Rating System

LEED BD+C: New Construction

Rating System Version

v2 - LEED 2.2

Inquiry

The Energy Cost Budget method does not allow the proposed and budget models to use different operating schedules. This includes occupancy, lighting, HVAC, and other schedules. This effectively excludes the contribution of common energy efficiency measures such as advanced controls. For example, to simulate occupancy sensors that automatically turn off a rooms lights when the space is unoccupied, most software requires the lighting schedule to be different in the proposed model than in the budget model. Assumptions based on DDC data, records from similar facilities, and operator opinions could easily be used to establish virtual operating schedules that closely approximate the syste?s actual operation. Under what circumstances, if any, can measures that are best modeled effectively through schedule variations be included in the energy cost equation?