Target Finder

Target Finder enables architects and building owners to set energy targets and receive an EPA rating for projects during the design process.

Projects that earn a rating of 75 or higher are eligible for Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR certification and can be submitted for the ENERGY STAR Challenge.

Eligible Building Types

Target Finder provides an EPA rating for commercial building space types, including office; K–12 school; hospital (acute care and children's); hotel/motel; medical office; house of worship; residence hall/dormitory; supermarket/grocery store; warehouse: refrigerated and non-refrigerated; courthouse; bank/Financial Institution; and retail store.

If a "space type" does not match definitions in Target Finder, users should not try to "force" the project into one of the building type categories in order to receive an EPA rating.

Many space types not available in Target Finder can be found in the 2003 CBECS National Average Source Energy Use and Performance Comparisons (CBECS) (46KB) table. The results are not normalized for climate, building size, occupancy, or other activities that may affect energy use.

Use Target Finder to Establish Energy and CO₂ Reduction Goals

Communicate energy targets for design projects with clients to achieve:

• EPA's Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR, the Architecture 2030 Challenge, and the American Institute of Architects' Sustainable Architectural Practice fossil fuel energy and CO₂ reduction goals,
• State and local governments (83KB) initiatives, as well as industry standards that are calling for performance based targets, and
• Federal energy goals for new and existing buildings states in the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007.

How To Use Target Finder

Determine an Energy Use Target: Select an EPA rating from 1–100 or a percent energy reduction compared to an average building and enter general building characteristics. Target finder provides total annual energy use and energy use intensity (EUI) that correspond to the target.

Determine if Your Estimated Energy Use Achieves the Target: Enter estimated energy use calculated for the design project. Target Finder will provide an EPA rating and a percent energy reduction for the project.

Learn More

• View a short video about Target Finder.
• Participate in a live Web Training session titled: "Responding to the Climate Change Imperative: Setting Energy Use Targets with ENERGY STAR."

Design Projects that Earn ENERGY STAR for Completed Buildings

The process from design to performance with ENERGY STAR is a long-term commitment between architects and owners — a paradigm shift of sorts. The buildings below have earned ENERGY STAR for both the design project and the completed building, demonstrating that buildings can perform as intended and achieve energy goals. Building profiles can be found on the list of ENERGY STAR Labeled Buildings and Plants.

• McAuliffe Elementary, Colorado Springs School District 11 — Colorado Springs, CO
• EPA Region VIIII Headquarters — Denver, CO
• Kinard Junior High, Poudre School District — Fort Collins, CO
• Rice Elementary, Poudre School District — Wellington, CO

Technical Brief

The energy use intensity (EUI) generated by Target Finder reflects the distribution of commercial buildings derived from 2003 CBECS. The required data inputs were found to be the primary drivers of energy use. The ZIP code is used to determine the climate conditions that the building would experience in a normal year (based on a 30-year climate average). The total annual EUI for the target is based on the energy fuel mix typical in the region specified by the ZIP code. The tool displays the percent electricity and natural gas defaults used to calculate design targets. Users may enter their own fuel mix; electricity must be selected as one of the choices. Site and source energy calculations are provided for both EUI and total annual energy. The EPA rating is calculated from source energy use.