It’s up to the project team to determine what target performance to set for the building. Target EUI can be based on a combination of audit results, project building goals for energy use and consumption, benchmarking against other similar buildings, etc. Ideally, the target should be set to a level that will require some real effort to achieve, but that is attainable and realistic.
The expectation is that the audit methodology outlined in the ASHRAE “Procedures for Commercial Building Energy Audits” be used to guide the audit procedure and the approach to understanding building performance, energy use and opportunity for improvement. However, teams are not required to use the ASHRAE forms for reporting results. Refer to the Reference Guide and the LEED Online EAc2.1 credit form for checklists and outlines of documentation that is required for LEED documentation.
Yes, the ASHRAE Level I audit can be performed in-house. The auditor must have the skills necessary to perform the audit, but otherwise does not need to hold specific credentials or be a third-party. Audits for LEED-EBOM projects or commonly conducted by a third-party auditor, commissioning agent, or building engineer.
Demand describes the rate of electricity use and is measured as kW. Consumption is based on the actual electrical energy used, and is measured as kWh. Utilities generally levy separate charges for each, and some energy conservation measures will help to reduce both demand and consumption for electricity. Considering both paints a more accurate picture of potential cost savings and makes the results of the low-cost and no-cost improvement assessment more meaningful and useful.
There is more than one way to generate the annual energy use breakdown by end-use, and in most buildings it will require a combination of strategies. Start by identifying the major end-uses, and then consider which of the following strategies will work best for each end-use.
Submeters
The best option in this situation may be to split the entryway system between the interior and exterior so that a total of ten feet of compliant mat is achieved. See the FAQ above for more details. The ten-foot requirement is strict, so projects that don’t have this length of compliant entryway systems are not eligible for the credit.
Typical building carpet is not designed to capture and hold particulates, so it is not considered a compliant entryway system under this credit. Remember that the intent of this credit is to improve indoor air quality by preventing the introduction of pollutants into the building interior. Most carpet simply isn’t designed with this in mind. Unless you can provide compelling documentation from a manufacturer that shows your carpet is designed to effectively capture dirt, pollen and other particulates, you won't be eligible for this credit.
This strategy works in some cases, based on LEED-NC Interpretations #5585, #5696 and #10098, not all of which have been specifically evaluated for the LEED-EBOM rating system. Per the Interpretations, this strategy can only be pursued if the portion located outside the building is protected from weather (which generally takes the form of an awning, overhang, or the second story for most buildings). It appears that use of exterior systems is more likely to be approved if the building can’t comply with the ten-foot minimum due to physical limitations.
No, you can combine multiple mats to make up ten feet of linear mat.
Yes, compliant entryway systems are required for entrances from both loading docks and parking garages. Only entries to private offices, emergency exits, and entries not used during the performance period can be excluded from the credit.