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Credit language
Intent
To reduce ozone depletion and support early compliance with the Montreal Protocol while minimizing direct contributions to climate change.
Requirements
Option 1. No refrigerants or low-impact refrigerants (1 point)
Do not use refrigerants, or use only refrigerants (naturally occurring or synthetic) that have an ozone depletion potential (ODP) of zero and a global warming potential (GWP) of less than 50.
OR
Option 2. Calculation of refrigerant impact (1 point)
Select refrigerants that are used in heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) equipment to minimize or eliminate the emission of compounds that contribute to ozone depletion and climate change. The combination of all new and existing base building and tenant HVAC&R equipment that serve the project must comply with the following formula:
IP units
LCGWP |
+ |
LCODP |
x |
105 |
≤ |
100 |
|
SI units
|
Calculation definitions for
LCGWP + LCODP x 105 ≤ 100
(IP units) |
Calculation definitions for
LCGWP + LCODP x 105 ≤ 13
(SI units) |
LCODP = [ODPr x (Lr x Life +Mr) x Rc]/Life |
LCODP = [ODPr x (Lr x Life +Mr) x Rc]/Life |
LCGWP = [GWPr x (Lr x Life +Mr) x Rc]/Life |
LCGWP = [GWPr x (Lr x Life +Mr) x Rc]/Life |
LCODP: Lifecycle Ozone Depletion Potential
(lb CFC 11/Ton-Year) |
LCODP: Lifecycle Ozone Depletion Potential
(kg CFC 11/(kW/year)) |
LCGWP: Lifecycle Direct Global Warming Potential
(lb CO2/Ton-Year) |
LCGWP: Lifecycle Direct Global Warming Potential
(kg CO2/kW-year) |
GWPr: Global Warming Potential of Refrigerant
(0 to 12,000 lb CO2/lbr) |
GWPr: Global Warming Potential of Refrigerant
(0 to 12,000 kg CO2/kg r) |
ODPr: Ozone Depletion Potential of Refrigerant
(0 to 0.2 lb CFC 11/lbr) |
ODPr: Ozone Depletion Potential of Refrigerant
(0 to 0.2 kg CFC 11/kg r) |
Lr: Refrigerant Leakage Rate
(2.0%) |
Lr: Refrigerant Leakage Rate
(2.0%) |
Mr: End-of-life Refrigerant Loss
(10%) |
Mr: End-of-life Refrigerant Loss
(10%) |
Rc: Refrigerant Charge
(0.5 to 5.0 lbs of refrigerant per ton of gross AHRI rated cooling capacity) |
Rc: Refrigerant Charge
(0.065 to 0.65 kg of refrigerant per kW of AHRI rated or Eurovent Certified cooling capacity) |
Life: Equipment Life
(10 years; default based on equipment type, unless otherwise demonstrated) |
Life: Equipment Life
(10 years; default based on equipment type, unless otherwise demonstrated) |
For multiple types of equipment, calculate a weighted average of all base building HVAC&R equipment, using the following formula:
IP units |
|
SI units |
∑ ( LCGWP + LCODP x 105 ) x Qunit |
≤ 100 |
∑ ( LCGWP + LCODP x 105 ) x Qunit |
≤ 13 |
Qtotal |
Qtotal |
Calculation definitions for
[ ∑ (LCGWP + LCODP x 105) x Qunit ] / Qtotal ≤ 100
|
Calculation definitions for
[ ∑ (LCGWP + LCODP x 105) x Qunit ] / Qtotal ≤ 13
|
| (IP units) |
(SI units) |
Qunit = Gross AHRI rated cooling capacity of an individual HVAC or refrigeration unit (Tons) |
Qunit = Eurovent Certified cooling capacity of an individual HVAC or refrigeration unit (kW) |
Qtotal = Total gross AHRI rated cooling capacity of all HVAC or refrigeration |
Qtotal = Total Eurovent Certified cooling capacity of all HVAC or refrigeration (kW) |
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Cost estimates for this credit
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Our tab contains overall cost guidance, notes on what “soft costs” to expect, and a strategy-by-strategy breakdown of what to consider and what it might cost, in percentage premiums, actual costs, or both.
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Frequently asked questions
How can I determine the leakage rate of my equipment?
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Should all commercial refrigerant equipment be accounted for, including both upright and under-counter? What about walk-in refrigerators? Ice makers?
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I'm working on a renovation project and we'll be keeping some of the existing equipment. Should we include these systems in our calculations?
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What is the required timeline for completing a CFC phase-out for this credit?
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The refrigerant type I need to enter is missing from the credit form. What should I do?
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Are HCFC or HFC refrigerants considered CFC-based refrigerants?
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Addenda
7/10/2020 – Updated: 7/17/2020
Form Update
Description of change: Under Option 2 of the v4 BD+C/ID+C credit form and v4 O+M credit form for EA credit Enhanced Refrigerant Management:
In the Table for Mechanical cooling and refrigeration equipment, under the column "Refrigerant", add "Other (specify)" as the last option in the drop-down list.
Next to the table, add margin note: "Projects that select "Other" must provide documentation of the ODPr and the GWPr values for the refrigerant."
Internationally Applicable: No
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry: What capacity is to be used for centrifugal chillers that, due to their selection conditions, cannot operate at AHRI standard conditions?
The AHRI flow rates are based on capacity. This leads to circular calculation since AHRI standard conditions are dependent on capacity, but capacity is the desired output. How does the project team resolve this circular calculation?
Ruling: To determine the Gross AHRI rated cooling capacity (tons) of an individual HVAC or refrigeration unit that cannot operate at AHRI standard conditions, use the design and selected conditions of the equipment drawing or schedule. Enter this cooling capacity in the Qunit (tons) column in Table. Mechanical and Cooling and Refrigeration Equipment in the credit form.
To determine unit capacity in tons for centrifugal chillers that cannot operate at AHRI standard conditions, use selected flow rates for the evaporator, and use standard AHRI temperatures established for the individual HVAC or refrigeration unit.
Internationally Applicable: Yes
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