Rating System

LEED BD+C: New Construction, LEED BD+C: Core and Shell, LEED BD+C: Schools

Rating System Version

v3 - LEED 2009, v2 - Schools 2007, v2 - LEED 2.2, v2 - LEED 2.0

Inquiry

We request the USGBC confirm our understanding that the 90.1-1999 ECBM and LEED modeling protocol allows us to receive credit for EAc1 energy cost savings for desuperheaters recovering heat from water source heat pump compressors, and using this heat to preheat service water heating, and that this can be done without an Exceptional Calculation, with the supporting discussion below. We understand that the heat recovery method would qualify as site-recovered energy as discussed under section 11.2.3 and its Exception, and is not included in the design energy cost, and the equivalent usage is met in the budget model by the backup energy source, which is electricity. Therefore, the measure is eligible for savings credit and to be modeled differently in the design model from the budget model. The desuperheaters and their heat recovery to service water heating can be readily modeled within eQuest and its computational engine, DOE-2.2, and therefore do not become an exceptional calculation for that reason. Therefore, the measure appears eligible for savings credit, and does not seem to require an exceptional calculation. Is this approach considered acceptable?