Re-weighting of Energy Model for LEED-CS
Posted : May 26, 2010 by Suzanne, Category: Uncategorized
Finally, it has arrived! The long awaited redistribution of points for Core & Shell projects pursuing EAc1 was issued. The USGBC finally acknowledges that “energy neutral” does not benefit projects under the LEED-CS v2.0 rating system.
The tenant’s components in the energy model, such as lighting and plug loads, is kept the same in both the proposed and baseline building. This “dilutes any energy cost savings percentage the developer is able to attain by at least 40% to 60%.” The developer could only push the envelope so much. Really, the only option for achieving points under EAc1 was if the developer mandated specific energy usage thresholds through a tenant sales/ lease agreement. Even in good markets, you rarely see a developer willing to restrict future prospective tenants.
Now, projects registered prior to April 24, 2009 can use a new Excel spreadsheet tool that provides the updated reporting methodology and is now a submittal requirement for LEED-CS v2.0 EAc1. Trying it out, it looks like a project can easily achieve, if not too easily, all the energy credits under EAc1 and is no longer penalized. For more information visit “LEED Resources & Tools” for LEED-CS v2.0 at www.usgbc.org.
Comments (1)
Suzanne Robinson
September 14th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
The post above was for the old version of LEED CS, v2.0. For new versions of LEED CS, v3, they have accounted for the dilution of energy savings by simply bumping up the points you receive. No extra calculations needed on your part.
So if you compare the old LEED NC (v2.2) and LEED CS (v2.0) rating systems, you would get the same amount of points for the 14% energy savings (2 points). Now, under LEED v3, you receive more points under LEED CS (4 points) than LEED NC (2 points) for the same 14% energy savings.
It’s over simplified in my opinion. The straight point allocation discounts for geographical location, project type (office vs retail for instance) and overall design of the building.
Leave a reply