LEED, Process energy and pools

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Dear Bldg-Sim community,

I've just completed a lovely, accurate, comprehensive building energy model
(in Energy Plus) which contains an indoor swimming pool. The building is
about 100,000 square feet and the pool area is about 10% of that total.

At the end of the year, the heating, cooling, fans and pumps associated with
the pool have consumed 70% of the total building energy! I was rather
surprised. I expected it to be a large percentage, but not THAT large!
This, by the way, is the result when using a specialty pool HVAC unit which
recovers and re-uses most of the DX cooling energy and thus greatly reduces
the pool energy total.

As far as I can tell, ALL of the pool-related energy is considered by ASHRAE
90.1 and LEED to be "process" energy. Since "process" energy must be
identical in both the baseline and proposed models, the rest of the building
must accomplish the entire savings . which is pretty darn difficult
(impossible, really) if "process" is too large a percentage.

Have any of you successfully modeled a building with a pool and also
received LEED certification? If so, can you suggest what I might be
missing?

Thanks in advance.

BPT BizCard_RGB_0507

Quid est hoc ad aeternitatem?

James V. Dirkes II  P.E.'s picture
Joined: 2011-10-02
Reputation: 0

James,

I don't think I agree with you that all swimming pool related energy is a process load according to 90.1. The definition in 90.1 is as follows:

process energy: energy consumed in support of a manufacturing, industrial, or commercial process other than conditioning spaces and maintaining comfort and amenities for the occupants of a building.

Clearly controlling space and pool water temperature in a natatorium maintains comfort for the occupants of a building. Additionally, 90.1 specifically includes many swimming pool related requirements including;

* Section 7.4.5.1 - pool heaters

* Section 7.4.5.2 - pool covers

* Section 7.4.5.3 - time switches

* Table 7.8 - pool heater efficiency requirements

* Section 6.5.6.1 - Exhaust Air Energy Recovery (does not specifically mention swimming pools, but should apply).

Michael Rosenberg

Rosenberg, Michael I's picture
Joined: 2011-09-30
Reputation: 0

I guess that the crucial assumption is whether all the dehumidification,
reheat ,etc. is "maintaining comfort". Initially, I thought that because it
was far more than "just" comfort, it had to be considered process. Maybe I
was wrong. For my client's sake, I hope so!

Thanks to several of you who have responded!

James V. Dirkes II, P.E., LEED AP

James V. Dirkes II  P.E.'s picture
Joined: 2011-10-02
Reputation: 0

Hi James & Michael

I am working on a project in Qatar.The project is targeting for LEED Gold.There will be two 25 m swimming pools on sites.Kindly advise on the implications of these swimming pools on the LEED Credits.

What i should do in terms of Energy simulation?  is it process load ?

Kindly Reply,

Thanks & Regards

Anonymous's picture
Anonymous

If you are too lazy to read the posts, please don't ask for help. The question is answered in the posts. You can also use the search feature to find more on swimming pools

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