In the November 2023 issue of ASHRAE Journal, members of the 90.1 committee stated that 60% of the BPFs in ASHRAE 90.1-2022 have become less stringent than those in 2019 and some are even less stringent than in 2016 (particularly for Healthcare and Hotels/Motels). This correction was due to "a new and more accurate approach" of determining BPFs, since the old approach "didn't account for differences between the configuration of the 2004 {PNNL} prototype models and the baseline modeling requirements of Appendix G." My question is: can LEED v4.1 projects use BPFs from 90.1-2022, particularly if they are less stringent than those in 90.1-2016? Alternatively, does anyone know if PNNL has generated "corrected" BPFs for 90.1-2016?
LEEDuser Basic Member
45 thumbs up
I'll start with your last question. Yes. Yes, PNNL updated BPFs some time ago (note: you didn't ask if they published them.) I recall Mike Rosenberg or Tillou noting that it was in DOE's hands to review and release the report. So perhaps out of PNNL's.
The other fun fact is that the BPFs have assumed national energy costs from circa 2015 when they created the 2016 BPFs--roughly $0.10/kWh and buck a therm. If your local costs differ, then there's an XL tool generated by 90.1's Christina LaPerle which is useful, so you can input your own regional values.
More fun facts: both Christina LaPerle from Karpman Consulting and Mike Tillou from PNNL are new members of the EA TAG for 2024.
Hopefully this can help folks with BPF headaches like yours ...in time.