We are working on this LEED NC 2.2 project in Beirut, Lebanon. To secure the minimum mandatory 2 points under EA Credit 1, we need to follow Option 1 - Thermal Modeling Simulations as it is the only available option for buildings above 100,000 square feet. After a lot of time spent attempting to gather local climatic data, we were unable to obtain a proper Weather Data File for Beirut which is fully accurate, has all the necessary climatic parameters, and is usable to undertake Option 1 Thermal Modeling Simulations. This is due to the last 35 years of unstable political situation / war in the country, resulting in a lack of proper weather data tracking and monitoring. Is it acceptable in such circumstances to select another city in the region with a very similar weather pattern, and use its weather data file for the simulations? We have selected the city of Larnaca, in Cyprus as in our opinion it represents the closest proxy for Beirut given the following: 1) Same climatic classification - Zone 3 as per ASHRAE 92.1 2) Same Mediterranean climate 3) Coastal city as Beirut 4) Its proximity to Lebanon 5) Very close latitude as Beirut: The latitude of Beirut is 33
The project has requested clarification regarding the use of an alternative weather file for a location that does not have weather data. Based on the given circumstances, it is an acceptable approach to select a weather data file that closest resembles the project location in climatic classification including average temperature, climate conditions, and latitude. Due to improved resources and computer simulation tools, it is possible to customize a weather file for a location. Some resources can be found here - http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/energyplus/cfm/weatherdata/weathe... and http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/energyplus/weatherdata_sources.c… Applicable Internationally; Lebanon; Cyprus.