Minimum Energy Performance - Prerequisite

Existing Building - Energy & Atmosphere

Intent - To establish the minimum level of operating energy efficiency performance relative to typical buildings of similar type to reduce environmental and economic impacts associated with excessive energy use.

Requirements

CASE 1. Projects Eligible for Energy Star Rating

For buildings eligible to receive an energy performance rating using the EPA’s ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager tool, achieve an energy performance rating of at least 69. If the building is eligible for an energy performance rating using Portfolio Manager, Option 1 must be used.

Have energy meters that measure all energy use throughout the performance period of all buildings to be certified. Each building’s energy performance must be based on actual metered energy consumption for both the LEED project building(s) and all comparable buildings used for the benchmark. A full 12 months of continuous measured energy data is required.

Calibrate meters within the manufacturer’s recommended interval if the building owner, management organization or tenant owns the meter. Meters owned by third parties (e.g., utilities or governments) are exempt.

CASE 2. Projects Not Eligible for Energy Star Rating

For buildings not eligible to receive an energy performance rating using Portfolio Manager, comply with 1 of the following:

OPTION 1

• Demonstrate energy efficiency at least 19% better than the average for typical buildings of similar type by benchmarking against national average source energy data provided in the Portfolio Manager tool as an alternative to energy performance ratings. Follow the detailed instructions in the LEED Reference Guide for Green Building Operations & Maintenance, 2009 Edition.

OR

OPTION 2

• Use the alternative method described in the LEED Reference Guide for Green Building Operations & Maintenance, 2009 Edition.

AND

• Have energy meters that measure all energy use throughout the performance period of all buildings to be certified. Each building’s energy performance must be based on actual metered energy consumption for both the LEED project building(s) and all comparable buildings used for the benchmark. A full 12 months of continuous measured energy data is required.
• Calibrate meters within the manufacturer’s recommended interval if the building owner, management organization or tenant owns the meter. Meters owned by third parties (e.g., utilities or governments) are exempt.
• Use the Portfolio Manager tool available on the ENERGY STAR website to benchmark the project even if it is not eligible for an EPA rating: http://www.energystar.gov/benchmark

Referenced Standards

Energy Star, Portfolio Manager Overview, http://www.energystar.gov/benchmark 

Design Strategies

Existing building commissioning and energy audits will help identify areas of building operations that are not efficient. Implement energy-efficient retrofits and energy-saving techniques to reduce the building’s energy use.  Energy-efficient equipment such as office equipment, maintenance equipment and appliances will aid in the reduction of energy waste. Employ the use of meters on major mechanical systems to effectively monitor the energy consumption of each.

In addition to efficiency improvements, consider renewable energy options as a way to minimize the building’s environmental impact.