In the November 2023 issue of ASHRAE Journal, members of the 90.1 committee stated that 60% of the BPFs in ASHRAE 90.1-2022 have become less stringent than those in 2019 and some are even less stringent than in 2016 (particularly for Healthcare and Hotels/Motels). This correction was due to "a new and more accurate approach" of determining BPFs, since the old approach "didn't account for differences between the configuration of the 2004 {PNNL} prototype models and the baseline modeling requirements of Appendix G." My question is: can LEED v4.1 projects use BPFs from 90.1-2022, particularly if they are less stringent than those in 90.1-2016? Alternatively, does anyone know if PNNL has generated "corrected" BPFs for 90.1-2016?
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Jamy Bacchus
Associate PrincipalME Engineers
25 thumbs up
January 29, 2024 - 6:31 pm
There are aspects of this question I secretly love ...well I suppose openly love now.
I'll start with your last question. Yes. Yes, PNNL updated BPFs some time ago (note: you didn't ask if they published them.) I recall Mike Rosenberg or Tillou noting that it was in DOE's hands to review and release the report. So perhaps out of PNNL's.
The other fun fact is that the BPFs have assumed national energy costs from circa 2015 when they created the 2016 BPFs--roughly $0.10/kWh and buck a therm. If your local costs differ, then there's an XL tool generated by 90.1's Christina LaPerle which is useful, so you can input your own regional values.
More fun facts: both Christina LaPerle from Karpman Consulting and Mike Tillou from PNNL are new members of the EA TAG for 2024.
Hopefully this can help folks with BPF headaches like yours ...in time.
Mark Benson
72 thumbs up
January 29, 2024 - 6:47 pm
Jamy, I may have missed it, but can LEED v4.1 projects use BPFs from 90.1-2022, particularly if they are less stringent than those in 90.1-2016?
Jamy Bacchus
Associate PrincipalME Engineers
25 thumbs up
January 29, 2024 - 7:04 pm
I don't know if anyone has asked that of 90.1-2022, but LEED Interpretation ID# 10500 says, "yes" you can for 90.1-2019. So it seems reasonable you can for 2022.
Mark Benson
72 thumbs up
January 30, 2024 - 8:41 am
Thanks for the reply, Jamy. For what it's worth, LEED Interpretation #10500 says that LEED v4.1 projects can use ASHRAE 90.1-2019 App. G with BPFs from 90.1-2016. Furthrmore, the LEED v4 Energy Update FAQ says that LI #10500 is planned to be updated allowing for the use of 90.1-2022 App. G. However, neither document appears to approve using BPFs from versions of 90.1 other than 2016.