The downton high-rise I am attempting LEED certification has an EnergyStar label that just expired on Mar 31, 2011. They would like EnergyStar recertification as soon as possible and attempt LEED certification next year (with their performance period for other elements ending in May/June 2012). They completed a chiller retrofit in Feb 2011, so they would like their LEED EnergyStar score to include summer 2011 data. (Their current score is 86 without the retrofit!) If the building obtains an EnergyStar label in Sept 2011, may I use that score and documentation for LEED credits EAp2, EAc1, and EAc6 if I submit the LEED application in June 2012? Also, if we obtain outside air measurements as required for IEQp1 in July 2011 (to satisfy the ASHRAE 62 compliance piece for EnergyStar certification), can I extend the performance period for IEQp1 to begin in July 2011 so I don't have to repeat those measurements? (I cannot find any LEED documentation regarding the Energy Star "label" performance period "exception" except from a LEEDUser post. Is it "officially" documented anywhere?
Thank you, in advance, for your tremendously helpful information.
Michael Opitz
Director of SustainabilityIconergy
60 thumbs up
May 27, 2011 - 5:52 pm
Dawn:
Here are a couple of rules-of-thumb that may help clarify your situation:
EAp2/c1 - generally it's OK to use the ENERGY STAR label in the "streamlined path" (documentation shortcut) as long as the label is current, meaning awarded within the 12 months preceding the date you apply for your LEED review. You can also use the ES score corresponding to that label. However, if you want to use a higher ES score that reflects improvements after the label date you would need to provide the ordinary full documentation (no streamlining shortcut).
EQp1 - in EBOM any performance period may be extended backward in time up to 2 years preceding the date of your LEED review application. See the introduction of the Ref Guide for details.