Hello,
Our project is going for LEED v4 BD+C: NC so the energy model is based on ASHRAE 90.1-2010 in which the baseline HVAC system type is based on the proposed heating fuel type. However, this project is in climate zone 5A and has electric heat pumps coupled with heat recovery from an effluent system which is not typical but very efficient. This means that the baseline HVAC system type is also electric (System 4 PSZ-HP). We believe the project isn't seeing as much energy savings as expected because the baseline has to have the same heating fuel source as the proposed -- almost seems like the project is being penalized for going electric when the team chose this HVAC system because of its commitment to energy and GHG reduction.
ASHRAE 90.1-2013 appears to address this issue by requiring the baseline system type to be based on the project's climate zone instead of the proposed fuel type so that the baseline would now be System 3 PSZ-AC. We looked into LEED interpretation 10481 which allows for the usage of ASHRAE 90.1-2013, but the wording seems to imply that only projects regulated by ASHRAE 90.1-2013 by code are allowed to use this interpretation. Does anyone know if this is true? This project isn't regulated by ASHRAE 90.1-2013 so it would be a shame if the project couldn't get more energy savings because of this baseline type issue.
Or is there any other interpretation or addendum that would allow for a project to use ASHRAE 90.1-2013 or use the baseline system type table from ASHRAE 90.1-2013?
Thank you!
Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5867 thumbs up
August 5, 2020 - 4:59 pm
I agree that that is the way the interpretation is worded because that was the specific question. Once an equivalency is determined I think that any project could use it whether 2013 is the local code or not. So you could justify using it but you must use it in its entirety. So you might save more on HVAC but not as much on other end uses since 2013 is more stringent in other areas as well.
Summer Minchew
Managing PartnerEcoimpact Consulting
LEEDuser Expert
164 thumbs up
July 12, 2021 - 9:51 am
May be a little late to the game here but GBCI has posted FAQ RE LI 10481:
Can projects that are not regulated by ASHRAE 90.1-2013 or IECC 2015 use this approach?
No, the additional percentage improvement in this LEED Interpretation assumes that the project scope of work, and any future fit-outs not included in the project scope of work will be regulated by the referenced standard or more stringent requirements. Therefore, this is only applicable for projects regulated by ASHRAE 90.1-2013 or IECC 2015.