Hello,
We are working on a residential project where the HVAC system won´t be provided for the apartments, the project scope contemplates the preparation and space for the equipments so every owner can install his own equipment (probably mini splits).
The question is, should we model the baseline and the proposed system the same? since we don´t know if the 100% of the apartments will have air conditioned or the characteristics of the equipments that will be installed. And another issue we are having with this prerequisite is that the envelope considers an 80% of glassing while ASHRAE only considers a 40% maximum, therefore it will be very difficult to accomplish this prerequisite because the HVAC system won´t accomplish any savings and the glassing is above the baseline percentage.
Is there an alternative way for these kind of cases where the original scope is not defined yet, but it will be defined later until the operation of the building?
Or, can we apply as Core and Shell instead of New Construction? even if the apartments will be sold instead of rented.
Thank you in advance.
Regards,
Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5909 thumbs up
March 10, 2014 - 3:12 pm
Sounds like core and shell to me. The two issues you raise will certainly make it difficult to meet the minimum. You could also add almost no lighting savings available either. You are going to need some pretty fantastic glass!
If there no HVAC design in the units the system is modeled identically to the baseline system (see Table G3.1-10).
There is a reason the standard limits the glass to wall ratio as this is a very wasteful practice and projects should pay a penalty if they still wish to do so.
LEED Pro Consultant
Bioconstruccion & Energia Alternativa78 thumbs up
March 11, 2014 - 6:38 pm
Thanks for you answer, Marcus. The owner will definitely have to install a pretty efficient glass in order to comply, even more so with the high glazing ratio.
Is it C&S even though the developer is going to habilitate everything except HVAC (which, as before mentioned, will be preparations for it to be installed by each occupant)? Lighting, furniture, furnishings, water equipment, etc., are inside the scope. Is it valid to pursue NC and in order to claim savings on HVAC to present each apt. owner with the HVAC specifications?
And another couple of questions: we have another residential apartment building that will have no HVAC in the apartments. (The location's climate is quite benevolent) Then the energy savings will depend on lighting, the couple of areas (amenities) with HVAC, and electrical equipment, is this true? The developer will habilitate everything: is it correct to pursue NC?
Thanks!
Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5909 thumbs up
March 12, 2014 - 10:00 am
Now it is sounding more like NC. I assumed that if the HVAC was not being installed then much of the rest of the interior fit out would not be included either. How many floors is the project? Maybe LEED Mid-Rise Residential applies?
Sounds right. The apartments would be considered unconditioned space.
LEED Pro Consultant
Bioconstruccion & Energia Alternativa78 thumbs up
March 12, 2014 - 6:08 pm
The project has 8 or 9 floors at the most.
Is LEED Mid-Rise Residential available for projects outside the US (Mexico)?
Thanks for your feedback!
Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5909 thumbs up
March 12, 2014 - 6:31 pm
That might be stretching it a bit. I know the Mid-Rise folks have been trying to stretch it but at one point it was limited to 4 to 6 stories. Not sure what the current limit is however and USGBC's web site is currently having issues. I think all the rating system are available for use outside the US.