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2.a Energy Efficiency

Above Green
  • Updated

Employ strategies that minimize energy usage. Focus on reducing energy loads before considering renewable or clean and alternative energy sources.

Follow the Path applicable to your project type: 

  • Path A: New Construction (non-low-rise residential) 
  • Path B: New Construction – Low-Rise Residential Buildings 
  • Path C: Modernization 

Path A – New Construction (non-low-rise residential)

Requirements: 

  • Meet the requirements of ASHRAE 90.1. 
  • Submit energy model showing the proposed building model to achieve at least 30% energy consumption reduction from ASHRAE 90.1 baseline (less, pending life-cycle cost effectiveness).
  • Determine energy consumption levels for ASHRAE Baseline Building and proposed building alternatives. 

Required Documentation: 

  • Summary of the proposed energy model’s inputs and outputs 
  • Modeling report 
  • Performance Rating Method calculation for baseline and proposed buildings 

References: 

  • 10 C.F.R. § 433: Energy Efficiency Standards For The Design And Construction Of New Federal Commercial And Multi-Family High-Rise Residential Buildings 
  • 10 C.F.R. § 435: Energy Efficiency Standards For The Design And Construction Of New Federal Low-Rise Residential Buildings 
  • 10 C.F.R. § 436.40: Federal Energy Management and Planning Programs 
  • 42 U.S.C. § 6834: Federal Building Energy Efficiency Standards 
  • 42 U.S.C. § 8253: Energy Management Requirements
  • 42 U.S.C. § 8259b: Federal procurement of energy efficient products 
  • ASHRAE 90.1 Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings13

Assessment Guidance:

ASHRAE 90.1 version is applicable per the following 

  • 90.1-2013: Design for construction began on or after November 6, 2016
  • 90.1-2010: Design for construction began on or after July 9, 2014, but before November 6, 2016 
  • 90.1-2007: Design for construction began on or after August 10, 2012, but before July 9, 2014 
  • 90.1-2004: Design for construction began on or after January 3, 2007, but before August 10, 2012

Model compared to ASHRAE using DOE-2, Energy Plus, eQuest, or other recognized modeling program. Ensure that contractor's design compared to ASHRAE baseline.

If a 30% reduction is not Life Cycle Cost Effective (LCCE), modify the design of the proposed building to achieve an energy consumption level at the highest level of energy efficiency that is LCCE. Document what savings and measures are achievable. At a minimum, meet CFR § 433 Subpart 433.100 (Energy efficiency performance standard), Paragraph a.

Determine energy consumption levels for both baseline and proposed building by using the Performance Rating Method found in appendix G of ASHRAE 90.1. Energy consumption for the purposes of calculating the 30% savings requirements shall include the building envelope and energy consuming systems normally specified as part of the building design by ASHRAE 90.1 (including space heating, space cooling, ventilation, service water heating, and lighting) but shall not include receptacle and process loads not within the scope of ASHRAE 90.1 (e.g. specialized medical or research equipment and equipment used in manufacturing processes). 

Path B – New Construction – Low-Rise Residential 

Requirements:

  • Meet the requirements of International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). 
  • Submit energy model showing the proposed building alternatives to achieve at least 30% - less if LCCE - energy consumption reduction from IECC baseline (Section 405, Simulated Performance Alternative). 

Required Documentation: 

  • Summary of the proposed energy model’s inputs and outputs;
  • Modeling report. 

References: 

  • 10 CFR Part 435 Energy Efficiency Standards For The Design And Construction Of New Federal Low-Rise Residential Buildings 
  • 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) 
  • 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) 

Assessment Guidance:

International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) is applicable per the following: 

  • IECC 2015: Design for construction began on or after January 10, 2018 
  • IECC 2009: Design for construction began on or after August 12, 2012, but before January 10, 2018 
  • IECC 2004: Design for construction began on or after January 3, 2007, but before August 10, 2012

Meeting 2015 IECC also includes the mandatory mechanical ventilation requirements in Section R403.6.

Model compared to IECC using DOE-2, Energy Plus, eQuest, or other recognized modeling program. Ensure that contractor's design compared to IECC baseline.

2015 IECC: Energy consumption for the purposes of calculating the 30% savings shall include heating, space cooling, lighting, mechanical ventilation, and domestic water heating.

2009 IECC: Energy consumption for the purposes of calculating the 30% savings shall include space heating, space cooling, and domestic water heating.

If a 30% reduction is not Life Cycle Cost Effective (LCCE), modify the design of the proposed building to achieve an energy consumption level at the highest level of energy efficiency that is LCCE. Document what savings and measures are achievable. At a minimum, meet CFR § 435 Subpart 435.4 (Energy efficiency performance standard), Paragraph a. 

Path C – Modernization

Meet one of the following options for modernization projects:

  • The building has an ENERGY STAR® rating of 75 or higher in Portfolio Manager. 
    • Assessment Guidance: Building must be accurately entered into Portfolio Manager, and ENERGY STAR score must be based on a 12-month performance period no older than 1 year.
    • Required Documentation: 
      • ENERGY STAR Data Verification Checklist 
      • Printout from Portfolio Manager account displaying ENERGY STAR score 
    • References: 
  • Energy use is 20% below the fiscal year (FY) 2015 energy use baseline (less, pending LCCE). 
    • Assessment Guidance: If a 20% reduction is not Life Cycle Cost Effective (LCCE), modify the design of the proposed building to achieve an energy consumption level at the highest level of energy efficiency that is LCCE. Document what savings and measures are achievable.
    • Required Documentation: 
      • Calculations based on utility or site-owned meter data, or energy engineering, or software modeling estimates 
      • Methodologies and/or computer programs used to determine savings 
  • Energy use is 30% below the FY 2003 energy use baseline (less, pending LCCE). 
    • Assessment Guidance: If a 30% reduction is not Life Cycle Cost Effective (LCCE), modify the design of the proposed building to achieve an energy consumption level at the highest level of energy efficiency that is LCCE. Document what savings and measures are achievable.
    • Required Documentation: 
      • Calculations based on utility or site-owned meter data, or energy engineering, or software modeling estimates 
      • Methodologies and/or computer programs used to determine savings 
  • Energy use is 30% better than baseline case modeled to the current ASHRAE 90.1 (less, pending LCCE). 
    • Assessment Guidance: If a 30% reduction is not Life Cycle Cost Effective (LCCE), modify the design of the proposed building to achieve an energy consumption level at the highest level of energy efficiency that is LCCE. Document what savings and measures are achievable. ASHRAE 90.1 version is applicable per the following 
      • 90.1-2013: Design for construction began on or after November 6, 2016
      • 90.1-2010: Design for construction began on or after July 9, 2014, but before November 6, 2016
      • 90.1-2007: Design for construction began on or after August 10, 2012, but before July 9, 2014
      • 90.1-2004: Design for construction began on or after January 3, 2007, but before August 10, 2012
    • Required Documentation:  Summary of the baseline case energy model's inputs and outputs  Modeling report 
    • References:  10 C.F.R. § 433: Energy Efficiency Standards For The Design And Construction Of New Federal Commercial And Multi-Family High-Rise Residential Buildings  10 C.F.R. § 435: Energy Efficiency Standards For The Design And Construction Of New Federal Low-Rise Residential Buildings 

All Paths must adhere to the following:

Use energy efficient products as required by statute. 

Requirements: 

  • A policy demonstrates that purchases are required to be ENERGY STAR and FEMP-designated.

Assessment Guidance:

Campus or installation-wide documentation can be used to meet this requirement. Final design documents or cut sheets or contracts must demonstrate the purchase of ENERGY STAR and FEMPdesignated products for all products for which there is an ENERGY STAR label or FEMP-designation, when life-cycle cost effective, reasonably available and meets functional requirements. 

Required Documentation: 

  • ENERGY STAR & FEMP labeling for plug-in equipment and fixed building equipment.

References: 

  • 10 C.F.R. § 436.40: Federal Energy Management and Planning Programs 
  • 42 U.S.C. § 6834: Federal Building Energy Efficiency Standards 
  • 42 U.S.C. § 8253: Energy Management Requirements 
  • 42 U.S.C. § 8259b: Federal procurement of energy efficient products

Links:

LCCA:

If performed, what was the finding of the Life-Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA)? If meeting the applicable energy reduction % target is not life cycle cost effective (LCCE), document what savings and measures are achievable.

 

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