Tools and Resources
Architecture Firms and Designed to Earn ENERGY STAR Projects
This report is updated monthly and lists commercial building design projects which have achieved Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR certification. Each entry also lists the Architect of Record that is associated with the project.
Best Practices Guide for Energy-Efficient Data Center Design
Use this guide to learn best practices for energy-efficient data center design. The guide covers the Information Technology (IT) systems and their environmental conditions, data center air management, cooling and electrical systems, on-site generation, and heat recovery. This guide was created by the U.S. Department of Energy in March 2011.
Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR: Sample building design profile
Use this sample profile template to write about your commercial building design project that has achieved EPA's Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR designation. This template includes space for project specs, a 350-word narrative, and a listing of the team members who helped to achieve the recognition.
ENERGY STAR® Challenge for Architects
Submit your Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR architecture projects to participate in the ENERGY STAR Challenge for Architects. Commercial building design projects that meet EPA's strict energy efficiency criteria are eligible to achieve Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR recognition. You can find more information on the Challenge for Architects—as well as projects that have been submitted so far for this year's Challenge—here.
Energy Design Guidance Checklist
Use this checklist to help you establish energy efficiency goals for your commercial building design project. This document will guide you through the best ways to assemble your team, set energy goals, develop your design, and achieve Design to Earn the ENERGY STAR® for your project.
How to apply for the Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR®
Use this step-by-step guide for detailed instructions on how to apply for Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR. It describes the process, requirements, and documents needed to submit your design project to EPA and receive recognition.
Portfolio Manager Technical Reference: Estimating Fuel Mix and Energy Cost
When establishing energy performance targets early in a project’s design stage, exact fuel mix and energy costs are often not known. In these cases, Portfolio Manager and Target Finder will provide an estimated fuel mix and energy cost to help you assess how to reach your target performance level. Reference this 7-page document for information about using Portfolio Manager and Target Finder to estimate fuel mix and energy cost.
Sample press release: Project has achieved Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR
If your commercial building design project has achieved EPA's Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR designation, use this template press release to spread the word. Fill in the blanks, add your own quote, and then send it to your local or trade media with a note about why they might be interested in reporting about it.
Specification Language for Pursuing Energy Efficiency Goals for Commercial New Construction Projects
Use this six-page document to stipulate that a commercial new construction building project and the completed building meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) energy performance criteria to achieve ENERGY STAR® certification.
