This is a major renovation of an old office building. The new building will use structural walls and metal roof of previos building. That building had no insulation on roof, it was just a metal roof, and the walls were 6" concrete block without insulation. According to ashrae if the previous building was also conditioned, any alteration not need to comply with the standard. So my firs question is, should I model the baseline as it was without insulation, and then take advantage of the insulation of the proposed building?? Second question, how do I document that the previous building was conditioned (with mini-splits and wall-units). There are just structural walls and roof at this moment.
Third question has nothing to do with previous, according to Ashrae you should not model ceiling. My understanding is that this restriction is just for baseline, right? Can I model ceiling in the proposed?
Thanks
Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5906 thumbs up
March 16, 2011 - 1:47 pm
For LEED the baseline building is modeled using the existing conditions, so question 1 is yes. You do need to meet the mandatory provisions and show enough savings. Do not confuse code compliance with applying Appendix G for LEED. Question 2 - for LEED I do not think you have to do so.
Question 3 - Not sure I understand the question. Do you mean a drop ceiling? Please be more specific.
javier bolanos zeledon
243 thumbs up
March 16, 2011 - 2:59 pm
p.77 A2.1 of Asrhae 90.1 states "the buffering effect of suspended ceilings or attic spaces shall not be included in U-factor calculations".
My question is if this applies to proposed building too?
Best.
Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5906 thumbs up
March 16, 2011 - 3:13 pm
It does apply to the proposed. Appendix A is used to calculate the U-values in the proposed building.
This means that you cannot claim any thermal benefits from a suspended ceiling. Whether you model it depends on if it has any effect on energy. Is the space above the ceiling used as a plenum? Then maybe it should be modeled. We usually do not model one unless it has an effect and the 90.1 section you cite indicates you cannot claim a thermal benefit associated with it.