Rating System

LEED BD+C: Core and Shell

Rating System Version

v3 - LEED 2009, v2 - LEED 2.0

Inquiry

The project is a retail shopping center. The developer proposes to seek Core & Shell (CS) LEED certification, and to encourage, but not require, tenants to seek Commercial Interiors (CI) certification. The interpretations requested apply to EA Credit 1, Option 1, Whole Building Energy Simulation, also referred to as Building Energy Modeling (BEM). We propose to use the Performance Rating Method for all energy consuming systems served by the Landlords meter, including the building envelope enclosing those spaces. There are no Landlord controlled energy consuming systems in the parts of the building enclosing tenant space. We propose for the building envelope enclosing tenant space to conform to ASHRAE 90.1 2007. This will be done by the prescriptive method if possible; otherwise we will use the Energy Cost Budget Method to prove equivalence. For this project, the core and each tenant space is separately metered by utility company meters. The developer will control only the core space and the building envelope. The building envelope will conform to ASRAE 90.1 2007, but will not be relied upon for major energy cost saving by the developer or by tenants. If the CS BEM includes all energy consuming systems served by the Landlord\'s meter; and excludes all energy consuming systems served by the tenant meters, the energy conserving measures applied by the Landlord will earn the maximum available EA 1 credits, and the project will be eligible for CS certification. If the CS BEM also includes tenant energy consuming systems, with no tenant energy cost reduction measures, the Landlord cannot apply enough reasonable energy cost reduction measures to qualify for the EA prerequisite, and cannot qualify for CS certification. The basic question is, can the Landlord qualify for CS LEED certification based only on work under his direct control, or must he mandate tenant energy cost reduction measures, as required to reduce total building energy cost by the prescribed level? A secondary question is how to apply the floor area limits of various requirements to the building. The building functions as a series of small spaces, not as a total building. Should the area of each space be used, or the total building area?