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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 buildings with varying occupancy rates and centralized mechanical systems, like offices and schools, the added cost should be minimal, and the systems will probably reduce energy bills, offering good return on investment. High-density areas like conference rooms, theaters, and congregation spaces are a particularly good match for this credit.
In multifamily or hotel projects, or any building with numerous isolated mechanical systems or natural ventilation, more sensors will be needed, making this credit relatively expensive to pursue.
Use these questions to help explore this credit
- Will the project have natural, mechanical or mixed-mode ventilation?
- If the project is mechanically ventilated, will it be a centralized system? Centralized systems can achieve this credit more cost-effectively.
- If naturally ventilated, will the project include designs that allow for adequate ventilation without human interaction?
- Will the design include a BMS or demand control ventilation? These systems can make credit achievement easier.
- What is the cost increase associated with CO2 sensors and outdoor air monitors?
- Does the local utility offer any rebates on incentives on CO2 sensors, outdoor air flow monitors or demand control ventilation?
- If the project is a hotel or multifamily, does installing CO2 sensors in each room seem cost-effective and beneficial?
- If the project is a laboratory, can CO2 and other small particulates be monitored to provide ventilation only when needed? If so, this credit can be very cost-effective.
- Are CO2 sensors or outdoor air monitors compatible with existing mechanical equipment and is the building owner willing to install these monitoring systems?
- Which spaces are densely occupied and which are non-densely occupied?
Legend
- Best Practices
- Gotcha
- Action Steps
- Cost Tip
Schematic Design
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Consider incorporating CO2 sensors or outdoor airflow monitors into the building design, as required by the credit. Discuss with the project team the indoor air quality (IAQ) and energy benefits of installing monitoring devices in the project.
Outdoor airflow monitoring devices are the single most costly component of this credit, ranging from $1,000–$5,000 per monitor, depending on size of the ducts and product type. You can reduce this cost by minimizing the number of supply ducts coming into the building. Centralized systems minimize these ducts, thereby minimizing cost.
CO2 sensors are not standard practice and typically cost $500–$1000 per sensor including installation. Installing CO2 sensors is becoming more common and this price may come down, however. Costs can add up quickly if several sensors are required. In applications with many densely occupied spaces and isolated mechanical systems, like hotels and multifamily, providing CO2 sensors and the associated controls for each unit could become costly, without much added benefit. However, in applications with larger, densely occupied spaces served by centralized mechanical systems—such as office spaces—CO2 sensors become significantly more cost-effective, as ventilation demand is matched to occupancy and the HVAC system operates only when the room is occupied or to meet established set points.
CO2 sensors are not the same as CO sensors. CO (carbon monoxide) sensors are much more common, inexpensive, and do not need to be hard wired. Make sure this distinction is clear when talking with the owner, mechanical engineer, and building operator.
Consider the impact of monitoring devices on space and design requirements. Issues to consider include the location of CO2 sensors, the inclusion of outdoor air monitors when designing the mechanical system, and whether to use a building management system (BMS), which allows your ventilation system to automatically respond to changing indoor situations.
Demand Control Ventilation (DCV) in conjunction with CO2 sensors can serve the dual purpose of energy conservation and improved indoor air quality. They provide the option of additional ventilation only when CO2 sensors indicate that it is necessary.
Continuous airflow and CO2 monitoring is required. Air balancing measures such as total airflow measurement and static pressurization measurements do not comply with the credit requirements.
Outdoor air can contain contaminants that lead to unhealthy working or living conditions. You may need to assess the quality of the local outdoor air before bringing it indoors. HHigh efficiency MERV filters (13 or higher) are one solution to treating poor-quality outdoor air before supplying it to the indoors. This can be part of a strategy for achieving EQc5: Indoor Chemical and Pollutant Source Control.
Projects without ducted make-up air must follow Option 2 for natural ventilation, and should weigh the costs and benefits of installing monitoring devices. For example, in multifamily projects and hotels where outside air is only supplied through pressurized hallways and operable windows. Every apartment or unit will need one CO2 sensor per unit, and many projects find this to be too costly. Mechanically ventilated common areas such as hallways and lobbies will require outdoor airflow monitors instead of CO2 sensors.
CO2 sensors do not provide the same benefit in non-densely occupied spaces as they do in densely occupied spaces. It is important to remember that CO2 sensors measure only CO2 generated by human occupants and they are typically not a good way to indicate indoor air quality in non-densely occupied spaces. CO2 monitors cannot replace outdoor air monitors and are often incorrectly preferred because they are less expensive than outdoor air delivery monitoring.
Some utilities offer rebates for installing CO2 sensors in conjunction with demand-control ventilation. For example, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and Florida Power & Light have offered such incentives. Check with your local utility or DSIRE to see if rebates are available in your area (see Resources).
CO2 sensors will provide the highest return on investment in areas where the occupancy is intermittent or unpredictable. Examples include conference rooms and auditoriums, where ventilation rates will need to be high only when close to full occupancy and where ventilation rates can be low when the spaces are unoccupied.
Fees for engineering services may increase due to this credit, because of the need to develop controls sequences. That premium can be reduced if the engineer has experience with the credit in similar applications.
The cost of alarms and BMS equipment varies greatly and is dependent on the complexity of the system.
Design Development
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The project team and contractor work together to determine the feasibility and rough cost increase of including CO2 sensors or outdoor airflow measurement devices.
The owner, mechanical engineer and building operator should determine the best option for corrective action in the project. Options for corrective action include opening windows, adjusting air-handling units, alerting tenants, and increasing ventilation flow rates.
Use ASHRAE standard 62.1-2004 to determine outside air requirements.
The mechanical engineer and architect identify densely and non-densely occupied spaces as defined by LEED and determine the quantity and locations of all monitoring devices, and integrate them into the HVAC system. The mechanical engineer should verify that the monitors are designed to interface with a BMS system or trigger an audible or visual alarm if CO2 concentrations or ventilation rates fall outside of the required range.
All monitoring devices must be able to trigger an alarm or automated response when actual measurements vary by 10% or more in either direction from the design set points. The signal or alarm is most often relayed to a building management system that balances supply and return air volumes, monitors and controls minimum fresh air volumes, and provides a reliable reference point for commissioning of VAV systems. The alarm can be audible or visual and be relayed to building facility staff or directly to the occupants, to alert them to open windows.
The benefits of any monitoring device depend on the communication system, response and corrective action. Facility operators often find it very beneficial to automate the response by installing demand-control ventilation, which automatically regulates airflow as needed.
CO2 sensors can 1) measure the indoor concentrations of CO2 and compare them against ASHRAE 62.1-2004 limits or, 2) measure the indoor concentrations of CO2 and compare them against outdoor CO2 concentrations. If you choose the second option, you will need to install outdoor CO2 monitors as well.
Naturally Ventilated Buildings
All occupied spaces in naturally ventilated buildings require the installation of at least one CO2 sensor. The number of CO2 sensors depends on the project’s design and should be calculated by the mechanical engineer. Projects can use one CO2 sensor for multiple spaces only if the project is ventilated by an approved “engineered natural ventilation system” according to ASHRAE 62.1-2004 requirements and if it does not require occupant intervention. This type of ventilation system connects adjacent spaces via air pathways that utilize the stack effect, or passive air movement from openings at a lower level than the point of exhaust. A single CO2 sensor can be used in these connected spaces. To meet the credit requirement, an engineer must demonstrate that the natural ventilation system can maintain adequate ventilation rates.
Mechanically Ventilated Buildings
All densely occupied spaces in mechanically ventilated buildings require the installation of at least one CO2 sensor per space. Non-densely occupied spaces require an outdoor airflow (OA) monitoring device. For mechanically ventilated spaces, the CO2 sensor has to be installed for the zone being served by one ventilation system. The credit requires only one sensor per space, but installing multiple sensors within a large space helps measure varying concentrations of CO2. For example, if the sensor is located in one location, while people are congregating in another corner of the same space, the sensor will not recognize the high CO2 concentrations. Spread the sensors out to accommodate for more uses of the space. Also, use at least one sensor per ventilated zone, for a large space being served by multiple zones. Consult the mechanical engineer on the quantity and placement of CO2 sensors.
For mechanical ventilated spaces that are installing a BAS or BMS, the system should be capable of integrating with the CO2 sensor and outdoor air flow monitors for immediate response with increased fresh air, such as demand-control ventilation.
Airflow measurement devices are installed as part of the air duct system and are designed to measure airflow and transmit a signal when airflow deviates from established set points. Two common types of these devices are those that measure intake volume directly by measuring air velocity (advanced thermal dispersion) and those that measure differential pressure across a fixed opening (pitot arrays and flow-rings). Both can provide the accuracy required for the credit. Advanced thermal diffusion is more accurate and requires less maintenance, but is more expensive.
CO2 monitors installed in return-air ducts (in the ceiling or floor) will not meet the credit requirements, as monitors are required to be placed 3–6 feet above the floor in all densely occupied spaces.
In laboratory and health care facilities, consider continuously measuring additional air quality factors such as TVOCs, carbon monoxide, and other small airborne particulates to reduce ventilation rates down to two air changes per hour (ACH), as conditions permit, in order to save energy.
Integrating an ERV or HRV into a system that meets the Outdoor Air Delivery Monitoring credit can be particularly cost-effective with large centralized systems.
Demand-control ventilation can help reduce peak load allow you to select smaller mechanical systems, minimizing upfront costs.
Construction Documents
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Include CO2 sensors and outdoor air delivery monitoring devices on the project plans and Equipment Schedule. Also highlight the interface between monitors and BMS or alarm on project plans.
Review drawings to ensure that all densely occupied spaces contain CO2 sensors.
Detailed construction instructions with locations of monitoring devices help to ensure that these devices are installed correctly.
Outdoor airflow monitors may be integrated within AHUs and ventilation equipment specifications.
The monitoring and alarm systems need to be included in the commissioning plan for EAp1: Fundamental Commissioning with the appropriate sampling rate.
The outside air delivery monitoring device should be specified along with the Air Handling Unit (AHU) equipment package.
Ensure that monitoring devices are included in budget estimates from the beginning to avoid any surprises.
Document credit compliance on LEED Online:
- Mechanical ventilation
- Provide controls drawings showing outdoor airflow measurement devices serving non-densely occupied spaces.
- Provide detailed information on outdoor air ventilation rates (including required air flow rate, accuracy of devices and setpoints) via a credit narrative outlining the project’s approach to and compliance with the credit requirements.
- The controls designer will need to sign the LEED Online credit form stating that the monitoring devices meet the credit requirements.
- Provide drawings showing the location of CO2 sensors for densely occupied spaces.
- Provide a list of densely occupied spaces in the credit narrative
- Natural Ventilation
- Provide a drawing showing the zones, windows and location of CO2 sensors.
- Provide a narrative in the LEED Online submittal template stating that CO2 sensors are installed in all naturally ventilated spaces, are located in the breathing zone, and will generate an alarm, along with any other relevant information about the project’s approach to meeting the credit requirements in a naturally ventilated building.
- Mechanical ventilation
Construction
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Contractor installs the monitoring devices as recommended by product manufacturer and mechanical engineer. Verify that all alarms have set points complying with ASHRAE 62.1-2004.
Verify that CO2 sensors are 3–6 feet off the floor.
The commissioning plan should include HVAC, monitoring, and alarm systems, with the appropriate sampling rate.
Integrating an automated BMS requires a highly skilled construction team. The BMS is a complex tool requiring skilled personnel who understand the controls and settings as applicable to the project.
Ensure that CO2 sensors and outdoor air monitors, and installation costs are incorporated into the detailed budget from the bid documents through final contracts. CO2 sensors are not common, and although the mechanical engineer is responsible for accounting for them on drawings, they could be a forgotten detail.
During the buyout phase, ensure CO2 sensors are included in the mechanical or controls contractor’s scope of work.
Operations & Maintenance
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Monitor and recalibrate the monitoring and alarm systems as specified by the product manufacturer.
Occupant behavior is likely to evolve over the first few months of occupancy. If the building has a BMS, the control sequence, timers, thermal setpoints and other parameters might need to be tweaked for some time. Use the outdoor air monitoring and CO2 sensors to maintain good indoor air quality as well as efficiency.
Train facilities personnel to use systems as intended. Facilities personnel should be given all appropriate product data.
When alarms are activated by CO2 monitoring devices, facilities personnel and building occupants, if appropriate, need to be aware of the needed corrective measures, such as opening windows or changing AHU settings. The alarm should be visible enough to be noticed.
Include the alarm system in the occupant survey for EQc7.2: Thermal Comfort—Verification to determine its effectiveness.
CO2 sensors and outdoor air flow monitors will need recalibration and maintenance, which will bring a minimal additional cost. If they are not recalibrated, there is potential for overventilation or underventilation, and consequently, unnecessary energy consumption or reduced indoor air quality.
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 RESERVEDEQ Credit 1: Outdoor air delivery monitoring
1 Point
Intent
Provide capacity for ventilation system monitoring to help sustain occupant comfort and well-being.
Requirements
Install permanent monitoring systems that provide feedback on ventilation system performance to ensure that ventilation systems maintain design minimum ventilation requirements. Configure all monitoring equipment to generate an alarm when the conditions vary by 10% or more from setpoint, via either a building automation system alarm to the building operator or via a visual or audible alert to the building occupants.
For mechanically ventilated spaces
- Monitor carbon dioxide concentrations within all 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). (those with a design occupant density greater than or equal to 25 people per 1000 sq.ft.). CO2Carbon dioxide monitoring locations shall be between 3 feet and 6 feet above the floor.
- For each mechanical ventilation system serving 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).", provide a direct outdoor airflow measurement device capable of measuring the minimum outdoor airflow rate with an accuracy of plus or minus 15% of the design minimum outdoor air rate, as defined by ASHRAE 62.1-2004.
For naturally ventilated spaces
Monitor CO2 concentrations within all naturally ventilated spaces. CO2 monitoring shall be located within the room between 3 feet and 6 feet above the floor. One CO2 sensor may be used to represent multiple spaces if the natural ventilation design uses passive stack(s) or other means to induce airflow through those spaces equally and simultaneously without intervention by building occupants.
Potential Technologies & Strategies
Install carbon dioxide and airflow measurement equipment and feed the information to the HVAC system and/or Building Automation System (BAS)A building automation system (BAS) uses computer-based monitoring to coordinate, organize, and optimize building control subsystems, including lighting, equipment scheduling, and alarm reporting. to trigger corrective action, if applicable. If such automatic controls are not feasible with the building systems, use the measurement equipment to trigger alarms that inform building operators or occupants of a possible deficiency in outdoor air delivery.
Technical Guides
Indoor Air Quality Building Education and Assessment Model (I-BEAM)
I-BEAM is a comprehensive tool for building professionals and others responsible for indoor air quality in commercial buildings; it provides state-of-the-art guidance for managing Indoor Air Quality in commercial buildings.
ASHRAE 62.1-2007: Outdoor Airflow Monitoring Devices.
ASHRAE 62.1-2007 should be referenced when designing outdoor airflow monitoring devices.
IEQ Space Matrix
This spreadsheet categories dozens of specific space types according to how they should be applied under various IEQ credits. This document is essential if you have questions about how various unique space types should be treated.
Publications
Building Air Quality: A Guide For Building Owners and Facility Managers
This guide is for preventing, identifying and resolving 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. problems in existing commercial and public buildings.
Energy Cost and IAQ Performance of Ventilation Systems and Controls Study
A study on the compatibilities and tradeoffs between energy and ventilation, which gives an idea of strategies that best meet both objectives.
Indoor Air: International Journal of Indoor Environment and Health
This journal presents research to help designers, owners and operators provide healthy buildings.
Organizations
Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE)
This database shows state-by-state incentives for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and other green building measures. Included in this database are incentives on demand control ventilation, ERVs, and HRVs.
Design Narrative
All Options
Use a narrative to describe how your project meets the requirements for outside air monitors and carbon dioxide monitors.
Compliant Products
Use manufacturer cut sheets to find credit-compliant products and to document compliance when necessary.
LEED Online Sample Template – EQc1
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.
Design Submittal
Documentation for this credit can be part of a Design Phase submittal.


14 Comments
OA Measurement for small system serving small mechanical area.
We are completing a facility that has 2 systems, one serving a bigger area (but still non-densely occupied area) of exhibition space, and another system serving a small mechanical area adjacent to it. We have set up OA Measurement Device for System 1 , but none to System 2, mainly because of cost to the owner. Is there a min of OA of a system in order to specify a measuring device like this case when the area serving is quite small and only mechanical space? (around 494 SF and 100cfm of ventilation).
Thanks.
There isn't a minimum OA/SF cut off before you need to specific the measuring device (although there should be). However, you may be able to not include the measuring device on system 2 because it isn't serving a regularly occupied space.
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?
Rachel, you can send a clarification question via the contact form at GBCI.org. No guarantees on the quality of response, or the timeliness, but it won't cost you money like 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.
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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