Rating System

LEED BD+C: New Construction

Rating System Version

v2 - LEED 2.0

Inquiry

Early in the design process, Valley View School District 365U had discussions of HVAC system selections. While a choice for direct expansion roof top units is typical in our area and for the school district, knowing that they wanted to design a school that was environmentally friendly and energy efficient, enabled them to steer quickly away from that choice to a much more efficient variable air volume with reheat, water cooled chillers, and hot water boilers. In previous experience with LEED, we would compare the base compliant ASHRAE 90.1 system - a roof top unit, with our choice of compliant ASHRAE 90.1 HVAC systems. The way the LEED resource guide is written, referencing the use of the Energy Cost Budget, does not allow us to compare our very efficient VAV system to the direct expansion roof top units discussed early on. One of your previous rulings states, "the reference standard was changed to limit gaming and inflated claims of energy savings." We think that the choice our client made to invest premium dollars for a more efficient system early on to reap energy savings qualifies for credit recognition. Do you agree? Are we permitted to compare the energy benefits of a direct expansion roof top unit to the system of choice described above?