Building energy label prototype launched
June 25th, 2009 by Kevin SkurskiA prototype of ASHRAE’s building energy label, called Building EQ or Building Energy Quotient, was released at the annual ASHRAE conference in Louisville. What do you think?
Prototype of BuildingEQ energy label
We agree that information is a necessary first step when it comes to making energy efficiency improvements in buildings, so the concept of a label is great. I also like that there will be both an “asset rating” and and “operational rating.” The asset rating is based on the design specifications and an energy model, while the operational rating is based on actual energy use after the building has been operational for at least a year.
One thing missing from the prototype, however, is information that relates the ratings to percentages of energy efficiency relative to peers, an average, or some other kind of baseline. As it is with the colored bars, it sort of reminds me of the terrorist threat level ratings that people have a hard time understanding. The top level in the Building EQ label actually does this by identifying an A+ as net zero energy. So, maybe that’s the baseline – one level below that could be 85% efficienct, two levels below is 70% efficienct, and so on. That might help users (building owners, managers, building service providers, potential building buyers) get a better idea of how much worse, say, a building rated “Fair” is than one rated “Very good.”
A lot of progress has been made though, and it is great to see it come to fruition with the release of the prototype. The launch of the full program is scheduled for 2010.
What do you think of the label? And another question for those of you who own, manage, or service commercial buildings…are you ready?
