You won’t earn this prerequisite by accident. The energy efficiency requirements here are typically much more stringent than local codes, so plan on giving it special attention with your team, including leadership from the owner.
The first year of operations is usually a learning period for both the occupants and the facility manager. If your project underwent enhanced commissioning and developed an operations manual, you will have fewer miscommunications and untrained staff.
Although EAc1 is a design phase submittal, it may make sense to submit the credit after construction for LEED certification to take into account any final design changes.
If you are installing sensors and controls, they should be configured per specifications. Surprisingly, these are occasionally miscalibrated or even reversed, causing discomfort to occupants, cost to the owner, and system malfunction.
If you are installing a BMS, configure and program it to specifications. If there was any change in system specifications, make sure it is accounted for in the BMS programming.
Value engineering and other factors can result in design changes that eliminate certain energy features relevant to the credit. As this compliance path is prescriptive, your project cannot afford to drop even one listed item. Although perceived as high-cost, prescriptive requirements lower energy costs during operation and provide a simple payback structure.
Value engineering and other factors can result in design changes that eliminate certain energy features relevant to EAc1. As this compliance path is prescriptive, your project cannot afford to drop even one prescribed item.
