The Energy and Atmosphere section of LEED looks at how efficient a building is designed and awards points for teams that demonstrate their building is more efficient than a baseline building. This is accomplished by comparing the amount of energy (electric, gas, water or other) the building uses against how much the building would have used if it was built to a minimum ASHRAE standard. The
U.S. Green Building Council‘s (USGBC) LEED rating system rewards owners’ efforts to improve their buildings’ energy performance. This is proven by the designers before the construction starts.
Building owners cannot know how efficient their building is unless they measure the building’s performance over time and compare that data to the energy model that was created during the design phase of the project. The USGBC has established two methods for finding out how much energy a building uses. First, there are certain things a building owner must agree to do to even be eligible for LEED certification. These are called Minimum Project Requirements.
One of these requirements obligates the building owner to report energy and water use of the building to the USGBC for a period of five years after the construction is complete. This requirement will tell a building owner how much energy is being used, but it does not tell the owner if the building is operating the way it was designed.
The second way a building owner can tell the efficiency of the building is by pursuing the LEED Energy and Atmosphere credit: EAc5, Measurement and Verification. This credit awards up to three points if owners are willing to both measure and compare the energy use of their building to the design of the engineers.
The quality of construction has a significant impact on the amount of energy a building will use. When a building uses less energy, the owner pays a smaller utility bill, and the less electricity is used in a building, the smaller the amount of carbon dioxide emissions is given off by the building.
The USGBC has reported that:
- 40 percent of primary energy generated is used by commercial buildings.
- 72 percent of all electricity produced is consumed by commercial buildings.
- 39 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions are a result of energy consumption by commercial buildings.
The Energy and Atmosphere prerequisite number 2, along with the 19 points associated with Energy and Atmosphere credit 1, can be achieved through the building design. The Energy and Atmosphere credit 5 awards points for building owners who track and record the performance of the building over time. It would seem like this point should do very little with construction since the USGBC has defined EAc5 as a construction credit because building performance cannot be determined and documented until the construction work is complete.
All of the trades working on a project can affect these energy-related credits. This is because these credits involve installing what has been specified in the locations indicated on the drawings and installed per the manufacturer’s recommendations. The construction team has done its part to support achieving the prerequisite and/or credits as long as the plans and specifications have been followed during the procurement of equipment and construction and the contractor participates in the commissioning process.
The energy-related credits can only be achieved if the designers consider where the energy in the building is going to be used and where the energy used in the building will be measured. The drawings and specifications that are used in the construction of a project take into account the correct location of meters and other devices to record energy and water use of the building. The contractor has a responsibility to make sure all work is done according to plans and specifications. Furthermore, the majority of the equipment installed during the construction will be required to be inspected by the Commissioning Authority.
To ensure the inspection goes smoothly, consider the following:
Electrical Equipment-The crew leader should inspect each piece of equipment when it arrives on-site, both for damage as well as to make sure the equipment delivered matches the specifications and drawings. Never uncover or remove equipment from its packaging unless it is ready to be installed. Once installation work is complete, make sure the equipment is protected during the remaining construction.
Main Mechanical Equipment-The crew leader should once again inspect each piece of equipment when it arrives on-site. All of the mechanical equipment delivered to a project site needs to be protected with tarps or plastic. If a piece of equipment has had the protection removed for associated construction activities, it must be replaced when the construction/ installation activities are complete. The routine of daily inspections should be incorporated into the construction sequence.
Equipment Start Up-Each piece of equipment needs to be inspected before it is energized. The trades responsible for the installation need to fill out a checklist before the switch is thrown. Do not start any equipment, even on a temporary basis, unless all equipment has been inspected by the construction crew leader and the Commissioning Authority.
Building Envelope-Every piece of material used to create the building envelope has been designed as a system. The system has been defined and used as one component of the overall building that was measured to demonstrate the reduction in energy needed to run the building. It is important that construction crews follow all of the details and ensure air gaps are closed up tight and that insulation is installed correctly and windows are installed per the manufacturer’s recommendations.
The goal of the Energy and Atmosphere category is to encourage energy-efficient design strategies and reduce the amount of energy a building uses. Both of these are important to improving our environment. Following all guidelines set by the USGBC-from design through construction and even occupancy-will help ensure your building will achieve the related energy credits.
—
Thomas Taylor, a 30-year veteran of the construction industry and noted expert on sustainability, is a principal and co-founder of St. Louis-based Vertegy. To learn more about Vertegy or Taylor, visit www.vertegyconsultants.com.