We are working on a project in Mexico City, to comply with the prerequisite 2 we are following Option 1, whole building energy simulation.
In the first simulation we´d done of the energy model we considered the parking garage fans and the toilet exhaust as non-process loads and thus, the energy model obtained a saving of the proposed building compared to the baseline building of 14. 4%.
After looking the forums and see that the parking garage fans and toilet exhaust are considered process loads, we modified our energy model. Considering this, the savings obtained down to 9. 1% which result in that even prerequisite compliance is not feasible and this mean losing the certification of the entire project.
We still having doubts about considering this as process loads because of the paragraph found on the Reference Guide LEED BD+C 2009, that mention following:
“Regulated (non-process) energy includes lighting (for the interior, parking garage, surface parking, facade, or building grounds, etc. except as noted above), heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) (for space heating, space cooling, fans, pumps, toilet exhaust, parking garage ventilation, kitchen hood exhaust, etc.), and service water heating for domestic or space heating purposes.”
We understand from this as that the heating and cooling loads are independent from parking garage fans and the toilet exhaust, and both are non-process loads.
Could you please help us clarifying this?