The subject project is the second phase of construction for the Desert Edge High School, located in Goodyear, Arizona. The initial phase of construction was completed in 2002. At that time, a central heating/cooling plant was constructed by the Carrier Corporation, who continues to own and operate the central plant. Chilled water and hot water are generated at the central plant. These products are metered by Carrier and sold to the school district. There are two Carrier centrifugal chillers in the central plant. Both chillers utilize R134a refrigerant, which is a non-HCFC refrigerant. During the initial phase of construction, the design included a second chiller to provide capacity for future phases of development (i.e., Phase 2). The chillers in the central plant meet the criteria for EAc4 Ozone Depletion and support early compliance with the Montreal Protocol as they utilize an HFC refrigerant. The Owner and Design Team could have used an alternate HVAC system, such as packaged DX rooftop air conditioning units, in lieu of air handling units utilizing chilled water as the cooling medium. This is a very common choice for schools in our area, as the first cost is typically lower. Had the Owner and Design Team chosen to use the packaged DX rooftop air conditioning units during the initial phase, the design would most assuredly have resulted in the use of an HCFC refrigerant. Under that scenario, Phase 2 would have had a similar system with a similar HCFC refrigerant. Since the Owner and Design Team avoided using an HCFC refrigerant and instead chose to utilize an existing central plant that utilizes an HFC refrigerant, as planned during the initial phase, we feel that the intent of this credit has been met. QUESTION: By avoiding the use of an HCFC refrigerant and connecting to a cooling system which was planned for future expansion and which uses an HFC refrigerant, can the project earn this point?