Designing to Meet Building Performance Standards
Building performance standards (BPS), which establish energy and/or emissions reduction targets for existing buildings, are becoming increasingly common across local and state jurisdictions. These policies often specify energy use intensity (EUI) as the key performance metric. Establishing a whole-building EUI target at design puts the owner on the path to successfully operating the building and achieving the required target.
Use EPA's ENERGY STAR Target Finder and Portfolio Manager tools to establish and track consistent performance metrics such as whole-building EUI throughout the lifecycle of your building.
ENERGY STAR tools provide design EUI estimates as well as benchmarked EUI from utility bills in a one-stop portal to track energy over the life of a building project. As Figure 1 shows, the process starts with setting an EUI target during pre-design, with refinement of the target occurring during schematic and design development. These steps provide insight into how design changes impact EUI and other metrics. Target Finder makes it easy to do a quick analysis of trade-offs for various design strategies and determine which provides the best efficiencies.
Once the building is built and operating, Portfolio Manager enables measurement and benchmarking of actual performance for energy, water, waste, and emissions. Portfolio Manager helps users evaluate performance relative to the design target and opportunities for improvement.
The ENERGY STAR process — using the same metrics for energy design estimates and operational energy performance — is outlined in the ENERGY STAR Design Guidance. This process can help building owners and other stakeholders to align design targets with intended performance outcomes. See how the DC Buildings Innovations Hub, BEPS Targets for New Construction, suggests design teams use this process for new building projects in Washington, DC.
Learn more about how to use ENERGY STAR tools to set targets, make informed decisions about energy efficiency, and develop performance strategies for the building's lifecycle.