We're evaluating LEED pilot credit EQpc124 which provides an alternative approach to several indoor air quality credits while meeting the minimum IAQ performance prerequisite.
Part of the IAQ approach to ensure contaminants of concern remain below threshold limits could include air cleaning equipment to remove indoor air contaminants. This approach would implement the IAQ procedure of ASHRAE Standard 62.1 in lieu of the ventilation rate procedure as permitted in the pilot credit.
For EAp2 energy modeling, could the baseline ventilation rate be the calculated VRP ventilation rate and the proposed ventilation rate to be the lower rate derived from the IAQ procedure?
If there's an energy penalty for above-minimum levels of ventilation in pursuit of improved IAQ (for example, 62.1 VRP minimum rates in baseline model vs. 62.1 VRP minimum rates +30% in proposed model), then would there be an energy credit for reducing levels of ventilation in pursuit of improved IAQ?
Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5909 thumbs up
January 24, 2019 - 12:38 pm
I am not sure this has been addressed yet. So the conservative approach would be to model the ventilation rates identically in your baseline and proposed models. Then submit the method you describe above as an exceptional calculation providing a narrative explanation/justification along with the VRP calculations. We will submit this to GBCI for discussion on a reviewer call and let you know the outcome. Thanks for the great question.
Cory Duggin
Senior Energy WizardTLC Engineering Solutions
53 thumbs up
January 24, 2019 - 1:36 pm
We have been allowed to show energy savings as a result of OA reduction using the IAQP. The key is whether the air cleaning technology being used to reduce the necessary ventilation with the IAQP is acceptable for compliance with the pilot credit.
Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5909 thumbs up
February 7, 2019 - 2:39 pm
This was discussed with GBCI today and the baseline and proposed must be modeled identically. No credit is allowed even if doing an exceptional calculation. If this was allowed in the past it is not longer allowed on future projects.