Department of Facilities Management

Energy & Atmosphere (EA)
10 of 17 points attempted

EAc1 - Optimize Energy Performance (7/10)

EAc3 - Enhanced Commissioning (1/1)

EAc4 - Enhanced Refrigerant Management (1/1)

Not attempted: EAc2 - On-Site Renewable Energy (0/3); EAc5 - Measurement & Verification (0/1); EAc6 - Green Power (0/1)

Credit 1 - Optimize Energy Performance:  These points are given to a building for meeting increasing levels of energy efficiency and performance above the existing code. By ensuring a high level of energy performance - 35% above code - the Rhode Island Hall design team reduced the costly economic and harmful environmental impacts of unwarranted energy use. They did this by putting the building on the main heating loop, utilizing particularly efficient ventilation systems (those with Variable Air Volume boxes), T-5 fluorescent lamps which require five times less electricity than incandescent lighting equivalents, dimming systems for all lighting to ensure that there is never an excess of light and increased insulation. The existing 2-foot thick walls of Rhode Island Hall provide excellent insulation, but to further reduce the amount of heat that escapes from the building, additional fiberglass insulation was installed. Furthermore, R-33 spray-on insulation was used for the roof and existing skylights were uncovered to provide daylight and reduce artificial lighting needs. Rhode Island Hall earned 7 of 10 points in this section for excellent energy performance.

Credit 3 - Enhanced Commissioning: This credit builds onto the first prerequisite: fundamental energy commissioning. Rhode Island Hall earned this point by requiring its commissioning team, CTG Energetics, to begin its commissioning process early in the design and construction process and to devise systems manuals for the operating staff of all commissioned systems in the building. The manuals ensure that the people operating the building's systems, such as heating and cooling, know how to maintain and optimize them, keeping energy use at a minimum.

Credit 4 - Enhanced Refrigerant Management: This credit builds onto the third prerequisite: fundamental refrigerant management. This credit was earned for installing fire suppression systems that do not include substances that contribute to ozone depletion and global warming such as CFCs, HCFCs, and Halons. Rhode Island Hall also uses chilled water for its air handling units to minimize the emission of these environmentally harmful compounds.

Credit 6 - Green Power: This project purchased a two year renewable energy contract for 232,257 kWh, or 70% of the building's total usage over a two year period. The impact of Rhode Island Hall's action helps avoid up to 259,863 pounds (118 metric tons) of carbon dioxide emissions from being emitted into the atmosphere. The project's maximum LEED points have a similar impact as 1,069 fully mature trees planted, or 259,864 miles not driven by an average passenger car.