Hello,
we are working on numerous projects which do not include a cooling tower nor evaporative condensers.
The Option "No Cooling tower was firstly available as Pilot credit, now it is closed for registration, and in the v4.1 it was under Option 2. untill an Addenda in 2019 where it was removed completely.
My question is, how are we to comply and get those 2 (3 for C&S) points in this case, when none of the options available is ever applicable? It is a standard not to use these, isn´t that supposed to be rewarded, and wouldn´t that equal to 100% reduction?
Did anyone come up with a solution in this case?
We appreciate all answers, thanks in advance!
Azra
Dave Hubka
Practice Leader - SustainabilityEUA
LEEDuser Expert
495 thumbs up
June 17, 2023 - 7:35 am
Hello Azra,
Projects registered before April 21, 2023 can use any edition of the v4.1 reference guide. Editions Jan 2019, July 2019, and July 2020 all provide an option for points when the project meets certain requirements AND does not have a cooling tower.
Substitute in the v4.1 credit and provide a note in LEED Online that you will be using one of the editions listed above.
For projects registered on/after April 21, 2023 we look to the Whole Project Water Use Reduction alternative compliance path. We've had good success with this ACP on non-factory projects that do not include cooling towers.
Good Luck!
Azra Semic
8 thumbs up
June 19, 2023 - 1:46 am
Hello Dave,
thank you so much for the clarification! It has been the most helpful. :)
Kind regards,
Azra
Paul Erlichman
July 20, 2023 - 12:26 pm
Hi Dave, a quick question regarding your comment: Were any of the projects where you used the ACP residential? I ask because for all its changes, it seems the v4.1 process water credit never accepted not having a cooling tower as evidence of process water reduction for residential projects (System 1 being the baseline system type in ASHRAE 90.1).
I'm curious if the ACP allows for residential projects to claim process water savings towards overall building water reduction. And if so, how one would go about setting a process water baseline against which to measure reduction.
Documenting the ACP seems potentially a bit hairy, so would just want to be sure if it's the only way to claim process water savings before really diving in. Thanks!
Dave Hubka
Practice Leader - SustainabilityEUA
LEEDuser Expert
495 thumbs up
July 24, 2023 - 6:05 pm
Hello Paul,
I have not pursued the Whole Project Water Use Reduction ACP on a residential project, yet.
My guess is that if the residential project had a fairly large non-irrigated landscape area AND ptac's were used for the HVAC (no cooling tower) AND low flow plumbing fixtures AND ENERGY STAR appliancese were selected throughout, then favorable results from the ACP would be experienced.
If all of the above is not included, then probably the standard list of WE credits would be easier and more benificial to document.
Hope this helps!
Brittany Garneau
EngineerDecember 19, 2023 - 8:21 am
Hi Dave,
A LEED v4.1 addendum was published on November 9, 2020 (ID#100002465) in which Option 2 was modified. So for projects registered after Novembre 9, 2020, I'm not sure if they can use the "No Cooling Tower" option. However, it looks like projects could still earn points under "Option 2. Optimize Water Use for Cooling" if they meet the eligibility criteria described in the Step-by-Step Guidance.
In another forum on this matter titled "No Cooling Tower option removed", Stephanie Graham wrote : “So when USGBC says Project teams must follow addenda published prior to their project’s registration date--you must adhere to the current rating system, with addenda, that were in effect on your registration date. […] You cannot use an earlier version of the rating system or addenda”.