Yes. Energy Star Portfolio Manager includes some key international cities that can be selected if they are in the same country and share similar climate patterns. Alternatively, projects can use default factors from Portfolio Manager for projects outside the U.S.
One of the easier ways to demonstrate emissions reductions is to figure out how much energy you're saving due to the efficiency measure (these can easily be taken from the low-cost measures listed in the energy audit completed as a part of EAp1) and then multiply that amount by the appropriate emissions factor. You can find emissions factors for different fuel types and different parts of the country on the Energy Information Administration's website. Here’s an example:
Yes, your GHG emissions will automatically be calculated as part of your benchmarking activities in Portfolio Manager and this output is considered to be acceptable by USGBC. You can document this credit by providing a copy of the Statement of Energy Performance, along with a description of the energy efficiency initiatives that have been implemented at the building and the corresponding amount of emissions reduction that can be attributed to each initiative.
No, mercury-containing lamps must be excluded entirely because they are hazardous waste, therefore 100% must be diverted according to the MRp2 policy.
No, landscape waste must be excluded from the MRc7 calculations entirely, regardless of whether it is composted or sent to the landfill.
Are mercury-containing lamps included in the credit calculations?No, mercury-containing lamps must be excluded entirely because they are hazardous waste, therefore 100% must be diverted according to the MRp2 policy.
No, the diversion rate can be determined by knowing the total amount of recycling waste that was diverted, including all categories of recycled waste (i.e. glass, metal, paper, cardboard, etc).
There really is no good way we know of to accurately track the diversion rate of batteries. In general you are expected to maintain a collection of batteries for recycling, and then recycle 100% of those batteries.
Yes. Use the Solid Waste Conversion Tables in the v2009 Reference Guide under MRc6, with will give you a conversion factor (lbs/cy) depending on the density of the collected item.
There are a few possible solutions out there to solve this problem:
It is typically better to use project-specific diversion data when you can get it, and this data should typically be accepted in a LEED review. However, there are other options.