I´m working in a project in Argentina which is up for LEED CI. The project is mainly a new commercial kitchen and dining area for 250 persons. The rest of the space has some offices for 50 persons, bathrooms, storage, etc. The main purpose for this addition is to serve other company areas that have been already certified under LEED CI.
The problem is that most of the kitchen equipment has an Energy Star equivalent but we have not been able to acquire / buy said equipment. There are very strict importing restrictions in the country and ES commercial kitchen equipment is not sold here. Any comments? Right now I do not even get to the 50% EAp2 prerequisite requirement.
I´m thinking of indicating that "Special circumstances preclude documentation of credit compliance with the submittal requirements outlined in this form"... I would send a thorough narrative and a letter from the owner stating they are committed to buy the rest of the equipment as ES... But do not know if this will suffice.... Any thoughts? Inputs?
Gracias!
Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5907 thumbs up
January 11, 2013 - 11:29 am
I think you would need to demonstrate Energy Star equivalency related to the equipment you did buy to earn the credit. You are asking to be exempt which I do not think would be accepted. In my opinion there is not a real difference between not being willing to buy the ES equipment and not being able to do so. Your best bet would be to try and demonstrate that you have purchased energy efficient kitchen equipment in alignment with the credit intent.
Sonia M. Miranda Palacios
RA / LEED AP BD+C / QCxPcota.CERO
16 thumbs up
January 11, 2013 - 12:09 pm
Thanks Marcus. I´m still trying to figure out how the new Kitchen Equipment compares to the ES Standard.... Will see and let you know!