Page 233 - Alternative Energy Systems in Building Design

LEED 209

installation, and functional performance tests, all of which are to be presented in a final
commissioning report. The point weight granted for this prerequisite is 1.

Minimum energy performance, prerequisite no. 2 The intent of this prereq-
uisite is to establish a minimum energy-efficiency standard for a building. In essence,
the basic building energy efficiency is principally controlled by mechanical engi-
neering, heating, and air-conditioning design performance principles, which are out-
lined by American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers
(ASHRAE)/IESNA and local municipal or state codes. The engineering design proce-
dure involves so-called building-envelop calculations that maximize energy perform-
ance. Building-envelop computations are achieved by computer simulation models
that quantify energy performance as compared with a baseline building.

Fundamental refrigerant management, prerequisite no. 3 The intent of this
measure is the reduction of ozone-depleting refrigerants used in HVAC systems.
Mitigation involves replacement of old HVAC equipment with equipment that does not
use CFC refrigerants.

Optimize energy performance, credit no. 1 The principal intent of this measure
is to increase levels of energy performance above the prerequisite standard in order to
reduce environmental impacts associated with excessive energy use. The various
credit levels shown in Table 5.3 are intended to reduce the design-energy budget for the
regulated energy components described in the requirements of the ASHRAE/IESNA
standard. The energy components include building envelope, hot-water system, and
other regulated systems defined by ASHRAE standards. Similarly to previous design
measures, computer simulation and energy performance modeling software are used to
quantify the energy performance compared with a baseline building system.

On-site renewable energy, credit no. 2 The intent of this measure is to encour-
age the use of sustainable- or renewable-energy technologies such as solar PV cogen-
eration, solar power heating and air-conditioning, fuel cells, wind energy, landfill

TABLE 5.3 NEW AND OLD BUILDING CREDIT POINTS

% INCREASE IN ENERGY PERFORMANCE
NEW BUILDINGS EXISTING BUILDINGS CREDIT POINTS
14 7 2
21 14 4
28 21 6
35 28 8
42 35 10