NC-v5 EAc3: Enhanced Energy Efficiency 1-10 points

Credit language

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Intent

To design buildings that minimize energy use to reduce the environmental damage caused by resource extraction, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions and to facilitate the transition to a clean energy future.

Requirements

Platinum Requirements:
Eight points are required. 
 

Option 1. Prescriptive Path (1–10 points)

Pursue Path 1 and/or Path 2 for a maximum of 10 points.

PATH 1. REGULATED LOADS (1–7 POINTS) 
Points are awarded according to Table 1 below, using either Case 1 or Case 2.

Case 1. ASHRAE 90.1-2019 (1–5 points)
Available only to projects registered before January 1, 2028.

Comply with the provisions of ASHRAE 90.1-2019, Sections 5–10.

Implement Additional Efficiency Requirements credits calculated per ASHRAE 90.1-2022, Section 11, from the list of eligible measures referenced below. Where ASHRAE 90.1-2022, Section 11, references the prescriptive requirements of ASHRAE 90.1-2022, Sections 5–10, such as lighting power density or equipment efficiency, replace those references with the matching prescriptive values in ASHRAE 90.1-2019.

OR

Case 2. ASHRAE 90.1-2022 (4–7 points)
Comply with the provisions of ASHRAE 90.1-2022, Sections 5–11.

Implement incremental ASHRAE 90.1-2022, Section 11, credits above the minimum required from the list of eligible measures below.

Eligible measures from ASHRAE 90.1-2022, Section 11.5.2, for LEED points:

• HVAC measures (H01 to H07)
• Service water heating measures (W01 to W09)
• Lighting measures (L01 to L06)
• G07 building mass/night flush

Table 1. Points for ASHRAE 90.1-2022, Section 11 Credits

AND/OR

PATH 2. PLUG AND PROCESS LOADS (1–4 POINTS) 
Case 1. Plug Load Management (1 point)

Implement the following:

• Provide a plug load dashboard that is accessible through an application to all regular occupants of the building if tenants can opt out of displaying their plug loads to other tenants.  
• For building types and/or tenant types with IT departments, implement policies for PCs, monitors, and visual displays to be controlled off when not in use, except during scheduled maintenance periods.

AND/OR

Case 2. Efficient Plug and Process Load Equipment (1–4 points)

Install or reuse eligible plug and process equipment meeting the criteria in Table 2 for 90% of applicable equipment by quantity or rated load. Either include or exclude all eligible equipment reused in the project from the calculations.

• For one, Table 2 equipment category (1 point)
• For two, Table 2 equipment categories (2 points)
• For three or more, Table 2 equipment categories (3 points)

OR 

For process-intensive buildings, install or reuse eligible plug and process equipment meeting the criteria in Table 2 for at least 90% of total applicable equipment rated load. Rated load of compliant equipment must total at least:

• 0.5 Watt (W)/sq. ft. (5.4 W/sq. m.) (3 points)
• 1.0 W/sq. ft. (10.8 W/sq. m.) (4 points)

Table 2. Plug, Process, Refrigeration, and Conveyance Equipment Criteria 

OR

Case 3. Plug and Process Load Exceptional Calculation (1–4 points)
Using the ASHRAE 90.1, Section G2.5, Exceptional Calculation Method, demonstrate a minimum percentage improvement in total project plug and process, refrigeration, and conveyance loads. Points are awarded according to Table 3.

Table 3. Points for Percent Improvement in Plug and Process Loads

OR

Option 2. Energy Simulation (1–10 points)
Demonstrate an improvement in future source energy calculated per ASHRAE Standard 90.1, Normative Appendix G, Performance Rating Method, with the following additional provisions:

• Use the ASHRAE 90.1 version applied for EAp2: Minimum Energy Efficiency.
• Replace ASHRAE 90.1-2019 or 90.1-2022, Table 4.2.1.1, Building Performance Factors (BPF), with Table 5 below. For major building renovation areas, multiply the BPF by 1.05.
• Replace all references to cost with future source energy. Use an electric site-to-source energy conversion factor of 2.0 based on future projections for the U.S. A lower national average value may be used as applicable for projects outside of the U.S.
• Model energy efficiency measures for plug and process loads using the Section G2.5 Exceptional Calculation Method or approved.
• Calculate the performance index (PI) and percentage improvement with and without the plug and process savings.
• Calculate the PI and PI target as follows:
  • PI_nre = PBPnre / BBP
  • PI = PBP / BBP
  • PI_t = [BBUE + (BPF x BBRE)] / BBP
    where:
    • PI_nre = performance index for future source energy excluding on-site renewable contribution 
    • PI = performance index for future source energy including on-site renewable contribution
    • PI_t = performance index target for future source energy use
    • BBP = baseline building performance for baseline building future source energy use
    • BBUE = baseline building unregulated future source energy use
    • BBRE = baseline building regulated future source energy use
    • PBP_nre = proposed building performance without any credit for reduced annual future source energy from on-site renewable energy generation systems
    • PBP = proposed building performance, including the reduced annual future source energy associated with all on-site renewable energy generation systems

Points are awarded according to Table 4, using either Path 1 or Path 2.

Table 4. Points for Percentage Improvement in PI Below PI_t

Table 5. ASHRAE 90.1-2019: Equivalent Building Performance Factors for a Future Source Energy Metric