Hallo,
The credit requirements state the following: "Projects with major energy users not included in the HERS Index, including pools, spas, heated driveways, and heated garages, or other major energy users not included in the HERS index must use Option 1."
It is not clear to me if this approach can only be followed with RESNET software to get the HERS index, or project teams may use other modelling tools such as DOE, eQuest, Design Builder...
Paula Melton
Editorial DirectorBuildingGreen, Inc.
LEEDuser Moderator
183 thumbs up
February 8, 2018 - 2:32 pm
Gustavo, I think it's clear from the credit language that you must use RESNET for the purposes of LEED, though obviously you can also use other modeling tools for your own purposes to achieve high performance.
Carissa Sawyer
Certification Team LeadGreen Business Certification Inc. (GBCI)
11 thumbs up
January 21, 2019 - 8:02 pm
Gustavo,
Currently, only RESNET energy rating software programs produce the LEED Energy Budget, as required by Option 1 in EA credit Annual Energy Use. Two energy rating software programs offer this calculation: Ekotrope and REM/Rate. An energy rater is required to complete this modeling and calculation.
Carissa
Gustavo De las Heras Izquierdo
LEED Expert185 thumbs up
February 25, 2019 - 1:00 pm
Thanks Carissa,
Can a "qualified energy rater" complete this modeling instead of an "energy rater"?
Can a HERS index be calculated with two simulations performed with Energy Plus, and using Energy Star requirements as baseline?
Thank you,
Carissa Sawyer
Certification Team LeadGreen Business Certification Inc. (GBCI)
11 thumbs up
March 11, 2019 - 11:56 am
Gustavo,
A qualified energy rater is the same as an energy rater. However, to be more specific, only HERS Raters associated with RESNET Providers and HERS software can produce the LEED Energy Budget because Ekotrope and REM/Rate are HERS softwares. This calculation cannot be produced any other way, currently.
Carissa
Brightworks Sustainability
Brightworks Sustainability LLC47 thumbs up
October 8, 2021 - 7:01 pm
Is it still the case that you must use Ekotrope or REM/Rate for Option 1?
I am working on a LEED for Homes single-family residential project with a swimming pool,which forces us into Option 1. Our firm is new to residential projects and had the BEopt software recommended to us for the projects, instead of our go-to, eQuest. However, my attempts to build an Energy Star baseline model to get an energy budget for the project is running into issues with door placement and other things. But if BEopt can't be used for the project that would be a good thing to learn now.