to the project’s goals for energy reduction and systems monitoring. Consider the project size, its complexity, and whether you plan to run a whole-building energy model. Also think about how the building is likely to be operated. If the system is not likely to be fully utilized, it may not be an appropriate investment.

  • Determine whether 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. Option B or Option D is most appropriate for the project design. (Option C, which was allowed in earlier versions of LEED, is not allowed, as it is considered less accurate, and doesn't allow for M&V of individual energy conservation measures.)

    • Option B is based on engineering calculations using metered data and is generally appropriate for smaller buildingswithout interactive systems. You will need to verify compliance with Option B for projects with more complex control systems. 
    • Option D uses calibrated whole-building energy simulations for both the baseline and design case and is generally appropriate for larger, more complex buildings where energy modeling has or will occur. 

  • Data to support calculations (Option B) or calibration of simulations (Option D) is taken from a combination of meters and sensors included in the building automation systems, and through temporary installation of additional sensors and data loggers as needed.

     

  • Energy savings is determined by comparing actual metered or measured energy use to the projected energy use of a baseline building under similar operating conditions.

    • Energy Savings = Projected Baseline Energy Use – Post-Construction Energy Use (actual metered energy use).
    • Post-Construction Energy Use is determined by utility metering or submetering, or by using an energy simulation model of the projected building.

  • Talk to the facility operations staff about the financial benefits and operational requirements of the M&V plan. Any energy savings achieved through M&V will depend on their participation.

     

  • Introduce the M&V program into the design early in the process, because it can affect the design of the mechanical and electrical systems as well as the BMS. There is also inherent value in having the design teams think about how the building will be operated.

  • Metering individual hotel rooms may not be feasible due to inconsistent occupancy and limited ability to control energy usage. If your hotel project includes M&V, you must track occupancy data based on daily sales records. Metering all common spaces can benefit operations, though it won’t be sufficient to earn the LEED credit. 

  • Multifamily residential buildings are required to submeter all apartments individually and to collect data from occupants. Usage information may be made available to the occupants and energy cost savings may be transferred in lease or sale contracts. 

  • Utility companies may provide incentives or rebates for submetering and BMS programs. For example, New York City provides $2,000 per meter for advanced master meter installation in affordable housing and $1,500 per meter for market-rate housing. Check with your local utility to see if they provide any rebates.

  • The cost of M&V varies significantly from one project to another. Projects will need to get project-specific bids based on their individual design needs. The usefulness and the cost of M&V plans are influenced by the following: 

    • Level of detail and effort associated with verifying post-construction conditions
    • Number and types of metering points
    • Duration and accuracy of metering activities
    • Number and complexity of dependent and independent variables that must be measured or determined on an ongoing basis
    • Availability of existing data collection systems such as energy management systems
    • Level of precision designed and specified into the system, and your confidence in the data analysis

  • An M&V program that is implemented throughout the life of the building will provide the highest return on investment.  Design your M&V program for use throughout the life of the building to provide the highest return on investment.

  • Option B: Energy Conservation Measure Isolation

  • Isolating and metering different ECMs, such as HVAC systems or lighting, can provide useful information on energy consumption and provide insight on energy reduction measures.

  • The cost implications for ECM isolation depend on how many meters are installed and the complexity of the systems being monitored. See the appendix in ASHRAE, Guideline 14 for estimating the cost of meters. If systems are easily isolated and don’t require many meters, this credit can be relatively cheap, with Option B being more cost-effective than Option D.

  • Option D: Calibrated Simulation

  • Sub-metering different use areas in mixed-use buildings, such as office and laboratory space, can offer insight into what energy reduction measures will be most appropriate for different use spaces. 

  • Option D is the best choice for projects with highly efficient building envelopes and efficient mechanical and electrical systems. 

  • Permanent submetering or a BMS is not necessary. Project teams can instead choose a combination of utility analysis, spot-metering and permanent metering. However, these other methods will not provide the detailed information that a BMS would and may not help projects determine energy problems or understand actual energy use. An M&V plan without a BMS is rare in large new construction projects, but smaller, single-occupancy buildings may find that packaged energy monitors or monthly utility bills can provide helpful feedback without the investment in a costly BMS.  

  • Most M&V programs submeter individual systems such as lighting, heating, and cooling. Plug loads are not always submetered individually, it is easiest to individually submeter larger items and subtract the totaled submeter number from the total building usage to get the estimated plug load number. 

  • An M&V program generally includes sensors—which measure the volume and rate of flow, watts of energy draw, temperature, length of time, and other variables—and a central processor—which stores the collected information and helps building managers interpret it. Building automation systems typically include the central processor needed for M&V, but not all of the sensors, or the additional programming to tally energy use and track patterns. Adding these pieces to a building automation system should be easy, though.

  • The cost implications of this credit vary from one project to the next. Costs will depend on the complexity of the meter and sub-metering system, the cost of energy modeling and calibration, the cost of commissioning, and the size and complexity of the building. The cost premium for M&V will be lower for projects that already include a BMS. 

    • For retrofits, costs of M&V average no more than 5% of the total project cost, studies show. 
    • For new construction, the combined cost of the installed equipment and the first year of monitoring is generally less than 1% of the total project cost for buildings larger than 150,000 square feet, and less than 1.5% for smaller buildings, according to studies.

  • The cost to create a M&V plan for Option D is influenced by the following, according to IPMVP:

    • Size and complexity of ECMs, systems or building
    • The degree of accuracy expected from your readings of measured energy use, compared with estimated energy use. A somewhat less accurate calculation will take less time.
    • Simulation software utilized and its associated complexity
    • Extent and sophistication of submetering

Design Development

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  •  Determine the extent of the M&V program based on the owner’s goals, the project type and function, and IPMVP requirements. M&V goals can be included in the Owner’s Project Requirements and Basis of Design documents for EAp1 and EAc3. 

  • The M&V provider reviews the project design to determine which systems and equipment will be metered, and also determines how many meters will be required

  • The M&V provider works with the MEP to verify that all systems are designed to allow metering and submetering. Meters must be capable of interfacing with the selected BMS or metering system. 

  • The MEP designs and specifies the appropriate submetering devices, controls and M&V system. The M&V provider verifies that the M&V program and systems are capable of providing the information required for the credit.

  • Permanent installation of water meters will allow easier monitoring of water consumption and savings. Although this is not required for LEED, water metering for graywater and rainwater systems is generally included in M&V plans, and monitoring general water use is also worthwhile, to verify projected savings. 

  • Adding a M&V program to the project after mechanical and electrical systems have been designed may be cost-prohibitive due to redesign costs.

  • Option B: Energy Conservation Measure Isolation

  • The M&V provider determines all of the ECMs that need isolation and verifies that these systems do not interact with any other ECM. 

  • The M&V provider works with the owner and MEP to determine the best solution for metering or submetering ECMs.

  • Option D: Calibrated Simulation

  • The M&V provider works with the owner to determine the best system for monitoring actual energy use.

  • Run a preliminary energy model. If an energy model is being developed for EAc1: Optimize Energy Performance, the model can be used as the energy use baseline for the M&V plan. Otherwise a new model may be run to determine the baseline energy use. The actual energy use will be compared to this baseline. 

  • The BMS should be set up to collect data that will allow fair comparison between actual and predicted energy use. For example, since weather patterns are factored into the energy model, the BMS should capture these, along with other parameters such as operating schedule, occupancy density, space use, and system settings. 

  • To achieve this credit under Option D, the M&V plan must be able to identify specific building performance issues. A BMS or submetering will be able to build this capacity into the system.

  • The Whole Building Calibration Simulation requires information about the instruments that enable the project to monitor the categories listed in the IPMVP. 

  • The question of which systems need to be monitored is building-specific and is not prescribed by the credit requirements. 

  • Total energy consumption of the building must be tracked, along with any variables that may influence energy consumption. For example, in a hotel you would need to track occupancy. 

  • Projects must verify the savings of the efficiency measures. If individual metering capacity is not built into the project, the project must demonstrate some other firm commitment to obtaining this data. This requirement can be accomplished by providing a copy of the contract for data collection by a third party of individual meters. 

Construction Documents

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  • The M&V provider writes the M&V plan. If possible, involve the facility’s operational staff in writing the plan. The plan should lay out the measurement and response protocol. The M&V plan must define the following:

    • Baseline energy use
    • Post-construction energy use
    • Any adjustments that should be made to the baseline energy use

  • The industry standard for M&V plans, both in the U.S. and internationally, is the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP), owned by the nonprofit Efficiency Valuation Organization. LEED has singled out Volume III of the IPMVP guidance as the basis of its requirements, and several organizations have published M&V guidelines based on IPMVP. Among them are the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE); the U.S. Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP); and some utilities and states that fund energy-efficiency projects. Some organizations with M&V standards offer guidance in writing M&V plans, including sample language.

  • Coordinate with the mechanical and electrical engineers to verify that the control devices will be able to provide the information needed for credit compliance.

  • The owner’s goals and IPMVP guidelines should drive the M&V plan, which should specify which systems are to be sub-metered and which are being spot metered, and how. The plan also explains how the energy end use is being predicted and measured, and how the M&V information will be used, such as adjusting building operations to reduce energy use. The plan shall also include a section on corrective action that will take place if the baseline energy use and the post-construction energy use vary greatly. 

  • The plan establishes who is responsible for managing the process during operations and for taking corrective action. The plan also establishes how long the monitoring will continue. 

  • The M&V provider demonstrates through a narrative that the M&V plan will be able to verify actual energy use. For energy systems that are not addressed in the M&V plan you will need to provide a detailed reason for exclusion in the narrative. 

Construction

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  • The M&V submetering devices or BMS are installed and commissioned to verify functional accuracy.

     

  • Installation of the M&V system should be fairly straightforward. Depending on the system and the experience of the subcontractors, however, specialized contractors may be needed.

  • Option D: Calibrated Simulation 

  • Verify that the whole-building simulation model matches the as-built design. 

Operations & Maintenance

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  • The M&V plan is implemented for at least the first year of building operations.

  • Ensure that appropriate personnel are trained to optimize the system to its greatest potential.

  • Track and archive trending data with utility metering and energy submetering systems required by the M&V plan.

  • Meters and submeters should be recalibrated periodically according to manufacturers’ recommendations.

  • Encourage the operations team to focus on running the building at optimal efficiency. 

  • Record any post-construction upgrades or changes to operations and maintenance in order to best understand post-construction energy use. 

  • A 5%–10% discrepancy between the baseline energy use and the post-construction energy use may account for operational changes in a good energy model. However, a 25% discrepancy would not be out of the ordinary. 

  • The payback period for M&V programs depends on the initial cost of additional meters and whether the program identifies inefficiencies that wouldn’t have been found otherwise. Some fixes may be substantial and will pay for the metering system. After the BMS or metering system has been installed, the true return depends on the commitment of the owner and operational staff. Because M&V monitors actual building operation over time, M&V procedures can lead to valuable operational savings by uncovering building system design, installation, and control issues not caught by commissioning. 

  • M&V systems require continuous energy use and staff attention. One of the larger costs associated with this credit is the time needed by staff to read, interpret, and act on feedback provided by the M&V system. Although more expensive to install, a complex building or a building with multi-tenant spaces can benefit financially from an integrated computerized BMS that assists in day-to-day management. 

  • Option B: Energy Conservation Measure Isolation

  • The facilities manager or M&V provider compares the baseline energy use of the ECMs to the post-construction energy use.

  • The ECM usage can be tracked with a simple spreadsheet and does not require complicated calculations or modeling.

  • Option D: Calibrated Simulation

  • Set up the BMS to provide monthly reports as required by the M&V plan, if applicable. 

  • Perform a calibrated building energy simulation model that reflects actual occupancy and weather, after the first year’s energy usage data becomes available. The energy modeler performs the calibrated simulation with the assistance of the M&V provider. 

  • The calibrated energy simulation gives the owner and facility operator a true picture of savings from the ECMs instead of the predicted savings from the energy model developed during design. A simulation model developed during design makes a lot of assumptions on occupancy patterns, set points and weather. A calibrated energy model replaces those assumptions with real data while accommodating unforeseen program changes. If the actual results are greater than 10% from the predicted ones, compare the differences between the assumptions and the actual settings. Calibration is a great learning opportunity for the modeler to verify those assumptions with actual data. After the first year, you do not need to recalibrate the model, instead using energy usage from utility bills to compare against energy usage from previous years. The calibrated model is compared to the actual energy consumption rates and changes need to be made to the model until acceptable calibration is achieved. After all calibration adjustments have been made to the as-built energy model the same changes need to be made to the baseline energy model. 

  • Energy savings is verified by either comparing the calibrated as-built model to the calibrated baseline model, or by comparing the calibrated baseline energy use to the actual metered energy use.

  • Twelve months of data from the metered categories is used to calibrate the computer simulation model. The M&V plan shall demonstrate the ability to identify specific problem areas if discrepancies exist between the modeled and metered data. When calibrating the as-built energy model, weather patterns must be reflected. You may be able to obtain this through the BMS. Calibration changes will also include occupancy and operational adjustments to reflect actual usage.

  • Calibration of the energy model will add a small cost on top of the cost of the baseline as-built energy model.

  • USGBC

    Excerpted from LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations Version 2.2

    COPYRIGHT © 2005 BY THE U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

    EA Credit 5: Measurement and verification

    1 Point

    Intent

    Provide for the ongoing accountability of building energy consumption over time.

    Requirements

    • Develop and implement a Measurement & Verification (M&V) Plan consistent with Option D: Calibrated Simulation (Savings Estimation Method 2), or Option B: Energy Conservation Measure Isolation, as specified in the International Performance Measurement & Verification Protocol (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.) Volume III: Concepts and Options for Determining Energy Savings in New Construction, April, 2003.
    • The M&V period shall cover a period of no less than one year of post-construction occupancy.

    Potential Technologies & Strategies

    Develop an M&V Plan to evaluate building and/or energy system performance. Characterize the building and/or energy systems through energy simulation or engineering analysis. Install the necessary metering equipment to measure energy use. Track performance by comparing predicted performance to actual performance, broken down by component or system as appropriate. Evaluate energy efficiency by comparing actual performance to baseline performance.

    While the 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. describes specific actions for verifying savings associated with energy conservation measures (ECMs) and strategies, this LEED credit expands upon typical IPMVP M&V objectives. M&V activities should not necessarily be confined to energy systems where ECMs or energy conservation strategies have been implemented. The IPMVP provides guidance on M&V strategies and their appropriate applications for vari- ous situations. These strategies should be used in conjunction with monitoring and trend logging of significant energy systems to provide for the ongoing accountability of building energy performance.

     

Other

Efficiency Valuation Organization (EVO) Blog

M&V blog that is a place where the community can raise and discuss issues that arise in the practice of valuing efficiency projects. 

Technical Guides

IPMVP Volume I and III

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. is the standard upon which the LEED M&V requirements are based. Use these documents should be used in designing the M&V system and plan. 

Applications Team, Energy-Efficiency Design Applications: Measurement & Verification Documents

This website provides a list of resources to help teams implement an M&V program.

M&V Guidelines: Measurement and Verification for Federal Energy Projects

These M&V guidelines are written for federal buildings but could be helpful for many projects. 

ASHRAE Guidelines 14-2004

ASHRAE provides technical guidelines for designing an M&V plan. This document can assist project teams in designing and implementing the M&V systems and plan.  

Organizations

The Energy Valuation Organization and the Association of Energy Engineers

The Energy Valuation Organization, in conjunction with the Association of Energy Engineers, offers an M&V professional certification program. The Association of Energy Engineers holds training seminars for those preparing to take the certification exam and anyone else interested in learning the fundamentals of M&V and working with 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..  

Publications

Energy Management Handbook, By Wayne C. Turner, Steve Doty

Chapter 27 covers Measurement and Verification of Energy Savings and has some very useful information from the history of M&V, including various methods and equipment. 

Environmental Building News, June 2006.

This article discusses the usefulness of M&V, including examples of problems that M&V systems have been able to identify. 

Software Tools

WATERGY Software

NOTE: WATERGY is not currently available, but may be again in the future.

WATERGY is a spreadsheet model that uses water and energy relationship assumptions to analyze the potential of water savings and associated energy savings. 

Web Tools

USGBC Building Performance Partnership

USGBC’s Building Performance Partnership (BPP) engages commercial and residential LEED building owners and managers in an effort to optimize the performance of buildings through data collection, analysis and action. This partnership among USGBC and the thousands of LEED project owners will result in the population of a comprehensive green building performance database, enable standardization of reporting metrics and analytics, and establish new performance benchmarks. USGBC’s BPP participants are eligible for annual performance reports, report cards and real-time data interfaces to aid in their building performance goals. Together, USGBC and BPP participants will transform the way the world views building operations.

Template for M&V Plan

Option D: Calibrated Simulation

The Measurement and Verification (M&V) plan template shown here is based on Option D: Calibrated Simulation.

LEED Online Sample Template – EAc5

This template is the flattened, public version of the dynamic template for this credit that is used within LEED-Online v2 by registered project teams. This and other public versions of LEED credit templates come from the USGBC website, and are posted on LEEDuser with USGBC's permission. You'll need to fill out the live version of this template on LEED Online to document this credit.

USGBC

Official LEED Online Forms

Construction Submittal

HardhatDocumentation for this credit is part of the Construction Phase submittal.

M&V Plan Sample

Option D: Calibrated Simulation

This Measurement and Verification (M&V) plan sample follows Option D: Calibrated Simulation.

23 Comments

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cloris chen
Jun 29 2012
Guest
16 Thumbs Up

metering in a hotel project

for a hotel project, it is hard to meter all end-use energy separately. Usually there is one switch box per hotel room. if separately metering , it means there need to be three switch boxes or three submeterings per room, the cost and space required will be increased a lot. How to do metering in a hotel project ? is it acceptable to measure a whole energy consumption or measure all end-use energy in one typical floor to reflect the energy breakdown of the whole hotel. Thanks

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Marcus Sheffer LEED Fellow, 7group Aug 08 2012 LEEDuser Expert 19937 Thumbs Up

Your metering plan is often dictated by the layout of the panel boxes in the electrical system. In your case a potential approach would be to do a sampling of the rooms. I would spread them around the building since the room size and features, the floor it is on and the orientation will all impact energy use in a given room. You could even do it without permanently installed meters if a permanent installation adds no value after the M&V effort. One floor could work if you have one that you can justify as being representative of the whole building. Whether you do one or the other depends on the layout and configuration of the building.

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Luke Falk Sustainability Manager Related
Jan 20 2012
Guest
84 Thumbs Up

Option B vs. D

We are developing a multifamily building that will have some complex mechcanicals with interactivity between efficiency measures. However, we are skeptical of 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. Option D for a couple of reasons. We would like to pursue Option B despite some of the limitations. What does LEED require of projects pursuing Option B. Does each EEM/ECMEnergy conservation measures are installations or modifications of equipment or systems intended to reduce energy use and costs. in the model need to be part of the M+V plan if pursuing Option B? What about envelope? Can you use sample spaces to determine performance of unitized measures (heat pumps, lighting etc.)?

Thanks.

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Marcus Sheffer LEED Fellow, 7group Jan 20 2012 LEEDuser Expert 19937 Thumbs Up

If you have interactive energy efficiency strategies you must use D and not B. B can only be used if the strategies can be isolated.

Yes all energy saving strategies must be part of the M&V including envelope.

In a multifamily building some sampling and extrapolation could make sense as part of your M&V plan.

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J Morrison Dir. of Pro MGMT BSC
Jan 19 2012
Guest
176 Thumbs Up

M and V

I will be looking at submitting our Construction portion of our project and will be looking at being 5 points beyond the required bogey. I don't know if it would be good to work an arrangment with my commissioning agent to fill out the M and V template to apply 3 additional points for an 8 point security. The cost of me to contract with them to do the M and V is substantial and I don't have the money to do it in the job but need to secure the bogey of silver. Would it be better if I wait and not submitt for M and V credits on the initial construction submittal? If I don't submitt, when can I submitt an additional ID credit? can I do it in the Final Construction Submittal? Would it have to be in the Appeal?

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Marcus Sheffer LEED Fellow, 7group Jan 19 2012 LEEDuser Expert 19937 Thumbs Up

The level of cushion would depend on the confidence you have in the submission. We like to have 2 or 3 points minimum over our target. You can submit an additional ID credit with the final construction submission but make sure you pick one that is easy to document since you only get one shot in the review.

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J Morrison Dir. of Pro MGMT, BSC Jan 19 2012 Guest 176 Thumbs Up

Beings this is my first Construction submission I am skeptical. I am wary that all the proper documents have been supplied for Regional, Recycled Content, Certified WoodWood from a source that has been determined, through a certification process, to meet stated ecological and other criteria. There are numerous forest certification programs in general use based on several standards, but only the Forest Stewardship Council's standards, which include requirements that the wood be tracked through its chain-of-custody, can be used to qualify wood for a point in the LEED Rating System. and Construction Waste. If you appeal the Construction submittal you can submit M and V just one time as well? If you submit M and V in the Construction and you come away with 6 or so extra points, are you obligated to do M and V? Do you have to resubmitt with the lesser amount?

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Marcus Sheffer LEED Fellow, 7group Jan 19 2012 LEEDuser Expert 19937 Thumbs Up

Yes appeals are just one time reviews as well.

After your final review I would say you are morally obligated to do what you said you would do. The number of points over a minimum threshold for a level of certification would have nothing to do with it.

An approved M&V Plan says you will implement it. If you don't follow through no one will come and take the plaque off the wall. If you earn the M&V credit based on your submitted M&V Plan you are only obligated to implement it to the extent your conscience can allow you to lie. Unfortunately many projects have earned this credit and lied about implementing it.

The next version of LEED will likely require the submission of a signed contract to implement your M&V Plan.

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Marcus Sheffer LEED Fellow, 7group Jan 19 2012 LEEDuser Expert 19937 Thumbs Up

A couple more things I left out:

You can withdraw a credit after the preliminary construction submission but before the final construction response.

We will not even write a M&V Plan without a contract(s) in place to implement it.

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J Morrison Dir. of Pro MGMT, BSC Jan 20 2012 Guest 176 Thumbs Up

I appreciate your insight as I am trying to understand the process before I start. We would not want to do anything questionable in the process and was trying to make sure we avoided doing something that was not permissable. I feel better now knowing what is acceptable and can proceed without question. Again thank you for your great expertise to this rookie!!!

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Marcus Sheffer LEED Fellow, 7group Jan 20 2012 LEEDuser Expert 19937 Thumbs Up

No problem, good luck with your submission.

As you can probably tell I have a bit of a pet peeve about LEED projects that do not implement their M&V Plans.

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J Morrison Dir. of Pro MGMT, BSC Aug 29 2012 Guest 176 Thumbs Up

Can you advise where/how you withdraw a point before the final submittal.

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Marcus Sheffer LEED Fellow, 7group Aug 30 2012 LEEDuser Expert 19937 Thumbs Up

You (or the administrator) can unattempt a credit when submitting for the final review on the individual credit page.

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CHRISTIAN LUTJEN JOB CAPTAIN GARAVAGLIA ARCHTECTURE, INC.
Dec 09 2011
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35 Thumbs Up

Extra Metering Equipment and Energy Management System

We are trying to determine how much "extra" metering equipment, if a central Energy Management System (EMS) and what entity will evaluate and recalibrate equipment in order to achieve this point. From my research, I have found instances of the EMS system providing reports on the energy use of a specific system in the building. Is it possible for facilities to capture this data directly from the meters, or would the expertise necessary require hiring a consultant, incurring increased labor costs that would probably erase any savings on purchasing an EMS? Thanks.

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Marcus Sheffer LEED Fellow, 7group Dec 09 2011 LEEDuser Expert 19937 Thumbs Up

You can certainly automate data collection through an EMS.

Don't put the cart before the horse. First figure out what data you will need to calibrate the model, then figure out the least expensive way to get it.

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Patrick Keeny The Burns Group
Jan 06 2011
Guest
57 Thumbs Up

Required Narrative?

The v2.2 template shows a required narrative, but the description of the narrative asks for details regarding the natural ventilation design. This is obviously an error, but I can't find anything in the errata. Does anyone know if there is a required narrative for EAc5 in v2.2 or just the optional narrative on the 2nd page?

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Marcus Sheffer LEED Fellow, 7group Jan 07 2011 LEEDuser Expert 19937 Thumbs Up

Yes the description of the narrative is an error. Simply enter a brief description in that narrative box regarding the M&V effort. If you don't I think the template does not indicate that you have earned the point.

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Michael Williams
Jul 21 2010
Guest
81 Thumbs Up

Option D or Option B

The Reference guide seems to suggest that Option B is appropriate for simpler buildings and Option D for more complex buildings. Is any further guidance available regarding which option should be utilized or is required to be utilized? Or is the decision entirely up to the project team's discretion.

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Tristan Roberts LEED AP BD+C, Editorial Director – LEEDuser, BuildingGreen, Inc. Jul 24 2010 LEEDuser Moderator

Michael, you do have discretion. How to choose Option B or Option D is discussed above under the Bird's Eye View and Checklists tabs above. If you have more specific questions please post again.

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Marcus Sheffer LEED Fellow, 7group Aug 09 2010 LEEDuser Expert 19937 Thumbs Up

My read of the 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. is that Option B should only be used if the energy efficeincy measures in the facilty can be isolated, in other words, that there are no or minimal interactive effects between measures. Building complexity may lead to more interactive effects. So it up to the project team. In my experience I have seen very few LEED projects where Option B is appropriate.

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Afonso Cardoso CxA, Leaf Aug 07 2012 Guest 16 Thumbs Up

I am reading the 2009 Edition of LEED REFERENCE GUIDE FOR GREEN BUILDING DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION, in order to understand the M&V credit. At this time working in a CS building, that is a new construction, my question is: Do i need to have existing meters and infrastructure (which i don't have) to submit a M&V plan or can i think the plan with meters to be installed after?

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Marcus Sheffer LEED Fellow, 7group Aug 08 2012 LEEDuser Expert 19937 Thumbs Up

The short answer is yes. Either one could work but it needs to be in the M&V Plan.

The 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. does not require the permanent installation of meters. You can meet the IPMVP without them but you will still need to include in the M&V Plan how you will gather the data you need to calibrate the energy model. You can do it with spot measurements and short term trending meters however depending on the size and complexity of the building systems this can be extremely labor intensive and actually cost far more than installing the meters.

We did M&V on a very small library without sub-meters that had very simple systems. It took us about 2 to 3 days on-site to gather the data we needed. In a larger facility this could be 2 to 3 weeks or more so the metering question should be weighed against the labor to gather the necessary information by hand.

I would also suggest that you must read the IPMVP to really understand what you need to do and what should be in the Plan. The Reference Guide is not nearly enough.

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Afonso Cardoso CxA, Leaf Oct 22 2012 Guest 16 Thumbs Up

Thank you very much.

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