Page 177 - The Engineering Guide to LEED-New Construction Sustainable Construction for Engineers

LEED Ener gy and Atmospher e 155

Calculations and Considerations LEED 2009
EA credit 1 can be worth 1 to 19 points for version 2009 depending on the option chosen
and the energy performance obtained. There are three options. Option 1 is based on a
performance model approach that simulates the whole building. Option 1 is very
calculation-intensive, and from 1 to 19 points can be obtained, with an additional Exemplary
Performance (EP) point for version 2009. (Point values available for both versions are
listed in Table 4.1.1.). The three overall strategies that will aid in obtaining many of
these available points are to reduce energy demand, harvest free energy, and improve
the efficiency of the energy systems.
Reducing demand includes items such as occupancy sensors so that many of the
systems operate only when needed, and using colors or building orientation to decrease
potential loads. Figure 4.1.1 shows architectural shading features installed on a building.
These help reduce the air conditioning load.
Harvesting free energy includes such items as taking advantage of natural lighting,
as with light tubes, light shelves, building orientation, and clerestories. Examples of
some of these are also shown in Chap. 6, where natural lighting is encouraged for indoor
environmental quality, in addition to energy reduction.
Improving efficiencies refers to individual items such as more efficient equipment
and higher-performance lighting. It also includes looking at the overall systems. For
example, a heating system could have more effectively sized ductwork, or distributed
smaller heaters could be used to reduce line losses. Figure 4.1.2 depicts a Trane TRAQ
damper with built-in, temperature-compensated flow measurement. This damper
allows the building controls to bring in the right amount of outside air to meet indoor
air quality standards while eliminating excess outside air intake, which can save on

FIGURE 4.1.1 Architectural shading features on the LEED certifi ed Public Health Building at the
University of South Carolina, Columbia, S.C. (Photograph taken July 25, 2007.)