The LEED reference guide is quite misleading when it comes to commercial refrigeration systems. At first glance it appears that this only needs to be addressed if the project is registered as a BD+C: Retail project...and if the project is registered as a BD+C: New Construction project it does not apply.
However, the last paragraph on page #450 of the v4 BD+C reference guide states "Non-retail projects that have commercial refrigeration systems....both commercial refrigerataion and HVAC refrigeration system requirements must be met to achieve credit compliance".
Since this is true, I wonder why 'commercial refrigeration requirements' are specifically listed within a dedicated RETAIL section??
We met the requirement on my project, but this is an instance where I learned from a GBCI review report rather from the LEED reference guide. Dangerous time to be learning LEED, that's for sure!
-best
Deb Favaretto
Architect & Sustainability LeaderCannonDesign
4 thumbs up
April 27, 2023 - 2:34 am
I was on board with this interpretation until I found another confusing bit of language. Within the Submittal Tips section, bullet point 6 states "Ensure that buildings with commercial refrigeration systems applying the prescription path for demonstrating credit compliance (optional for non-retail projects), that the equipment is tested for leaks according to the procedures outlined in GreenChill’s Best Practices Guideline for Leak Tightness at Installation or certified through US EPA GreenChill's certification program."
Since this is a "submittal tip" I'm willing to look past this and state to the team it is required, but this is a gray area we should have clarified. I may have to reach out to our LEED Coach. Please let me know if anyone knows better. Thanks.