Use ASHRAE 90.1 Appx G for modeling 3-story residential building

Mugdha, I've asked USGBC staff for help in getting you the correct answer, which should be coming along soon. Eliot

Hi Mugdha, Thank you for your inquiry, and apologies for the delayed response. Please see the USGBC recommendation for your project, below. Best, Emma The v2009 prerequisite requirements state “for new single-family residential buildings and new multiunit residential buildings three stories or fewer, 90% of the buildings must meet ENERGY STAR or equivalent criteria”. Therefore, the additions to the 3 low-rise buildings and the 4-story building would be considered different scopes for the purposes of prerequisite achievement. The project team must generate an energy model based on ASHRAE 90.1 Appendix G for the 4-story new construction residential building, and demonstrate that 90% of the floor area of the 3-story residential buildings meet ENERGY STAR or equivalent criteria. While this guidance is under review, the project team may also submit a credit interpretation ruling (CIR) to request approval to treat the additions to the 3 low-rise buildings and the 4-story building as a single scope, with one energy model. Please note that per LEED Interpretation #1089, four and five story residential buildings in LEED ND projects have the option to use the low-rise ENERGY STAR path if they are eligible for it. The project must determine eligibility for the 4-story new construction building by following EPA’s ENERGY STAR protocol.