I'm not sure where to post this EApr2 form but Lighting Power Density question.
I see there has been some discussion about the issue of Title 24 vs. ASHRAE and using a more stringent local energy code as your baseline. I agree that seems to penalize an efficient project.
The form asks for Energy Code used. Since this is a California project, it was designed to Title 24. I was, however, intending to use an ASHRAE baseline. LEED user and reference manual say "may" use Title 24.
So that's my question. Do we "have to" use Title 24 as the baseline because that was the energy code used on the project? Or can we choose to use ASHRAE regardless of the energy code? Here in Seattle, our energy code is more stringent than ASHRAE and yet we are not obliged to use it for the baseline. Do I have a choice?
Bill Swanson
Sr. Electrical EngineerIntegrated Design Solutions
LEEDuser Expert
734 thumbs up
December 19, 2012 - 8:52 am
If you're willing to do the effort of two energy models then you can show compliance to the California Code per Title 24 then again for LEED submittal per ASHRAE.
Michelle Rosenberger
PartnerArchEcology
522 thumbs up
December 19, 2012 - 11:27 am
Thanks for the response, Bill. We're not even doing an energy model. This is just for the lighting power density calculation. By selecting Title 24 as the Energy Code used, our baseline shifts such that I can't use ASHRAE allowed LPD in the space by space calculation but have to use the lower Title 24 allowance.
That means that we will lose lighting power reduction points that less efficient projects will get. And it seems to penalize us for being more efficient to start with.
Bill Swanson
Sr. Electrical EngineerIntegrated Design Solutions
LEEDuser Expert
734 thumbs up
December 19, 2012 - 11:35 am
I was reading thru the EAc1 section of this website and the LEEDuser expert had suggested to people as recently as February of this year to use the system that earns your team the most points. So that was what I suggested to you.
The flip side of this arguement is that in States or countries with stricter energy codes, why should a building be allowed to earn LEED for meeting the Code minimum performance. It might perform better than an average building but then so is every other building in that State. How do you ensure that LEED buildings are exceptional?
Michelle Rosenberger
PartnerArchEcology
522 thumbs up
December 19, 2012 - 11:49 am
Thanks for the clarification, Bill. It sounds like you're suggesting I can choose whether to use ASHRAE or Title 24. That would be a nice outcome if the reviewer agrees.
And I get the argument on local code, but LEED is a national yardstick. Part of the point is to allow you to compare a LEED certified building in Seattle with our climate and building codes with a LEED certified building in Atlanta with their climate and building codes and have an apples to apples comparison. That's why we use the common ASHRAE standard. It's not perfect as it is, but if you go to local code baselines how will this kind of comparison be possible?