EA Optimized Energy Performance

All signs point to yes. The draft language currently says 90.1-2010 for LEED v2012. And yes, 90.1-2010 is a significant jump over the previous version. I don't think most people realize what's coming until they actually are forced to design to it. The designers will start screaming next year when they understand its impact. I'm hoping this will kill the glass box design. But it will be difficult for everyone.

Change is always hard. Many of our projects are doing more than 40% to 50% better than 2004 and 2007 so 2010 should not be difficult for those doing a good job now. If you are designing marginally performing buildings it will present a challenge which always implies an opportunity. I also hope that this limits bad design like Bill's glass boxes, no daylighting, marginally performing HVAC while encouraging more renewables.

Heat and humidity won't stop designers from credit achievement. The inertia of the status quo and lack of imagination and design skill is what we should be concerned about.

I will be watching the decision on which edition of ASHRAE 90.1 will be implemented for LEED closely. I work for a New Orleans based MEP firm and humidity is a major component here for the HVAC design. The 2007 to 2010 ASHRAE changes require more MEP equipment to be installed. The key word is "require." Our firm has been designing to many of the 2010 standards already as it is good industry practice in our climate, but there are Owner's that do not wish to have the more complicated HVAC systems in their buildings, but still want to be LEED Certified. I will be interested to see how LEED balances requirements with options on these sort of things. I have been involved in LEED since 2.1, and at times the requirements (not options) of LEED do not appear to favor humid climates.

Trane has a great video newsletter on the changes to 90.1. I can post a link to it, but I am not sure if this board allows that.

My big concern with 2010 is the added complexity. I'm a big believer in making designs simple. The amount of controls for lighting will give a maintenance man a nightmare when he's told to troubleshoot a problem. How many EC's just wire it up and walk away without ever programing?

The lighting control portion of ASHRAE 90.1 2010 is not that much different than 2007, but 2010 does add a new requirement of having 50% of office receptacles (electrical outlets) to be on automatic shutoff. That requirement will more than double the amount of control equipment needed in an office building.

The lighting density requirements are more aggressive too, but LED technology is making that more feasible now. Hopefully LED technology will continue it downward trend in cost.

Jason, the new required controls for 2010 will include:
- 50% of receptacles to be controlled via the occ sensors. Not a simple thing with most lighting at a different voltage than the receptacles.
- Manual on, auto off control. Not just the simple function of wiring the switch thru the sensor control like normal.
- Daylight harvesting for fixtures near windows or skylights.
- facade & landscape lighting controlled separate from parking so they can be turned off from 12am to 6am.
- Reduce advertising by 30% after hours.
- Fuctional testing of all controls.
- Multi-level lighting in some locations.
- Advanced controls incentive. Allowing more connected load if a more complex lighting system is installed. (Manufacturers had a hand in this)