Warehouses-NC-v4 EAp2: Minimum Energy Performance Required

The project team is requesting clarification regarding how to model spaces where mandatory ASHRAE 90.1 receptacle controls are not implemented. Projects using one of the following two compliance paths are exempt from the receptacle control requirements:

1. Path 1: Projects Using Option 1. Whole Building Energy Simulation may model a penalty in the Proposed model for the spaces where mandatory ASHRAE 90.1 receptacle controls are not implemented. The following modeling requirements apply:
• The receptacle power density modeled for these spaces shall be the greater of 0.75 Watts per square foot (8.1 Watts per square meter) or the design coincident peak receptacle power density (if known).
• The receptacle schedule modeled in the Baseline for these spaces shall have a minimum Equivalent Full Load Hours of operation no less than:
o The ASHRAE 90.1-2010 User’s Manual default schedule for office occupancy (2,920 Equivalent Full Load Hours per year)
OR
o 120% of the occupied hours of operation for the facility
OR
o Detailed justification shall be provided supporting an alternate schedule.

• The Proposed model shall include either a 20% increase in the receptacle power density for these spaces OR a 20% increase in the scheduled receptacle Equivalent Full Load Hours of Operation versus the Baseline model.

2. Path 2: Projects must demonstrate that the project has implemented efficiency measures that will achieve an equal or greater reduction in receptacle energy consumption, and will persist for a similar timeframe to those achieved by ASHRAE 90.1-2010 Section 8.4.2. It is recommended that a Credit Interpretation Request be submitted when pursuing this approach. The project must provide documentation regarding the receptacle equipment controls that will be implemented for the project; and must provide justification supporting the claim that the savings over the life of the efficiency measure will be similar to those anticipated for a project compliant with Section 90.1-2010 Section 8.4.2. Note: The baseline and proposed receptacle energy consumption for these spaces must be modeled identically if using this approach; the project is not eligible for any further receptacle savings in these spaces using the Exceptional Calculation Method.

Update 3/1/2024:
This LEED Interpretation is not applicable to projects subject to the LEED v4 2024 update because the allowance is directly incorporated into the v4 2024 update Reference Guide content for EAp Minimum Energy Performance.

Update 4/21/2023:
Note, the additional requirements published on 11/9/2020 for v4.1 projects using Path 1 are incorporated into the v4 Reference Guide content for EAp Minimum Energy Performance.

Update 11/9/2020:
Where ASHRAE 90.1 receptacle controls are not implemented in accordance with Section 8.4.2 mandatory requirements, LEED v4.1 projects may apply either Path 1 or Path 2, subject to the following requirements for Path 1:
• Path 1: LEED v4.1 projects Using the Appendix G Performance Rating Method may model a penalty in the energy model. The following modeling requirements apply:
o The Proposed receptacle power density modeled for these spaces shall be the greater of 0.75 Watts per square foot (8.1 Watts per square meter) or the design coincident peak receptacle power density (if known)
o The receptacle schedule modeled in the Proposed design for these spaces shall have a minimum Equivalent Full Load Hours of operation no less than: the ASHRAE 90.1-2016 User’s Manual default schedule for office occupancy (2,920 Equivalent Full Load Hours per year); or 120% of the occupied hours of operation for the facility; or detailed justification shall be provided supporting an alternate schedule.
o The Baseline model shall include either a 20% decrease in the receptacle power density for these spaces OR a 20% decrease in the scheduled receptacle Equivalent Full Load Hours of Operation versus the Proposed model.

Project Type(NC = New Construction)
(CS = Core & Shell or unfinished space)
(CI = Interior Fitout)

Additional Percent Savings

Title 24 2016 /
Title 24 2019

Title 24 2022 (or later)

Added to ASHRAE 90.1-2010 (v4)
Added to ASHRAE 90.1-2010 (v4)
Added to ASHRAE 90.1-2016 (v4.1)

TDV Energy (replacing cost & GHG metrics)
TDV Energy (replacing cost metric)
SOURCE Energy (replacing GHG metric)
TDV Energy (replacing cost metric)

SOURCE Energy (replacing GHG metric)

Building Design & Construction (BD+C):

NC - Office
7%
18%
20%
4%
6%

NC - Retail (except restaurant/grocery)
8%
25%
29%
10%
14%

NC - Restaurant / Grocery
0%
18%
20%
4%
6%

NC – School
7%
20%
25%
5%
10%

NC – Healthcare
0%
8%
8%
2%
2%

NC – Hospitality
8%
15%
20%
0%
5%

NC – Warehouse
0%
28%
28%
10%
10%

NC – Multifamily (4+ stories)
8%
16%
20%
4%
8%

Multifamily low-rise (<4 stories)1
8%
16%
20%
4%
8%

Single family residential1
8%
16%
20%
4%
8%

Data Center
0%
10%
10%
0%
0%

All Other (< 50% unregulated TDV)
0%
15%
15%
5%
5%

All Other (≥50% unregulated TDV)
0%
8%
8%
0%
0%

CS-Office
5%
12%
16%
1%
4%

CS-Retail (except restaurant/grocery)
7%
20%
25%
5%
10%

CS-Restaurant/grocery
0%
13%
15%
2%
3%

CS-School
7%
15%
20%
2%
8%

CS-Healthcare
0%
8%
8%
2%
2%

CS-Hospitality
7%
11%
15%
0%
4%

CS-Warehouse
0%
21%
21%
6%
6%

CS-Multifamily
7%
9%
13%
1%
4%

CS-All Other
0%
8%
8%
0%
0%

Interior Design & Construction (ID+C):

CI-Office
6%
Use v4.1
Use v4.1
0%
0%

CI-Retail (except restaurant/grocery)
7%
Use v4.1
Use v4.1
6%
6%

CI-Restaurant/grocery
0%
Use v4.1
Use v4.1
0%
0%

CI-School
7%
Use v4.1
Use v4.1
3%
3%

CI-Healthcare
0%
Use v4.1
Use v4.1
0%
0%

CI-Hospitality
7%
Use v4.1
Use v4.1
0%
0%

CI-Warehouse
0%
Use v4.1
Use v4.1
9%
9%

CI-Multifamily
7%
Use v4.1
Use v4.1
0%
0%

CI-All Other
0%
Use v4.1
Use v4.1
0%
0%

Yes, projects using whole building energy simulation, and documenting unregulated energy cost exceeding 50% of the total proposed building energy cost may use the following BD+C: Core & Shell energy performance improvement thresholds in lieu of the New Construction thresholds.

• Minimum Energy Performance: Demonstrate a 2% improvement in the proposed building performance in accordance with ASHRAE 90.1-2010 Appendix G (or a USGBC-approved equivalent standard).

• Optimize Energy Performance: Use the Core and Shell column of Table 1. Points for percentage improvement in lieu of the New Construction or Major Renovation column.

Provide the LEED Minimum Energy Performance Calculator and an accompanying narrative to justify that unregulated energy cost exceeds 50% of the building’s total proposed energy cost. Refer to the BD+C v4 reference guide definitions of unregulated load and regulated load.

Update 3/1/2024:
This LEED Interpretation is not applicable to projects subject to the LEED v4 2024 Update because the allowance is directly incorporated into the v4 2024 update prerequisite and credit requirements.

Yes, project teams may use the IARW/IACSC Energy Modeling Guideline for Cold Storage and Refrigerated Warehouse Facilities as an exceptional calculation methodology when ASHRAE 90.1-2010 is used for compliance with EA Prerequisite Minimum Energy Performance. This guideline may not be used when an equivalent code is used for compliance unless approved by a project-specific Credit Interpretation Ruling. The following additional requirements apply:
1. Refrigerant type may not be used as an efficiency measure.
2. Table 1.4 must be completed for both the portions of the building complying with the IARW/IACSC Guideline as well as those following the standard ASHRAE 90.1 Appendix G requirements
3. If ASHRAE 62.1-2010 Addendum L is applied using the IARW/IACSC Guideline, it must be applied consistently throughout the project submittal.
4. Projects applying the IARW/IACSC Guideline may apply LEED Interpretation 10237 in order to claim energy savings for refrigeration equipment efficiency as an exceptional calculation methodology.

Internationally applicable as follows: The guidance applies to compliance paths using ASHRAE standards and cannot be applied to projects using an equivalent local code. Project teams wishing to apply this to an equivalent local code must obtain approval through a project-specific credit interpretation ruling.

This ruling supersedes the following LEED Interpretations: LI 5178, LI 2301, and LI 2026.

Instead of ASHRAE 90.1-2010 Appendix G, projects in California may demonstrate compliance with the 2013 Title 24 Part 6 California Energy Code using the Performance method. The same percentage improvement in energy performance is required to meet the Prerequisite, and the same points for percentage improvement in energy performance are applicable for the Credit.
The following conditions (where applicable) must be met:
• Energy Cost shall be used as the performance metric rather than TDV energy. Exception: A Pilot ACP allowing alternate metrics may be applied as applicable.
• Model all process energy consumption within and associated with the building as designed. Model all enclosed building spaces within and associated with the building even if the space types are not regulated by Title-24.
• BD+C: Major renovations must be modeled using the Title-24 new construction modeling requirements for HVAC, DHW, and lighting (as opposed to existing conditions). However, for LEED-BD&C, the baseline envelope conditions may be modeled using existing conditions prior to renovation.
• ID+C: The energy model must be modeled using the Title-24 new construction requirements for HVAC, DHW, lighting and envelope.