Selecting the Right Protocol

One of the first steps in your ICP project journey is to select the most appropriate protocol. Retrofit projects are not simple to classify, so Project Developers should work with their Quality Assurance Providers and Investors to select the protocol that is the best fit for each project based on that projects size, scope, and risk profile. The goal is to achieve "substantial" compliance with all requirements of the selected protocol, however, working with a professional engineer as a selected third party quality assurance provider, protocols can be adapted to fit each project so long as any changes are documented in notes to the QAA check-list, and do not substantially affect the accuracy and rigor of the certification.

 Large Multifamily

This protocol focuses on large multifamily buildings (multifamily is typically defined as residential structures with five or more units, a typical threshold used within the housing industry for multifamily rental properties).  The protocol is intended for: 

• Large Multifamily Buildings, where the cost of improvements and size of savings justifies greater time and effort in pre- and post- development energy analysis
  
• Whole Building Retrofits, projects that typically involve multiple measures with interactive effects 
  
• High Performing Projects,  projects where the projected energy savings typically cover the project investment cost

Even with these qualifications, the Energy Performance Protocol - Large Multifamily (EPP-LMF) will not be appropriate for every multifamily building. The protocol elaborated here leans heavily toward a whole building metered pre- and post- retrofit data-driven (IPMVP Option C-type) approach. However, such an approach may not be appropriate for buildings that do not have relatively stable fundamental usage patterns – e.g., buildings that are characterized by large and frequent changes in the type of space use, or unpredictable and inconsistent schedules.  In such cases, alternative methods not covered here may be required. 

---

Large Multifamily

Standard Multifamily 

This protocol focuses on standard multifamily buildings (multifamily is typically defined as residential structures with five or more units, a typical threshold used within the housing industry for multifamily rental properties).  The protocol is intended for:

●     Standard Multifamily Projects, multiple measure projects costing typically under $1MM and therefore engineering requirements must be scaled to fit performance risk

●     High Performing Projects, projects where the projected energy savings typically cover the project investment cost

The EPP - Standard Multifamily allows for the use of various open-book calculation methods, and relies on partial and full measurement and verification of the energy use and system(s) to which an energy conservation measure (ECM) was applied (Option A: Retrofit Isolation: Key Parameter Measurement and Option B: Retrofit Isolation: All Parameter Measurement). However, these approaches may not be appropriate for buildings requiring a more holistic approach, that may require the use of an energy model to determine energy savings, as well as an Option C: Whole Facility approach for measurement and verification of savings.  In the case of a building requiring such a holistic approach, the M&V protocols found in the EPP-Large Multifamily Protocol should be used for these specific components of project development, or in its entirety.

---

Standard Multifamily

Targeted Multifamily

This protocol focuses on multifamily buildings (multifamily is typically defined as residential structures with five or more units, a typical threshold used within the housing industry for multifamily rental properties).  

The protocol is intended for Targeted Projects, including single or multiple measure projects costing typically under $200,000 and therefore engineering requirements must be scaled to fit performance risk.

The EPP - Targeted Multifamily allows for the use of various open-book calculation methods, and relies on partial and full measurement and verification of the energy use and system(s) to which an energy conservation measure (ECM) was applied (Option A: Retrofit Isolation: Key Parameter Measurement and Option B: Retrofit Isolation: All Parameter Measurement). However, these approaches may not be appropriate for buildings requiring a more holistic approach, that may require the use of an energy model to determine energy savings, as well as an Option C: Whole Facility approach for measurement and verification of savings.  In the case of a building requiring such a holistic approach, the M&V protocols found in the EPP-Large Multifamily Protocol should be used for these specific components of project development, or in its entirety.

---

Targeted Multifamily

Basic / Performance Retrofit

The ICP Protocol for Basic / Performance Commercial (ICP-BC) is designed for two project types.

• Basic energy efficiency projects that involve individual or smaller sets of energy conservation measures (ECM) that focus on only one or a handful of building end-uses such as lighting, controls, HVAC replacement.
  
• Performance based energy efficiency projects that include energy service contracts that shift at least 50% of the measured performance risk to a third party or pay-for-performance utility programs, that utilize ongoing meter-based third party IPMVP Option-B or C meter-based advanced measurement and verification)
  

This protocol allows for the appropriate scaling of these development tasks, with respect to the balance of technical rigor and risk, and provides a standardized engineering framework that does not overly burden the project budget.

Basic / Performance Retrofit