Rating System

LEED BD+C: New Construction, LEED BD+C: New Construction

Rating System Version

v2 - LEED 2.2, v3 - LEED 2009

Inquiry

The intention of credit EA c1 is to demonstrate an increased level of energy performance above the base line established for EA Prerequisite 2. Following Option 1 we are creating a Whole Building Energy Simulation of our project (a high rise residential development) using DOE-2 software. Among a number of significant energy-saving strategies the design team proposes the following:  A manual master switch control located at the entrance door to each apartment will allow the occupant to turn off all the lighting in the apartment (including switched outlets) upon exit. This is similar to the strategy for hotel rooms addressed in a CIR of 5/14/07 where a central switch controlling lighting in hotel rooms was allowed to contribute to credit fulfillment as an Exceptional Calculation Measure.  The same control that turns off the lighting will also bring the HVAC control for the residence make-up air supply and exhaust system to an unoccupied mode and thus reduce the amount of ventilation air being supplied to empty apartments. This will reduce the energy used by fans supplying the air and reduce the heating and cooling loads applied to that air volume. This is similar to the strategy for energy use reduction commonly used in commercial buildings where less outside air is delivered on a scheduled basis (late at night or weekends). The majority of apartments in this building will be not the primary residence of the occupant. In fact the owner projects that typical occupancy will be at 60% compared to a situation where the apartments are the primary residence. Therefore the energy savings that can be demonstrated due to the controlled reduction in lighting and air flow are substantial. Is the above strategy acceptable for contribution to Credit EA 1?