We're working on a 40,000 sf existing building undergoing significant interior renovations and lighting upgrades, but will be using the existing mechanical system. We will also be adding 40,000 sf with new mechanical serving the addition. Do we need to separate energy use and show minimum savings of 14% in the new addition and 7% in the renovated portion? Or do we base our overall energy cost savings for the 80,000 sf project on the percentages indicated for Existing Building Renovations?
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Nancy Goshow
Managing PartnerGoshow Architects
39 thumbs up
December 14, 2010 - 6:55 pm
What happens when you have a similar situation (existing building being rennovated with a new addition) but the entire HVAC system and building envelope are being replaced? Would you just consider the entire building as new?
Tristan Roberts
RepresentativeVermont House of Representatives
LEEDuser Expert
11478 thumbs up
December 28, 2010 - 6:51 pm
Amanda, that sounds like a judgment call to me. If the envelope is being replaced, it does sound like it makes sense to call it a new building.
Mark Benson
72 thumbs up
January 12, 2011 - 4:20 pm
This raises a good question as to what constitutes an "existing building" for EAc1 purposes. If you gut the interior partions of a building and replace the mechanical systems, I'd call it 100% existing. If you then replace the windows, I'd probably still call it 100% existing.
But what happens when you then replace or add insulation to the entire roof? That's the situation I am currently faced with. Is it still 100% existing? 0% existing? Or some % in between? I feel that USGBC needs to refine this definition of "existing" buildings as it pertains to EAc1 point thresholds in these grey areas.
Any input into my situation would be appreciated.
Jonathan Weiss
Jacobs Buildings & Infrastructure215 thumbs up
February 21, 2011 - 3:33 pm
I think if you are adding envelope components you are still altering an existing building. If you are adding an addition, e.g. new occupied space, then you are not 100% existing. So if you're adding insulation to the roof, you are still 100% existing, If you're building an insulated penthouse on the roof, that counts as addition. USGBC does allow for envelope improvements under MR Credit 1 for building re-use, I assume because they want to encourage upgrading the performance of building envelopes.