I have two questions regarding the inclusion of UPS in the 'Energy Star' calculation for EAc1.4 in LEED v2009.
Q1. To Include UPS or not for Energy Star calculation?
I understand that ENERGY STAR rated appliances purchased prior to the publication of the current ‘criteria’ and complying with the previous criteria can meet the intent and requirements of LEED-CI EAc1.4… and that all equipment purchased after the new ‘criteria’ have been issued need to meet the new specification.
For example, Refrigerator was a ‘category’ in Energy Star when LEEDv2009 was released… and new ‘criteria’ has been published in Energy Star.
However, my question is regarding the language on p180 that states… "Any new ‘categories’ added to the Energy Star list in future may (not MUST) be used in the project team’s calculation’.
Since UPS was NOT a ‘category’ listed in Energy Star when LEEDv2009 was released... I would assume that the project team can choose to include the UPS or not based on the guidance given in the sentence above.
Is that correct?
Note, we've NOT included UPS in recent submissions and have never been queried in the Review!?
Q2. What is the ‘Rated Power’ for a UPS?
Notwithstanding the above... IF it is required to include the UPS in the Energy Star calculation... then what is the correct 'Rated Power' for inclusion in the LEED Online table?
The UPS mostly stands idle... but (potentially) has a huge 'Output Rated Power' say 200,000 Watts for a short period of time from the battery back-up power… while the maximum power drawn by the UPS is a much lower number... say 2,000 Watts!
My understanding is that we would use the maximum 'draw power' of the UPS rather than the maximum 'power output' of the UPS for input to the Energy Star calculation.
Is that correct?
Thanks in advance... Any advice is much appreciated.
Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5867 thumbs up
March 3, 2014 - 10:03 am
Q1: I think that "category" is not referring to a specific product. UPS is a product under the Office Equipment category so I do not think the sentence you quote applies. The Reference Guide clearly states on page 180 as well that "The credit applies to all installed equipment and appliances listed by the Energy Star program."
In these situations the general practice is to require project teams to follow the guidance in place when the project was registered. So if your project was registered before this product was included in ES then I would say you do not have to include it. Also note that previous reviews do not establish precedence.
Q2: That would make sense to me.
Danna Richey
Energy Analyst and Sustainability ConsultantNewcomb & Boyd
2 thumbs up
November 8, 2018 - 2:55 pm
LEED Interpretation 10400 was updated on January 5, 2018, and provides guidance to determine the UPS "rated power" for LEED calculations purposes.