NC-v5 EAc7: Enhanced Refrigerant Management 1-2 points
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Credit language
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Intent
To reduce greenhouse gas emissions by accelerating the use of refrigerants with low global warming potential (GWP) and promoting better refrigerant management practices.
Requirements
Option 1. No Refrigerants or Low GWP (1–2 points)
PATH 1. NO REFRIGERANTS (1 POINT)
Do not use refrigerant-containing equipment in the project.
Core and Shell only
Projects without future equipment necessary to meet the project’s heating or cooling load are not eligible for this option.
OR
PATH 2. LOW GWP REFRIGERANTS (1–2 POINTS)
The maximum total weighted average refrigerant GWP in all new refrigerant-containing equipment is less than or equal to 80% (1 point) or 50% (2 points) of the total weighted average GWP of refrigerants meeting the benchmarks in Table 1.
Projects that limit effective refrigerant GWP by reducing refrigerant charge per unit of capacity relative to comparable equipment may use adjusted benchmarks.
Table 1. Refrigerant GWP Benchmarks
GWP Benchmark* | Equipment and Systems |
1,400 | Heat pump service hot water heaters |
700 | HVAC |
Data centers, computer room air-conditioning, and information technology equipment cooling | |
Process chiller equipment or ice rink refrigeration equipment | |
300 | All other process refrigeration for retail, industrial, or cold storage |
*GWP benchmarks are based on a 100-year time horizon GWP relative to CO2.
AND/OR
Option 2. Limit Refrigerant Leakage (1 point)
Core and Shell only
This option is only applicable to projects with at least 20% of total estimated heating and cooling generation capacity in the project scope of work.
Design, construct, and operate the project’s refrigerant-using equipment to minimize refrigerant leakage.
DESIGN
- Refrigerant-using equipment shall be self-contained, with no field-installed piping:
- For equipment with refrigerants > 700 GWP, AND
- For at least 80% of the total GWP of refrigerants used in the project
- Specify an automatic leak detection system in fully enclosed spaces with equipment that has an overall refrigerant charge exceeding 100 tCO2e.
INSTALLATION
- Field-installed refrigerant piping shall use brazed or press-type fittings.
OPERATION
- Have in place a refrigerant maintenance plan and designate a responsible oversight party. The plan shall include standards for recordkeeping and the following protocols:
- Updating the refrigerant inventory.
- Tracking and recording refrigerant charge and leakage rates for all refrigerant-using equipment.
- Ensuring that installation, maintenance, and removal of refrigeration-containing equipment is performed by appropriately certified refrigeration personnel, including in tenant spaces.
- Performing an annual audit and calibration of automatic leak detection systems.
- For equipment without automatic leak detection systems, checking pressure loss and leaks at least as frequently at the following minimum intervals for equipment containing refrigerant with total GWP as follows: every 24 months for 50 tCO2e or less; every 12 months for 50 to 500 tCO2e; every 3 months for more than 500 tCO2e.
- Identifying the maximum time frame for repairing leaks.
- Making leakage testing and repair twice as frequent if the total annual refrigerant recharge/leakage exceeds 1%.
AND/OR
Option 3. GreenChill Certification for Food Retailers (1–2 points)
Available to projects where food retailing constitutes more than 20% of the project’s gross area.
Demonstrate achievement of the EPA’s GreenChill Certification program for projects in the U.S. For international projects, comply with the relevant GreenChill requirements for the certification level.
- GreenChill Silver certification (1 point)
- GreenChill Gold or Platinum certification (2 points)
For all options
District Energy
Projects with district energy must comply with the requirements of this credit at the district facility or see additional guidance for interpretation of credit requirements.
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Credit language
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Intent
To reduce greenhouse gas emissions by accelerating the use of refrigerants with low global warming potential (GWP) and promoting better refrigerant management practices.
Requirements
Option 1. No Refrigerants or Low GWP (1–2 points)
PATH 1. NO REFRIGERANTS (1 POINT)
Do not use refrigerant-containing equipment in the project.
Core and Shell only
Projects without future equipment necessary to meet the project’s heating or cooling load are not eligible for this option.
OR
PATH 2. LOW GWP REFRIGERANTS (1–2 POINTS)
The maximum total weighted average refrigerant GWP in all new refrigerant-containing equipment is less than or equal to 80% (1 point) or 50% (2 points) of the total weighted average GWP of refrigerants meeting the benchmarks in Table 1.
Projects that limit effective refrigerant GWP by reducing refrigerant charge per unit of capacity relative to comparable equipment may use adjusted benchmarks.
Table 1. Refrigerant GWP Benchmarks
GWP Benchmark* | Equipment and Systems |
1,400 | Heat pump service hot water heaters |
700 | HVAC |
Data centers, computer room air-conditioning, and information technology equipment cooling | |
Process chiller equipment or ice rink refrigeration equipment | |
300 | All other process refrigeration for retail, industrial, or cold storage |
*GWP benchmarks are based on a 100-year time horizon GWP relative to CO2.
AND/OR
Option 2. Limit Refrigerant Leakage (1 point)
Core and Shell only
This option is only applicable to projects with at least 20% of total estimated heating and cooling generation capacity in the project scope of work.
Design, construct, and operate the project’s refrigerant-using equipment to minimize refrigerant leakage.
DESIGN
- Refrigerant-using equipment shall be self-contained, with no field-installed piping:
- For equipment with refrigerants > 700 GWP, AND
- For at least 80% of the total GWP of refrigerants used in the project
- Specify an automatic leak detection system in fully enclosed spaces with equipment that has an overall refrigerant charge exceeding 100 tCO2e.
INSTALLATION
- Field-installed refrigerant piping shall use brazed or press-type fittings.
OPERATION
- Have in place a refrigerant maintenance plan and designate a responsible oversight party. The plan shall include standards for recordkeeping and the following protocols:
- Updating the refrigerant inventory.
- Tracking and recording refrigerant charge and leakage rates for all refrigerant-using equipment.
- Ensuring that installation, maintenance, and removal of refrigeration-containing equipment is performed by appropriately certified refrigeration personnel, including in tenant spaces.
- Performing an annual audit and calibration of automatic leak detection systems.
- For equipment without automatic leak detection systems, checking pressure loss and leaks at least as frequently at the following minimum intervals for equipment containing refrigerant with total GWP as follows: every 24 months for 50 tCO2e or less; every 12 months for 50 to 500 tCO2e; every 3 months for more than 500 tCO2e.
- Identifying the maximum time frame for repairing leaks.
- Making leakage testing and repair twice as frequent if the total annual refrigerant recharge/leakage exceeds 1%.
AND/OR
Option 3. GreenChill Certification for Food Retailers (1–2 points)
Available to projects where food retailing constitutes more than 20% of the project’s gross area.
Demonstrate achievement of the EPA’s GreenChill Certification program for projects in the U.S. For international projects, comply with the relevant GreenChill requirements for the certification level.
- GreenChill Silver certification (1 point)
- GreenChill Gold or Platinum certification (2 points)
For all options
District Energy
Projects with district energy must comply with the requirements of this credit at the district facility or see additional guidance for interpretation of credit requirements.