Schematic Design

Operations and maintenance staff need to be on board if you select a system that is unconventional or requires a new maintenance protocol. It is best to have operations and maintenance staff participate in MEP meetings regardless of system type. 

There may be first-cost and operating-cost differentials for alternative refrigerants, so careful research is required. 

Your mechanical engineer can investigate alternative mechanical systems that use natural refrigerants such as water, carbon dioxide, or ammonia. 

Consider incorporating passive cooling strategies in your design to reduce or eliminate the need for mechanical equipment that uses refrigerant.

From your list of appliances and equipment, create a table that includes power rating for each entry, and whether each is Energy Star-labeled. Add the power usage for each piece of equipment on your list, including Energy Star-labeled equipment. The percentage of total power usage from Energy Star-labeled equipment should be at least 50%.  

“Rated power” refers to the maximum amount of power that can be drawn by a piece of equipment at any given time. Be sure to use this for each appliance and piece of equipment to be consistent in your documentation.

Add the rated power for each piece of new equipment to the list of appliances and equipment that you began during the predesign phase. When the rated power is not easily available from product data sheets, refer to the Energy Star website. 

Energy Star-labeled Equipment and Appliances – 50%

With early design direction and energy-efficient fixture selection, lighting power density can easily be reduced by 10% with little or no additional cost. 

Use halogen and incandescent lamps with high power density sparingly or not at all, as they can prevent you from meeting the prerequisite.