Dear all,
I am currently carrying out an energy performance calculation of a mall building for LEED minimum energy performance compliance. As with most malls, there are large number of main and functional entries from outside, and therefore infiltrations. The main entries as per ASHRAE 90.1 Envelope mandatory provisions are provided with vestibules, revolving doors or air curtains (also acceptable for CZ 3). I wonder which is the right approach to address this in the energy model. Is it necessary/mandatory to include these infiltrations in the energy model? Have you done this before? in that case which method have you followed? should the revolving door motor consumption include in the energy performance? would this be significant?
Or on the contrary, can I just assume that because I am following the ASHRAE 90.1 mandatory provisions, there will be little to no infiltration?
What about the baseline building? does it have self-closing/ automatic doors? can we consider the baseline without vestibules and claim the savings?
Thanks
Tyler Thumma
7GroupLEEDuser Expert
67 thumbs up
March 16, 2023 - 9:19 am
Yes, the infiltration should be addressed in the energy model. The revolving door motor should also be included, but can be modeled identically in the Baseline and Proposed models. I would recommend following 90.1-2010 Addendum ag, which defines the infiltration rate requirements explicitly. Savings for infiltration can only be modeled if (1) the design includes measures beyond the mandatory provisions, and (2) air-leakage testing is completed to demonstrate that a reduced leakage rate has been achieved in the constructed building.
Julio Fernandez Amodia
5 thumbs up
March 16, 2023 - 11:00 am
Hi Tyler,
I understand. Can I assume that the envelope infiltration estimation according to ASHRAE 90.1 also covers the entrance infiltrations?
Is this correct?
Thanks
Tyler Thumma
7GroupLEEDuser Expert
67 thumbs up
March 17, 2023 - 11:42 am
Yes this is correct