The 5th Annual Conference onTotal Building Commissioning

2009

Commissioning Changes in LEED 2009

Paul McCown, PE, CxA, LEED AP, CEM SSRCx, LLC

Morning Warm-up

TRUE/FALSE? According to ASHRAE, energy modeling is

meant to predict the energy use of a building? False

Morning Warm-up

True/False? The typical model of operating buildings is

sustainable. Investments (from energy companies, or otherwise) in this model will be sustained.

Morning Warm-up

True/False? Commissioning filled a gap in the design and

construction process by which an operable building is turned over to an owner.

Morning Warm-up

True/False? A gap still exists between what a new building

controls system is capable of doing versus what is utilized.

LEED 2009

When? What is new and different? What does it mean to you – Cx Agent?

USGBC’s Mission:

Promote the design and construction of buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy places to live, work and learn.

The organization’s activities…Integrate building industry sectorsLead market transformationEducate owners and practitioners

New and Different

New and Different

New and Different

Prerequisites and credits in the LEED 2009 addresses 7 topics: Sustainable Sites (SS) Water Efficiency (WE) Energy and Atmosphere (EA) Materials and Resources (MR) Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) Innovation in Design (ID) Regional Priority (RP)

New and Different

LEED 2009 certifications are awarded according to the following scale: Certified 40–49 points Silver 50–59 points Gold 60–79 points Platinum 80 points and above Out of 100 total points (with 10 “bonus” points

available)

New and Different

Harmonized – “Bookshelf Approach” Changes to Credit Weightings Regionalization LEED Online Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI)

What does it mean to you?

LEED-NC v2.2 Commissioning LEED 2009 NC - Commissioning LEED-EB v2.0 Retro-Commissioning LEED 2009 EB

LEED-NC: Commissioning

Intent: Verify that the building energy systems are installed, calibrated and perform according to the owner’s project requirements (OPR), basis of design (BOD), and construction documents.

HVAC&R systems and controls Lighting and daylighting controls Domestic hot water systems Renewable energy systems (wind, solar, etc.)

LEED-NC: Commissioning – Changes for 2009

2 points for EA Credit 3 – Enhanced Commissioning instead of 1 point

Innovation point possible for Envelope Commissioning

LEED-NC: Commissioning – Changes for 2009

“The same CxA overseeing the enhanced commissioning tasks must also oversee the fundamental commissioning tasks.” Table 2, note 4, pg. 221.

See also “Who Can Be the Commissioning Authority?” 01/03/06 LEED 2.2 Commissioning Subcommittee, posted under LEED Reference Documents, http://www.usgbc.org

LEED-EB: Retro-Cx (old version)

Intent – Verify that fundamental building systems and assemblies are performing as intended to meet current needs and sustainability requirements.

Building Operation Plan – means for execution

LEED-EB: Retro-Cx

Requirements – Verify installation, calibration, and operation for functionality and efficiency of the following:

Heating, cooling, and humidity control Lighting Safety Controls

LEED-EB: Retro-Cx

Building Operation Plan components: Use – occupancy and schedule by space

type Static system requirements Functional system requirements

LEED-EB: Retro-Cx

Performance Testing Plan (Cx Plan) components:

Part A - Inspection Part B – Functional Verification (data

logging)

LEED-EB: Retro-Cx

Building Envelope HVAC Water Lighting Controls

LEED 2009 for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance LEED-EB for O&M (short life-span) LEED 2009 for EB: O&M

EA Prerequisite 1: Energy Efficiency Best Management Practices – Planning, Documentation, and Opportunity Assessment

EA Credit 2.1 – Existing Building Commissioning – Investigation and Analysis

EA Credit 2.2 – Existing Building Commissioning - Implementation

LEED Green Building Operations and Maintenance 2009 EA Credit 2.3 – Existing Building

Commissioning – Ongoing Commissioning

EA Prerequisite 1: Energy Efficiency Best Management Practices Document sequence of operations Develop a Building Operations Plan

Occupancy Schedule Equipment Run-Time Schedule Design setpoints for HVAC equipment Design lighting levels throughout the building Validate that the BOP is met during

performance period

EA Prerequisite 1: Energy Efficiency Best Management Practices Develop a systems narrative for mechanical

and electrical systems Create a narrative of the preventative

maintenance plan with scheduled maintenance

Conduct an ASHRAE Level I walk-through assessment 2007 ASHRAE Handbook – HVAC Applications ASHRAE Procedures of Commercial Building Energy

Audits

EA Credit 2.1 – Existing Building Cx – Investigation and Analysis Option 1. Commissioning Process

Develop RCx Plan Implement RCx Plan Document breakdown of energy use List operating problems and potential solutions Identify capital improvements with cost-benefit

analysis

EA Credit 2.1 – Existing Building Cx – Investigation and Analysis Option 2. ASHRAE Level II Energy Audit

Conduct an energy audit Implement RCx Plan Document breakdown of energy use Perform savings and cost analysis of “all

practical measures” Identify “capital improvements” with cost-

benefit analysis

EA Credit 2.2 – Existing Building Commissioning - Implementation Implement “no- or low-cost” operational

improvements. Create a capital plan for major upgrades Provide training Demonstrate financial costs and benefits of

implemented measures Update BOP to reflect changes

EA Credit 2.3 – Existing Building Commissioning – Ongoing Cx Implement an ongoing Cx program that

addresses: Planning, testing, corrective action, on-going

measurement Document ongoing commissioning cycle (24

months or less) Complete ½ of the scope prior to submission Update BOP or systems narrative as

necessary

LEED 2009 for EB: O&M - Implementation “Performance Period”:

3 consecutive months minimum – most credits 1 year minimum – EA Prereq 2 and Credit 1 Not more than 24 months – any credit Terminate within 1 week – all credits

Pay attention to detail Tie-in with other LEED Credits

All WE Prerequisites and Credits All EA Prerequisites and Credits IEQ Prereq 1, Credits 1.x, 2.x

Questions and Answers

Thank You!