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Fresh air and energy savings
Outdoor air delivery monitoring ensures that the ventilation system, whether natural or mechanical, provides enough fresh air to occupants. The credit requires carbon dioxide (CO2) and outdoor airflow monitors that signal when fresh air is needed according to minimum set points defined by ASHRAE 62.1-2004. Typical ventilation design (without monitors) tends to encourage increased ventilation that may result in increased energy use and added cost for conditioning increased amounts of outside air. However, the addition of sensors and monitors allows ventilation to be delivered on demand only when required, potentially saving a lot of energy during unoccupied hours in spaces with varying occupancy.
Good for buildings with varying occupancy rates
For...
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12 Comments
Residential Building
We were previously denied this credit in a LEED review for a residential building. The LEED review stated that we did not demonstrate that CO2Carbon dioxide sensors were included in the residential units. However, 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 1656 states that residential units to not apply as densely occupied spacesDensely occupied spaces are areas with a design occupant density of 25 people or more per 1,000 square feet (40 square feet or less per person). and do not need CO2 sensors. Is there any way to clarify this to the LEED Review Team without an appeal?
EQc1 for Residential Building?
Hi!!!
I´d like to check whether a residential building is eligible for this credit.
The reference guide v2.2, page 310, mentions that " Air flow and CO2Carbon dioxide monitoring systems can be applied to any building or HVAC system type - including both mechanically and naturally ventilated buildings." However, doesn´t mentioned clearly "residential".
Many thanks! :)
Johanna, residential buildings can pursue this credit, yes. Read our content above under the Bird's Eye View and Checklists tab for more guidance. This credit may not be cost-effective in residential settings.
Thanks Tristan! All clear now!! :)
For naturally ventilated spaces...
For the CO2Carbon dioxide sensors for naturally ventilated spaces, we have a dorm. project where many resident rooms are counting on natural ventilation. Has anyone found any reasonably priced CO2 sensors which meet the requirement? So far I have found a $260 unit, but that seems pretty expensive for what they are...
Heather, I hate to say it, but that doesn't sound too far off. They are fairly pricey.
100% Oustide Air Systems
For a 100% ouside air constant volume air handling system serving hospital occupancy, what is the requriement to meet this credit? It seems redundnant to provide an airflow measuring station to measure a fixed amount of outside air that exceeds Std-62 and never varies. Is there another apporach?
The intent of EQc1 is to ensure adequate ventilation is being provided to the spaces irrespective of whether the system has variable volume capability or not. Though the OA is constant , if the ventilation rates drop during system operation due to any defect then an alarm system will help alert the facilities personnel. There's no other approach that I'm aware of.
Only non-densely occupied spaces
What if your project does not have any densely occupied spacesDensely occupied spaces are areas with a design occupant density of 25 people or more per 1,000 square feet (40 square feet or less per person).? Are you then ineligible for this credit (which is my guess), or can you just meet the outdoor air flow monitoring requirement and leave the CO2Carbon dioxide monitoring piece out (because that only applies to densely-occupied spaces? We use mechanical ventilation.
Yes, you can meet the OA monitoring requirement for non-densely-occupied spacesOccupied Spaces are defined as enclosed spaces that can accommodate human activities. Occupied spaces are further classified as regularly occupied or non-regularly occupied spaces based on the duration of the occupancy, individual or multi-occupant based on the quantity of occupants, and densely or non-densely occupied spaces based upon the concentration of occupants in the space. and earn this credit.
Outdoor Airflow Measurement
I am wondering what options are available to provide the direct outdoor airflow measurement required by EQc1 for non-densely occupied spacesNon-densely occupied spaces are areas with a design occupant density of less than 25 people per 1,000 square feet (40 square feet or more per person)."?
I am also wondering where such a device should be located for a HVAC system that serves multiple spaces? I.e. would the monitoring have to occur at the space level or could it be provided for the system level only?
From pg 437 of the GBDC reference guide: “The ventilation rate can be measured at the outdoor air intake of an air distribution system using a variety of airflow devices, including Pitot tubes, Venturi meters, rotating vane anemometers, and mass airflow sensors. These sensors must be installed according to the manufacture’s best practices guidelines.”
Monitoring can be done at the system level.
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