My building model has 3.9% energy savings, but 24.6% savings in energy cost because of heating demand.
The structure is approximately 1 cent per kWh and $12 per kW. All the heating savings, saves on peak demand and therefore saves more money then energy. Since LEED is based on energy cost, is it safe to assume that the my building will achieve the 5 points? Has anyone run across this situation.
thanks,
Don
Energy Savings vs. Energy Cost
Sep 15, 2008
Don-
While it is not common, sometimes depending on the utility rate structure
and/or mechanical systems this does happen. For example, the 1 Bryant Park
(Bank of America) building while it received many LEED EA credits (and a
LEED platinum rating) did not really save that much if any in total energy
use. The reason for this was its use of an ice storage system which shaves
off the peak demand and moves it to off-peak times such as during the
night. As long as the utility rates and model were built correctly, I would
rest assured that your results are accurate.
Steve Mignogna
This indeed could be possible. However, I would be careful and question
why you have such a peak demand. For instance if the peak demand only
occurs for 2-5 minutes and the rest of the day you average 20-40% off
your peak you might have a schedule problem (i.e. fans, pumps, heating
coils, all turn on at the same time). Otherwise if your peak demand is
pretty consistent with the actual load heating load this is entirely
possible.
ARTURO HERNANDEZ