Operable windows as controls

Amanda Ross

Architect, Sustainability Lead

LEEDuser Basic Member

8 thumbs up

September 14, 2011

Just to clarify: Each operable window counts as one control. Therefore if I have an open office space with 50 people within 20' of the exterior wall, then I need at least 24 windows and one thermostat. Correct?

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Lauren Sparandara

Sustainability Manager

Google

LEEDuser Expert

700 thumbs up

Fri, 11/04/2011 - 23:15

Hi Amanda, I agree with you except I don't think you need one thermostat unless you only had 24 windows (wasn't sure if the example was just a hypothetical example). If you already have one thermostat and want to include it then that would be fine but you can comply with one or the other (windows or mechanical controls). Lauren

Amanda Ross

Architect, Sustainability Lead

LEEDuser Basic Member

8 thumbs up

Fri, 11/04/2011 - 23:40

What if I had 10 work stations, all within 20' of the same single window? Would I only be able to count 2 occupants as having controls, or would I get to count 5 occupants as having controls? My project team is trying to determine the cost and feasability of going for this credit. We're working on a new office tower and we'll have some operable windows, but they're expensive, so we're trying to work out how many we need. The description up above on LEEDuser suggests that occupants need only be within 20' of a window, and that many occupants can share one window. To be honest, this doesn't make sense to me. It seems like max 2 people should be sharing a window, or else they'll all be disagreeing on whether to close or open it. What's your experience?