Energy and Atmosphere is the only category that directly requires commissioning. However, the requirements of credit 3 of Water Efficiency and all credits of Environmental Quality will more easily be met if a commissioning process is in place.
Energy and Atmosphere-17 pointsPrerequisite 1 – Fundamental Building Systems Commissioning: Requires the hiring of a commissioning agent, documenting design intent, including Cx in DDs, utilize a Cx Plan, verify installation, FT, training and documentation, final Cx report.
Prerequisite 2 – Minimum Energy Performance: Building is designed to the more stringent of the local energy code or ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1-1999 – verification part of Cx Authority's design review service.
Prerequisite 3 – CFC Reduction in HVAC&R Equipment: Zero use of CRC refrigerants in new buildings/phasing out program in existing buildings. Cx Authority in particular can advise of alternatives that will meet this and credit 4 - Elimination of HCFC’s and Halons.
Credit 1 – Optimize Energy Performance: Receive points based on % of design energy cost saved by implementing Energy Conservation Measures as compared to the energy cost budget for energy components described in ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1-1999. % determined by building simulation using Energy Cost Budget Method. With the Cx Authority's lessons learned/design experience, we can review the design for possible energy savings measures not already in the documents.
Credit 2 – Renewable Energy: Receive points for using alternative energy sources, such as wind energy, biomass, geothermal, high temp solar, biogas. This is fairly dependent on project location, in some instances project generated power can be sold back to the local power grid.
Credit 3 – Additional Commissioning: Receive points for Cx design review (DD and CD), review of select submittals, re-commissioning management manual, post occupancy/end of warranty review (seasonal testing, review of operation and outstanding issues).
Credit 4 - Elimination of HCFC’s and Halons: Requires HVAC and fire suppression equipment that does not use HCFC refrigerants or Halons. Cx Authority can advise of alternatives.
Credit 5 – Measurement and Verification: Requires continuous monitoring of lighting systems and controls, motor loads, VFD operation, Chiller efficiencies (KW/ton), cooling load, economizers, heat recovery, system static pressures, OA volumes, boiler efficiencies, building specific process energy systems, indoor water risers and outdoor irrigation systems. The commissioning process will verify the accuracy, operation and reporting of the metering required to meet this credit. The Cx Authority can produce the Measurement and Verification Plan.
Credit 6 – Green Power: Requires using power generated from renewable sources for a two year period.
Water Efficiency-5 pointsCredit 3 – Water Use Reduction: Requires reducing the consumption of potable water by % less than the baseline calculated for the building after meeting the Energy Policy Act of 1992. While this is a design issue, Cx will assist with compliance through the submittal process.
Indoor Environmental Quality-15 pointsPrerequisite 1 – Minimum IAQ Performance: meet ASHRAE 62-1999. The Cx Authority will review compliance as part of the design intent documentation review and project drawing review.
Prerequisite 2 – Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) Control: Requires zero exposure of nonsmokers to tobacco smoke by prohibiting smoking in the building or by providing designated smoking areas with proper ventilation. If smoking areas are designated in the building, the Cx process will verify capture of smoke and operation of ventilation equipment.
Credit 1 – Carbon Dioxide Monitoring: Requires monitoring of building CO2 levels throughout the building. The Cx process will verify calibration and initial setpoints of the sensors and verify equipment reactions to high levels.
Credit 2 – Increased Ventilation Effectiveness: Requires mechanically ventilated buildings to have air change effectiveness rating greater than or equal to 0.9 (requires specialized tracer gas testing), or a design narrative that describes compliance with ASHRAE Fundamentals Chapter 31 – Space Air Diffusion (points are easier to achieve if the design implements this from the get go). The Cx process can assist in either of these methods. We can administer the tracer gas testing or review the design for compliance with Chapter 31.
Credit 3 – Construction IAQ Management Plan: Points obtained for meeting minimum requirements of SMACNA IAQ guidelines and protect on-site absorptive materials from moisture and replace filtration media before occupancy. Points obtained for conducting a two-week building flush with new filtration and 100% OA after construction and before occupancy or performing baseline IAQ testing per EPA protocol. Both of these points can be obtained with a properly executed IAQ plan. The Cx process can assist in producing or reviewing the plan, and documenting implementation.
Credit 4 – Low-Emitting Materials: Requires the reduction in use of odiferous adhesives, sealants, paints, composite wood products and carpets. The Cx process can document the compliance for this credit by obtaining the MSDS and cut sheets for material used from the appropriate contractors.
Credit 5 – Indoor Chemical and Pollutant Source Control: Requires the design to avoid exposure of occupants to potentially hazardous chemicals, such as housekeeping areas, copy/print rooms, provide appropriate plumbing for chemical waste, and implement systems that will capture particulate/dirt at high traffic entries/exits. The Cx process can review these issues during DD and CD review periods.
Credit 6 – Controllability of Systems: Requires one operable window and one lighting control zone per 200 sqft for all occupied areas within 15 feet of the perimeter wall for one point. Requires individual control for airflow, temperature, lighting for 50% of the non-perimeter, regularly occupied areas. Again, a design issue that can be verified by the Cx Authority during DD and CD review. Actual operation of the controls will be verified during functional testing.
Credit 7 – Thermal Comfort: Compliance with ASHRAE 55-1992, Addenda 1995, for temperature and humidity control. An additional point is obtained by installing a temperature and humidity monitoring system that gives operators control. The Cx process will document compliance with ASHRAE during design intent and will verify calibration and operation of any temperature and humidity monitoring system during functional testing.
Credit 8 – Daylight and Views: Requires a minimum Daylight Factor of 2% in 75% of all spaces occupied for critical visual tasks. Requires a direct line of sight to vision glazing from 90% of all regularly occupied spaces. The Cx process can evaluate compliance during the design review process.
Lesson Learned: Make sure that you have proper metering for the 10 required loads for LEED. If you do not provide the proper metering you will need to comply with Option D of the 2001 International Performance Measurement & Verification Protocol (IPMVP) Volume I: Concepts and Options for Determining Energy and Water Savings. Which requires you to calibrate the energy simulation and model; calibrated with hourly or monthly utility billing data and/or end-use metering.
