1. ENERGY STAR Multifamily High Rise Program
Introduction to the Performance Path
July 2011
The EPA’s Multifamily High Rise Program offers eligible buildings two Paths to earning the ENERGY STAR.
This webinar will explain in detail what is required in the Performance Path. During this webinar, having a printed copy of the Performance Path is recommended.

2. Performance Path Components
Prerequisites
Performance Target
Simulation Guidelines
Performance Path Calculator
Modeling Checklist
Testing and Verification (T&V)
Benchmarking using Portfolio Manager
By the end of this webinar, you will be familiar with all the components of the Performance Path.
We will review in detail each of the Prerequisites, which are mandatory requirements of the Program, regardless of Path chosen.
We will explain the Performance Target and how to use energy modeling to determine if your building has achieved it.
We will introduce you to supporting documents and tools, such as the Simulation Guidelines, Performance Path Calculator and Modeling Checklist. These documents are discussed in greater detail in another webinar.
We will touch on Testing and Verification, or T&V, which is also required in both Paths, and also has a separate webinar.
For more information on Benchmarking, please visit our website for webinars on using Portfolio Manager.

3. Prerequisites Appliances Heating and Cooling Equipment & Distribution
Envelope
Garages and Sidewalks
Ventilation and Infiltration
Domestic Water Heating
Lighting
Pump Motor Efficiency
In contrast to the Prescriptive Path, the benefit of the Performance Path is that it allows for SOME trade-offs when selecting energy conservation measures.
However, the EPA has set some mandatory minimum requirements for specific energy efficiency components in both Paths. These are the program Prerequisites.
Failure to meet even one prerequisite will result in the project not being qualified as ENERGY STAR, even if all other program requirements are met.
The Prerequisites have been grouped into the following categories:
Appliances, Heating and Cooling Equipment & Distribution, Envelope, Garages and Sidewalks, Ventilation and Infiltration, Domestic Water Heating, Lighting, and Pump Motor Efficiency.
Some of the prerequisites simply repeat ASHRAE requirements, some exceed them and can be used to achieve the Performance Target. 3 3

4. Appliances
When provided in common areas and/or apartments, refrigerators, dishwashers, clothes washers, ceiling fans, exhaust fans and vending machines must be ENERGY STAR qualified.
Appliances – Many ENERGY STAR qualified appliances and residential products are available today and meet energy efficient criteria set by the EPA. Because the following are readily available as ENERGY STAR qualified, it is a requirement of the program that refrigerators, dishwashers, clothes washers, ceiling fans, exhaust fans and vending machines are ENERGY STAR qualified when provided in the building.

5. Heating and Cooling Equipment – ASHRAE Mandatory Provisions
The heating and cooling systems must comply with ASHRAE , Section 6.4.
Ex. “Independent heating and cooling thermostatic controls (if any) are interlocked to prevent crossover of set points.”
Heating and Cooling Equipment.
In the Overview webinar, you were introduced to ASHRAE Standard Chapter 6 covers heating and cooling equipment. Section 4 of most chapters outlines the mandatory provisions determined by ASHRAE. Meeting those provisions are one of the requirements of this Program. ASHRAE provides a 2-page checklist that can help you verify whether the building has met those provisions listed in Section 6.4. These ASHRAE checklists are not submitted to the EPA but can be used to verify compliance of that prerequisite.
An example of a provision: Independent heating and cooling thermostatic controls (if any) are interlocked to prevent crossover of set points.
For the most part, these provisions are covered by other prerequisites or are relatively common practice for energy-efficient buildings. 5

6. Heating and Cooling Equipment - Sizing
Load sizing calculations must reflect the design. The installed capacity cannot exceed design by more than 20%, except when smaller sizes are not available.
Example: If design results in a 12,100 Btuh air conditioning system, 14,520 Btuh is the most that can be installed. If 18,000 Btuh is the smallest size available, it’s permitted.
Heating and cooling equipment must be sized according to the design and not to old-fashioned rules of thumb. Proper sizing of equipment improves equipment life, improves indoor comfort, and reduces first costs.
During design, a licensed professional must review equipment sizing calculations and equipment selection to confirm that they are based on the actual design.
As part of Testing and Verification, they must also confirm that what was INSTALLED does not exceed design by more than 20%, except when smaller sizes are not available.
A common example is sizing for split system air conditioners. If cooling loads for an apartment are determined to be 12,100 BTUs per hour, the installed capacity cannot exceed 14,520 BTUs per hour and a one ton system will be insufficient. Since split systems generally are only available in half ton or one ton increments, an 18,000 BTU per hour or one and a half ton system, may be the smallest available. Although this exceeds the design by more than 20%, it is permitted since it is the smallest size available that meets the cooling load.

7. Heating and Cooling Equipment – Load Calculation
Heating and cooling loads must be calculated and equipment capacity must be selected according to the latest editions of ACCA Manual J & S, ASHRAE 2009 Handbook of Fundamentals, or equivalent procedure.
Indoor temperatures must be 70°F for heating and 75°F for cooling.
Outdoor temperatures must be the 1.0% and 99.0% design temperatures, as published by the ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals.
Heating and cooling loads must be calculated and equipment capacity must be selected according to the latest editions of ACCA Manual J & S, ASHRAE 2009 Handbook of Fundamentals, or an equivalent procedure.
As mentioned in the previous slide, calculations must be based on the energy-efficient design of the proposed building. ENERGY STAR qualified buildings have higher levels of insulation and therefore lower loads than code-compliant buildings and equipment size will be lower.
Although occupants might not select these temperatures when they set their thermostats, the indoor temperatures used to determine system capacity must be 70 degrees Fahrenheit for heating and 75 degrees Fahrenheit for cooling.
Outdoor temperatures used must be the 1.0% and 99.0% design temperatures, as published by the ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals.
Again, proper sizing of equipment improves equipment life, improves indoor comfort, and reduces first costs. 7

8. Heating and Cooling Equipment
EPA recommends, but does not require, that heating and cooling equipment be ENERGY STAR qualified.
Atmospherically vented gas furnaces and boilers shall not be specified.
Due to the fact that not all heating and cooling equipment used in multifamily high rise buildings are available as ENERGY STAR qualified, EPA recommends, but does not require, that heating and cooling equipment be ENERGY STAR qualified. When available, the ENERGY STAR label on this equipment does increase awareness of the energy efficiency of this equipment and the building and can be a marketing advantage.
Atmospherically vented gas furnaces and boilers shall not be specified in any climate zone. 8

9. Heating and Cooling Distribution – Ducted Forced Air System Design
For in-unit ducted forced air distribution systems, perform design calculations (using ACCA Manuals J and D, the ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals, or an equivalent procedure) and install ducts according to design.
Flex duct shall follow the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ (SMACNA) installation standards for flex ducts.
Bedrooms must be pressure-balanced using any combination of transfer grills, jump ducts, dedicated return ducts, and/or undercut doors.
For in-unit ducted forced air distribution systems, perform design calculations using ACCA Manuals J and D, the ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals, or an equivalent procedure.
Ducts must be installed according to design and must be verified by a licensed professional.
Flex duct shall follow the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ installation standards for flex ducts.
Bedrooms must be pressure-balanced using any combination of transfer grills, jump ducts, dedicated return ducts, and/or undercut doors.
The intent of these prerequisites is to ensure that loads are met in each space within an apartment and to improve occupant comfort.

10. Heating and Cooling Distribution – Insulation
Heating and cooling supply and return ductwork must be insulated to a minimum R-6 in unconditioned space.
Piping carrying fluid or steam with temperatures less than 60°F or greater than 105°F, must have a minimum of 1” of insulation. Pipes over 1.5” in diameter carrying fluid or steam with temperatures less than 60°F or greater than 105°F, must have a minimum of 1.5” of insulation.
Distribution systems, whether hydronic or forced air, have minimum insulation requirements in this program.
All heating and cooling, supply AND return ductwork must be insulated to a minimum R-6 in unconditioned space. This applies to systems serving dwelling units or common areas.
There is no minimum insulation requirement for ventilation ductwork or for ductwork located in conditioned spaces.
Piping carrying fluid or steam with temperatures less than 60 degrees Fahrenheit or greater than 105 degrees Fahrenheit, must have a minimum of 1 inch of insulation. Larger pipes over 1.5 inches in diameter must have a minimum of 1.5 inches of insulation. 10

11. Heating and Cooling Distribution –Sealing
Heating and cooling ductwork must be sealed at all transverse joints and connections, including ductwork connections through drywall or other finish materials, using UL-181 compliant methods and materials.
Ductwork and piping must be inspected before access is covered up to ensure proper sealing and insulation. Sampling procedures are described in the T&V Protocols, available on the MFHR website.
Ductwork providing heating and cooling within apartments or in common areas must be sealed at all transverse joints and connections, including ductwork connections through drywall or other finish materials, using UL-181 compliant methods and materials.
Ductwork and piping must be inspected before access is covered up to ensure proper sealing and insulation while corrections can still be made.
Sampling procedures are described in the T&V Protocols, which are available on the Multifamily high rise website.
Proper duct-sealing is a critical step to ensuring that duct leakage amounts are minimized.

12. Heating and Cooling Distribution – Total Duct Leakage
Total duct leakage for in-unit ducted forced air systems shall be:
≤6 CFM25 per 100 ft2 of conditioned floor area for units 1200 ft2 and greater.
≤8 CFM25 per 100 ft2 of conditioned floor area for units less than 1200 ft2.
Sampling procedures described in the T&V Protocols, available on the MFHR website.
Total duct leakage tests are required for all in-unit ducted forced air systems. Although recommended, this currently does not apply to ducted systems serving common areas. Duct leakage to the OUTSIDE is not a requirement in this program.
For apartments with conditioned floor area of 1200 square feet or more, total duct leakage cannot exceed 6 CFM per 100 square feet of floor area, when pressurized to 25 Pascals.
For apartments with conditioned floor area less than 1200 square feet, total duct leakage cannot exceed 8 CFM per 100 square feet of floor area, when pressurized to 25 Pascals.
For example: a thousand square foot apartment would be allowed at most 80 CFM of total duct leakage during testing.
Not every apartment needs to be tested. Review the Testing and Verification Protocols for sampling procedures.

13. Heating and Cooling Distribution - Controls
Terminal distribution equipment serving an apartment shall be controlled by a thermostat within the same apartment.
For hydronic distribution systems, terminal heating and cooling distribution equipment must be separated from the riser or distribution loop by a control valve or terminal distribution pump, so that heated or cooled fluid is not delivered to the apartment distribution equipment when there is no call from the apartment thermostats.
Another prerequisite is that all apartments must have the ability to control their temperature settings. Equipment serving an apartment must be controlled by a thermostat within that apartment.
A thermostat is defined as any automatic control device used to maintain temperature at a fixed or adjustable setpoint.
For hydronic systems, thermostatic radiator valves can meet the intent of this prerequisite. Hydronic systems must also be designed such that heated or cooled fluid is not delivered to the apartment distribution equipment when there is no call from the apartment thermostats. 13

14. Heating and Cooling Distribution – Outdoor air dampers
For systems designed with outdoor air supplied to the heating, cooling, or ventilation distribution system, provide motorized dampers that will automatically shut when systems or spaces are not in use.
For systems designed with outdoor air supplied to the heating, cooling, or ventilation distribution system, provide motorized dampers that will automatically shut when systems or spaces are not in use.
Fresh outdoor air is needed to maintain good levels of indoor air quality, however, when spaces are not being used, such as community rooms in the middle of the night, the outdoor air dampers need to be closed to prevent the extra and unnecessary space conditioning load.
If the systems themselves are not operating, because there is no call for heating, cooling or ventilation, the outdoor air dampers also need to automatically close.
With proper controls, motorized dampers can prevent excess outdoor air from entering the building.

15. Heating and Cooling Distribution – Hydronic Design
For hydronic distribution systems, all supply/return headers must be designed in a “reverse return” configuration (i.e. first riser supplied is the last returned, etc.) and/or sized based on a water velocity of less than 4 ft/s. 
For hydronic distribution systems, to improve balancing, all supply and return headers must be designed in a “reverse return” configuration, such that the first riser supplied is the last returned OR they must be sized based on a water velocity of less than 4 feet per second.

16. Heating and Cooling Distribution – Hydronic Design, cont’d
Total pressure drop of terminal unit branch piping and fittings between a supply and return riser must be significantly greater than the total pressure drop from the top to the bottom of these risers.
Calculations and assumptions for sizing circulating pumps must meet Chapter 43 of the ASHRAE Handbook, HVAC Systems and Equipment or equivalent industry accepted standard.
The total pressure drop of terminal unit branch piping and fittings between a supply and return riser must be significantly greater than the total pressure drop from the top to the bottom of these risers.
The design team must provide calculations and assumptions for sizing circulating pumps that meet Chapter 43 of the ASHRAE Handbook, HVAC Systems and Equipment or equivalent industry accepted standard.
Proper hydronic design can significantly improve performance and reduce energy consumption of the circulating pumps. 16

17. Envelope – Air Barrier
The building plans shall demonstrate a continuous, unbroken air barrier separating the conditioned space of the building from the:
The exterior,
unconditioned spaces within the building,
commercial spaces,
mechanical rooms vented with unconditioned air,
mechanical chases opening to unconditioned spaces,
elevator shafts, and
garages or other vehicle/equipment storage facilities.
The following slides will discuss the prerequisites related to the building envelope.
As a prerequisite, architectural plans for ENERGY STAR qualified Multifamily High Rise buildings must demonstrate a continuous, unbroken air barrier separating the conditioned space of the building from the exterior, from unconditioned spaces within the building, from commercial spaces EVEN if they are conditioned, from vented mechanical rooms, from mechanical chases opening to unconditioned spaces, from elevator shafts, and separating them from garages or other vehicle/equipment storage facilities.
An air barrier blocks air flow. Air barriers can be rigid sheathing materials such as gypsum board, plywood, OSB, or flexible coatings or membranes applied to building surfaces.

18. Envelope - Infiltration
Apartments shall be sealed to reduce air exchange between the apartment and exterior as well as the apartment and adjacent spaces.
A maximum air leakage rate of 0.30 CFM50 per square feet of enclosure is allowed.
Sampling procedures are described in the T&V Protocols. Specific leakage paths are identified in the T&V Worksheets.
Apartments shall also be sealed to reduce air exchange between the apartment and exterior as well as the apartment and other adjacent spaces.
To evaluate the effectiveness of the installed air barriers and air-sealing, apartments must be tested for air-leakage.
The maximum allowed air leakage rate is 0.30 CFM per square feet of enclosure, at 50 Pascals.
The enclosure includes all apartment surfaces – floor, ceiling, party walls, and exterior walls.
For example, a one thousand square foot apartment, with 3,700 square feet of enclosure area, would be allowed a maximum air leakage of 1100 CFM50, or in this example 8 ACH50.
This test does not isolate the air-leakage between the conditioned space and the outside, but evaluates the compartmentalization of the dwelling units.
Again, not every apartment needs to be tested. Sampling procedures are described in the Testing and Verification Protocols.

19. Envelope – U-values
The envelope components must comply with ASHRAE , Section 5.4.
Ex.“Loose fill insulation is not used in attic roof spaces when the ceiling slope is more than 3/12.”
Similar to the Mandatory Provisions of ASHRAE that applied to the heating and cooling equipment, the envelope components must comply with ASHRAE , Section 5.4.
A similar one-page checklist is provided by ASHRAE to help design teams confirm whether or not they are in compliance with these provisions. Again, this checklist is not required to be submitted to EPA, but can be used by the design team to verify compliance with this one prerequisite.
An example of one of the provisions: Loose-fill insulation is not used in attic roof spaces when the slope of the ceiling is more than three over twelve.

20. Envelope – U-values, continued
U-value determinations must follow ASHRAE , Appendix A.
2x4, 16” oc, wood frame, R-13 FG, U-0.089
2x4, 16” oc, steel-frame, R-13 FG, U-0.124
An area weighted average of the U-values of the wall and floor perimeter assemblies is acceptable for use in the energy model.
U-value determinations must follow ASHRAE , Appendix A. This appendix has numerous tables to address the many assembly types seen in high rise construction. For example, if the wall assembly is 2x4, wood frame at 16 inches on center, with R-13 fiberglass, Table A3.4 of Appendix A assigns that a U-value of The same wall assembly with steel framing would be assigned a U-value of
Since most multifamily high rise buildings will have different insulation strategies for the wall area between the floor and ceiling and the actual floor perimeter, an area weighted average of the U-values of the wall and floor perimeter assemblies is acceptable for use in the energy model.

21. Envelope – Walls & Windows
RESNET-defined Grade I insulation installation or Grade II if combined with continuous insulation (≥R-3 in CZ 1-4 and ≥R-5 in CZ 5-8).
For steel-framed and metal buildings, continuous exterior insulation is required.
For masonry buildings with metal framing, continuous interior or exterior insulation is required.
Specified windows must be low-e and double- or triple-pane.
Continuing with envelope prerequisites, all insulation installed in walls, floors, and roofs, must achieve RESNET-defined Grade I installation.
Grade II is only permitted if combined with continuous insulation and if the continuous insulation is greater than R-3 in climate zones 1 through 4 and greater than R-5 in climate zones 5 through 8.
To reduce the impact of thermal bridging, continuous exterior insulation is required for steel-framed and metal buildings.
For masonry buildings with metal framing, continuous interior or continuous exterior insulation is required.
Specified windows must be low-e and double-pane or triple-pane. ENERGY STAR qualified windows are recommended but not required since they don’t always apply to high rise construction.

22. Envelope – Vestibules & AC sleeves
When required by local building code, entranceways shall be designed with vestibules with weather-stripping hard-fastened to the door or frame.
Insulated covers (R-7 or higher) for through-wall AC units must be provided by the building for use during the heating season or when AC units are not installed.
If your local building code requires that entranceways be designed with vestibules, the vestibules must have weather-stripping hard-fastened to the door or frame.
If your building utilizes through-wall air-conditioners for cooling, insulated covers, R-7 or higher, must be provided by the building for use during the heating season or when AC units are not installed.

23. Garages and Sidewalks
Attached garages shall be fully compartmentalized from the rest of the building through air sealing.
All pipe and conduit penetrations shall be sealed with material compatible with the surface and resilient to temperature fluctuations.
Attached garages shall be fully compartmentalized from the rest of the building through proper air sealing.
All pipe and conduit penetrations shall be sealed with material compatible with the surface and resilient to temperature fluctuations.

24. Garages and Sidewalks
Garages shall not be heated for comfort or to prevent pipes from freezing. Piping design and layout shall locate piping within conditioned spaces or grouped and properly insulated to prevent freezing.
Radiant heating, either wall or ceiling-mounted or within the garage floor (or sidewalks) may be used to prevent ice formation on the ground as a safety feature only and must comply with ASHRAE Section
Garages shall not be heated for comfort or to prevent pipes from freezing. Piping design and layout shall locate piping within conditioned spaces or grouped and properly insulated to prevent freezing.
Radiant heating, either wall or ceiling-mounted or within the garage floor or sidewalks may be used to prevent ice formation on the ground as a safety feature ONLY and must comply with ASHRAE Section

25. Ventilation – ASHRAE 62 requirements
Common area ventilation systems shall be designed and tested to satisfy minimum requirements of ASHRAE
Apartment ventilation systems shall be designed and tested to satisfy minimum requirements of ASHRAE based upon the anticipated occupancy.
Providing dedicated outdoor air to each unit is recommended, but not currently required.
Kitchen exhaust must be vented to the outside.
The following slides will review the prerequisites related to ventilation.
Common area ventilation systems shall be designed and tested to satisfy minimum requirements of ASHRAE This generally requires calculations to determine the appropriate amount of outdoor air needed in a space based on its square footage and occupant density.
Apartment ventilation systems shall be designed and tested to satisfy minimum requirements of ASHRAE based upon the anticipated occupancy. This generally requires calculations to determine the local exhaust rates and whole-house ventilation rates based on square footage and number of occupants.
Providing dedicated outdoor air to each unit is recommended, but not currently required, and kitchen exhaust must be vented to the outside.

26. Ventilation – Duct sealing & Leakage
Ventilation system ductwork must be sealed at all transverse joints and connections including boot to wall/ceiling connections through drywall using UL-181 compliant materials and methods.
Ductwork penetrations must be sealed at the roof curb to prevent air leakage through the duct system and/or the building envelope.
Central exhaust systems must be tested for duct leakage, which cannot exceed 10 CFM50 per floor per shaft. See T&V Protocols for details.
Similar to sealing the heating and cooling ductwork, ventilation system ductwork must be sealed at all transverse joints and connections including boot to wall and boot to ceiling connections through drywall using UL-181 compliant materials and methods.
Ductwork penetrations shall be sealed at the roof curb to prevent air leakage through the duct system and the building envelope.
Central exhaust systems must be tested for duct leakage, which cannot exceed 10 CFM50 per floor per shaft. See T&V Protocols for details on how to test the systems.
Testing is not required for in-unit systems.

27. Domestic Water Heating
Domestic water heating systems must comply with ASHRAE , Section 7.4.
Atmospherically vented gas water heaters, tankless coils and side-arm water heaters shall not be specified.
If storage is provided, the maximum storage tank capacity shall be specified based on occupancy.
Similar to previous prerequisites, domestic water heating systems must comply with ASHRAE , Section 7.4. A checklist is also available to confirm compliance with these mandatory provisions. An example of these provisions is that system sizing must be calculated using engineering standards and that heated pools must have vapor retardant covers.
Other prerequisites prohibit the use of atmospherically vented gas water heaters, tankless coils and side-arm water heaters, and if storage is provided, requires that the maximum storage tank capacity shall be specified based on occupancy.

28. Domestic Water Heating – Temperature and Pressure
Self-contained or electronic mixing valves shall be used to control hot water temperature for central domestic water heating systems.
The temperature of the stored hot water shall be just sufficient to deliver water to apartments within a temperature range of °F.
To most effectively control hot water temperature for central domestic water heating systems, self-contained or electronic mixing valves shall be used. Mechanical tempering valves are not permitted. This is only a requirement for central systems.
The temperature of the stored hot water shall be just sufficient to deliver water to apartments within a temperature range of °F.
This delivery temperature is verified during inspections.

29. Domestic Water Heating – Low Flow
The average flow rate for all faucets must be ≤ 2.0 gallons per minute.
All showerheads must be WaterSense labeled.
All tank-type toilets must be WaterSense labeled.
The average flow rate for all faucets must be less than 2.0 gallons per minute.
If preferred, this enables kitchen faucets to have slightly higher flow rates than bathroom faucets.
All showerheads and toilets must be WaterSense labeled.
Although not directly related to energy conservation, the goals of the Environmental Protection Agency, include reducing the consumption of water.

30. Lighting Lighting must comply with ASHRAE 90.1-2007, Section 9.4.
80% of installed light fixtures must be ENERGY STAR qualified or have ENERGY STAR qualified lamps (bulbs) installed.
Lighting must be designed to meet light levels (footcandles) by space type as recommended by the Illumination Engineering Society (IESNA) Lighting Handbook, 9th edition.
Lighting prerequisites also mandate compliance with ASHRAE , Section 9.4. Similar to before, a checklist is available to confirm compliance with these mandatory provisions.
For example, of one of these provisions is that each space enclosed by ceiling height partitions shall have at least one control device to independently control the general lighting within the space.
Similar to the New Homes program, at least 80% of installed light fixtures must be ENERGY STAR qualified or have ENERGY STAR qualified lamps installed. Although many residential light fixtures have multiple lamps installed, the percentage is based on the installed FIXTURES and not the installed LAMPS.
This percentage does not apply to each space type, but to the building as a whole. This prerequisite is met even if all 80% of your ENERGY STAR qualified light fixtures are located in dwelling units, and none are located in common areas.
The intent is to reduce energy consumption but not at the expense of appropriate levels of lighting. Energy efficient lighting in each space must be designed to meet proper light levels, as recommended by the 9th edition of the Illumination Engineering Society’s Lighting Handbook.

31. Lighting – Footcandles
ASHRAE Space Type
Lighting Power Densities (W/ft2)
Recommended Light Levels (Weighted Avg. Footcandles)
ASHRAE Space
Type
Apartments
1.1 16
Stairs - Active
0.6 15
Storage, active
0.8 20
Restroom
0.9 12
Storage, inactive
0.3 8
Office 35
Food Preparation
1.2 40
Conference/
meeting/
multipurpose
1.3 30
Dining Area - For Family Dining
2.1 23
Electrical/
Mechanical
1.5
Lobby
Workshop
1.9 50
Corridor/
Transition
0.5 10
Parking garage
0.2 7
This Table is copied directly from the Notes section of the Performance Path and provide the IESNA’s recommendations for lighting levels by space type.
The footcandle recommendations for spaces commonly found in multifamily high rise buildings have been listed for your convenience.
Once you have the proposed lighting schedule and fixture specifications, the Performance Path calculator has a worksheet that will help you determine if light levels have been met.

32. Lighting – Common Areas
All non-apartment spaces, except those intended for 24-hour operation or where automatic shutoff would endanger the safety of occupants, must have occupancy sensors or automatic bi-level lighting controls.
Total installed lighting power for the combined common spaces should not exceed ASHRAE allowances for those combined spaces by more than 20%.
Common areas, or non-apartment spaces, are subject to an additional prerequisite. These spaces must have either occupancy sensors that turn lighting on and off based on motion, or bi-level lighting controls that allow for low level lighting until triggered, and then provide lighting at full capacity.
These sensors are not required if lighting is intended for 24 hour operation such as corridors, lobbies, or stairs, or in maintenance rooms if automatic shutoff would endanger the safety of the occupants.
They are also subject to a prerequisite that limits the amount of lighting installed. The total installed lighting power for the combined common spaces should not exceed ASHRAE allowances for those combined spaces by more than 20%.

33. Lighting – Power Densities (LPDs)
ASHRAE Space Type
Lighting Power Densities (W/ft2)
Recommended Light Levels (Weighted Avg. Footcandles)
ASHRAE Space
Type
Apartments
1.1 16
Stairs - Active
0.6 15
Storage, active
0.8 20
Restroom
0.9 12
Storage, inactive
0.3 8
Office 35
Food Preparation
1.2 40
Conference/
meeting/
multipurpose
1.3 30
Dining Area - For Family Dining
2.1 23
Electrical/
Mechanical
1.5
Lobby
Workshop
1.9 50
Corridor/
Transition
0.5 10
Parking garage
0.2 7
As you can see in this Table, the lighting power densities, or LPDs, from ASHRAE have been listed for common spaces frequently found in multifamily high rise buildings.
Multiplying the lighting power density by the square footage of a given space type, determines the ASHRAE allowance for that space.
For example, a 1,000 square foot corridor would have a lighting allowance of 500 Watts.
Summing the allowances for all the common area spaces gives you the COMBINED allowance.
EPA will allow any individual space to exceed their allowance, as long as the sum of the installed lighting power for ALL the common spaces combined does not exceed the combined baseline allowance by more than 20%.
This prerequisite allows flexibility in selecting light fixtures, while limiting over-lighting of common spaces.
There is no maximum identified for apartments, however, lighting in excess of ASHRAE allowances in ANY space incurs a penalty in the energy model, making it more difficult to achieve the Performance Target.

34. Lighting – Calculations
The requirement of ASHRAE , Section 9.1.4a, that light fixtures MUST be modeled with the maximum labeled wattage of the fixture is not required.
Example: A fixture with a 13 W screw-in CFL can be modeled as 13 W, plus any associated ballast power. See Appendix B of Performance Path for suggested ballast power.
If you are already familiar with energy modeling and using Appendix G, EPA has deviated from one of the ASHRAE requirements.
ASHRAE requires that light fixtures be modeled with the maximum labeled wattage of the fixture, REGARDLESS of the type of lamp installed.
According to ASHRAE, a light fixture that has a maximum rated wattage of 100 Watts, must be modeled as 100 Watts, even if a much lower Watt lamp is installed.
This is not a requirement in the MFHR program so that buildings with energy efficient lighting can account for savings associated with the installed lamps, regardless of the fixture installed.
A fixture with a 13 Watt screw-in CFL can be modeled as 13 Watt, plus any associated ballast power. If ballast power is not known, see the User’s Manual or Appendix B of the Performance Path for suggested ballast power.

35. Lighting – Exterior
80% of outdoor lighting fixtures must be ENERGY STAR qualified or have ENERGY STAR qualified lamps installed.
Fixtures must include automatic switching on timers or photocell controls except fixtures intended for 24-hour operation, required for security, or located on apartment balconies.
Similar to indoor lighting requirements, 80% of the exterior fixtures must be ENERGY STAR qualified or have ENERGY STAR qualified lamps installed.
Exterior lighting has an additional prerequisite that fixtures must include automatic switching on timers or photocell controls.
Fixtures intended for 24-hour operation, required for security, or located on apartment balconies do NOT have to meet this prerequisite.

36. Lighting – Exit Signs
All exit signs must be specified as LED (not to exceed 5W per face) or photo-luminescent and must conform to local building code; fixtures located above stairwell doors and other forms of egress must contain a battery back-up feature.
Exit signs are not included in the 80% requirement, however they must be specified as either LED, with no more than 5 Watt per face, or photo-luminescent.
Exit signs must conform to local building code.
If located above stairwell doors and other forms of egress, they must contain a battery back-up feature.

37. Pump Motor Efficiency
All three-phase pump motors 1 horse-power or larger shall meet or exceed efficiency standards for NEMA Premium™ motors, where available.
Many motors are NEMA labeled and this label alone, does not ensure that a motor is energy-efficient. This requirement refers specifically to the NEMA Premium energy efficient motors program.
Pump motor efficiency – this program prerequisite requires that three-phase pump motors 1 horse-power or larger shall meet or exceed efficiency standards for NEMA Premium™ motors, where available.
Single phase pump motors or pump motors smaller than 1 horsepower, do not need to meet this prerequisite.
Many motors are NEMA labeled and this label alone, does not ensure that a motor is energy-efficient. This requirement refers specifically to the NEMA Premium energy efficient motors program.

38. Metering
The commercial/retail parts of the building shall be separately metered or sub-metered for electricity, gas, fuel oil, water, and steam, where applicable.
The building owner must provide a signed release for the common area/whole-building utility meters and must secure signed utility bill releases from individual apartment occupants to allow for benchmarking or obtain whole-building consumption data from their local utility.
Metering is the final prerequisite.
As part of their Participation Agreement, the developer of the building commits to benchmarking the energy use of the building for a minimum of two years after construction is complete.
To facilitate this process, in mixed-use buildings, the commercial and retail spaces must be separately metered for all fuel sources and water.
The building owner either provides a release for any building level and common area meters and commits to collecting utility bill releases from as many occupants as possible OR obtains whole building consumption data from their utility.

39. Performance Path Components
Prerequisites
Performance Target
Simulation Guidelines
Performance Path Calculator
Modeling Checklist
Testing and Verification (T&V)
Benchmarking using Portfolio Manager
Now that we have discussed all of the program prerequisites, we’ll explain the remaining components, beginning with the Performance Target.

40. Performance Target
ASHRAE 90.1 Standards provide the minimum requirements for the energy-efficient design of commercial buildings, including high rise multifamily buildings
An energy model of the Proposed Design is compared to one of a Baseline design that meets ASHRAE , and energy cost savings are determined
Performance metric, not a predictor of actual energy cost savings
15% energy cost savings over ASHRAE Standard needed for ENERGY STAR
As discussed earlier in the Overview webinar, the basis of the ENERGY STAR for New Homes program is RESNET’s Home Energy Rating System otherwise known as a HERS rating. As the RESNET standard only applies to buildings three stories or less, a different standard must be used for multifamily high-rise. The standard chosen is ASHRAE Standard , as developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers. This is an energy standard for buildings EXCEPT low-rise residential buildings and describes the minimum requirements for the energy-efficient design of high-rise buildings.
Similar to a HERS rating, the ASHRAE Standard has a section that outlines the protocols for generating a performance rating for buildings that exceed the requirements of the standard. This section is found in Appendix G. The protocols determine the annual energy costs saved by a building design as compared to a building that just complies with the ASHRAE standard.
To earn the ENERGY STAR, the models must demonstrate 15% energy cost savings, excluding savings from on-site power generation. Although site energy savings or source energy savings are good metrics for evaluating design, energy COST savings are consistent with the ASHRAE Standard. Although these savings may be similar to those realized by the building once occupied, they are simply a performance metric being used and not necessarily a predictor of actual energy consumption. Building energy models are based on many assumptions, most of which are dependent on occupant behavior, so the predicted energy use, may or may not match actual use for your completed building.

41. How do you create the models?
Unlike the New Homes program, REM/Rate is not used.
Appendix G lists the requirements of software approved for the program (ex. eQUEST, DOE-2, HAP, Energy Gauge, EnergyPlus, etc).
Appendix G and the User’s Manual of the Standard provide some protocols for creating these energy models.
How do you create the models?
Unlike the New Homes program, REM/Rate software is not used.
Appendix G lists the requirements of software approved for the program (examples include eQUEST, DOE-2, HAP, Energy Gauge, and EnergyPlus). These are the software typically used for LEED certification and the commercial tax deduction.
Appendix G and the User’s Manual of the Standard provide some protocols for creating these energy models.

42. Simulation Guidelines
The Simulation Guidelines were developed to:
Establish modeling protocols for measures that ASHRAE 90.1 leaves to the ‘rating authority’ to decide
Facilitate consistent modeling of baseline components not mentioned in Appendix G
Facilitate consistent modeling among modelers
Ensure that modeling results drive the design process
The Simulation Guidelines is a companion document to ASHRAE and Appendix G and provides guidance to energy modelers in developing the Baseline Building Design, Proposed
Building Design, and As-Built models for each project. The intent of these guidelines is to:
Establish modeling protocols for measures that ASHRAE 90.1 leaves to the rating authority to determine;
To facilitate consistent modeling of baseline components not mentioned in Appendix G or not covered with sufficient detail;
To facilitate consistent modeling among different modelers; and
To ensure that modeling results are used to drive the energy-efficient design process.

43. Performance Path Calculator
Excel-based worksheets designed to provide consistency among energy modelers by providing the exact calculations described by the Simulation Guidelines.
Provides consistent formatting for reporting the results to the EPA.
Reporting Summary worksheet must be submitted and approved twice, once prior to construction and once after construction is complete.
To help energy modelers through the modeling process, Excel-based worksheets were designed to provide the exact calculations described by the Simulation Guidelines and Appendix G.
This Performance Path Calculator provides consistent formatting for reporting results to the EPA and a file to document all supporting calculations.
Reporting Summary worksheet must be submitted and approved twice in order to qualify for the ENERGY STAR; once prior to construction and once after construction is complete.
A separate webinar on the Simulation Guidelines and Performance Path calculator is available on the multifamily high rise website.

44. Energy Modeling QC Checklist
Optional checklist developed to provide energy modelers with a quality control checklist of simulation requirements for use prior to submission of results.
Draws attention to commonly missed requirements or those that may be different in commercial or single family energy models.
The checklist is organized according to eQUEST software, and references specific output reports and user-input fields. It can be applied to other software.
Another tool developed to assist energy modelers with the modeling is a quality control checklist of simulation requirements for use prior to submission of results.
The checklist is not intended to replace the Simulation Guidelines, but to draw attention to commonly missed requirements or requirements that may be different than commonly seen in commercial or single family energy models.
The checklist is organized according to eQUEST software, and references software specific output reports and user-input fields.
Although developed for eQUEST, the content in the checklist can be applied to other approved software.

45. Testing and Verification
Buildings following the Performance Path must follow the Testing and Verification Protocols.
These protocols are the mandatory requirements for the inspection, testing and verification of components related to the building’s energy performance.
The intent of the protocols is to verify that
the construction documents & final building include all Prerequisites.
measures used to achieve the Performance levels predicted by the model have been installed and perform as modeled.
The other common requirement of both Performance and Prescriptive paths is verification and performance testing.
The Testing and Verification protocols establish a consistent set of requirements for the inspection, testing and verification of components related to the building’s energy performance.
The intent of the protocols is to verify that both the construction documents and final building include all Prerequisites and that measures installed perform as expected.

46. Testing and Verification
Changes to the initial design noted during inspections must be reflected in a revised model and submitted as the As-Built model.
The As-Built model must meet the 15% Performance Target to earn the ENERGY STAR.
The Testing and Verification worksheets and Photo Template must be submitted as they document the results of all mandatory testing and verification.
A separate webinar on the T&V Protocols and another on how to document them, are available on the EPA MFHR website.
Any change in design during construction must be accounted for in the final As-Built energy model.
If changes occur during construction that cause the energy cost savings for the As-Built model to drop below 15%, the building will not earn the ENERGY STAR.
The EPA requires that the protocols be documented throughout the course of the project, beginning with plan reviews during the design stage.
Like the Reporting Summary, the Testing and Verification worksheets must be submitted and approved twice, once prior to construction and once after construction is complete. The Photo Template gets submitted once, after construction is complete.
A separate webinar is available that explains each Testing and Verification protocol and how to document them.

47. Performance Path Components
Prerequisites
Performance Target
Simulation Guidelines
Performance Path Calculator
Modeling Checklist
Testing and Verification (T&V)
Benchmarking using Portfolio Manager
We’ve reviewed almost all of the components of the Performance Path.
The final component is using Portfolio Manager to Benchmark your building’s energy use for two years after construction is complete and the building is occupied. Webinars are available on our website to demonstrate how to use this tool.

48. Performance Path Steps
Apply to Program; become a Partner
Meet Prerequisites
Conduct Energy Modeling, review plans
Submit Reporting Summary and T&V worksheets
Build according to Design
Conduct Testing and Verification
Update model, resubmit worksheets and photo template to EPA
Earn the ENERGY STAR
Benchmark for two years
As we conclude this webinar, let’s review the steps to follow if selecting the Performance Path.
First, the developer needs to apply to the program and sign the partnership agreement.
A registered architect or professional engineer works with the design team to ensure the design meets prerequisites and confirms that a building energy model with that design achieves the 15% Performance Target.
The modeling results and plan reviews are submitted to EPA by submitting the Reporting Summary and T&V worksheets.
The building is constructed according to design, and throughout construction every component is verified and documented and performance testing is conducted.
At the end, updated documents and the Photo Template are submitted to EPA, and if all requirements have been met, the EPA will approve the building to earn the ENERGY STAR.
Finally, the developer must follow through on their commitment to benchmark the building energy use for two years.

49. Contact: MFHR@energy star.gov The End Questions?
If you have questions about the Performance Path, please visit our website for more information or us.