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EBOM-2009 EAp2:Minimum Energy Efficiency Performance

Energy Star Scores - Easily Modified

Hello Everyone, I did a basic walkthrough and counted the computers and people for the Energy Star data calculations and some questions came up. 1.) It was a Friday, so I expect the number of employees was down. Anyway, the Energy Star number fluctuates very easily and I can get a better score by just adding ten people. How acceptable is this? I cannot get a true number of employees from the State Tenant (too busy) so I am forced to make an assessment. 2.) The number of PC's really affects my Energy Star score as well. I want to be clear when I am counting so I need clarification on: a. The number of PC's - does that include one hard drive and one monitor or if there is one hard drive and two to three monitors, do I use the monitor number? b. Many of the employees were using laptops and I am assuming this number fluctuates. Do I guess on that number and add it to my PC total? In closing, I feel like Energy Star scores are easily increased by increasing the number of people and PC's and so there would be room for inflated scores. I also feel like the people inputing the information, should have some credentials behind them, and it looks like this isn't required of either LEED or GBCI. Your thoughts?

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Profile picture for user dconnelly
Dylan Connelly
Mechanical Engineer
Integral Group
LEEDuser Expert
342 thumbs up

Mon, 02/13/2012 - 20:35

Energy Star is a system to "normalize" all buildings in a certain type/category. It normalizes based on occupants, equipment and weather. Energy Star can be a helpful tool, but garbage info in = garbage info out. LEED will not penalize you if you do your best to make an educated assumption on people and computers. We tend to assume 1 computer per person in an office setting. Those with two monitors are offset by those with laptops. Consider counting people on a per square foot basis if you are unsure of the exact numbers. With regards to your last question about Energy and credentials: For LEED you are allowed to enter in your own information into the portfolio manager. However, to be Energy Star rated officially, you will need to have the documents signed and submitted by a licensed professional. If you get above 75 points you get the Energy Star Plaque. Licensed Professional are bound by ethics laws.

Mon, 02/13/2012 - 21:21

I appreciate your information. I have noticed a lot of "pressure" from building Owners to just "put in" the information to get the credit - drives me crazy! I think integrity has to be number one and if we as AP's cannot be honest, then there's a problem! We are all our own LEED Police - I am glad there are Licenced Professional requirments for Energy Star and GBCI (although not for this prerequisite- yet).

Mon, 02/13/2012 - 21:27

So, to clarify the number of computers. If I noticed one person with one hard drive, three monitors and two laptops all going at the same time, I would input five PC's for that one person? I saw this more often than not.
Profile picture for user dconnelly
Dylan Connelly
Mechanical Engineer
Integral Group
LEEDuser Expert
342 thumbs up

Mon, 02/13/2012 - 23:47

That sounds like 3 computers to me. The Hard drive and two laptops pair to the 3 monitors, but use your judgement. What type of office is this that each occupant needs that much equipment.

Tue, 02/14/2012 - 07:03

The four buildings of 24000 sf each are all leased by the CA Dept. of Corrections and Rehabilitation. By the way, I know Larry quite well and have hired Glumac for two of my other projects - small world! Thanks for your input!
Profile picture for user danackerstein
Dan Ackerstein
Principal
Ackerstein Sustainability, LLC
LEEDuser Expert
545 thumbs up

Tue, 02/14/2012 - 15:58

Michelle - I would second Dylan's valuable comments and also note that the EBOM review process is designed to include cross-checks for many of the variables that go into Energy Star. The number of PC's is a tough thing for a reviewer to verify (they would certainly question a figure that differed significantly from the number of occupants), but in terms of the number of occupants, an inflated figure for Energy Star would have to be similarly inflated for WEp1, SSc4, your occupant comfort survey, etc... In addition, a wary reviewer might even count the workspaces on the floorplan to confirm the rough accuracy of the figure. Which is my long-winded way of saying its a lot of work to misrepresent occupancy in EBOM, and it is much more valuable to take the time & effort at the beginning to get accurate occupancy figures. From what you've said about the clients unwillingness to readily share those numbers and pressure to cut corners on this prerequisite, it sounds like you will have your hands full with this one! Hope that helps, Dan

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