BUILDING ENERGY MODELING
for LEED and for EPACT Tax Deductions
Fortier Engineering provides building energy modeling services for LEED and to fulfill the requirements of Section 179D of
the tax code for tax deductions related to energy efficiency in commercial buildings. We use EnergyPlus for modeling more
complex systems, and Carrier's HAP program for energy modeling with only more basic requirements. EnergyPlus an energy
analysis and thermal load simulation program developed by the U.S. Department of Energy in conjunction with the University of
Illinois and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. EnergyPlus offers dynamic building modeling, which means that the
program calculates the heating and cooling loads, and an integration of all aspects of the simulation (thermal loads, systems, and plants)
allows system and plant outputs to directly impact the building thermal response. Thermal calculations and energy consumption analysis incorporate hourly or sub-hourly user-definable time steps.
Fortier Engineering has used Energy Plus to model large and small buildings for LEED projects, as well as for energy audits unrelated to LEED. Energy Plus has been tested according to ASHRAE / ANSI Standard 140-2004, making it an eligible method of calculating whether a building meets the requirements to get the energy tax deduction under the Energy Conservation and Policy Act of 2005.
For more information, go to:
http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/energyplus/.
ENERGY MODELING for Tax Deductions
Section § 179D of the Internal Revenue Code enacted in § 1331 of the 2005 Energy Policy Act (EPACT 2005) and noted in
Internal Revenue Service Notice 2006-52 provides federal tax deductions for energy-efficient property related to a
commercial buildings envelope; interior lighting; heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) and service hot water
(SHW) systems. Fortier Engineering performs the modeling and inspections of energy-efficient property in commercial
buildings for certification of the energy and power cost savings, to satisfy the requirements of the IRS for these deductions.
Fortier Engineering has experience performing energy models and the building inspections according the NREL (National Renewable Energy laboratory) Technical Report NREL TP/-550-40467, May 2007, titled Energy Savings Modeling and Inspection Guidelines for Commercial Building Federal Tax Deductions, Second Edition.
Contact us today at energy@fortierengineering.com to discuss how we can assist in obtaining tax deductions for energy efficiency improvements.
EXPERIENCE
Fortier Engineering has experience with energy modeling for EPACT Section 179D for the following types of buildings:
- Schools
- University buildings
- Arenas
Fortier Engineering uses the following USGBC approved and DOE listed software for energy modeling:
- EnergyPlus
- Carrier's HAP program
- eQuest
- Trane's Trace program
Dan Fortier, P.E., is registered in the following states, and able to perform the certification inspections in these states:
- Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, Maryland, Connecticut, Ohio, Indiana, New York
6 projects completed through certification letter by Fortier Engineering, with modeling results finalized and inspection concluded:
- Indianapolis Public Schools Merle Sidener School No. 59
- Orleans Junior/Senior High School, located at 200 W. Wilson St., Orleans, Indiana
- South Adams School, located at 1027 U.S. 27 South, Berne, Indiana
- Indianapolis Public Schools Eliza A. Baker School No. 55
- Indianapolis Public Schools Thomas D. Gregg School No. 15
- Indianapolis Public Schools William A. Bell School No. 60
Several projects currently are in the modeling stage or awaiting inspection for final certification letter by Fortier Engineering.
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