RE: [EnergyPlus_Support] Process loads below 25%

Dear Forum,

In case it’s useful to you, I just got the following information back from USGBC regarding why my EAp2 templates did not indicate compliance.

Inquiry:

I have completed the EAp2 form and believe that the project is compliant in every way, but the form thinks otherwise. Please provide some guidance regarding why it thinks we are not compliant.

Response:

On page 1, CO2-eq emission target cell should have a value. If not applicable to the project please input 0.

On page 2, "Compliant energy modeling methodology: Energy..." is a required checkbox.

This should resolve the issue.

The Building Performance Team
James V. Dirkes II, P.E., BEMP , LEED AP
1631 Acacia Drive NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
616 450 8653

From: EnergyPlus_Support@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:EnergyPlus_Support@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Nick Caton
Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2012 9:58 PM
To: EnergyPlus_Support@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: [EnergyPlus_Support] Process loads below 25%

Here’s my response from the same query at the eQuest-users list � much of the samme experience to relate:

Hi Oscar,

Last I looked into this, the LEED EAp2 template (v03) is not terribly intelligent in this regard. I’m informed by others the more recent v04 template has not made any improvement either.

Until the powers that be implement a checkbox to the effect of “I am below 25% for a good reason,” I think we simply have to submit with that big ugly “NO” at the end (you can still mark as complete, by the way). In the meantime, I have been inserting one-liners in the narrative section following the consumption tables copying my EAp2 spreadsheet language explaining/citing how I came up with process loads totaling annual consumptions below 25%.

If there is a workaround anyone has found to this, I’d love to hear it as well.

~Nick

PS: In my humble opinion, the person(s) in charge of updating the templates should really remove this check from the ‘compliance’ feature entirely, and also update the corresponding language in the template footnotes. The 25% “rule” isn’t a requirement of either LEED or 90.1 (See attached discussion from bldg-rate a few years back).

NICK CATON, P.E.

SENIOR ENGINEER

Smith & Boucher Engineers

25501 west valley parkway, suite 200

olathe, ks 66061

direct 913.344.0036

fax 913.345.0617

www.smithboucher.com

From: EnergyPlus_Support@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:EnergyPlus_Support@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Jim Dirkes
Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2012 5:55 PM
To: EnergyPlus_Support@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: [EnergyPlus_Support] Process loads below 25%

I have two projects currently which comply in every way (no exceptional calculations even!), but the form still says I don’t comply. I have asked leedonline to investigate, but haven’t heard back yet. I think the form has a bug, but will find out after they respond.

The Building Performance Team
James V. Dirkes II, P.E., BEMP , LEED AP
1631 Acacia Drive NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
616 450 8653

From: EnergyPlus_Support@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:EnergyPlus_Support@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Oscar Dario
Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2012 5:40 PM
To: EnergyPlus_Support@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [EnergyPlus_Support] Process loads below 25%

Thanks Annie.

I did provided a narrative as to why your loads are under 25% of baseline cost under

"The project does not comply with minimum compliance requirements for process energy modeling (determined after Section 1.9A is complete). Describe any exceptions, special circumstances or modeling difficulties that occurred relating to the process energy noncompliance. Upload EAp2-9. Provide any documentation to support the process energy noncompliance narrative."

and upload the documentation.

but it is still on "N"

I was thinking to put an exceptional calculation but i wont change the base line process loads. I will only let me put savings in the proposed case.

I dont know how to change to complied

Regards

Oscar

From: annie marston <anniemarston@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: energyplus_support@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Wednesday, 6 June 2012, 16:34
Subject: RE: [EnergyPlus_Support] Process loads below 25%

Hi Oscar,

This happens to me sometimes, I think, if I remember correctly, it won't change to "Y". As long as you put the exceptional calculation in and provide a narrative as to why your loads are under 25% of baseline cost then the overall form will be accepted.

Annie

To: EnergyPlus_Support@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
From: oscar.buchely@xxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Wed, 6 Jun 2012 22:27:48 +0100
Subject: [EnergyPlus_Support] Process loads below 25%

Hello.

I just fill up a LEED format for EAp2. in my model process loads are below 25%. I had all documentation an calculation to support that. but when I fill up the table

EAP2-4 my process loads not meet the requirements of 25% and even though I upload support documentation to show that in section EAP2-9 the compliance is still showing me NO.

I was trying to do it as exceptional calculation measurement but in that section the form only allow to change the proposed case and not the base line.

Any help would be appreciated

Thanks