CI-v5 EAc2: Enhanced Energy Efficiency 1-12 points

Credit language

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Intent

To design buildings that minimize energy use to reduce the environmental damage caused by resource extraction, air pollution, and GHG emissions, and to facilitate the transition to a clean energy future. 

Requirements

Platinum Requirements:
Seven points are required.

Option 1. Prescriptive Path (1–12 points)
PATH 1. ASHRAE 90.1-2022 COMPLIANCE FOR PROJECT SCOPE (3 POINTS)
Comply with the provisions of ASHRAE 90.1-2022, Sections 5–11, for the project scope of work.

AND/OR

PATH 2. REGULATED LOADS (1–4 POINTS) 
Apply Case 1 or Case 2, up to a maximum of 4 points:

Case 1. Additional Efficiency — Systems Optimization (1–4 points)
Points are awarded according to Table 1. For projects complying with Path 1, reference ASHRAE 90.1-2022 or approved equivalent standard. For other projects registered prior to January 1, 2028, reference ASHRAE 90.1-2019 or approved equivalent standard.

Table 1. Systems optimization

OR

Case 2. Additional Efficiency Requirements Beyond ASHRAE 90.1-2022 (1–4 points)
Applicable only to projects complying with ASHRAE 90.1-2022, Sections 5–11, that are also defined as “substantial alterations to existing buildings” per ASHRAE 90.1, Section 11.1.4. Points are awarded according to Table 2.

Document achievement of incremental ASHRAE 90.1-2022, Section 11, energy credits above the minimum required by ASHRAE 90.1-2022, Section 11, from the following list of eligible measures:

Eligible measures from ASHRAE 90.1, Section 11.5.2, for LEED points

• HVAC measures (H01 to H07)
• SWH measures (W01 to W09)
• Lighting measures (L01 to L06)
• G07 Building Mass/Night Flush

Table 2. Points for ASHRAE 90.1-2022, Section 11 Credits

AND/OR

PATH 3. PLUG AND PROCESS LOADS (1–5 POINTS)
Case 1. Plug Load Management (1 point)
Implement the following:

• Provide a plug load dashboard that is accessible through an application to all regular occupants of the space.
• For tenant types with IT departments, implement policies for PCs, monitors, and visual displays to be controlled off when not in use, except for scheduled maintenance periods.

AND/OR

Case 2. Efficient Plug and Process Load Equipment (1–5 points)
Implement one or more of the following:

• Install or reuse eligible plug and process equipment meeting the criteria in Table 3 for 90% of applicable equipment by quantity or rated load. Either include or exclude all eligible equipment reused in the project from the calculations. For one Table 3 equipment category (1 point)
• For two Table 3 equipment categories (2 points)
• For three or more Table 3 equipment categories (3 points)

OR

For process-intensive spaces, install or reuse eligible plug and process equipment meeting the criteria in Table 3 for at least 90% of total applicable equipment rated load. Rated load of compliant equipment must total at least:

• 0.3 W/sq. ft. (3.2 W/sq. m.) (3 points)
• 0.5 W/sq. ft. (5.4 W/sq. m.) (4 points)
• 1.0 W/sq. ft. (10.8 W/sq. m.) (5 points)

Table 3. Plug, Process, Refrigeration, and Conveyance Equipment Criteria

OR

Case 3. Plug and Process Load Exceptional Calculation (1–5 points)
Using the ASHRAE 90.1, Section G2.5, exceptional calculation method, demonstrate a minimum percentage improvement in total project plug and process, refrigeration, and conveyance loads. Points are awarded according to Table 4.  

Table 4. Points for Percent Improvement in Plug and Process Loads

AND/OR

PATH 4. BASE BUILDING ENERGY EFFICIENCY (2 POINTS)
Locate in a base building that complies with one of the following:

• ASHRAE 90.1-2022
• Current ENERGY STAR score of at least 75 
• LEED base building documentation of energy efficiency per Table 5

Table 5. LEED Base Building Documentation of Energy Efficiency

OR

Option 2. Energy Simulation (1–12 points)
Demonstrate an improvement in future source energy calculated per ASHRAE Standard 90.1, Normative Appendix G, “Performance Rating Method,” with the following additional provisions:

• Use the ASHRAE 90.1 version applied for EAp2: Minimum Energy Efficiency.
• Replace ASHRAE 90.1-2019 or 90.1-2022, Table 4.2.1.1, Building Performance Factors (BPFs), with Table 7 below. For alterations except initial build-out construction, the following ASHRAE 90.1-2022 adjustments may be applied:
  • Substantial alteration. Multiply the BPF by 1.05 if the alteration is defined as a substantial alteration in ASHRAE 90.1-2022, Section G3.1.4(a).
  • Other alterations. Apply ASHRAE 90.1-2022, Section G3.3 (“Performance Calculations for Other Alterations”). For projects documented using ASHRAE 90.1-2019, Appendix G, replace all references to 90.1-2022, Section 5–10, prescriptive criteria with the corresponding 90.1-2019, Section 5–10 criteria.
• Replace all references to “cost” with “future source energy.” Use an electric site-to-source energy conversion factor of 2.0 based on future projections for the U.S. A lower national average value may be used as applicable for projects outside of the U.S.
• Model energy efficiency measures for plug and process loads using Section G2.5, “Exceptional Calculation Method,” or approved calculations in the LEED reference guidance. Calculate the PI and percentage improvement with and without the plug and process savings.
• Calculate the PI and performance index target (PIt) as follows:
  • PInre = PBPnre / BBP
  • PI = PBP / BBP
  • PIt = [BBUE + (BPF x BBRE)] / BBP
    where:
    • PInre = PI for future source energy excluding on-site renewable contribution 
    • PI = PI for future source energy including on-site renewable contribution
    • PIt = performance index target for future source energy use
    • BBP = baseline building performance for baseline building future source energy use
    • BBUE = baseline building unregulated future source energy use
    • BBRE = baseline building regulated future source energy use
    • PBPnre = proposed building performance without any credit for reduced annual future source energy from on-site renewable energy generation systems  
    • PBP = proposed building performance, including the reduced annual future source energy associated with all on-site renewable energy generation systems

Points are awarded according to Table 6, using either Path 1 or Path 2.

Table 6. Points for Percentage Improvement in PI Below PIt

Table 7. ASHRAE 90.1-2019—Equivalent BPFs for a Future Source Energy Metric