Make sure elements that are needed to attach the systems, such as anchors or flanges, are clearly called out in the appropriate drawings and specs because workers who aren’t installing the actual systems might not have experience with them.
During the construction bidding phase, discuss the schedule to make sure correct control equipment is purchased and installed on time. The controls are only as good as the feedback and response system they are connected to. Explain the control sequence to the subcontractors to minimize confusion.
Include all control locations and specifications in drawings and bid documents. Verify that the construction budget accounts for all thermostats, diffusers and a feedback system.
If using operable windows, make sure the window schedule and all construction drawings include relevant details. Specify windows and window locations that make them easy to operate.
For LEED-CS projects, you need to determine the Core and Shell square footage (not the entire building square footage). This calculation is spelled out in the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) standards as well as in the sample calculations in this LEEDuser strategy page. If the BOMA standard calculations determine that the Core and Shell building square footage is less than 15%, you are required to use 15% in the calculation rather than the actual percentage.
Determine electricity use (see the documentation toolkit for the Guidelines on Green Power Calculations document and follow the steps for the necessary calculations) based on one of the following options:
The energy model completed for EAc1: Optimize Energy Performance, Option 1;
or, if not completing an energy model, assume a use 8 kilowatt-hours per square foot per year.
