LEED AP - Energy and Atmosphere

What is EA Credit 4 and how many points can be achieved?

EA Credit 4: Enhanced Refrigerant Management NC: 2 Schools: 1 CS: 2

What is EA Credit 5.1 and how many points are available?

EA Credit 5.1: Measurement and Verification - Base Building NC: n/a Schools: n/a CS: 3

What is EA Credit 5.2 and how many points are available?

EA Credit 5.2: Measurement and Verification - Tenant Submetering NC: n/a Schools: n/a CS: 3

What is EA Credit 5 and how many points are available?

EA Credit 5: Measurement and Verification NC: 3 Schools: 2 CS: n/a

What is Energy and Atmosphere Credit 6 and how many points are available?

EA Credit 6: Green Power NC: Schools: 2 CS: 2

What is Energy and Atmosphere Prerequisite 2?

EA Prerequisite 2: Minimum Energy Performance

What is Energy and Atmosphere Credit 1 and how many points are available?

Energy and Atmosphere Credit 1: Optimize Energy Performance NC: 1-19 Schools: 1-19 CS: 3-21

What is Energy and Atmosphere Credit 2 and how many points can be achieved?

Energy and Atmosphere Credit 2: On-Site Renewable Energy NC: 1-7 points Schools: 1-7 points CS: 4 points

What is EA Prerequisite 1?

Energy and Atmosphere Prerequisite 1: Fundamental Commissioning of Building Energy Systems

What is Energy and Atmosphere Prerequisite 3?

Energy and Atmosphere Prerequisite 3: Fundamental Refrigerant Management

What are examples of "regulated (non-process) energy"?

lighting, heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC), and service water heating for domestic or space heating purposes

What additional requirements are there for EA Credit 3: Enhanced Commissioning that are not part of EA Prerequisite 1?

- CxA can't be employee of design firm, but can be contracted through them - CxA can't be associated with construction firm - prior to CDs, CxA must lead, review, and oversee the commissioning process activities - must conduct 1 design review of Owner Project Requirements and Basis of Design prior to mid-construction documents (50% CDs) - must review and check submittals in accordance with OPR and BOD concurrently with review of architect or engineer of record - must develop a systems manual - must verify O&M personnel and occupants are trained on systems - must review systems operation 10 months after substantial completion and have a plan for resolving outstanding commissioning issues

What are the requirements for EA Credit 6: Green Power?

- engage in a min. 2 year energy contract to provide at least 35% of the building's electricity from renewable sources, as defined by Center for Resource Solutions' Green-e Energy product certification requirements - all purchases are based on quantity of energy consumed, not cost SCHOOLS (Additional Requirement): can purchase on centralized basis and allocate green power to specific project CS (Additional Requirement): CS electricity usage is determined by BOMA standards based on square footage of core and shell; can't be less than 15% of bldg total gross square footage Option 1: Determine Baseline Electricity Use (from EA Credit 1: Optimize Energy Performance) Option 2: Estimate Baseline Electricity Use - use the US Department of Energy's Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey database to determine estimated electricity use

What systems are required at a minimum to be commissioned?

- heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration (mechanical & passive) & their controls - lighting and daylighting controls - domestic hot water systems - renewable energy system (ex: wind, solar)

What are the requirements to meet EA Credit 5.2: Measurement and Verification - Tenant Submetering?

- include a centrally monitored electronic metering network in the base building design that is capable of being expanded to accommodate the future tenant submetering as required by LEED 2009 Commercial Interiors, EA Credit 3 - develop a tenant measurement and verification (M&V) plan that documents and advises future tenants of this opportunity and the means of achievement - provide a process for corrective action if the results of the M&V plan show no energy savings

What are the requirements of the building to be able to use ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guide for Small Office Buildings 2004?

- less than 20,000 sf - office occupancy

What are the requirements of the building to be able to use ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guide for Small Retail Buildings 2006?

- less than 20,000 sf - retail occupancy

What are the requirements of the building to be able to use ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guide for K-12 School Buildings?

- less than 200,000 sf

What are the requirements of the building to be able to use ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guide for Small Warehouses and Self-Storage Buildings 2008?

- less than 50,000 sf - warehouse or self-storage occupancy

What are the requirements for Option 3: Prescriptive Compliance Path: Advanced Buildings Core Performance Guide under EA Credit 1: Optimize Energy Performance?

-comply with Advanced Building Core Performance Guide developed by New Buildings Institute -less than 100,000 sf - can't have window:wall ratio greater than 40% -can't be Healthcare, warehouse, or lab project -comply with Section 1: Design Process Strategies and Section 2: Core Performance (1 point) -implement performance strategies listed in Section 3: Enhanced Performance (for every 3 strategies, 1 point is available up to additional 2 points)

For Option 3 of EA Prerequisite 2: Minimum Energy Requirements, what are the requirements?

-less than 100,000 sf -comply with Section 1: Design Process Strategies and Section 2: Core Performance Requirements -office, school, public assembly and retail projects less than 100,000 sf must comply with Sections 1 & 2 of the Core Performance Guide -other project types less than 100,000 sf implement basic requirements of Core Performance Guide -Healthcare, warehouse and lab projects ineligible

What are the eligible on-site renewable energy technologies for EA Credit 2: On-Site Renewable Energy?

-photovoltaic systems -wind energy systems -solar thermal systems -bio-fuel based systems (untreated wood waste, agricultural crops or waste, animal waste and other organic waste, landfill gas) -geothermal heating systems -geothermal electric systems -low-impact hydroelectric power systems -wave and tidal power systems NOT eligible: architectural features, passive solar, daylighting, geo-exchange systems (ground-source heat pumps)

How are points calculated in Option 1 of EA Credit 1: Optimize Energy Performance?

-points are calculated based on percentage 12%-48% (in 2% increments) where credits are in increments of 1 starting at 1 for NC & Schools, and 3 for CS - existing buildings begin at 8% (in 2% increments)

Buildings consume approximately how much energy in the United States?

39%

What are the components that must be modeled for Option 1: Whole Building Energy Simulation in EA Credit 1: Optimize Energy Performance?

-schedule of operation -orientation (4 different orientations of the bldg)(take the average cost of the 4 orientations for the baseline buildings) -building envelope -lighting systems -HVAC system selection -Process energy -energy rates -service hot water system

What activities must be completed by the project team to meet EA Prerequisite 1?

1. Designate a CxA (Commissioning Authority) 2. Owner must document owner project requirements 3. Design team must develop the basis of design 4. CxA must review the documents 5. Commissioning requirements must be incorporated into construction documents 6. Commissioning Plan must be developed and implemented 7. Verify installation and performance of systems to be commissioned 8. Summary commissioning report must be completed

Renewable Energy Certificates can be sold if what two criteria are met?

1. The seller can't keep the environmental attributes of the energy 2. RECs equal to 200% of the system's annual rated energy output each year are purchased from a Green-e eligible source

What are the requirements to become a Commissioning Authority (CxA)?

1. documented commissioning authority experience in at least 2 building projects 2. individual must independent of project's design and construction management (although can be employee of those firms or an employee/consultant of the owner) 3. must report results and findings directly to the Owner 4. for projects smaller than 50,000sf, CxA may be on the design or construction team

How is exemplary performance achieved for EA Credit 6: Green Power?

100% of electricity is from renewable sources

If not listed, what is the assumed equipment life for HVAC equipment?

15 years

What are the requirements for Green Power to be Green-e certified?

2 major criteria: 1. energy source meets the requirements for renewable resources detailed in the current version of the Green-e standard 2. renewable energy supplier has undergone an independent, third party verification that the standard has been met

What is the assumed refrigerant leakage rate and end-of-life leakage rate for HVAC equipment?

2% annual refrigerant leakage rate 10% end-of-life refrigerant leakage rate

What is the default process energy cost?

25% of total building energy

Buildings consume approximately how much electricity in the United States?

74%

What standard is used to calculate the baseline building performance rating?

ASHRAE 90.1-2007

What standard(s) must be used to determine the energy baseline?

ASHRAE 90.1-2007;California projects may use Title 24-2005, Part 6 instead

For Option 2 of EA Prerequisite 2: Minimum Energy Requirements, what is required of Schools?

Comply with prescriptive measure in Advanced Energy Design Guide for K-12 buildings. Comply with all applicable criteria as established in the Advanced Energy Design Guide for the climate zone.

What is a difference between HFCs and HCFCs?

HFCs are slightly less efficient refrigerants than HCFCs. HFCs have next to no ozone depletion potential but have high global warming potential. HFCs, while generally better for the environment in regards to ozone depletion potential, are less efficient than HCFCs. Because they are less efficient a building that uses HFC refrigerants must spend more energy to keep the building as cool compared to using HCFC refrigerants. Using more energy to cool the building uses more fossil fuels to run the HVAC equipment and generates more pollution, thereby increasing the greenhouse effect and global warming.

How is exemplary performance achieved for EA Credit 2: On-Site Renewable Energy?

NC & Schools: 15% of energy cost is on-site renewable energy for the building CS: 5% of energy cost is on-site renewable energy for the building

How many points can be achieved for Option 2: Option 2: Prescriptive Compliance Path: ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guide for EA Credit 1: Optimize Energy Performance?

NC: 1 Schools: 1 CS: 1

How many total points are available in the Energy and Atmosphere category?

NC: 35 points (+4 prerequisites) Schools: 33 points (+ 4 prerequisites) CS: 37 points (+ 4 prerequisites)

How many prerequisites are required in the Energy and Atmosphere category?

NC: 4 prerequisites Schools: 4 prerequisites CS: 4 prerequisites

How is an exemplary performance credit achieved for EA Credit 1: Optimize Energy Performance?

Option 1: 50% (new building) 46% (existing building) Option 2: no Exemplary Performance Option 3: no Exemplary Performance

What are the requirement options for EA Credit 4: Enhanced Refrigerant Management?

Option 1: Do not use refrigerants Option 2: select refrigerants that minimize or eliminate the emission of compounds that contribute to ozone depletion and global warming change (low ODP and low GWP) ALL OPTIONS: - small HVAC units (with less than 0.5# of refrigerants) are not subject to the requirements - Do not operate or install fire suppression systems that contain ozone-depleting substances such as CFCs, hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) or halons

What are the 3 options to meet the requirements for EA Prerequisite 2: Minimum Energy Requirements?

Option 1: Whole Building Energy Simulation - 10% improvement for new bldgs; 5% improvement for major renovations compared to the baseline Option 2: Prescriptive Compliance Path: ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guide -comply with prescriptive measures of ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guide for bldg's climate zone. Option 3: Prescriptive Compliance Path: Advanced Buildings Core Performance Guide -comply with prescriptive measured identified in Advanced Buildings Core Performance Guide developed by the New Buildings Institute

What are the 3 options to achieve EA Credit 1: Optimize Energy Performance?

Option 1: Whole Building Energy Simulation - % energy performance improvement of cost savings based on baseline (ASHRAE 90.1) Option 2: Prescriptive Compliance Path: ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guide Option 3: Prescriptive Compliance Path: Advanced Buildings Core Performance Guide

What are the requirements for EA Credit 5.1: Measurement and Verification - Base Building?

Option 1: develop and implement a measurement and verification (M&V) plan consistent with Option D: Calibrated Simulation as specified in the International Performance Measurement & Verification Protocol (IPMVP) Volume III: Concepts and Options for Determining Energy Savings in New Construction Option 2: develop and implement a measurement and verification (M&V) plan consistent with Option B: Energy Conservation Measure Isolation, as specified in the International Performance Measurement & Verification Protocol (IPMVP) Volume III: Concepts and Options for Determining Energy Savings in New Construction. BOTH options: include the following: description of infrastructure design, existing meter locations, existing meter specifications, 1-line electrical schematics identifying end-use circuits, and guidelines for carrying out tenant sub-metering

What are the requirement options to achieve EA Credit 5: Measurement and Verification?

Option 1: develop and implement a measurement and verification (M&V) plan consistent with Option D: Calibrated Simulation as specified in the International Performance Measurement & Verification Protocol (IPMVP) Volume III: Concepts and Options for Determining Energy Savings in New Construction. Option 2: develop and implement a measurement and verification (M&V) plan consistent with Option B: Energy Conservation Measure Isolation, as specified in the International Performance Measurement & Verification Protocol (IPMVP) Volume III: Concepts and Options for Determining Energy Savings in New Construction. BOTH options: * The M&V period must cover at least 1 year of post-construction occupancy * Provide a process for corrective action if the results of the M&V plan indicate that energy savings are not being achieved

How can EA Credit 6: Green Power be achieved if a project can not receive electricity generated from renewable sources from their utility company?

Purchase RECs (Renewable Energy Certificates) worth 35% of energy demands over 2 years

For Option 2 of EA Prerequisite 2: Minimum Energy Requirements, what are the (3) building type categories for ASHRAE Energy Design Guide for NC/CS buildings?

Small Office Buildings (buildings that are less than 20,000 sf and have office occupancy) Small Retail Buildings (less than 20,000 sf and retail occupancy) Small Warehouses and Self Storage Buildings (less than 50,000 sf and warehouse/storage occupancy)

What is the Montreal Protocol?

Under the Montreal Protocol, an international treaty ratified in 1989, refrigerants with nonzero ODP will be phased out by 2030 in developed countries (includes CFCs and HCFCs)

What is net-metering?

a billing and metering arrangement that lets buildings with on-site renewable energy redirect excess energy to the local power grid. This excess electricity can then be deducted from what the building draws from the grid for electricity use

What is a "Commissioning Plan"?

a document that outlines the organization, schedule, allocation of resources, and documentation requirements of the commissioning process

What are the requirements to achieve EA Credit 2: On-Site Renewable Energy?

calculate the project performance by expressing energy produced by renewable systems as a percentage of the building's annual energy cost NC & Schools: 1% = 1 point 3% = 2 points ... 13% = 7 points CS: 1% = 4 points

What are examples of natural refrigerants?

carbon dioxide, ammonia, propane

How is Option 2 (Prescriptive Compliance Path: ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guide) of EA Credit 1: Optimize Energy Performance met?

comply with prescriptive measures outlined in the ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guide based on the climate zone of the building ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guides for: - Small Office Buildings 2004 - Small Retail Buildings 2006 - Small Warehouses and Self-Storage Buildings 2008 - K-12 School Buildings

What are the requirements for EA Prerequisite 3: Fundamental Refrigerant Management?

new base building HVAC-R & fire-suppression systems: zero use of CFC-based refrigerants reusing existing base building HVAC-R systems & fire-suppression systems: complete a comprehensive CFC phase-out conversion prior to project completion

What are examples included as "process energy"?

office and general misc. equipment, computers, elevators, escalators, kitchen cooking and refrigeration, laundry, any lighting that was exempt from the lighting allowance

What is Green-e?

program established by the Center for Resource Solutions to promote green electricity products and provide consumers with rigorous and nationally recognized method to identify those products

How can exemplary performance be achieved in EA Credit 3: Enhanced Commissioning?

projects that conduct comprehensive envelope commissioning may be considered CS: projects that require the full scope of commissioning (fundamental and enhanced) for all the tenant spaces may be considered

What is the intent of EA Credit 5: Measurement and Verification?

provide ongoing accountability of building energy consumption over time

What is efficient refrigerant charge?

refrigerant charge is the ratio of refrigerant required (pounds) to gross cooling capacity provided

What is a special requirement of schools for EA Prerequisite 2: Minimum Energy Requirements?

schools must establish an energy performance rating goal for the facility design using EPA's Target Finder rating tool.

What is ENERGY STAR?

this rating is a measure of a building's energy performance compared with that of similar buildings; a score of 50 represents average building performance