14 Common Programs that Require Energy Models
Posted on: August 20, 2024
- LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
Administered by: U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
Purpose: LEED certification is one of the most widely recognized green building certification systems worldwide. Energy modeling is required to demonstrate that a building meets energy performance criteria, particularly for the Energy and Atmosphere (EA) credit category. - 179D Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Deduction
Administered by: U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Purpose: This tax deduction encourages the design and construction of energy-efficient buildings in the U.S. To qualify, energy models must show that a building's energy systems achieve certain efficiency thresholds relative to a baseline. - ASHRAE Standard 90.1 Performance Rating Method
Administered by: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
Purpose: ASHRAE 90.1 is a widely adopted standard for energy efficiency in buildings. The Performance Rating Method, which involves energy modeling, is used to demonstrate compliance with energy code requirements and to achieve additional LEED credits.
State and Municipal Compliance: ASHRAE 90.1 is often used as the basis for state and municipal energy codes in the U.S., making energy modeling essential for compliance with local regulations. - ENERGY STAR for Buildings
Administered by: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Purpose: ENERGY STAR certification for buildings typically involves benchmarking energy performance. For new construction, energy modeling may be required to project energy performance and achieve certification. - Title 24 Compliance (California Energy Code)
Administered by: California Energy Commission (CEC)
Purpose: Title 24 requires energy modeling to demonstrate that new buildings or major renovations comply with California's energy efficiency standards. This is one of the most stringent energy codes in the U.S. - WELL Building Standard
Administered by: International WELL Building Institute (IWBI)
Purpose: The WELL Building Standard focuses on human health and well-being in the built environment. Energy modeling is used to assess indoor environmental quality and ensure that buildings meet energy performance criteria that impact occupant health. - BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method)
Administered by: BRE (Building Research Establishment)
Purpose: BREEAM is a sustainability assessment method for master planning projects, infrastructure, and buildings. Energy modeling is used to assess energy use and efficiency as part of the overall sustainability performance. - Passive House Certification
Administered by: Passive House Institute (PHI)
Purpose: Passive House certification requires buildings to meet rigorous energy efficiency standards. Energy modeling, often using the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP), is essential to demonstrate that a building meets the extremely low energy consumption targets. - Green Globes
Administered by: Green Building Initiative (GBI)
Purpose: Green Globes is an alternative to LEED, focusing on sustainable building practices. Energy modeling is used to assess energy performance, contributing to the overall score needed for certification. - Living Building Challenge
Administered by: International Living Future Institute (ILFI)
Purpose: The Living Building Challenge is a holistic building certification program that focuses on sustainability and regenerative design. Energy modeling is used to ensure that buildings generate more energy than they consume, achieving net-positive energy. - International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) Compliance
Administered by: International Code Council (ICC)
Purpose: The IECC sets minimum energy efficiency standards for buildings. Energy modeling is one of the methods to demonstrate that a building meets or exceeds these standards. - National Green Building Standard (NGBS)
Administered by: Home Innovation Research Labs
Purpose: The NGBS is a green building certification program primarily for residential buildings. Energy modeling may be required to demonstrate compliance with the energy efficiency requirements of the standard. - Zero Net Energy (ZNE) Certifications
Various Administrators: Multiple organizations, including the New Buildings Institute (NBI) and the International Living Future Institute (ILFI)
Purpose: ZNE certifications are awarded to buildings that generate as much energy as they consume over the course of a year. Energy modeling is essential for predicting and verifying energy performance in ZNE projects. - High-Performance Building Certification (HPBC)
Administered by: Various organizations, often related to specific countries or regions
Purpose: High-performance buildings are those that exceed standard energy efficiency criteria. Energy modeling is used to demonstrate that a building meets the specific high-performance criteria, often including energy, water, and indoor environmental quality.
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Bob Fassbender graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Madison with a degree in Chemical-Engineering. Following graduation, he spent 3 years working as a Marketing Engineer for Trane C.D.S. In the C.D.S. group, Bob developed and supported design and analysis software, primarily TRACE 700™. In addition to his development work, Bob also traveled around the country as a TRACE 700™ and System Analyzer™ instructor. Bob is also an experienced user with eQUEST energy modeling software. Today, Bob continues training and energy modeling as a LEED accredited professional (with a focus on LEED EA credit 1).