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

Inquiry

We are working on this LEED NC 2.2 project in Beirut, Lebanon. To secure the minimum mandatory 2 points under EA Credit 1, we need to follow Option 1 - Thermal Modeling Simulations as it is the only available option for buildings above 100,000 square feet. After a lot of time spent attempting to gather local climatic data, we were unable to obtain a proper Weather Data File for Beirut which is fully accurate, has all the necessary climatic parameters, and is usable to undertake Option 1 Thermal Modeling Simulations. This is due to the last 35 years of unstable political situation / war in the country, resulting in a lack of proper weather data tracking and monitoring. Is it acceptable in such circumstances to select another city in the region with a very similar weather pattern, and use its weather data file for the simulations? We have selected the city of Larnaca, in Cyprus as in our opinion it represents the closest proxy for Beirut given the following: 1) Same climatic classification - Zone 3 as per ASHRAE 92.1 2) Same Mediterranean climate 3) Coastal city as Beirut 4) Its proximity to Lebanon 5) Very close latitude as Beirut: The latitude of Beirut is 33