Salt Lake City High Performance Building Initiative
Energy and Atmosphere Chapter
Draft V.4
1. Background
The Energy and Atmosphere (E&A) Team developed the LEED SLC Plus E&A model
based on the following assumptions:
 Initial applications of SLC Plus E&A will address ONLY buildings that SLC has a direct
financial interest in. Therefore, the most significant recommendations in SLC Plus E&A
requirements are mandatory. The Team’s perspective is that SLC should be a clear
leader in the development of high performance buildings.
 Energy simulation modeling as part of an integrated design process is considered
essential to high performance building design. It is believed that simulation modeling
will become an integral design tool in achieving the SLC PLUS E&A requirement. This
will also limit trade-offs between E&A and other LEED categories, keeping a strong
focus on technical/mechanical design.
 Incremental “first cost” capital burdens not recovered in direct energy cost and
maintenance savings can be mitigated over time as market transforming impacts are
realized. Further, SLC Plus E&A will result in significant positive cost effective quality
of life benefits to Salt Lake City and its citizens.
The most significant changes made to LEED in creating SLC Plus E&A address energy
performance and commissioning. In both cases, the Team judged that the LEED prerequisite
did not go `far enough’ and that SLC could and should be more progressive in its community
leadership. The key differences are:
1. Energy Performance
The minimum energy performance should go beyond that of the currently prevailing
State energy code (based on ASHRAE/IES/ANSI Standard 90.1 1989) and beyond the
LEED referenced energy Code which is the 1999 version of the same code. If Utah were
to adopted the 1999 version, which is likely in the near future, the LEED Prerequisite will
be moot.
For the SLC Plus E&A Prerequisite, two paths have been created to achieve a more
progressive result. Both paths require detailed building energy simulation and should
create similar results. The two approaches are defined as follows:
 LEED +2 - All LEED minimum prerequisites for E&A must be achieved and
two additional E&A credits must be earned. This would become the SLC Plus
E&A minimum. Established LEED criteria would be used in awarding the two
additional credits.
 Baseline Simulation Modeling - This approach represents a departure from the
methodology published in the LEED reference manual and criteria. The LEED
methodology references the ASHRAE/IES Energy Standard 90.1 Energy Cost
Budget (ECB) approach, which wasn’t designed as a performance metric but
rather as a pass/fail test. As a result it is constructed to prevent `gaming’ a
building design in order to meet code. Under a strict application of the ECB
methodology, designers get little or no credit for many truly effective energy
efficiency design strategies. Within the LEED application a special petition or
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interpretation requesting a waiver of some of the ASHRAE/IES 90.1 criteria is
necessary to achieve more than minimal points.
To simplify the process with the SLC HPB approach, we recommend using a
modified benchmarking baseline (similar to one currently in use by the State of
Utah) as a comparison rather than the baseline defined by strict interpretation of
90.1-1999 ECB methods. The baseline performance criteria would be based on
ASHRAE 90.1-2001 specifications. If the resulting design meets or exceeds the
minimum baseline requirement, it would be determined acceptable for SLC Plus
E&A minimum requirements. The building owner could then apply the standard
LEED test to accumulate points in the standard manner, if desired.
NOTE: ASHRAE has recently released (July 2002) , for public review, an
addition to the 90.1-2001 energy standard that specifically addresses this
concern – i.e., using a pass/fail method as a metric. If this addendum is
adopted, and LEED adopts the same approach, the SLC Plus approach can be
changed to simply reflect the new Standard and LEED methodology.
2. Commissioning:
The Team feels that proper commissioning is essential to the integrity of the process.
The LEED standard commissioning prerequisite does not go far enough in this regard.
The Team believes that comprehensive commissioning creates greater measurable
assurance that true high performance value is being achieved. Enhanced Commissioning
will provide the following:
 More assured building operating efficiency
 Ease of operation
 Greater ability to sustain building performance through proper maintenance and
operation
 Increased occupant comfort and overall Owner value.
The SLC Plus E&A Prerequisite for Commissioning basically borrows from the LEED
Commissioning Credit and makes a stronger commitment to thorough commissioning.
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2. Vision
1. Reduce the dependence of buildings on non-renewable energy resources by promoting
energy efficient design, technology and the use of renewable energy sources.
2. To create buildings that, due to intelligent, integrated design and thorough commissioning,
will have significantly lower impact on local, regional and global air quality and depletion of
non-renewable energy resources.
3. To educate all parties involved in the procurement, design and operation of buildings within
Salt Lake City in the value and techniques of creating truly low energy buildings. To
transform the market to adopt low energy buildings as standard practice trough education,
outreach and leading by example.
3. Benefits
Salt Lake City is highly dependent on non-renewable fossil fuel based energy resources. The
majority of the electricity (95%+) is generated from coal-fired power plants. Heat for buildings is
almost entirely from natural gas. While no specific studies have been done in Salt Lake City,
based on national statistics, the building stock probably accounts for more than 35% of all energy
consumed in the City.
The benefits of reduced energy consumption are many and include lower operating costs,
reduced risk from energy cost volatility, reduced local, regional and global air pollution and
reduced regional and global environmental impacts. The LEED reference materials highlight the
many benefits of improved energy efficiency.
Well-designed low energy buildings typically cost $0.25 to $0.75 per square foot less to operate
than standard practice buildings and will result in 25%-50% reduction in carbon and small
particulate emissions that result from burning fossil fuels to operate and condition buildings.
Efficient buildings have less impact on energy supply infrastructure, reducing the critical peak
load demand that drives higher utility system infrastructure costs that result in higher utility
rates. Reduced peak demand also minimizes risk associated with potentially volatile spot market
energy prices.
Utah is exposed to seasonal constraints in the energy market Improvements in electric
efficiency have a net beneficial impact on the reliability of the supply grid and will reduce the
rate of expansion required to meet future industrial and residential growth.
In 2000-2001 the wholesale cost of natural gas and electricity escalated dramatically, increasing
temporarily to more than tenfold in some cases. In Utah, natural gas prices spiked but have since
dropped to near historical averages. Electric prices spiked as well and have retreated to slightly
higher than historical average prices. Few are predicting that energy prices will drop in the near
future. Fortunately this price spike phenomena was short lived, but it points out the risks
associated with an energy supply that operates near capacity
Further vulnerability exists due to reliance on a relatively narrow portfolio of energy resources.
Hydroelectric power supplies have been at historic lows and fossil-fuel fired power plants have
become harder to commission due to more stringent environmental regulations. This provides a
window of opportunity to develop a broader base of energy sources with an emphasis on
renewable energy sources.
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Emissions from coal and gas fired plants impact regional air quality. Some of this impact is felt
locally as it adds to the degradation of local Salt Lake valley air quality. Emissions from gasfired appliances also result in fine particulates and NOx pollution that contributes to degradation
of the valley’s air quality.
Owners and taxpayers must believe in the benefits of low energy buildings and understand the
methods for achieving them through integrated design. Designers must be instructed in the
methods and techniques of achieving low energy designs including integrated design practices,
new technologies and applications and methods for measuring the impacts of design decisions.
Operators need to know how to operate new low energy buildings and to operate existing
buildings in a manner that reduces their energy consumption.
4. Energy Resources
Passive/Active Solar: Salt Lake City is in an ideal climate for using active and passive solar
energy in buildings, thus reducing the demand for non-renewable resources. There is a high
percentage of sunny days and high daily temperature swings that, with proper attention, can be
used to significantly reduce the purchase energy of a building.
Wind power: While local use of wind power is problematic, the major electric utility that
supplies Salt Lake City has an active wind power development program. Salt Lake City and city
residents can take advantage of this resource by participating in the Utah Power Blue Sky
program.
5. Past Energy Initiatives
There have been few, if any, Salt Lake City-based initiatives aimed at increasing the City’s
building energy efficiency. Utah Power, the franchised electricity utility company serving Salt
Lake City has long sponsored various demand side management (DSM) and energy efficiency
programs. These efforts, though admirable, do not address the entire energy picture. Salt Lake
City should take greater advantage of available utility-based DSM programs and should
encourage other energy utilities to offer similar programs.
6. Current Recommendations
We recommend that Salt Lake City adopt the following Energy and Atmosphere guidelines,
including the SLC Plus guidelines.
7. Role of High Performance Guidelines
Guidelines can help focus efforts, define objectives and provide incentives to learn and improve
the way things are done. In energy efficiency, guidelines can help soften the over-emphasis on
demonstrating cost effectiveness and on the first cost of buildings.
8. Other Items (Salt Lake City may want to include in policy discussion)
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The following Energy and Atmosphere related items are not specifically addressed by the LEED
rating system but could contribute to the health and vitality of Salt Lake City.
 Include carbon emission reduction calculations as a reporting requirement in the energy
performance section. Salt Lake City is already doing some things along these lines but
the high performance building energy and atmosphere chapter should be strongly linked
with these efforts.
 Support for distributed generation and combined heat and power systems (co-generation).
 District heating and/or cooling, especially in conjunction with combined heat and power.
 Economic development focused on supporting local manufacturers and suppliers of
energy efficient or green power products and services.
 Continuing education of constituents and stakeholders.
9. Next Steps
If the LEED SLC Plus system were to expand to include non-SLC buildings, the SLC Plus E&A
requirement could be expanded to include additional points for improved performance and the
LEED advanced commissioning could become a credit. In this case the policy implications
become paramount since the private sector would have to be convinced of the benefits and
longer-term value of stronger requirements.
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10. SLC PLUS MODEL
Format
Throughout the following document, reference is made to LEED literature rather than replicating
the same language (except to list the LEED Credits as a matter of record and context). The
LEED literature does an excellent job of providing justification, background and references for
the E&A Chapter. With the few exceptions noted below we recommend SLC adopt the LEED
methodology and philosophy.
The listed benefits are directed to the specific credit and do not include the global benefits of
reduced energy consumption.
Boxed Credits are LEED Credits
Shaded Credits Represent Proposed SLC Plus Items
LEED Prerequisite1: Fundamental Building Systems Commissioning
Intent
Verify and ensure that fundamental building elements and systems are designed, installed and calibrated to operate
as intended.
Requirement: Implement the following fundamental best practice commissioning procedures:
 Engage a commissioning authority
 Review design intent and basis of design documentation
 Include commissioning requirements in the construction documents
 Develop and utilize a commissioning plan
 Verify installation, functional performance, training and documentation
 Complete a commissioning report
Technologies/Strategies:
Introduce standards and strategies into the design process early, and then carry through selected
measures by clearly stating target requirements in the construction documents. Tie contractor
final payments to documented system performance. Refer to the LEED Reference Guide for
detailed descriptions of required elements and references to additional commissioning guides.
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SLC Plus Prerequisite 1: Fundamental Building Systems Commissioning
Intent
Establish a systematic process, beginning in the design phase, lasting at least one year after
construction, and including the preparation of operating staff, of ensuring, through documented
verification, that all building systems perform interactively according to the documented design
intent and the owner’s operational needs.
Requirements
(Note: Non-italicized wording is directly from the LEED Prerequisite. These are largely
`borrowed’ from the LEED Additional Commissioning Credit).)
 Engage a commissioning authority in the conceptualization phase of the project. The
Commissioning Agent will participate in the design/bid/construction phases of the
project as an integral team member.
 Review design intent and basis of design documentation. Create a design intent
document that becomes the basis for all subsequent design planning and evaluation.
 Include commissioning requirements in the construction documents.
 Develop and utilize a commissioning plan that encompasses the intent and
comprehensive nature of commissioning plans developed by organizations such as
Portland Energy Conservation Inc.; USGBC; National Conference on Building
Commissioning.
 Conduct a selective review of contractor submittals of commissioned equipment.
 Verify installation, functional performance, training and documentation. Verification will
include inspections made during the design development and construction phases of the
project.
 Complete a commissioning report.
Technologies & Strategies
Engage a commissioning authority and adopt a commissioning plan. Include commissioning
requirements in bid documents and task the commissioning agent to produce a commissioning
report once commissioning activities are completed.
Benefits
Category
Economic
Increases
Decreases
Increased comfort and controllability
Increased mechanical equipment life
Lower energy and operating costs
Ecological
Increased occupant productivity
Cultural
Opportunities

Decreases comfort complaints
Commissioning is becoming more accepted by the building community. There are an
increasing number of education and training opportunities in the commissioning sector
that Salt Lake City could take advantage of.
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
As commissioning becomes more common, it will become more efficient and more
competitive, reducing the cost and increasing the benefit of thorough commissioning.
 Salt Lake City could lead on this initiative with West Side Police Precinct.
Resources

There are numerous resources including specifications, guidelines, management plans,
test plans, etc. available in the public domain.
Constraints


There are limited commissioning resources currently available in Salt Lake City.
There is no recognized certification or standards body that hinders the development of
competitive, well trained commissioning agents.
 Designers have been slow to adopt commissioning as standard practice.
 Commissioning after a building is occupied can be problematic.
Cost Implications


Commissioning can add from .05-1.5% to the first cost of a building.
There are numerous studies indicating that commissioning efforts can pay for themselves
in as little as one year. In less dramatic instances commissioning cost may take longer to
recover but there is little doubt they result in net positive benefits.
Examples
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LEED Prerequisite 2: Minimum Energy Performance
Intent
Establish the minimum of energy efficiency for the base building and systems.
Design to meet building energy efficiency and performance as required by ASHRAE/IESNA
90.1-1999 or the local energy code, which ever is the more stringent. Analyze expected baseline
building performance using the System/Component Method.
Technologies & Strategies
Use building modeling and analysis techniques to establish and document compliance
ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1-1999 provides guidance for establishing building base case development
and analysis. Refer to the LEED Reference Guide for a wide variety of energy efficiency strategy
resources.
SLC Plus Prerequisite 2: Minimum Energy Performance
SLC Plus recommends replacing this prerequisite with the following Minimum Energy
Performance Prerequisite
There are two paths to demonstrating compliance with this prerequisite: Use the modified
baseline approach detailed below or; use the approach outlined in the LEED Energy
Optimization Credit and demonstrate at least 2 (4) points from that credit.
LEED
LEED
Prerequisite
SLC Plus Energy
Performance Prerequisite
OR
LEED
Prerequisite
SLC HPB Prerequisite:
New Methodology
LEED
Optimization
Credit Credit
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Energy Optimization
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Intent
Create buildings that, as a function of their design, use significantly less purchased energy than
they otherwise would. To create an incentive to the designers to follow an integrated design path
that characterizes energy use at an early stage and uses that information to minimize the
purchased energy requirements in the most cost effective manner possible.
Discussion
The minimum requirements below will result in a building that will be better than either current
code or generally established practice. The term `Better’ is defined as when the predicted
purchased energy consumption is a certain percent lower than that predicted for a minimum
defined baseline. The requirement includes minimum improvements in kWh (electric energy),
kW (electric demand), fuel consumption (gas, oil,)and total energy cost.
Credit for use of passive heating and cooling design features, solar hot water heating and ground
source geothermal heat pumps are included in this Prerequisite.
This category could be expanded to include additional credit points as the energy performance
increase, similar to the LEED approach. This would be appropriate if the High Performance
Building guideline was applied to non-Salt Lake City funded projects.
Reduce the annual energy cost by 30% for new buildings or 20% for existing buildings,
compared to a building that meets the minimum requirements of the current Energy Code as
described below.
Additionally, show a minimum reduction of 10% in each of the following categories:
 Annual electric consumption (annual kWh).
 Sum of monthly demand peaks (annual kW).
 Annual natural gas (or other fuel) consumption (annual decatherm).
Methodology
Use the DOE 2.x modeling program to simulate the energy consumption of a baseline building
and the as-designed building in order to demonstrate compliance with this requirement.
Follow the protocol described in Section 11 - Energy Cost Budget Method of ASHRAE/IESNA
Standard 90.1-2001, with the modifications listed below.
The energy cost budget method establishes several design parameters such as plug load and
occupancy as performance neutral items. Those items must be identical between the baseline and
the proposed models.
It also considers items such as building orientation, lighting power density, and fan and pump
efficiency, as performance neutral. The modifications to Section 11 of the ASHRAE Standard
described below are intended to reward the design team for innovative design that would
otherwise not be eligible for energy credits.
1. The baseline building is “solar neutral”, with four equal exposures facing due north,
south, east, and west. Both the baseline and the proposed buildings have the same
conditioned floor area, area type breakdown and the same number of stories
2. The baseline building will have 0.40 window-to-wall ratio (40% window), distributed
equally on all four exposures of the building. The performance of the fenestration on the
baseline building will be the code-minimum for the 40% window-to-wall ratio.
3. The interior lighting power for the baseline building is the allowed power as determined
by the prescriptive path. The lighting power for the proposed design model is the actual
power level as designed
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4. The fan system efficiency (bhp/cfm) for the baseline building is the maximum limit
allowed by the prescriptive path. The type of fan system is identical for the budget
building and the proposed building
5. For proposed designs that employ chilled water systems, the budget building design
pump power is 22 watts/gpm for chilled water and 19 watts/gpm for condenser water, if
the chiller is water-cooled
Technologies & Strategies
Design the building envelope and building systems to maximize energy performance. Use a
computer simulation model to assess the energy performance and identify the most cost effective
energy efficiency measures. Quantify energy performance as compared to a baseline building.
Benefits
Category
Economic
Increases
Decreases
Creates generally higher quality jobs and
value added services.
Increases long term capital availability
Ecological
Cultural
Generally results in more comfortable,
responsive buildings that increase occupant
satisfaction.
Annual energy cost of operating buildings.
Risks associated with disruptions in energy
supply.
Air and water pollution resulting from the
development and use of energy resources
Human impact on rapid global climate
change
Decrease the often-negative cultural impacts
of fossil fuel development and transport.
Reduce the impacts of rapid global climate
change
The savings required by this standard requires an integrated design effort that includes all major
players of the design team. The computer model that is required in order to show compliance
with this standard should be available throughout the design process. This combination of an
integrated design team and state-of-the-art analysis tools can yield a building whose benefits to
Salt Lake City extend well beyond energy savings, to include higher worker productivity,
reduced life-cycle cost and enhanced aesthetics.
Resources

The Energy FinAnswer program of Utah Power can provide modeling assistance and
financial incentives based on the amount of electric energy savings.
Opportunities


Salt Lake City is well located for passive solar design, with strong solar gain in summer,
and generally sunny winters. A well-designed building can effectively screen summer
gain and harvest winter gain, yielding both thermal advantages and the possibility of
daylight harvesting.
The dry climate of Salt Lake City can make a well-designed evaporative cooling system
cost-effective. The water saved from reduced generation of electricity more than offsets
the water used in evaporative systems.
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
Salt Lake City’s climate also features strong diurnal, or night-to-day, temperature swings.
There are design techniques using building integrated thermal storage and fan system
control that can use this characteristic to reduce demands on heating and cooling systems.
Constraints

The cost of energy in Salt Lake City is relatively low, which makes investments in energy
efficiency show a relatively long payback. Only low cost improvements are typically
implemented.
 The SLC Plus requirement will require energy modeling. Although this will increase the
design costs for most buildings it will also support integrated design, which is an implicit
goal. Since the impacted buildings will be either SLC projects or projects receiving SLC
financial support, they will be original designs and pushing for integrated design
processes will not unduly burden the process.
Cost Implications


High performance buildings require a re-allocation of costs. Although life-cycle costs are
lower, initial design and construction costs are higher, and design schedules are longer.
Salt Lake City design and construction budgets and schedules must reflect these realities.
Buildings built under this standard will cost from $0.25 to $0.75 per square foot less to
operate each year.
Examples
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LEED Prerequisite 3
: CFC Reduction in HVAC&R Equipment
Intent
Reduce ozone depletion
Zero use of CFC-based refrigerants in new building HVAC&R base building systems. When
reusing existing base building HVAC equipment, complete a comprehensive CFC phase-out
conversion.
Technologies & Strategies
Specify only non-CFC-based refrigerants in all base building HVAC&R systems.
SLC Plus Prerequisite 3: CFC Reduction in HVAC&R Equipment
SLC Plus recommends adding the following to the CFC Reduction Strategies: When reusing
existing HVAC systems, conduct an inventory to identify equipment that uses CFC refrigerants
and adopt a replacement schedule for these refrigerants.
Intent
See LEED documentation
Technologies & Strategies
See LEED documentation
Benefits
Category
Economic
Increases
Decreases
Reduced exposure to future price increases
for banned refrigerant
Reduce the use of ozone depleting
refrigerants
Ecological
Cultural
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Resources
Opportunities
Constraints
Examples


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LEED Credit 1: Optimize Energy Performance
Intent
Achieve increasing levels of energy performance above the prerequisite standard to reduce
environmental impacts associated with excessive energy use.
Requirement:
Reduce design energy cost compared to the energy cost budget for regulated energy
components described in the requirements of ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-1999, as
demonstrated by a whole building simulation using the Energy Cost Budget Method described
in Section 11:
New Buildings
Existing Buildings
Points
20%
10%
2
30%
20%
4
40%
30%
6
50%
40%
8
60%
50%
10
Regulated energy components include HVAC systems, building envelope, service hot water
systems, lighting and other regulated systems as defined by ASHRAE.
TECHNOLOGIES/STRATEGIES:
Develop and use building modeling and analysis techniques to establish a base case that meets
the minimum prerequisite standard. ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1-1999 provides guidance for
establishing building base case development and analysis. Perform interactive energy use
analysis for selected design elements that affect energy performance and document
compliance.
Unit of measure for performance shall be annual energy cost expressed in dollars. Annual
energy costs shall be determined using rates for purchased energy, such as electricity, gas, oil,
propane, steam, and chilled water and approved by the adopting authority, OR using the default
purchased energy costs set forth in the Reference Guide. Refer to the LEED Reference Guide
for a wide variety of energy efficiency resources and strategies including conservation
measures, electromechanical energy efficiency technologies, passive heating and cooling
strategies, and daylighting.
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SLC Plus Credit 1: Optimize Energy Performance
Under the SLC Plus Energy performance Prerequisite LEED based path, there would already be
2 credits obtained under this LEED Credit. Additional SLC plus credit could be earned by
obtaining more than 2 points under this credit.
SLC Plus recommends that if this credit is kept as an optional credit, the methodology for
measuring improved energy performance should be changed to replicate that defined in the SLC
Plus Energy Performance Prerequisite and the performance levels be adjusted accordingly, i.e.,
credit be obtained by exceeding the baseline by 30% for existing buildings and 40% for new
buildings.
Intent
See LEED
Technologies & Strategies
See LEED
Benefits
See energy pre-requisite
Resources
Opportunities
Constraints
Examples
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LEED Credit 2: Renewable Energy
Intent
Encourage and recognize increasing levels of self-supply through renewable technologies to
reduce environmental impacts associated with fossil fuel energy use.
Requirement:
Supply a net fraction of the building’s total energy use (as expressed as a fraction of annual
energy cost) through the use of on-site renewable energy systems.
% Total Energy Load Cost in Renewables Points
5%
1
10%
2
20%
3
TECHNOLOGIES/STRATEGIES:
Employ the use of on-site non-polluting-source renewable technologies contributing to the total
energy requirements of the project. Consider and use high temperature solar and/or geothermal,
wind, biomass (other than unsustainably harvested wood), and bio-gas. Passive solar, solar hot
water heating, ground-source heat pumps, and daylighting do not qualify for points under this
credit. Credit for these strategies is given in Energy & Atmosphere Credit 1: Optimizing Energy
Performance.
SLC Plus Credit 2: Renewable Energy – No Change
According to the LEED criteria neither solar hot water heating nor ground source geothermal
heat pumps are included under this credit but is contained within the Optimize Energy
Performance Credit. The E&A Team feels there may be some benefit to including these as a
separate credit topic since they are probably the most cost effective of the on-site renewable
technologies currently available.
Benefits
Category
Economic
Increases
See Energy prerequisite
Decreases
Risk associated with temporary disruptions
in utility supplied energy
Ecological
Cultural
Resources


There are significant solar resources available in Salt Lake City’s climate.
There are a few Federal programs that promote on-site renewable development through
education and technology assistance.
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Opportunities

Salt Lake City is well located for solar design, with strong solar gain in summer, and
generally sunny winters. In buildings with large hot water loads, solar water heating is
economically viable if full life cycle costs and energy supply risks are included.
Constraints

The cost of energy in Salt Lake City is relatively low, which can make investments in onsite renewable a relatively long payback.
Examples
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LEED Credit 3: Additional Commissioning
Intent
Verify and ensure that the entire building is designed, constructed, and calibrated to operate as intended.
In addition to the Fundamental Building Commissioning prerequisite, implement the following
additional commissioning tasks:
1. Conduct a focused review of the design
2, Conduct a focused review of the Construction Documents when close to completion.
3. Conduct a selective review of contractor submittals of commissioned equipment. (The above
three reviews must be performed by a firm other than the designer.)
4. Develop a re-commissioning management manual.
5. Have a contract in place for a near-warranty end or post occupancy review.
Technologies & Strategies
Engage the Commissioning Authority early in project design phases. Task the commissioning
agent to conduct project reviews before and after construction documents are complete. The
Commissioning Agent must also create a re-commissioning manual for the building and review
the project at near-warranty end.
SLC Plus Credit 3: Additional Commissioning
Many of the requirements contained in the LEED Additional Commissioning Credit have been
included in the SLC Plus Commissioning Prerequisite. Additional credit should be available
under SLC Plus for more comprehensive commissioning as follows.
Implement the following additional commission tasks:
 Identify a budgeted line item amount for Commissioning, which will represent a minimum of
__% of project costs.
 Commissioning activities will be completed BEFORE building occupancy, and before
substantial completion, while the construction team is still on the site. <Part of commission
requires being able to assess performance when ‘fully loaded’ – occupied, and after there
has been some use, seasoning and fatigue of the equipment and building.>
 Develop a re-commissioning management manual.
 Mechanical, Electrical, and life safety design consultants are to be part of and take part in
training of operating staff members.
Intent
Technologies & Strategies
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Salt Lake City High Performance Building Initiative
Energy and Atmosphere Chapter
Benefits
See commissioning prerequisite
Resources
Opportunities
Constraints
Examples
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Salt Lake City High Performance Building Initiative
Energy and Atmosphere Chapter
LEED Credit 4: Ozone Depletion
Intent
Technologies & Strategies
When reusing buildings, inventory existing building systems using refrigerants and fire
suppression chemicals and replace those that contain HCFC’s or halons. For new buildings,
specify refrigeration and fire suppression systems that use no HCFCs or halons.
Benefits
Category
Economic
Ecological
Cultural
Increases
Decreases
Long term impact on global ozone depletion
Resources
Opportunities
Constraints
Examples
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Salt Lake City High Performance Building Initiative
Energy and Atmosphere Chapter
Credit 5: Measurement & Verification
Intent
Provide for the ongoing accountability and optimization of building energy and water
consumption performance over time.
Requirement
Comply with the long term continuous measurement of performance as stated in Option B:
Methods by Technology of the US DOE’s International Performance Measurement and
Verification Protocol (IPMVP) for the following:
 Lighting systems and controls
 Constant and variable motor loads
 Variable frequency drive (VFD) operation
 Chiller efficiency at variable loads (kW/ton)
 Cooling load
 Air and water economizer and heat recovery cycles
 Air distribution static pressures and ventilation air volumes
 Boiler efficiencies
 Building specific process efficiency systems and equipment
Technologies & Strategies
Model the energy and water systems to predict savings. Design the building with equipment to
measure energy and water performance. Draft a Measurement & Verification Plan to apply
during building operation that compares predicted savings to those actually achieved in the field.
Benefits
Category
Economic
Ecological
Cultural
Increases
Decreases
Lower energy and operating costs
Seasonal fluctuations of indoor air quality
Detrimental changes in building performance
Increased comfort and controllability
Responsiveness of building operators
Resources
There are numerous public domain technical resources available including from guidelines and
implementation plans.
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Salt Lake City High Performance Building Initiative
Energy and Atmosphere Chapter
Opportunities
Constraints
Design/Material costs are increased.
Success requires long term commitment of building owners.
Requires heightened attention and skill of maintenance staff, or long term use of contractor.
Examples
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Salt Lake City High Performance Building Initiative
Energy and Atmosphere Chapter
LEED Credit 6: Green Power
Intent
Encourage the development and use of grid-source energy technologies on a net zero pollution
basis.
Requirement
Credit 6.0 (1 point): Engage in a two year contract to purchase power generated from renewable
sources that meet the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) Green-e products certification
requirements.
Technologies & Strategies
Estimate the energy needs of the building and investigate opportunities to engage in a green
power contract with the local utility. Green power is derived from solar, wind, geothermal,
biomass, or low-impact hydro sources.
SLC Plus Credit 6: Green Power
As currently written there is currently no opportunity in Salt Lake City to obtain credit under this
LEED topic since there are no CRS certified products available for purchase. As an alternative
we recommend that the Utah Power Blue Sky program be considered. While it is not CRS
certified it is the only available program where a building Owner can purchase new grid based
renewable energy resources.
Since the marginal rate for Blue Sky power is significantly higher than the standard electric rates.
Salt Lake City should consider rewarding credit for a less than 5% total cost contribution.
Intent
Promote the development of new renewable energy resources
Technologies & Strategies
Blue Sky participation
Benefits
Category
Economic
Increases
Decreases

Ecological
Cultural
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Salt Lake City High Performance Building Initiative
Energy and Atmosphere Chapter
Resources
Opportunities
Constraints
Examples
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