For the Level I Energy audit, it requires analysis of two or more years of utility consumption and cost. The building we are trying to certify shares an electric meter with other buildings on the property. We are going to install a submeter but, in the mean time how do we address this lack of metering data for this individual building for the energy audit. Any suggestions?
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Jenny Carney
Vice PresidentWSP
LEEDuser Expert
657 thumbs up
June 1, 2010 - 2:27 pm
In my experience, most teams perform the preliminary energy use analysis (which is a prelude to the Level I audit) based on an energy use intensity value (e.g., kbtu/sf). Maybe you could take historic campus data to create an EUI that will allow you to perform the analysis and still have a comparison point once your submeter is set up for building specific data (this isn't perfect in terms of establishing a history, but might be workable).
Also, the ASHRAE Procedurs for Commercial Building Energy Audits document states that you need utility data for at least a one-year period (page 6), which is the same as what you'll need to do the EAp2/EAc1 benchmarking. Where are you seeing the 2-year requirement?
Igor Barer
Director of Engineering ServicesEnvironmental Building Strategies
11 thumbs up
June 1, 2010 - 2:37 pm
Rachael,
How are you addressing the lack of energy data for EA Prereq 2 & Credit 1?
Are the two buildings that share the meter similar in size and function?
I'll work on digging farther into this so hopefully you won't have to avoid the credit...
Rachael McClain
113 thumbs up
June 4, 2010 - 11:34 am
Igor-
The metering data I'm referring to is for EA Prereq 1 where it is required to have metering data for the ASHRAE Level I walkthrough analysis. Thanks for your help.
Rachael McClain
113 thumbs up
June 4, 2010 - 11:39 am
Jenny-
The ASHRAE Procedure for Commercial Building Energy Audits document where it specifies two years is one page one under OUTLINE, under number one. it says "Analysis of two or more years of utility consumption and cost". In your opinion, do you think I should consult with USGBC? Since this is a prerequisiste I don't want to end up having them reject our application if they don't accept an estimation of the utility data. Thanks for your help.
Igor Barer
Director of Engineering ServicesEnvironmental Building Strategies
11 thumbs up
June 4, 2010 - 1:41 pm
Rachael,
I was wondering what data you are using for Prereq 2 because that is the same information you'll be analyzing through the Audit process for Prereq 1.
Rachael McClain
113 thumbs up
June 4, 2010 - 4:09 pm
Hi Igor-
We will have to get the building sub-metered and start inputing the data over 12 mo. period (performance period) so we can get a rating for EA prereq 2. We are attempting to complete the Energy Audit now so we can identify energy improvements we can make before the performance period starts.
Igor Barer
Director of Engineering ServicesEnvironmental Building Strategies
11 thumbs up
June 4, 2010 - 8:05 pm
Rachel,
Ok - now I understand. You technically have the utility bills for the property... You just happen to have them for multiple units on the property that aren't necessarily being certified at the same time. I think analyzing the bills as you have them as well as doing an audit of the systems to discover expected load for each of the energy using systems will suffice for the "walk-through" audit. To be safe and diligent you will want to compare those expected loads to actual when you start submetering.