855773644-LEED-v5-BD-C-Reference-Guide-Launch-Edition - Page 274

Extracted Content

Data Collection

Document the refrigerant properties for each type of equipment, including type of refrigerant, refrigerant GWP (GWPREFRIGERANT), and refrigerant charge (Rc).

When the project design includes field-assembled refrigerant piping with long pipe lengths or large pressure drops (e.g., variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems, industrial process equipment), teams must account for additional required Rc in the calculations per the manufacturer’s specifications or confirm that the manufacturer’s default charge or referenced submittals already account for this additional charge.

Calculate the total equipment GWP for each equipment using Equation 1.

Equation 1. GWPEQUIPMENT calculation

𝐺𝑊𝑃𝐸𝑄𝑈𝐼𝑃𝑀𝐸𝑁𝑇 = 𝑅𝐶 × 𝐺𝑊𝑃𝑅𝐸𝐹𝑅𝐼𝐺𝐸𝑅𝐴𝑁𝑇

The project’s total GWP is the sum of the GWPs for all refrigerant-using equipment in the project:

Equation 2. GWPTOTAL calculation

𝐺𝑊𝑃𝑇𝑂𝑇𝐴𝐿 = ∑ 𝐺𝑊𝑃𝐸𝑄𝑈𝐼𝑃𝑀𝐸𝑁𝑇

Determine the weighted average GWP for the project by dividing the project’s total GWP by the sum of Refrigerant Charge for all equipment:

Equation 3. Weighted average GWP calculation

𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑒𝑑 a𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝐺𝑊𝑃 = [𝐺𝑊𝑃][𝑇𝑂𝑇𝐴𝐿]

𝛴𝑅𝐶

LEAK CHECK AND REPAIR

Perform leak checks for all refrigerant-containing equipment in the project, including new and existing equipment. Field-installed piping requires vacuum and pressure testing during the installation process per the International Mechanical Code Chapter 11, EPA Clean Air Act Section 608, European Union F-Gas Regulations, or similar referenced standards.

For existing systems or self-contained systems, leak check inspections may leverage electronic leak detectors, data from the Building Automation System, visual inspections for oil residue on

U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, April 2025 Launch Edition 264