I am modeling a shell office building project for LEED 2009 using ASHRAE 90.1-2007 as the basis for modeling. I received the following comment
Per Table G3.1#6(Proposed)(c), model the lighting for unfinished spaces identically in the Baseline and Proposed case model using the Building Area Method for the appropriate building type.
Only the core areas, stairs, equipment rooms, etc are being fitted out with lighting. Other spaces have only minimal lighting until they are built into office space. Table G3.1 6.c. requires that the lighting in areas not designed be modeled using the Building Area Method. However, the local code where the building is being constructed is the 2012 code cycle, which requires occupancy sensors for office space. Even though the shell will not be fit out with lighting at this time, can I still claim item (g.) 10% reduction for occupancy sensors allowed by Table G3.2?
Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5909 thumbs up
August 11, 2014 - 10:15 am
I would think that you could do so with a couple of caveats. Make sure to document the local requirement and only take the credit for say 80% or so of the area to account for possible partition walls and spaces where sensors may not be installed.