AMCA Certified Berner Air Curtains & LEED Credits
Did you know that AMCA-certified Berner Air Curtains can help to achieve LEED Energy & Atmosphere points as well as Indoor Air Quality points? Here are a few of the dominant areas in which the proper use of an air curtain can help a building achieve LEED points:
- Energy & Atmosphere Points (EA Credits 1):
- Credit EA 1 - While air curtains are not a major part of an HVAC system, used properly, air curtains will increase a space's energy efficiency when the doors are opened - decreasing energy consumption and increasing occupants' comfort.
- For this credit (good for up to 10 points), the LEED certification process requires a whole building project simulation that shows the percentage improvement in the proposed building performance rating compared to the baseline building performance rating per ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004. We will be happy to provide the firm doing the whole building simulation with any pertinent information that they may need to properly perform this simulation
- Indoor Air Quality Points (EQ Credits 6.2 & 7.1):
- Credit EQ 6.2 - Air curtains provide a high level of thermal comfort system control by individual occupants or by specific groups in spaces that are surrounding openings (i.e. loading dock doors, customer entryways) to promote the productivity, comfort and well-being of building occupants (Thermal Comfort: Controllability of Systems, Credit 6.2)
- Credit EQ 7.1 - By preventing thermal drops or rises that are due to a system's reaction to cross-contamination of air streams near an open doorway, Air Curtains will help your HVAC system to comply with ASHRAE Standard 55-2004, Thermal Comfort Conditions for Human Occupancy. For example, cold winter air near the door may kick the heat on, causing spaces that are away from the door to be overheated (Thermal Comfort: Compliance, Credit 7.1).
- Innovation in Design Points (ID Credits):
- Credit ID 1-1.4 (good for 1 point) - Because doors are already closed when a building is commissioned, Air Curtains are not always included in the mechanical testing process. However, when used properly, air curtains help to increase energy performance (decrease energy use), and it is common to see a payback period of 1-2 years depending on location and use. It has been recommended that if the benefits of air curtains are not being captured elsewhere by the LEED-NC Green Building Rating System, air curtains should be submitted for this credit.
- AMCA-certified Berner air curtains can also be used for insect control. If you are putting together a Low Environmental Impact Pest Management Policy to minimize the use and cost of chemicals, Berner air curtains can help you to achieve Indoor Environmental Quality points in the LEED for Existing Buildings Rating System
- Indoor Environmental Quality Points (EQ Credits 10.4 & 10.5):
- Credit IEQ 10.4 & 10.5 - Low Environmental Impact Pest Management Policy.
Berner has worked with researchers at the USDA to confirm that air curtains specifically designed for insect control are a viable alternate to chemicals for deterring flying insects.
For more information on the different credits and their intent: www.usgbc.org, or more specifically, check out the LEED Rating Sytems.
For more information on AMCA International, a third party certifier of air curtain performance: http://www.amca.org/, or more specifically: http://www.amca.org/certified/value.aspx
