LEED-CI without an energy model

Brightworks Sustainability

Brightworks Sustainability LLC

LEEDuser Premium Member

36 thumbs up

September 27, 2016

I'm working on a LEED-CI project occupying 100% of the tenant space. The project is complying with appropriate zoning and controls for EAc1.3 and therefore not doing an energy model, making them ineligible for Option D M&V plan. At the same time, this is not a retrofit but a first time build-out. Are these tenant improvement projects allowed to pursue Option B? Thank you.

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Marcus Sheffer

LEED Fellow

7group / Energy Opportunities

LEEDuser Expert

4454 thumbs up

Tue, 09/27/2016 - 17:48

Maybe depending on the energy efficiency measures (EEM) implemented. If you do pursue Option B you will need a strategy for determining the impacts of the potential interactive effects of multiple EEMs. This option is typically for projects with EEMs that can easily be isolated from one another. Examples of interactive EEMs are building envelop and lighting since they impact the energy use of heating, cooling, fans, pumps, etc.

Brightworks Sustainability

Brightworks Sustainability LLC

LEEDuser Premium Member

36 thumbs up

Tue, 09/27/2016 - 17:56

I see, so for example if we are including daylight controls and automatic shading devices, that will interact with energy used for cooling and therefore make it difficult to separate the EEMs. If you can't separate them then is it even worth looking into it further? Thank you, Marcus.

Marcus Sheffer

LEED Fellow

7group / Energy Opportunities

LEEDuser Expert

4454 thumbs up

Tue, 09/27/2016 - 18:02

Yep. That is the big difference between Options D and B. It is why you typically need an energy model instead of spreadsheet calculations too. I would not say that it absolutely can't be done but it would be very difficult.