This is a question from a non-energy modeler looking for some guidance on base case vs. design case for a LEED energy model that a consultant is working on. The project is a school. Energy sources for the project are biofuel (wood chip) boiler and some geothermal. What should the base case fuel source be for the LEED energy model? Wood chips are cheap compared to heating oil, so we are seeing huge energy cost savings in the energy model if oil is the base case. EAc1 is indicating near 19 points. Could this be correct? It is an energy efficient project but 19 points seems high to me so I am wondering if we chose the base case correctly.
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Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5909 thumbs up
May 16, 2013 - 12:57 am
The baseline is never fuel oil. It is either natural gas or electric heat. Sounds like your project comes under the electric/other column in Table G3.1.1A. The baseline heating fuel is therefore electric.
Too many variables to say whether the 19 points is a reasonable outcome.