Architectural Energy Modeling Questionnaire

Topic: Standard questions to the project architect from the LEED analyst to support EA Credit energy modeling.

LEED General Information:

Note to the Analyst: The following questions may be answered by the architectural drawings, or may require the input from the architect.

• Net usable square footage. Check for this number on the code sheet of the architectural drawings. Unless there is significant space for other tenants that is not part of the project, the gross square footage will be the same as the net square footage.
  
• Number of occupants. As with square footage, check for this number on the code sheet of the architectural drawings. If not known, estimate using NFPA maximum allowable density factors by functional occupancy.
  

LEED Energy Modeling:

Note to the Analyst: Upon project initiation, cut-and-paste following questions to the body of an e-mail to the project engineer or architect. Include a copy of the latest LEED Scorecard (aka LEED Checklist) which you may optionally elect to complete using best available knowledge. This form may be found under 'References' in the right hand sidebar.
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To: Project Engineer

Re: LEED Energy Modeling

Hello Project

Can you please answer the following questions in coordination with the architect in order to help initiate energy modeling for the above-referenced project?

• Date of eco-charette, and copies of resulting meeting minutes or design report.
• LEED Checklist, if one has been prepared. If one has not, please fill-out at minimum the Energy and Atmosphere portion of the attached checklist.
  
• Building or project occupancy, number of persons.
• Building or project size, square feet.
• Percent of building or project that is new.
• Percent of building or project that is remodel.
• Building-only cost estimate (for ELCCA of publicly funded projects).
  
• Site cost estimate (for ELCCA of publicly funded projects).
  
• Owner's project manager and contact information.
  
• Estimated VE date, if future.
  
• Estimated bid date.
  
• Do all of the anticipated wall constructions meet minimum Washington State Energy Code (WSEC) values? For example, are there any uninsulated masonry or concrete walls that may need to be compensated for elsewhere?
• [Delete if Climate Zone 2: WSEC minimum values in Climate Zone 1 (Western Washington) are approximately R-17 for wood framed walls, R-10 for metal framed walls, and R-7 for masonry walls. ]
  
• [Delete if Climate Zone 1: WSEC minimum values in Climate Zone 2 (Eastern Washington) are approximately R-17 for wood framed walls, R-12 for metal framed walls, and R-9 for masonry walls. ]
  
• Do all of the anticipated roof constructions meet minimum WSEC values?
  
• [Delete if Climate Zone 2: WSEC minimum values in Climate Zone 1 are approximately R-22 for most commercial and institutional roofs. ]
  
• [Delete if Climate Zone 1: WSEC minimum values in Climate Zone 2 are approximately R-26 for most commercial and institutional roofs. ]
• Please provide anticipated R- or U-values for representative wall and roof types on the project. This list does not need to be comprehensive at this time; up to four representative wall types and two representative roof types are sufficient.
• What are the approximate areas or percentages of vertical and horizontal glazing?
• Is the building anticipated to have greater than 30% glazing?
• Additional WSEC requirements are listed for buildings with greater than 30% glazing.
• Will all of the anticipated glazing assemblies meet minimum WSEC values?
• In both climate zones, most vertical glazing (windows & doors) are required to have a maximum 0.55 U-value and 0.45 maximum Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC).
  
• Most horizontal glazing (skylights) are required to have a maximum 0.70 U-value and 0.40 maximum SHGC.
  
• Opaque doors are required by the WSEC to have an R-value of approximately 2 (U-0.60 maximum) in both climate zones. Please advise if doors are not anticipated to meet these requirements.
• Please provide anticipated U- and SHGC coefficients for representative glazing types on the project. This list does not need to be comprehensive at this time; four to six representative glazing types are sufficient.
  
• Will 10% or more of the building be heated via electric resistance?
• Additional WSEC requirements are listed for buildings heated via electric resistance.