Is this calculated as the gross energy cost (i.e. without reducing energy cost with the renewable energy offset) or the net energy cost? I remember that the net energy cost could be used but couldn't remember if that was only one of the older versions of LEED or if that was also applicable for LEED v4.
You rely on LEEDuser. Can we rely on you?
LEEDuser is supported by our premium members, not by advertisers.
Go premium for
Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5915 thumbs up
August 19, 2020 - 9:43 am
Are you asking if the total energy cost in the optimize energy credit includes the reduction in cost associated with renewables? If so then yes it does, assuming the renewables meet the requirements of this credit.
Alex Chapin
1 thumbs up
August 19, 2020 - 9:47 am
Yes, I'm asking whether you can include the reduction in cost associated with renewables when determining the % renewable value for this credit. Can you help refresh my memory on where it says that's allowed? Is it in the reference guide? I would like to be able to reference it if someone else internally questions me on this approach because the company that I'm at now has always used the total energy cost without reduction from renewables.
David Eldridge
Energy Efficiency NinjaGrumman/Butkus Associates
68 thumbs up
August 19, 2020 - 11:09 am
Optimize energy includes all of energy using (and generating) features of the building. For instance if PV was installed the building will still consume kWh, but the project won't purchase that portion of electricity usage in kWh from the grid. The result should be favorable in terms of energy cost and source energy against a baseline without PV.
Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5915 thumbs up
August 19, 2020 - 11:31 am
Okay now I understand, sorry for my confustion before. You do not include the renewables for this credit in the "total estimated building annual energy cost". It does not state this in the Reference Guide but if you look at the examples of the calculations in the Reference Guide they do not subtract off the renewables. So it is the renewable cost/total cost without renewables.