FAQs about EAp2 :

For a project outside the U.S., how do I determine the Target Finder score?

Do hotel rooms need automatic light shut-off control?

How commonly are the 90.1 mandatory compliance forms submitted as part of EAp2/EAc1?

The Section 9 space-by-space method does not include residential space types. What should I use?

Can the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) be used to energy model for LEED?

Is it acceptable to model a split-type AC with inverter technology compressor as a heat pump, like modeling VRF?

Can the Trace 700 'LEED Energy Performance Summary Report' by uploaded to LEED Online in lieu of the Section 1.4 tables spreadsheet?

A portion of our building envelope is historic. Can we exclude it from our model?

Which baseline HVAC system do I use if my building has no heating or air conditioning?

For an existing building, do I need to rotate the model?

Our project has a diesel backup generator. Should we include it in our energy model?

Our project has a large process load—75%. Despite our efforts to make an efficient HVAC design, the cost savings are minimal. What can we do to earn this prerequisite and be eligible for LEED certification? Is there any flexibility in how we model the p

Can SHGC be higher in the proposed than in the baseline model?

Our process load is higher than 25%. Do we have to justify that?

Do I need to justify the electrical and fuel rates I am using in my model?

Our local code references ASHRAE 90.1-2010. Should I use that for my documentation, or 90.1-2007?

Can I claim exterior lighting savings for canopy lighting even though a baseline model cannot include shading elements?

The project is built on a site with existing exterior lighting installed. How should this be accounted for?

Can mezzanines open to floors below be excluded from the energy model?

How do I provide a zip code for an international location?

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Forum discussion

NC-2009 EAp2:Minimum Energy Performance

Baseline Model DCV

I overlooked the demand control requirement for the baseline system in the energy model, and have been directed by the reviewer to install it in 3 rooms based on calculation numbers, which makes sense. The proposed system does not include DCV, it hasn't been modeled, and hasn't been required by the reviewer. The problem is that when I include the DCV into 2 of the systems that require this, the ventilation rate increase dramatically. One system goes from 34% outside air to 63% outside air requirement. The other system goes from 33% outside air to 100% outside air. The third system is part of the first floor System 5, and has been broken out to be it's own System 3 (per ASHRAE 90.1-2007 G3.1.1(b)), and the ventilation required matches the proposed exactly. The two systems with the increase in OA are a Gym and Auxiliary Gym, so separate system 3 was created in conjunction with the baseline required system 5 as described in G3.1.1(b). My question is: is it common to include demand control ventilation into the system energy model and have such a drastic increase in ventilation air requirement? I am using Trane TRACE, so I don't know if this is a failure of the calculations, failure of the inputs, or if this difference is common. For general knowledge, the OA required to the spaces required are set to the same values and not set to be calculated, yet that seems to be what TRACE is doing. I've always been under the impression that the ventilation between baseline and proposed should be the same, but this change has resulted in the baseline have a total building increase of 22.3% more OA then the proposed system, and the difference in the cost efficiency is about 9%.

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Tue, 05/06/2014 - 14:02

The short answer is the Trace 700 DCV doesn't work well with Energy Simulations. It works great as a Load calc/design tool and determining compliance with ASHRAE 62.1, but too many variables cause it not to work so well for a simulation. The long answer and more accurate answer to your question would take longer to explain, I'd suggest calling Trace Support and they will walk you through easiest fix or workaround.

Tue, 05/06/2014 - 14:05

Sounds like you may be having the software calculate the OA. With DCV in the Baseline the OA should be user entered and not calculated. The Baseline OA should be identical to the Proposed design OA. Be careful to double check how you are controlling the DCV within the model. Depending on how it is controlled it could override the manual entry and calculate the OA based on the critical zone. You might want to call Trace to get some specific guidance. Make sure to provide justification for the use of G3.1.1 Exception (b).

Tue, 05/06/2014 - 14:37

Thanks for the comments, I was hoping it would be simpler than this. Calling the support was next on my list.

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