855773667-LEED-v5-O-M-Reference-Guide-Launch-Edition-1 - Page 177

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• Sum of monthly peak demand . Collect the monthly peak demand from each meter and sum the values.

  • Monthly peak coincident demand . Projects that have more detailed data can use the hourly or 15-minute interval demand to determine the peak coincident demand. Analyze the data to determine the hour (or 15-minute interval) when the sum of the peaks is greatest. The building coincident peak demand is calculated by summing the demand from that hour (or interval) for all meters included in the analysis.

Normalization In some cases, projects may have to normalize the data. Weather normalization is commonly done to ensure external conditions do not impact the energy use comparison. Refer to guidance in EAp3: Minimum Energy Performance for further context.

As buildings electrify, normalization for electrification should also be considered for more accurate comparisons. Replacing fossil fuel-using equipment, like boilers and water heaters, with an electric alternative will increase the electric peak demand. In these cases, the biggest increase will be observed in the winter months, especially in climates with large heating requirements.

Option 2. Thermal Demand Reduction

Due to the requirement for hourly thermal metering, Option 2 is best suited for buildings with at least 80% of the project’s peak thermal loads supplied by chilled water, hot water, or steam from the project’s central plant or a district energy system (DES). This option requires a 10% improvement over the sum of the peak coincident heating demand (usually occurring in the summer) and the peak coincident cooling demand (usually occurring in the winter). Peak coincident thermal demand for heating or cooling refers to the highest one-hour period of energy use supplied to meet the project’s heating or cooling loads, respectively. It does not refer to electricity demand.

Thermal demand metering criteria Metering must be provided for at least 80% of the total combined peak heating and peak cooling thermal load, with exceptions for climate zones described below. For heating, this includes all space heating, service water heating, process heating, and heating for amenities such as pools. For cooling, address any space cooling, data center and computer room cooling, and process cooling.

• For projects in Climate Zones 0–2, metering for heating loads is optional. Metering for cooling loads is required.

• For projects in Climate Zones 3–5, metering for both heating and cooling is required.

U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Operations and Maintenance, April 2025 Launch Edition 167