SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS

Asset Classes

Focus Area

Energy and Carbon

Topic

Energy and Carbon Assessment

Question #

E1.4 — Deep Retrofit Study

Question

Has a Deep Energy and Carbon Retrofit Study been performed on targeted building systems in the past 10 years?

Applicability

All asset classes 
Owner/landlord occupied building
Tenant occupied building – all systems managed by the owner/landlord

Answer & Scoring

Select one of the following:

  • Yes – Deep Retrofit Study = 6 points
  • Yes – Major heating or cooling system retrofit completed in the last five years = 6 points
  • No = 0 points
  • Not Applicable – Tenant occupied building: Some or no systems managed by the owner/landlord = 0/0

Max of 6 points

Requirements

In addition to items covered under Question E1.3 Detailed Energy and Carbon Assessment, the Deep Retrofit Study must cover:

  1. Assessment of potential capital projects to reduce energy and carbon with multiple options, such as:
    • Like-for-like replacement as a baseline
    • A deep carbon reduction retrofit as the ‘highest savings’ case
    • An optimized approach that meets multiple prioritized criteria
  2. Assessment of building electrical capacity and required service upgrades for each option
  3. Cost of carbon abatement ($/tCO2e lifetime) of proposed retrofit solution
  4. Detailed life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA) and risk assessment
  5. Identification of potential incentive opportunities

The assessment methodology should at least align with an ASHRAE Level III Audit.

A Deep Retrofit Study often includes the development of an energy model, which is a simulation of the retrofit scenarios proposed, to better facilitate effective decision-making.

Refer to ENERGY STAR for carbon emission factors. If other carbon emission factors are used, explain the reasoning and factors applied

OR

Provide evidence that the building completed a major heating or cooling system retrofit completed in the last five years.

Documentation

  • Deep Retrofit Study

OR

  • Evidence of major heating or cooling system retrofit completed in the last five years

Suggested Lead

Third-party

Value

  • For some buildings, especially older buildings, larger interventions may be required to meet defined energy goals
  • Building off E1.3a – Detailed Energy and Carbon Assessment, engage a qualified professional to perform a deep energy and carbon retrofit study
  • This study includes all components of an ASHRAE Level II study as well as includes the creation of a whole-building energy model to analyze all building systems and how they interact
  • This study will identify multiple options to upgrade a building to have energy and carbon savings beyond the operational level
  • This is a good fit for teams that are looking to greatly improve their building performance through major building upgrades, are looking to pursue net-zero, or are considering building electrification

*Note that by completing the requirements of this question, a building will also meet all requirements of Baseline Practice E1.0a.

RELATED Question:

Description

A Deep Retrofit Study is typically focused on a specific system and provides in-depth analysis of carbon reduction options with schematics and specifications for the recommended solution. Align methodology with ASHRAE Level III Audit or equivalent.

Deep carbon retrofits go a step further than a typical detailed energy assessment, providing more in-depth analysis that focuses on a specific system or measure rather than taking a whole-building approach. In deep carbon retrofit studies, detailed assessments are performed on the available electrical capacity for all electrification measures. The study provides detailed cost estimates and a roadmap for implementation. It is the final step required to inform implementation decisions.

References

Adapted BB 3.0 Question

New in BOMA BEST 4.0