If you have calculated or simulated estimated energy use for your facility design, you can input data into Target Finder. It will provide a rating for your design energy use and show a comparison to the selected Target and an Average Building (rating of 50.) Follow the steps below to rate and compare your project’s estimated Design Energy.
Step 1 - Facility Information:
Enter the ZIP code where the facility will be built for Target Finder to select the appropriate climate data and calculate the energy use and cost typical of the specified location.
Step 2 - Facility Characteristics:
Select the applicable space type from the drop down menu. The screen will refresh with the space type form displayed. Provide requested attribute information for selected space type(s).
Repeat until all applicable space types for the design facility have been added.
Step 3 - The Target:
Select the desired Target:
Target Rating: EPA Rating from 50 to 100, or
Percent Energy Reduction: energy reduction percentage from 10% - 90%. (The average energy use is equivalent to an EPA rating of 50).
Step 4 - Estimated Design Energy
Select the energy source and units and provide the total estimated annual site energy use and energy rate/cost (if available). Target Finder will calculate the source energy.
Select View Results to display the Target Energy Performance Results screen.
Target Energy Performance Results screen
The Results screen will display energy information for your Design, Target, and an Average Building (rating of 50). For these three categories, this screen will display:
Energy Performance Rating (1-100)
Energy Reduction (%) (The average energy use is equivalent to an EPA rating of 50).
Source Energy Use Intensity (kBtu/Sq. Ft. /yr)
Site Energy Use Intensity (kBtu/Sq. Ft./yr)
Total Annual Source Energy (kBtu)
Total Annual Site Energy (kBtu)
Total Annual Energy Cost ($)
CO2-eq Emissions (metric tons/year)
CO2-eq Emissions Reduction (%)
If your design project achieves a rating of 75 or higher, it is eligible to receive ENERGY STAR certification. See Apply for Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR.
If your design project achieves a rating below 75, you are not eligible to apply for the ENERGY STAR certification.
Notes:
kBtu is the only unit available for an energy source entered as "Other”. The conversion table will assist with converting various units of measurement to kBtu.
Three energy sources can be entered in Target Finder. Users must choose one source as electricity and may choose from grid-purchased, on-site solar and on-site wind (electricity),
If Energy Rate is left blank, DOE-EIA State Average Fuel Rate will be used (if available) to calculate total annual energy cost.
If the user provides an Energy Rate but no Estimated Energy Use in the Design Energy form, Target Finder will calculate the percentage of electricity and natural gas based on state average (determined by ZIP code).
The attribute data varies by space type. For guidance on input parameters, see Input Parameters for Space Types and Rules of Thumb.
More than 50% of the gross floor area must be allotted as a primary space type.
Secondary space types include garages, open parking lots, swimming pools, multifamily housing, and other.
To remove a space type, select Delete (upper right corner of the space section of the form). The screen will refresh with the space type removed.
To change input data on Results screen, select any Edit link (upper right corner of each section). The screen will refresh displaying the attribute form. Make desired changes and select View Results to recalculate data and display the revised information.
Using the browser's Back button to make edits may cause previously entered data to be deleted.
Users can override any default values in Target Finder by entering their own data.