Realistic new construction Baseline

asked 2017-10-19 12:00:45 -0600

Jim Dirkes
3544 ●27 ●16

updated 2017-10-22 08:57:28 -0600

__AmirRoth__

4436 ●5 ●17 http://bleedinggreenna...

Dear Forum, A client wants to compare half a dozen commonly used HVAC system approaches for a "typical" warehouse. They have asked "What baseline construction will be considered realistic by our customers?" My "baseline" perception is rather biased by LEED definitions, so ASHRAE 90.1-2010 is the one I think of first. For the rest of you, do you have a sense of what energy codes are in common use for new construction? IECC 2012? ASHRAE 90.1-2013? something else?

Thanks in advance for sharing your insight.

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That varies by jurisdiction, and what they have adopted locally.

ljbrackney ( 2017-10-19 12:02:52 -0600 )edit

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answered 2017-10-19 12:06:50 -0600

ericringold

10637 ●32 ●8 https://www.nrel.gov/b...

As @ljbrackney said, the energy code (and subsequent 'typical' construction) is going to depend heavily on the project location. You can find the status of the local jurisdiction's energy code adoption here.

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Local jurisdiction - understood. I should have explained that the client sells nationally and wants to present a single comparison study which will resonate with the majority of the people they present to. i.e., if we use, to exaggerate, an un-insulated building with a 60% efficient boiler, nobody will give the study any credibility. What do you think is "credible" for a majority of people who design heating systems?

Jim Dirkes ( 2017-10-19 12:14:35 -0600 )edit

From Eric's very helpful chart, ASHRAE 90.1-2010 applies to a majority of the USA. Does anyone have contrary thoughts (who doesn't live in California or Washington?

Jim Dirkes ( 2017-10-19 12:30:43 -0600 )edit

If I had to choose one, I guess as a minimum use 90.1-2010. Are you going to analyze the systems across climate zones? I would consider include code vintage (via insulation level) as an additional parameter. What's 'realistic' for a designer in a CZ5 jurisdiction following 90.1-2007 (where the minimum U-value for a metal building is 0.113) would not be considered very credible for a designer following 90.1-2013, with a minimum of U-0.050!