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BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES PROGRAM
Building Energy Codes Resource Gui
COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
for ArchitectsPrepared by:
Building Energy Codes Program (BECP) and
the American Institute o Architects (AIA).
The U.S. De partment o Energys (USDOE) Building Energy Codes Program (BECP
inormation resource on energy codes and standards or buildings. They work wit
government agencies, state and local jurisdictions, organizations who develop mo
and standards, and building industry to promote codes that will provide or energ
environmental benefts and help oster adoption and implementation o and com
with those codes.
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Introduction
So why produce an introductory guide to Energy Codes at this time
Because as an industry, and as a profession, we are at a crossroad
Prescriptive-based codes with tables and checklists are slowly being
o predicting successul outcomes and by evidence-based design. T
it aords us exibility to prove the perormance intent o a design. H
perormance in the use o buildings is vast; in terms o energy mode
maintenance or continued high perormance.
Another issue is that energy compliance technologies, such as sub-m
methodologies, like mandatory disclosure laws, are not yet widespre
assigned at the design phase and, worse, risks cannot be properly a
o a building, potentially leading to claims against design proession
This introductory guide to model energy codes sets the stage or th
resources on both energy and green codes, as they continue to evolv
u
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Whats Insideu
1.0 POLICY: Energy Codes Background ............................................
1.1 The Role o DOE and AIA in Building Energy Codes ....................
1.2 Codes and the Architect: An Introduction ................................. ........
1.2 .1 What Do Codes Mean or the Architect ..................................
1.3 Code Development .................................. ..................................... ...............
1.4 Code Adoption .................................... ..................................... .....................
1.4.1 The Adoption Process ................................... ..................................
2.0 CODES: Which One Applies and Why it Matters ............
2.1 Know the Local Codes .................................. ...................................... ........
2.2 Green Building Codes and Beyond Code Programs, and High
2.2 .1 High Perormance Buildings .................................. .....................
2.3 Federal Projects .................................. ..................................... .....................
2.4 Contracts ................................... ...................................... ..................................
3.0 DESIGN: Design/Energy Code Interface .................................
3.1 Energy Codes Impact Design ................................. ..................................
3.2 Daylighting ...................................... ..................................... ...........................3.3 Integrated Design and Delivery ................................... ...........................
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3.4 Design Tools .................................. ..................................... ...................................... ..................................... ..................................... ...........
3.4.1 Design Guides ..................................... ..................................... ..................................... ...................................... .............................
3.4. 2 Energy Modeling ..................................... ..................................... ...................................... ..................................... .......................
3.4. 3 Energy Code Format and Impact on Design ................................ ..................................... ..................................... ...........
3.5 Compliance Tools .................................... ..................................... ..................................... ...................................... ...................................
3.6 Tax Incentives ..................................... ...................................... ..................................... ..................................... ...................................... ....
4.0 CONSTRUCTION: Building Construction and Commissioning .........................................................................
4.1 Building Construction .................................. ..................................... ..................................... ...................................... .............................
4.2 Building Commissioning ................................... ...................................... ..................................... ..................................... .......................
5.0 Additional Resources and Acronyms .........................................................................................................................................
Whats Inside (continued)
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POLICY:Energy Codes Background
1.0
1 The term building energy codes includes model codessuch as the IECC or IgCC, energy standards such as ASHRAE90.1, and laws and regulations, taris, incentive programs,and other vehicles that require or provide incentives or thedesign and construction o energy ecient buildings. Theterm energy codes is used throughout this document todescribe such criteria.
2 Commercial buildings in the IECC and considered all buildings other than onedwellings, townhouses, rowhouses, an(R-3 or R-4) or multi-amily residentialover 3 stories in height above grade.
Commercial buildings and residential
households consume nearly 40 percent o
the total primary energy used in the United
States. Buildings alone consume 70 percent
o our nations electricity. In 2007, lighting,
heating, cooling, cooking, rerigeration,
water heating, and other building services
produced 2517 metric tons o carbon dioxideemissions39 percent o the U.S. total and
8 percent o the global total.
Given these statistics, it is now more
important than ever to design and construct
buildings to the most current energy codes,1
and to seek client support or exceeding
these requirements. The benets will be elt
ar into the uture.
Because o their authority ov
design and construction, stat
jurisdictions are key players in
improve building energy ec
There are two primary baselin
that states and local jurisdictio
to regulate the energy ecienand construction o new build
International Energy Conser
(IECC), developed by the Inte
Council (ICC), and Standard
by the American Society o H
Rerigerating and Air Condit
(ASHRAE) and the Illuminati
Society (IES). The IECC addre
buildings in Chapter 4 and com
buildings in Chapter 5. Standa
only commercial buildings.
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1.1 The Role o DOE and AIAin Building Energy Codes
The Department o Energy (DOE) Building
Energy Codes Program (BECP) was ormally
established in 1993 in response to the Energy
Policy Act o 1992, although DOE has a long
history with energy codes that extends back
over 30 years to its support o the Model
Code or Energy Conservation in 1977. The
Energy Policy Act mandated that DOE
participate in the development o voluntary
sector energy codes and help states and local
jurisdictions adopt, implement, and support
compliance with progressive energy codes.
Since then, BECP has developed and
deployed many products, services, and
sotware, and has provided considerable
support or all aspects o energy codes.
The American Institute o Architects(AIA) has long advocated on behal o the
architectural proession in the codes and
standards arena. Since 1975, the Institute has
published research and mate
a single model building code,
instrumental in orming the IC
three legacy model code orga
(BOCA, ICBO, and SBCCI).
AIA members have helped to
codes standards at the state a
at the national level through sproposed code changes and a
meetings throughout the Unit
participating on Boards and C
the local and s tate levels.
1.2 What Do Codesor the Architec
Architects are required by t
practice to comply with app
4 Codes in this context include building, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, zoninand regulations applicable to buildingsnational, state, and or local level.
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An energy code adds to that challenge, not
only because it is an additional code, but
because compliance with energy codes
requires careul review to ensure continued
compliance with other applicable codes.
Energy codes aect the design o all
building systems separately and collectively.
Designing or energy efciency can impactthe look, eel, and unction o the building.
For example, lighting and window design
can impact cooling loads, window impact
lighting, and so on.
To minimize the initial cost or a project
and be most eective, an integrated design
process is critical. The architect must
ideally rst employ sensible passive design
strategies, then collaborate extensively
with the HVAC and lighting designers, and
others who will aect the perormance o
the building both in the design phase andater construction, to optimize the building
design. For more inormation on passive
design, see the AIAs 50to50.
Energy codes also infuence t
and placement o o building
example, by requiring glazing
thermal properties, proper in
and lighting controls that me
the code.
A benet to the owner is a m
property due to increased oc
comort and reduced utility c
inormation on design and t
code, see Section 3.
1.2.1 The Model Energ
The IECC and Standard 90.1
considered the minimum acc
eciency criteriaaddress r
or the design, specication,
o the materials, products, sy
equipment used in nearly all
and additions and renovationbuildings. Their goal is to imp
overall energy eciency o a
and reduce the energy neede
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U
Advocates
Federal
Academia
5 An important distinction between the ICC and ASHRAE processesis that, while in the ICC process all proposals are published andconsidered at a public hearing beore a balanced committee,the nal decision on the acceptance o any proposal occurs at a
second public hearing at which only governmental members o ICCcan vote. Approvals in the ASHRAE process are always throughvoting members o ICC which represent enorcement jurisdictions;however, there are no public hearings and the only changes thatare available or public review and comment are those approved orreview by the committee assigned to the particular standard.
1.3 Code Development
All ICC model codes and ASHRAE standards
are revised every three years through open
consensus processes that include stakeholders
rom across the building industry.5 The
transparency o these processes is critical to
widespread code acceptance, implementation,
and compliance. AIA sta, chapters, andindividual members have participated in the
development o the model codes and standards
or many years. Because these codes are
typically adopted by ederal, state, or local
agencies, involvement at the national level
through organizations such as ASHR AE and
ICC helps ensure that the design community
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Building
Energy
Code
State
Government
Local
Government
will support code adoption and will not be
adversely aected. The alternative is to
amend these documents at each ederal,
state, or local point o adoption.
Outcome-based codes are on the horizon.
They will provide the architect more
reedom to creatively design a code-
compliant building. Current codes are
reerred to as prescriptive or perormance.
A prescriptive code can restrict reedom
because o specic requirements or
building components and perormance.
Outcome-based codes would prescribe
a certain annual operational expectation,
leaving the designer ree to creatively
design to that perormance level.
1.4 Code Adoption
Code adoption can be manda
voluntary. Voluntary adoption
without any mandatory requi
and typically occurs through
program, a corporate decisio
certain provisions in a code, o
decision. Mandatory adoptioninclude voluntary adoption o
beyond the minimum, or exa
corporate decision to adopt t
a state-mandated minimum c
6 Codes Task Force Report C 3 Comprehensive-Coordinated-Contemporary , AIA, no date available.
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RESOURCES
Energy Codes 101
www.energycodes.gov/becu
Provides contractors,architects, and trainerswith building code relatedtraining and certifcation
opportunities.
Policy MakerResource Guide
www.energycodes.gov/publications/resourceguides/policymaker.stm
uDirectly through legislative
actionWhen codes are adopted
through legislation, a committee
may be appointed to provide
recommendations and/or drat the
legislation.
uBy regulatory actionWhen
codes are adopted through a
regulatory process, states and localgovernments oten appoint an
advisory body o representatives o
the design, building construction,
and enorcement communities. This
advisory panel recommends codes or
adoption and revision. In basing their
recommendations on model codes, the
advisory panel considers modications
to the model codes to account or local
preerences and construction practices.
The panel also may provide inormation
during the adoption process. Their
recommendations then enter a public
review process.
Adoption processes vary dep
whether the energy code is a
legislation or regulation and
or local level.
Once adopted, codes apply t
and construction o buildings
in the scope o the adopting
regulations. That scope o ad
range rom only new state-oto all new buildings in certain
within a state, to all new and
buildings in a state.
6
http://www.energycodes.gov/becuhttp://www.energycodes.gov/becuhttp://www.energycodes.gov/publications/resourceguides/policymaker.stmhttp://www.energycodes.gov/publications/resourceguides/policymaker.stmhttp://www.energycodes.gov/publications/resourceguides/policymaker.stmhttp://www.energycodes.gov/publications/resourceguides/policymaker.stmhttp://www.energycodes.gov/publications/resourceguides/policymaker.stmhttp://www.energycodes.gov/becuhttp://www.energycodes.gov/publications/resourceguides/policymaker.stmhttp://www.energycodes.gov/publications/resourceguides/policymaker.stmhttp://www.energycodes.gov/publications/resourceguides/policymaker.stmhttp://www.energycodes.gov/publications/resourceguides/policymaker.stmhttp://www.energycodes.gov/becuhttp://www.energycodes.gov/becu8/3/2019 EERE Architect Guide WEB File
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Visit BECPs Status
o State Energy Codes
web page or more
inormation oncode adoption.
www.energycodes.gov/states/index.stm
CODES:Which One Applies and Why It Mat
2.0
2.1 Know the Local Codes
Code adoption can occur at all levels o
government and through dierent agencies.
The architect is responsible or knowing
which minimum codes apply to the project,
whether ederal, state, local, or those adopted
by others such as utilities. A project mayhave ederal, state, and local requirements
that must be satised and, at each o
those levels, requirements rom dierent
agencies. The adoption o national model
codes and standards is intended to minimize
the potential or multiple, duplicative, or
conficting provisions, but it can still occur.
2.2 Green Building Cand Beyond CodPrograms, and HPerormance Bu
Beyond the minimum energ
are green building codes an
certication programs. By dcodes are mandatory, and rat
are voluntary. However, in rec
both have been adopted on a
and voluntary basis. They ma
adopted on a voluntary or ma
by the local jurisdiction, state
agency- or they may be the d
client. Building energy is an im
eature o these codes and pr
may include design elements
u Green roos
u Orientation
u Siting
u Hardscape eatures
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Use o a green building code or building
certication program is an opportunity
or architects to demonstrate their
knowledge o high perormance buildings
and act as a resource to both their clients
and their jurisdiction.
The U.S. Green Building Councils
Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design (LEED) building certication
program is widely used in both the public
and the private sector. The codes and LEED
address comprehensive stainability issues
such as site use, water, indoor environments,
and materials.
New on the horizon are the ANSI/
ASHRAE/IES/USGBC7 189.1-10 and the
ICC International green Construction Code
(IgCC) (to be published Spring, 2012),
developed in collaboration with AIA and
American Society or Testing
(ASTM). Both codes cover the
construction o high-peroma
commercial buildings, with pr
are 10 to 15 percent more ene
than the IECC and Standard 9
Architects can learn about en
compliance through training p
sponsored by the AIA. The AI
continuing education provide
education resources on going
promote integration o energ
sustainable design into new b
Owners and developers make
decisions that determine the
or success on their projects-
design process, assembling a
deciding which contract to us
Each decision has implication
7 American National Standards Institute (ANSI), Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), U.S. Green Building Co
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collaboration, and ultimately, integrated
project delivery (IPD).
2.2.1 High Perormance Buildings
Veriying that a building complies with an
energy code is one o the nal steps in the
building process. Eorts to veriy compliance
are generally termed enorcement activities
when compliance is mandated by law, rule,
or regulation and compliance is veried by
an independent third party. Like the other
steps on the pathenergy code development,code adoption, and code implementation
through compliant design and construction
enorcement is key to veriying compliance
and to realizing energy ecien
intended by the code. The ow
developer and their agents (ar
engineers, contractors, supplie
responsible or energy code co
while code enorcement is the
o the states or jurisdictions w
adopted the code or the utiliti
insurers, or even corporate oadopted the code and tie com
penalty or an incentive.
Education and communication
the ensuring compliance with
energy code.
Traditional enorcement strate
state or local level vary accord
state or local governments re
authority, resources, and man
may include all or some o the
listed below. These activities m
undertaken by third parties inensuring code compliance or
parties who will internally doc
rate o compliance so they can
For more on IPD, see
the AIAs Center or
Integrated Practice.
www.aia.org/CIP
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Building perormance is becom
increasingly valuable to client
users, regardless o codes or o
requirements.
Progressive states and local ju
that ocus on energy ecienc
sustainability are increasingly
the baseline energy codes and
green, sustainable, or more st
either as minimum codes or as
o a program that provides inc
compliance. These codes all h
eciency in common; althoug
more rigorous requirements t
energy codes or address addi
covered in the energy codes.
Designers still need to thoroug
the underlying baseline energ
working with criteria that go b
minimum energy code.
Most o the states and local ju
that go beyond the minimum
IECC and/or Standard 90.1 as
sel-certiy that their buildings are designed
and constructed to code.9
u Review o plans
u Review o product, material, and
equipment specications
u Review o tests, certication reports,
and product listings
u Review o supporting calculations
u Inspection o the building and its
systems during construction
u Evaluation o materials substituted in
the eld
u Inspection immediately prior to
occupancy
9 Integrated Project Delivery For Public and Private Owners,a Joint Eort o the National Association o State Facilities
Administrators (NASFA); Construction Owners Associationo America (COAA); APPA: The Association o HigherEducation Facilities Ocers; Associated General Contractorso America (AGC); and American Institute o Architects(AIA), published in 2010. Website is http://www.aia.org/aiaucmp/groups/aia/documents/pd/aiab085586.pd .
http://www.aia.org/aiaucmp/groups/aia/documents/pdf/aiab085586.pdfhttp://www.aia.org/aiaucmp/groups/aia/documents/pdf/aiab085586.pdfhttp://www.aia.org/aiaucmp/groups/aia/documents/pdf/aiab085586.pdfhttp://www.aia.org/aiaucmp/groups/aia/documents/pdf/aiab085586.pdf8/3/2019 EERE Architect Guide WEB File
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additional requirements. Adopting entities are
both mandating these programs and oering
incentives to those who voluntarily comply.
They vary widely in scoperom a simple
requirement to comply 10 percent above the
current IECC to comprehensive programs such
as LEED or Green Globes (a product o the
Green Building Initiative).
Initially a proving ground or new provisions,
more stringent provisions, and new ormats
or provisions, documents that go beyond
minimum codes are used to improve
eciency. Over time these provisions
become more widely supported and are oten
submitted or consideration in minimum
energy codes and standards.
For example, high-ecacy lighting systems
or residential homes have been included in
incentive programs or some time and are
now required in the IECC. A secondexample is the New Building Institutes
Core Perormance Guide, which has also
been codied and was approved or the
To achieve high-perormance buteams must use integrated systeincluding architectural system e(such as siting, massing, landscabuilding envelope).
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2012 IECC to improve the commercial
building eciency.
For ederal buildings, leadership in this
area is provided by FEM P. FEMP sponsors
a ederal portal to the High-Perormance
Buildings Database, which contributes to
the exchange o inormation about ederal
agency sustainable design activities as
demonstrated in high-perormance ederalbuilding projects. The High-Perormance
Buildings Database, research sponsored by
DOE, seeks to improve building perormance
measuring methods by collecting data on
actors that aect building perormance,
such as energy, materials, and land use.
The database includes inormation rom
buildings around the world, ranging rom
homes and selected commercial building
loads to large buildings and even whole
campuses and neighborhoods. Architectural
and engineering rms can use this toolto assist with design eatures and can
contribute completed energy ecient
projects to the database.
As development cycles or b
codes evolve, todays beyond
programs become tomorrow
Ultimately, the minimum ene
begin to converge with the g
with zero energy use. AIA ha
with industry partners to cod
energy eciency requiremen
the Institutes goal o carbon
built environment by 2030.
2.3 Federal Projects
Projects that are completely
ederal agencies are not bou
or local codes. Instead, they m
the codes adopted by the ed
While each agency generally
specic model codes and sta
ICC, NFPA, Institute o Amer
and Mechanical Ocials (IAP
American Society o Mechan(ASME), ASHRAE), they may
codes. Then the application o
at each acility (e.g., ederal p
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acility, presidential library, post oce)
is addressed by the national agency
headquarters and each acility manager
in dierent ways. With respect to energy
codes, ederal agencies are subject to
several statutory requirements, executive
orders, and other policies surrounding
sustainable buildings and campuses.
Some ederal projects are owned in theprivate sector but leased to the ederal
agency or licensed to qualiy or certain
ederal programs such as Medicare and
Medicaid. This can become complicated,
as these projects are not only subject
to the ederal requirements but also the
applicable state and local codes. When the
ederal requirements dont neatly overlay
the state and local codes and simply
provide more stringent provisions or
criteria, it may be challenging to determine
and apply the criteria to a design. Whenthe ederal provisions and the state or
local code directly confict, it can pose a
signicant problem or architects and their
clients. One such confict occ
care acilities, where the local
may require a variance to the
that allows the ederal require
satised and authorizes a co
the state code.
2.4Contracts
Well drated contracts, subc
and consultant agreements w
project participants clearly d
roles and responsibilities nec
code compliance and succes
completion. The AIA publishe
standard orm agreements th
critical roles and responsibilit
in the design and constructio
across a variety o delivery m
The AIA also publishes AIA D
D503-2011 Guide for Sustainaincluding Agreement Amend
and Supplementary Conditio
assist the participants in sust
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AIA Public Policies on Codes and Standards
Building Codes and Standards
The AIA supports regulation by a single set o comprehensive, coordinated, and
contemporary codes and standards, which establish sound threshold values o h
and the protection o the public welare throughout the United States. To that en
espouses the development and adoption o model building codes that:
uInclude participation by architects and the public in a consensus process;
uAre the product o inormed education and research;
uAre without avoritism or bias to any special interest;
uInclude provisions or a prompt appeals procedure or all that might be aggrie
uAre cost-eective in relation to public benet; and
uPromote building code provisions that set perormance rather than prescriptiv
Accessible Environment
The AIA supports governmental policies, programs, and incentives that ensure a
environment that meets the reasonable needs o people with disabilities through
rules and guidances that are clear, certain, and consistent. Physically disabled ind
should be aorded the means to participate in society to the extent that they arethrough the elimination o physical barriers in a manner that balances the interes
physically disabled, the public good, and cost eectiveness.
DESIGN:3 0
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DESIGN:Design/Energy Code Interace
3.0
Architects blend their creative talents and
technical knowledge to design buildings
that satisy the needs o their clients. In
doing so, they must work within the ederal,
state, or local rules and regulations or
buildings as well as any additional criteria
rom utilities, lenders, insurance carriers,
and their client. These criteria cover allaspects o the building, rom siting and
height to the number o required accessible
lavatories, and include requirements or
energy ecient design and construction
(and possibly commissioning).
Traditional design and constr
that occur in a series o events
by a separate trade, are giv
approaches that oster collab
better utilize inormation tech
3.1 Energy Codes
Impact Design
Building design encompasses
system designs, including:
u Thermal envelope asse
orm, materials, and me
or construction
u Lighting system design
control, and integration
opportunities as well as
the installed lighting so
Vestibules can be an important d
O
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10 Building thermal envelope reers to
that separate the conditioned space othe exterior o the building or uncondiconditioned spaces in the building. Thbuilding envelope, which is generallyassemblies that comprise the exterior subjected directly to all outdoor weath
a comortable and unctional indoor
environment or the building occupants.
BUILDING THERMAL ENVELOPE
Local climate infuences the energy code
requirements or the materials and techniques
used to construct a buildings thermal
envelope.10 Energy code requ
the insulation levels in the opa
the foor, ceiling, and walls, an
to limit air leakage through th
Some air leakage requiremen
the methods and materials to
others speciy a maximum all
leakage rate that is veried b
All current model codes inclu
or installing materials and pr
manuacturers instructions. In
code compliance is not ensured
and specications, but by ma
materials and products are p
Designers can reinorce this b
that construction must meet
installation instructions and a
quality assurance criteria, andThe energy efciency levels o enestration(doors, windows, skylights) vary according tothermal and light transmittance properties, whileopaque assembly insulation levels depend on
local climate. Orientation and exterior shadingplay critical roles in ensuring glazing does notincrease cooling loads.
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client retain them during construction to
veriy that their design and specications
are properly implemented.
LIGHTING
The building lighting system provides
adequate light levels or occupants, provides
or saety and security, and enhances the
buildings interior and exterior aesthetics.
Because lighting is oten the p
energy load on a typical comm
good lighting design can save
Good lighting design rst emp
where possible to minimize lo
best use o available lighting t
The selection o light sources t
needs o the space takes into
o both minimum ootcandle rand lighting eciency. Good l
also makes best use o lighting
either turn o lights when not
automatically dim lights when
system is coupled with dayligh
or the building envelope. Aut
controls can save signicant e
such as private oces, coner
lunch rooms. Con trols on exte
save energy by turning o ligh
daylight hours.
For example, lighting designehigher ecacy T-8 lamps fuo
over less ecient products to
lighting levels in oce spaces
Codes regulate lighting based on watts per square
oot, giving the designer the fexibility to select
the light source based on design goals. Lighting
ecacy and surace refectivity are tools or
increasing lighting levels while remaining within
the lighting budget.
NOTES
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high bay lighting in large warehouse-type
stores can be replaced with T-5 fuorescent
lights that can provide more ootcandles at
the work surace while meeting the maximum
watts per square ootor the space. Codes
also provide additional allowances or display
lighting in retail spaces where higher levels o
lighting are required to showc
These lighting allowances are
type o product to be displaye
ne china, kitchen appliances)
Codes regulate lighting power
exterior by providing lighting b
areas such as walkways, parki
building entrances, and additio
or eatures like automated telwhere saety and security are
place requirements on the typ
controls installed in the buildin
goal o shutting lights o whe
The designer has the f exibility
combination o both manual a
controls to meet lighting need
daylight areas are accounted
best use o the lights ins talled
glazing or skylights.
Because lighting systems can
cooling loads or a building, dHVAC sizing, it is important o
ocus on system eciency, co
lighting source ecacy and li
Lighting design should also consider vertical
glazing and skylights to use o daylighting within
the space. It is important to coordinate lighting
design with the design o the building envelope and
the HVAC system to reduce the overall buildingenergy use while providing a suitable spaceor occupants.
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HEATING, VENTILATING, AND
AIR CONDITIONING
HVAC systems maintain comortable
temperature and humidity and bring
healthy levels o outside air into buildings.
HVAC systems use electricity to move air
through ducts (ans) and liquids through
pipes (pumps), convert electricity to heat
(electric resistance heaters), move heat rominside a building to outside (air conditioners
and chillers), and move heat rom outside
a building to inside (heat pumps). HVAC
systems also use energy rom ossil uels to
release heat in urnaces and boilers through
the process o combustion.
Codes regulate the use o energy by HVAC
systems in several ways. They reduce
the energy used by ans and pumps by
requiring ecient motors and reduced fow
o air and liquids during o peak operation
(using variable requency drives), and by
minimizing the resistance to fow in ducts
and pipes.
Codes reduce energy used by
conditioners, urnaces, and H
by setting minimum ecienc
codes require controls such a
thermostats, temperature de
between heating and cooling
the automatic use o out side
ree cooling when available
Codes also regulate the size osystems relative to the dema
they serve based on the princ
systems running nearer to u
typically more ecient than s
grossly oversized.
HVAC design is highly depend
design o other building syste
changes to the lighting system
thermal envelope aect HVAC
WATER HEATING
Water heating energy ecienequipment, delivery, and ope
Energy codes provide minimu
eectively heat and deliver ho
Shutterstock Image #
NOTES
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3.2 Daylighting
Daylighting is the use o strategically placed
enestration to bring sunlight into buildings,
eliminating or minimizing the use o articial
light. In commercial buildings, daylighting
can provide higher quality light, support
productivity and health, and
energy savings. The availabili
energy ecient enestration
advances in lighting design ha
designers to eciently use e
reduce the need or articial l
daylight hours without causin
cooling problems.
A light color ceiling will refethe daylight so it lls the roo
States, south-acing window
because they let in the most
winter, but little direct sun in
North-acing windows are al
daylighting because they let
light with little glare and little
East- and west-acing windo
good or daylighting. They pr
light in the morning and ate
oten comes with lots o glar
heat during the summer.
The most recent editions o e
include daylighting control r
Daylighting combines the type and thermal
properties o enestration installed, placement,shading o the enestration during the year and
the interior design o the building to control theamount o sunlight that enters the space.
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that are now (or soon are likely to
be) required or commercial building
projects. For example, ASHRAE Standard
90.1-2010includes detailed requirements
or daylighting control and skylights to
achieve recommended lighting levels
in commercial buildings. Day
additions to the code require
o general lighting over two t
spaces: 1) daylight areas und
or roo monitors that exceed
and 2) sidelighted areas next
exceeding 250 t2. Control m
multi-level photo with at leas
levels (0-35 percent and 50-7or continuous dimming. Ther
exceptions where daylight sp
be very small or sunlight will
Functional testing (calibrated
programmed) o lighting con
required within 90 days o oc
o the building. This testing m
perormed by individuals not
in design, manuacture, or in
the lighting systems. This tes
verication that all perorma
are met and conrmation tha
controls eectively control e
in response to daylight.
Windows manuactured today are extremelyenergy efcient and can actually insulate the
space while still letting the light in. And somespecial electrochromic windows change colorwith the brightness o the sunlight like polarizedsunglasses do.
NOTES
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NOTES
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From Integrated Project Delivery: A Guide, 2007, AIA/AIACC.http://network.aia.org/centerorintegratedpractice/home/.
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Encouraged by the design community, most
owners are determining, on a project-by-
project basis, the potential benets and
tradeos o a higher level o integration.
Integration o project teams is improving
results. Though practices that are now
labeled as integrated have been used
beore, many are now taking a resh look at
how owners can use contract incentives toencourage teams to collaborate and ocus
on the projects best interest. Whether
with a multi-party contract or under
alternative project delivery methods, both
new practices and updated approaches are
helping owners increase the value o their
investments in capital assets. AIA assists
with IPD through their Center or Integrated
Practice, established in 2009, which provides
resources related to project delivery,
technology, architectural practice, and
stakeholder relationships.
AIA supports collaboration, collects and
conducts project delivery outcomes and
research, and develops resou
or members, the proession,
Another technology that aci
building inormation modelin
sotware allows essentially al
data to be placed in an electr
or the entire project team to
traditional paper-based mate
the same inormation, the abi
apply such paper-based ino
limited, even i only two peop
at the same time. An electron
provide a virtual building whe
be evaluated or cost, schedu
systems space, visual atmosp
use, and code compliance, to
3.4 Design Tools
There are several tools archit
to design buildings that mee
and to document that the de
with the code.
NOTES
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These include design guides, energy
modeling sotware, and compliance
tools that help designers and builders
understand and implement energy codes,
which positions them to go beyond the
minimum code requirements.
3.4.1 Design Guides
ASHRAE has created a series o
advanced energy design guides that
recommend ways to achieve 30 percent
energy savings over the minimum
requirements o ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA
Standard 90.1-1999. This is the rst step
toward achieving a net-zero energy
building (i.e., a building that annually
provides as much energy as it consumes
rom outside sources by using on-site,
renewable energy sources). The guides
were developed in collaboration with
AIA, BECP, IES, and the USGBC.
The ollowing ree guides can
rom www.ashrae.org/aedg :
uAdvanced Energy Desig
or Small Oce Buildin
uAdvanced Energy Desig
or Small Retail Building
uAdvanced Energy Desig
or K-12 School Building
uAdvanced Energy Desig
or Small Warehouses a
Sel-Storage Buildings
uAdvanced Energy Desig
or Highway Lodging
uAdvanced Energy Desig
or Small Hospitals and
Healthcare Facilities
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ASHRAE and its collaborators are also
working on another series o design guides
or 50 percent energy savings compared to
buildings that meet the minimum requirements
o Standard 90.1-2004. One o these guides
the ASHRAE 50% Advanced Energy Design
Guide or Small to Medium Oce Buildingsis
complete and can be downloaded or ree rom
the ASHRAE website.
3.4.2 Energy Modeling
Architects are in a unique position to help
clients make design and construction
decisions that will produce energy ecient
buildings that cost less to operate and are
thus perceived as worth more in the market.
Building energy modeling is a key tool in this
eort. Energy modeling is most oten used to
1) comply with mandatory requirements, such
as the equivalent perormance paths in the
IECC, IgCC, 90.1, or 189.1; and 2) comply with
program requirements or desired outcomes
(e.g., LEED certication, qualication or tax
incentives, qualication or utility incentives).
Using energy modeling early
throughout the design proc
architect maintains control o
while meeting building ener
set by minimum codes or cli
Energy modeling predicts buil
based on assumptions about
operations, not actual energy
energy use depends on actorpatterns, maintenance, occupa
the weather, making it as hard
actual uel eciency o a car o
Three types o energy models
currently used:
REGULATORY (OR COMPL
ENERGY MODELING is the m
commonly used. This modelin
development o a whole-build
model o the proposed desig
then used to compare the ene
building as designed to that o
building model. The baseline
according to strict rules set b
NOTES
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simpler, partial building areas, systems,
or components, they are much easier and
quicker to develop, making them useul
during the early stages o design (when a less
complicated approach and comparison o
multiple alternatives is needed).
CALIBRATED ENERGY MODELING
is currently used primarily in building
commissioning or measurement and
verication. These models are completed
ater a building is occupied and are calibrated
using measured data. Calibrated energy
models should closely predict actual building
energy use; however, minor modeling
inaccuracies are inherent in the process.
Presently, this type o modeling is used
inrequently because it requires substantial
resources and time; however, it will become
increasingly important and prevalent as we
move toward outcome-based design.
Note: An additional type o modeling,
PROJECT RESOURCE MODELING, may
sometimes be proposed or encountered. This
type o modeling includes energy modeling
(as one o the precious resour
but also includes estimates o
the building project might a
water, waste, land-developm
Energy models are built dier
answer specic questions at d
o design, and must be adapt
inormation needed and avail
sketches and drawings. Energ
requires modeling skills and a
both building and building-sy
perormance. Modeling tools
and becoming easier to use, a
is becoming increasingly seam
While energy modeling or co
compliance may be required
commissioning, achieving hig
buildings requires design-per
energy modeling to inorm de
throughout the process. To g
agree to the additional eort
design-perormance modelin
must be able to articulate the
type o energy modeling.
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The major beneft o design-perormance
modeling is that it can enable the design
team and client to make strategic and
best value decisions about designs based
on actors such as cost and energy use.
Energy modeling requires modeling skills
and a knowledge o both building and
building-system design and perormance.
Modeling tools are improving and becomingeasier to use, and the process is becoming
increasingly seamless.
While specics o each jurisdiction are likely
to vary, in general, code ocials look or
documentation that demonstrates how the
proposed buildings energy use perormance
compares to a standard or baseline building.
(As most architects will attest, it is always
useul to start an early dialogue with the
projects code ocial about what type o
modeling and compliance orms will be
required.) Additionally, it is in the architect s
best interest to orm and document a
clear understanding o the many modeling
assumptions most likely to di
rom the actual buildings ope
To avoid surprises (or both t
ocial and the architect) tha
in rework (and additional cos
energy modeler, the architec
uAsk the code ocial what
documentation is requireto demonstrate energy e
compliance and get agree
starting the modeling pro
uInclude the modeling assu
documentation. I the act
energy use doesnt meet
energy use, dierences b
and assumed values (incl
use schedules) may be th
uDiscuss whether the code
accept building energy us
savings results as a range
single number.
NOTES
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3.4.3 Energy Code Format
and Impact on Design
An energy codes ormat can signicantly
infuence design, sometimes more than
the actual requirements. A prescriptive
code clearly states what does and does
not apply, but may limit design reedom
and oster the view that the bu ilding is
composed o separate, non-related systems.
A perormance-based code provides more
design reedom and can lead to innovative
design, but involves more complex energy
simulations and tradeos between systems.
Smaller buildings with singular HVAC,
service hot water, and lighting systems
are more likely to be designed using a
prescriptive approach. Larger buildings that
have multiple systems or varied uses and
loads provide more opportunities to ollow
a perormance-based code. The ollowing is
a summary o how criteria are presented in
current or past energy codes.
Prescriptive provisions are s
metrics that individual comp
the building must satisy (e.g
insulation R- value, maximum
U-actor or SHGC).
Component perormance re
perormance o a particular c
system, or sub-system o a b
the total wall Uo shall not exclighting system is limited to X
square oot connected load)
Equivalent perormance rela
expected perormance o the
building as designed compar
the same building would per
complied with all provisions o
(e.g., Section 506 o the IECC
o 90.1).
Outcome-based perorman
to equivalent perormance, b
than evaluating compliance d
based on equivalency, the en
establishes a perormance g
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orm o a singular energy use intensity
or all buildings o a particular type, and
compliance is determined ater occupancy
based on actual metered energy use (e.g.,
55,000 Btu/t2/yr).
Peak energy capacity provides or a
maximum ability to use energy via installed
systems, but does not necessarily regulate
the time or period o use (e.g., publicassembly buildings shall have a peak
connected load or all purposes o 5.1 watts
per square oot o gross foor area).
3.5 Compliance Tools
BECP provides several tools or assessing
and documenting code compliance. Some
are simple pencil and paper documents and
others involve sotware.
Compliance Checklists
BECP developed checklists or Standard 90.1
and the IECC. Each checklist summarizes
the requirements in each doc
provides a way to veriy or d
compliance at each stage o
rom plan submittal to nal in
These checklists are availabl
can be adapted by any archit
to guide design compliance
compliance or state or local
COMcheck
BECPs easy-to-use code com
sotware, COMcheck, allows
to demonstrate compliance w
codes or commercial buildin
Chapter 5 o the IECC and St
Using inormation about the
and specications, the sotwa
compliance and generates a
report that can be submitted
and specications. The sotw
the consideration o designs
necessarily meet all the prov
code but overall are code com
allows or fexibility and trade
NOTES
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components. For example, a designer may
compensate or a larger glass area on a wall
in a view corridor by increasing insulation
levels elsewhere.
A companion application to COMcheckthat
enables perormance-based code compliance
using DOEs EnergyPlus modeling sotware
is scheduled or initial release in late 2011.
This application will accept an externallygenerated building model, collect code
inormation about that model, create a code
equivalent model, and provide compliance
results and reports.
3.6 Tax Incentives
179D Tax Deduction
The Energy Ecient Commercial Building
Tax Deduction, or 179D, is a little-known
tax deduction that encourages commercial
building owners to strive or high
perormance buildings. In cases where
the owner o the building is a
the deduction may be allocat
primarily responsible or the d
energy ecient property. Thi
allows the designer to claim u
per square oot as a deductio
property that is at least 50 pe
energy ecient than ASHRA
90.1-2001. Many o these proj
schools, military acilities, andstate, and ederal buildings. A
architecture rms are eeling
depressed design and constr
many architects have relied o
to boost their bottom line.
CONSTRUCTION:B ildi C i d C i
4.0
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Building Construction and Commiss
4.1 Building Construction
Each stage o the design and construction
process is important to ensure a successul
new building or renovation project.
Typically, an architects responsibility extends
rom the design phase through the end o the
construction phase, including the installationo some or all o the buildings systems.
For some projects, the architects
responsibility ends at design. For others,
where the architect is retained during
construction, the architect may oversee
the construction and installation o some
or all building systems. In still others, the
architects role may actually extend into the
operations phase o the acility.
Wisconsin and other states require the
architect or engineer o record to conrm
that the building meets the adopted code, in
which case the architect or engineer may be
involved in oversight o construction.
Future ormats o energy cod
outcome-based codes, also p
opportunity or the architect t
construction and beyond to ve
This section highlights the im
o proper construction and in
o technologies to ensure tha
eciency is maximized and iresources available rom BEC
to proper construction.
Building energy codes ocus o
energy eciency and, thereo
rom traditional building, re,
plumbing, and electrical code
adopted and enorced to prot
saety. But, building energy c
to the building and building s
components, in many cases c
with those other codes.
Building and re codes gover
construction o the building a
such as a wall, or instance, w
NOTESNOTES
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re resistance o the materials in the wall.
Energy codes, on the other hand, govern
the thermal perormance requirements
or the same assemblies and materials. As
another example, plumbing codes govern
piping system size, location, and design,
while energy codes require a certain level o
insulation on some piping.
Architects generate the plans and drawingsrelated to the physical and unctional
characteristics o the building design systems
that will be installed. Speciers, who are
oten the architects, as well, develop detailed
specications or the materials to be used
and how those materials and components are
to be assembled in making the nal building.
Contractors need to understand the plans
and specications that the architects provide
so they know how to assemble the building
rom its individual components. As such, they
can be condent that the building eaturescalled or in the drawings are correctly
integrated into the building and that the
right equipment, controls, and
installed to meet the design s
This activity, coupled with bu
commissioning, will ensure th
achieves its energy eciency
4.2 Building Commi
Commissioning is the system
ensuring that all building syst
individually and collectively a
the contract, the design inten
buildings operational needs o
been installed on site. An indu
is evolving as to the nature an
building commissioning servi
Since 1993, the National Con
Building Commissioning has s
orum or experts rom privat
utilities, and government to dmost recent trends and deve
in the commissioning, operat
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maintenance o buildings. In addition,
guidelines and standards on commissioning
have been developed by ASHRAE and
others. The advent o these documents
and the increased recognition that building
perormance may not be guaranteed through
a code ocused on design and construction.
However new code language, building
certication programs and green building
codes requiring buildings be commissioned
as a caveat or building approval and an
occupancy permit.
In the past, it was relatively easy to determine
whether a building was operating correctly.
I no visible problems were observed and
the plumbing, lighting, electrical, and HVAC
systems seemed to work as expected, then
the building was considered to be nished.
But these days it is much more dicult
to ensure that all systems are installed,
programmed, and operating correctly untilthe occupants observe system operations
during daily use.
Commissioning is becoming a
construction projects, and it i
requirement o the LEED prog
the 2012 IECC.
Energy costs are a key comp
buildings operating expense
saving eatures and equipme
these expenses. Decreasing e
by increasing energy ecienor the environment and or t
owners bottom line. Studies
that building commissioning
reduce energy costs.
Energy-saving measures are o
to implement, and unding m
rom local utilities and/or gov
agencies. In addition, energy
commissioning continue to sa
years ater the process is com
For design/build contracts, thmay oversee the commission
all building systems. The prop
NOTES
NOTES
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Additional Resources and Acronym5.0
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uAIA online documents/links
AIAs Codes Advocacy home page
AIAs IGCC toolkit
AIAs energy codes home page
AIA Codes & Standards LinkedIn Group
AIA public policies on codes and standards
Paper outlining AIA one-code policy
Follow AIA on Twitter: @AIACodes
Like AIA on Facebook
uAIA Conerence Publications
uAIA Pod Casts
uBECP Setting the StandardNewsletter
uBECP Code Notes
uFEMP Source:
http://emp.buildinggreen.com
Acronyms
ANSI American National St
ASHRAE American Society
IESNA Illuminating Enginee
ICC International Code Cou
IECC International Energy C
http://www.aia.org/advocacy/http://www.aia.org/advocacy/AIAB085336http://www.aia.org/advocacy/AIAB086655http://www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&gid=3526465http://www.aia.org/aiaucmp/groups/aia/documents/pdf/aiab080469.pdfhttp://www.aia.org/aiaucmp/groups/aia/documents/pdf/aiab080470.pdfhttp://twitter.com/#!/AIACodeshttp://www.facebook.com/AIANational?ref=tshttp://www.aia.org/about/publications/http://www.aia.org/about/publications/http://www.aia.org/practicing/AIAPodnet/index.htmhttp://www.aia.org/practicing/AIAPodnet/index.htmhttp://www.energycodes.gov/publications/STS/http://www.energycodes.gov/publications/STS/http://www.energycodes.gov/publications/STS/http://www.energycodes.gov/publications/STS/http://www.energycodes.gov/help/notes.stmhttp://www.energycodes.gov/help/notes.stmhttp://femp.buildinggreen.com/http://femp.buildinggreen.com/http://www.energycodes.gov/help/notes.stmhttp://www.energycodes.gov/publications/STS/http://www.aia.org/practicing/AIAPodnet/index.htmhttp://www.aia.org/about/publications/http://www.facebook.com/AIANational?ref=tshttp://twitter.com/#!/AIACodeshttp://www.aia.org/aiaucmp/groups/aia/documents/pdf/aiab080470.pdfhttp://www.aia.org/aiaucmp/groups/aia/documents/pdf/aiab080469.pdfhttp://www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&gid=3526465http://www.aia.org/advocacy/AIAB086655http://www.aia.org/advocacy/AIAB085336http://www.aia.org/advocacy/8/3/2019 EERE Architect Guide WEB File
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EERE Information Center1-877-EERE-INFO (1-877-337-3463)
www.eere.energy.gov/informationcenter
For inormation on Buildin
visit www.energycodes.g
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