If your building uses only natural ventilation, it complies with Option 1 and the credit is automatically earned without your having to submit any calculations.
Earning EAp2 and drawing up energy efficiency goals can help to determine your project’s cooling strategy as it relates to energy consumption. This exercise may help you prioritize energy performance versus refrigerant selection, when applicable.
If your project has no cooling system or uses a system without refrigerants, you can achieve the credit through Option 1 (“do not use refrigerants”). Document your credit compliance path with appropriate supporting documents by completing the credit form and providing cut sheets or other confirmation of the system type.
This prerequisite requirement is typically easy to meet. Most office computers and equipment are Energy Star-labeled and usually at little or no cost premium. Carrying out the calculations early on will tell you if the owner should specify more Energy Star-labeled equipment for the new spaces.
