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LEED v4
Retail – Commercial Interiors
Energy and Atmosphere

Enhanced refrigerant management

LEED CREDIT

Retail-CI-v4 EAc5: Enhanced Refrigerant Management 1 point

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Credit language

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© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Requirements

Option 1. No refrigerants or low-impact refrigerants (1 point)

Do not use refrigerants, or use only refrigerants (naturally occurring or synthetic) that have an ozone depletion potential (ODP) of zero and a global warming potential (GWP) of less than 50.

OR

Option 2. Calculation of refrigerant impact (1 point)

Select refrigerants that are used in heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) equipment to minimize or eliminate the emission of compounds that contribute to ozone depletion and climate change. The combination of all new and existing base building and tenant HVAC&R equipment that serve the project must comply with the following formula:

IP units  


LCGWP

+

LCODP

x

105

100

SI units


LCGWP

+

LCODP

x

105

13

Calculation definitions for
LCGWP + LCODP x 105 ≤ 100
(IP units)

Calculation definitions for
LCGWP + LCODP x 105 ≤ 13
(SI units)

LCODP = [ODPr x (Lr x Life +Mr) x Rc]/Life

LCODP = [ODPr x (Lr x Life +Mr) x Rc]/Life

LCGWP = [GWPr x (Lr x Life +Mr) x Rc]/Life

LCGWP = [GWPr x (Lr x Life +Mr) x Rc]/Life

LCODP: Lifecycle Ozone Depletion Potential
(lb CFC 11/Ton-Year)

LCODP: Lifecycle Ozone Depletion Potential
(kg CFC 11/(kW/year))

LCGWP: Lifecycle Direct Global Warming Potential
(lb CO2/Ton-Year)

LCGWP: Lifecycle Direct Global Warming Potential
(kg CO2/kW-year)

GWPr: Global Warming Potential of Refrigerant
(0 to 12,000 lb CO2/lbr)

GWPr: Global Warming Potential of Refrigerant
(0 to 12,000 kg CO2/kg r)

ODPr: Ozone Depletion Potential of Refrigerant
(0 to 0.2 lb CFC 11/lbr)

ODPr: Ozone Depletion Potential of Refrigerant
(0 to 0.2 kg CFC 11/kg r)

Lr: Refrigerant Leakage Rate
(2.0%)

Lr: Refrigerant Leakage Rate
(2.0%)

Mr: End-of-life Refrigerant Loss
(10%)

Mr: End-of-life Refrigerant Loss
(10%)

Rc: Refrigerant Charge
(0.5 to 5.0 lbs of refrigerant per ton of gross AHRI rated cooling capacity)

Rc: Refrigerant Charge
(0.065 to 0.65 kg of refrigerant per kW of AHRI rated or Eurovent Certified cooling capacity)

Life: Equipment Life
(10 years; default based on equipment type, unless otherwise demonstrated)

Life: Equipment Life
(10 years; default based on equipment type, unless otherwise demonstrated)

For multiple types of equipment, calculate a weighted average of all base building HVAC&R equipment, using the following formula:

IP units  

 

SI units

∑ ( LCGWP + LCODP x 105 ) x Qunit

≤ 100

∑ ( LCGWP + LCODP x 105 ) x Qunit

≤ 13



Qtotal


Qtotal

Calculation definitions for
[ ∑ (LCGWP + LCODP x 105) x Qunit ] / Qtotal ≤ 100

Calculation definitions for
[ ∑ (LCGWP + LCODP x 105) x Qunit ] / Qtotal ≤ 13

(IP units) (SI units)

Qunit = Gross AHRI rated cooling capacity of an individual HVAC or refrigeration unit (Tons)

Qunit = Eurovent Certified cooling capacity of an individual HVAC or refrigeration unit (kW)

Qtotal = Total gross AHRI rated cooling capacity of all HVAC or refrigeration

Qtotal = Total Eurovent Certified cooling capacity of all HVAC or refrigeration (kW)

Meet Option 1 or 2 for all HVAC systems.

Stores with commercial refrigeration systems must comply with the following.

  • Use only non-ozone-depleting refrigerants.
  • Select equipment with an average HFC refrigerant charge of no more than 1.75 pounds of refrigerant per 1,000 Btu/h ( 2.72 kg of refrigerant per kW) total evaporator cooling load.
  • Demonstrate a predicted store-wide annual refrigerant emissions rate of no more than 15%. Conduct leak testing using the procedures in GreenChill’s best practices guideline for leak tightness at installation.

Alternatively, stores with commercial refrigeration systems may provide proof of attainment of EPA GreenChill’s silver-level store certification for newly constructed stores.

See all forum discussions about this credit »

What does it cost?

Cost estimates for this credit

On each BD+C v4 credit, LEEDuser offers the wisdom of a team of architects, engineers, cost estimators, and LEED experts with hundreds of LEED projects between then. They analyzed the sustainable design strategies associated with each LEED credit, but also to assign actual costs to those strategies.

Our tab contains overall cost guidance, notes on what “soft costs” to expect, and a strategy-by-strategy breakdown of what to consider and what it might cost, in percentage premiums, actual costs, or both.

This information is also available in a full PDF download in The Cost of LEED v4 report.

Learn more about The Cost of LEED v4 »

Frequently asked questions

How can I determine the leakage rate of my equipment?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

Should all commercial refrigerant equipment be accounted for, including both upright and under-counter? What about walk-in refrigerators? Ice makers?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

I'm working on a renovation project and we'll be keeping some of the existing equipment. Should we include these systems in our calculations?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

What is the required timeline for completing a CFC phase-out for this credit?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

The refrigerant type I need to enter is missing from the credit form. What should I do?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

Are HCFC or HFC refrigerants considered CFC-based refrigerants?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

See all forum discussions about this credit »

Addenda

7/10/2020Updated: 6/10/2021
Form Update
Description of change:
Under Option 2 of the v4 BD+C/ID+C credit form and v4 O+M credit form for EA credit Enhanced Refrigerant Management:

In the Table for Mechanical cooling and refrigeration equipment, under the column "Refrigerant", add "Other (specify)" as the last option in the drop-down list.

Next to the table, add margin note: "Projects that select "Other" must provide documentation of the ODPr and the GWPr values for the refrigerant."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
7/8/2017
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

What capacity is to be used for centrifugal chillers that, due to their selection conditions, cannot operate at AHRI standard conditions?

The AHRI flow rates are based on capacity. This leads to circular calculation since AHRI standard conditions are dependent on capacity, but capacity is the desired output. How does the project team resolve this circular calculation?

Ruling:

To determine the Gross AHRI rated cooling capacity (tons) of an individual HVAC or refrigeration unit that cannot operate at AHRI standard conditions, use the design and selected conditions of the equipment drawing or schedule. Enter this cooling capacity in the Qunit (tons) column in Table. Mechanical and Cooling and Refrigeration Equipment in the credit form.

To determine unit capacity in tons for centrifugal chillers that cannot operate at AHRI standard conditions, use selected flow rates for the evaporator, and use standard AHRI temperatures established for the individual HVAC or refrigeration unit.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
See all forum discussions about this credit »

Documentation toolkit

The motherlode of cheat sheets

LEEDuser’s Documentation Toolkit is loaded with calculators to help assess credit compliance, tracking spreadsheets for materials, sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions, and examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects for you to check your work against. To get your plaque, start with the right toolkit.

LEEDuser expert

Pamela Mendez

WSP

Get the inside scoop

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USGBC logo

© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Requirements

Option 1. No refrigerants or low-impact refrigerants (1 point)

Do not use refrigerants, or use only refrigerants (naturally occurring or synthetic) that have an ozone depletion potential (ODP) of zero and a global warming potential (GWP) of less than 50.

OR

Option 2. Calculation of refrigerant impact (1 point)

Select refrigerants that are used in heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) equipment to minimize or eliminate the emission of compounds that contribute to ozone depletion and climate change. The combination of all new and existing base building and tenant HVAC&R equipment that serve the project must comply with the following formula:

IP units  


LCGWP

+

LCODP

x

105

100

SI units


LCGWP

+

LCODP

x

105

13

Calculation definitions for
LCGWP + LCODP x 105 ≤ 100
(IP units)

Calculation definitions for
LCGWP + LCODP x 105 ≤ 13
(SI units)

LCODP = [ODPr x (Lr x Life +Mr) x Rc]/Life

LCODP = [ODPr x (Lr x Life +Mr) x Rc]/Life

LCGWP = [GWPr x (Lr x Life +Mr) x Rc]/Life

LCGWP = [GWPr x (Lr x Life +Mr) x Rc]/Life

LCODP: Lifecycle Ozone Depletion Potential
(lb CFC 11/Ton-Year)

LCODP: Lifecycle Ozone Depletion Potential
(kg CFC 11/(kW/year))

LCGWP: Lifecycle Direct Global Warming Potential
(lb CO2/Ton-Year)

LCGWP: Lifecycle Direct Global Warming Potential
(kg CO2/kW-year)

GWPr: Global Warming Potential of Refrigerant
(0 to 12,000 lb CO2/lbr)

GWPr: Global Warming Potential of Refrigerant
(0 to 12,000 kg CO2/kg r)

ODPr: Ozone Depletion Potential of Refrigerant
(0 to 0.2 lb CFC 11/lbr)

ODPr: Ozone Depletion Potential of Refrigerant
(0 to 0.2 kg CFC 11/kg r)

Lr: Refrigerant Leakage Rate
(2.0%)

Lr: Refrigerant Leakage Rate
(2.0%)

Mr: End-of-life Refrigerant Loss
(10%)

Mr: End-of-life Refrigerant Loss
(10%)

Rc: Refrigerant Charge
(0.5 to 5.0 lbs of refrigerant per ton of gross AHRI rated cooling capacity)

Rc: Refrigerant Charge
(0.065 to 0.65 kg of refrigerant per kW of AHRI rated or Eurovent Certified cooling capacity)

Life: Equipment Life
(10 years; default based on equipment type, unless otherwise demonstrated)

Life: Equipment Life
(10 years; default based on equipment type, unless otherwise demonstrated)

For multiple types of equipment, calculate a weighted average of all base building HVAC&R equipment, using the following formula:

IP units  

 

SI units

∑ ( LCGWP + LCODP x 105 ) x Qunit

≤ 100

∑ ( LCGWP + LCODP x 105 ) x Qunit

≤ 13



Qtotal


Qtotal

Calculation definitions for
[ ∑ (LCGWP + LCODP x 105) x Qunit ] / Qtotal ≤ 100

Calculation definitions for
[ ∑ (LCGWP + LCODP x 105) x Qunit ] / Qtotal ≤ 13

(IP units) (SI units)

Qunit = Gross AHRI rated cooling capacity of an individual HVAC or refrigeration unit (Tons)

Qunit = Eurovent Certified cooling capacity of an individual HVAC or refrigeration unit (kW)

Qtotal = Total gross AHRI rated cooling capacity of all HVAC or refrigeration

Qtotal = Total Eurovent Certified cooling capacity of all HVAC or refrigeration (kW)

Meet Option 1 or 2 for all HVAC systems.

Stores with commercial refrigeration systems must comply with the following.

  • Use only non-ozone-depleting refrigerants.
  • Select equipment with an average HFC refrigerant charge of no more than 1.75 pounds of refrigerant per 1,000 Btu/h ( 2.72 kg of refrigerant per kW) total evaporator cooling load.
  • Demonstrate a predicted store-wide annual refrigerant emissions rate of no more than 15%. Conduct leak testing using the procedures in GreenChill’s best practices guideline for leak tightness at installation.

Alternatively, stores with commercial refrigeration systems may provide proof of attainment of EPA GreenChill’s silver-level store certification for newly constructed stores.

Cost estimates for this credit

On each BD+C v4 credit, LEEDuser offers the wisdom of a team of architects, engineers, cost estimators, and LEED experts with hundreds of LEED projects between then. They analyzed the sustainable design strategies associated with each LEED credit, but also to assign actual costs to those strategies.

Our tab contains overall cost guidance, notes on what “soft costs” to expect, and a strategy-by-strategy breakdown of what to consider and what it might cost, in percentage premiums, actual costs, or both.

This information is also available in a full PDF download in The Cost of LEED v4 report.

Learn more about The Cost of LEED v4 »

In the end, LEED is all about documentation. LEEDuser’s Documentation Toolkit, for premium members only, saves you time and helps you avoid mistakes with:

  • Calculators to help assess credit compliance.
  • Tracking spreadsheets for materials purchases.
  • Spreadsheets and forms to give to subs and other team members.
  • Guidance documents on arcane LEED issues.
  • Sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions.
  • Examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects.

How can I determine the leakage rate of my equipment?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

Should all commercial refrigerant equipment be accounted for, including both upright and under-counter? What about walk-in refrigerators? Ice makers?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

I'm working on a renovation project and we'll be keeping some of the existing equipment. Should we include these systems in our calculations?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

What is the required timeline for completing a CFC phase-out for this credit?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

The refrigerant type I need to enter is missing from the credit form. What should I do?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

Are HCFC or HFC refrigerants considered CFC-based refrigerants?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

7/10/2020Updated: 6/10/2021
Form Update
Description of change:
Under Option 2 of the v4 BD+C/ID+C credit form and v4 O+M credit form for EA credit Enhanced Refrigerant Management:

In the Table for Mechanical cooling and refrigeration equipment, under the column "Refrigerant", add "Other (specify)" as the last option in the drop-down list.

Next to the table, add margin note: "Projects that select "Other" must provide documentation of the ODPr and the GWPr values for the refrigerant."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
7/8/2017
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

What capacity is to be used for centrifugal chillers that, due to their selection conditions, cannot operate at AHRI standard conditions?

The AHRI flow rates are based on capacity. This leads to circular calculation since AHRI standard conditions are dependent on capacity, but capacity is the desired output. How does the project team resolve this circular calculation?

Ruling:

To determine the Gross AHRI rated cooling capacity (tons) of an individual HVAC or refrigeration unit that cannot operate at AHRI standard conditions, use the design and selected conditions of the equipment drawing or schedule. Enter this cooling capacity in the Qunit (tons) column in Table. Mechanical and Cooling and Refrigeration Equipment in the credit form.

To determine unit capacity in tons for centrifugal chillers that cannot operate at AHRI standard conditions, use selected flow rates for the evaporator, and use standard AHRI temperatures established for the individual HVAC or refrigeration unit.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes

LEEDuser expert

Pamela Mendez

WSP

See all LEEDuser forum discussions about this credit » Subscribe to new discussions about Retail-CI-v4 EAc5 View the LEED v4.1 version of this credit