[Equest-users] Process Load & LEED Documentation

[Jeff Ross-Bain]

I have a few successful LEED models with less than 25% process loads - but
only arrived there after an evaluation and provided a narrative to explain
why. As Vikram pointed out, list all process loads per space, apply a
reasonable run time, and designate a corresponding load in W/sf to that
space (don't forget the elevators). 

 

Regards -

 

Jeff Ross-Bain, PE, LEED AP BD+C, BEMP
Principal


 <http://www.rbgb.com/> Description: Ross-Bain Green Building, LLC

659 Auburn Ave, NE

Suite 259

Atlanta, GA  30312
404-220-8940 main

404-220-8955 direct
www.rbgb.com <http://www.rbgb.com/> 

Build Green. Save Time

 

From: equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org
[mailto:equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of Daniel
Knapp
Sent: Friday, March 02, 2012 11:50 AM
To: Daniel Kaler
Cc: equest-users
Subject: Re: [Equest-users] Process Load & LEED Documentation

 

Hi Daniel,

 

My understanding is that if you can document the reasons for the process
load being less than 25% (as you have below) you should be fine.  I don't
think arbitrarily adding process energy to your building is what LEED is
looking for.  Is this what your reviewer specifically asked you to do?

 

Cheers,

Dan

 

-

Daniel Knapp, PhD, LEEDR AP O+M

danielk at arborus.ca

 

Arborus Consulting

Energy Strategies for the Built Environment

www.arborus.ca

76 Chamberlain Avenue 

Ottawa, ON, K1S 1V9 

Phone: (613) 234-7178 ext. 113

Fax: (613) 234-0740

 

 

 

On 2012-03-02, at 10:04 AM, Daniel Kaler wrote:





Hello All,

 

My question is regarding the 25% process load as required by LEED online.
I'll give a little background on the building first.

 

The building is located in northern Minnesota, rendering it a heating
dominate building. Our HVAC system is a geothermal water-to-air heat pump
system with an electric back up boiler. There will be no gas usage. For this
scenario, system type 4 was used for the baseline case. Since a majority of
the winter will be spent below the heat pump operating temperature, in
heating mode, electric resistance is the main source of heating. This being
said, my baseline system has a very large annual heating consumption.

 

Now to my dilemma. With the large heating consumption in the baseline
design, the process load was below the 25% threshold. I was advised to
increase the plug load until I was able to surpass the 25%. After multiple
iterations, I came to a value of 3.7 W/sqft for the office spaces (the
building is primarily offices). Obviously this is much greater than
anticipated for offices spaces.

 

Initially the process load was 30% with my proposed design, but after the
modifications the process load was roughly 50% of my total energy
consumption. To my knowledge the only other option we have to is document
each piece of equipment contributing to the process load.

 

Has anyone encountered the problem before and have advice on a solution?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Daniel Kaler

Energy Engineer, EIT

 

 

MEP ASSOCIATES

engineers  |  consultants  |  commissioning

MEP Associates, LLC | 2720 Arbor Court | Eau Claire, WI 54701

Phone: 715.832.5680 | Fax: 715.832.5668 |www.mepassociates.com

 

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