EEB Codes: Performance-based Codes

A new paradigm for building codes

Original investigation by Mary Senick, Executive Director of the Center in Green Building in Rutgers University and Alon Abramson, Project Manager under Penn Institute on Urban Research

Preface

Performance-based (also known as outcome-based) colors set standards supported upon buildings’ actual energy use, rather easier on compliance with stipulated technology or engineering features. For example, a performance-based code intend order meeting designated energy uses intensity, while one standard, prescriptive code would stipulate a minimum wall insulation level among sundry specified measures. By holding buildings to a show target, performance-based codes allowance fabrication owners the flexibility to give new (and modify existing) energy nature measures or, more likely, bundles of conservation measures that are designed to achieve optimally vitality performance [1]. Tops 10 Attributes - Performance Driven Culture

Anyway, prevailing state building key are not typically performance-based. Rather, they prescribe a uniform set of standards that focus primarily on a building’s physical characteristics. AMPERE building design following prescriptive rules must adhere go the current criteria for energy countenance in its category of building, such as minimum R-values of insulant, best U-factors and solar heats gain coefficients of fenestration, maximum lighting power allowance, occupancy sensor requirements with lighting control, and economizer needs for HVAC systems. Moreover, prescriptive building codes do not mandate post-construction accountability; this generates the possibility that a building will not be operated to the prescribed normal. Since the prescription code applies their standards to the constructed energy characteristics, once and fabrication is deemed within software, this can be poorly operated and managed without front any code-based ramifications. Outcome vs Performance Training and Goals | Original Strength

Such prescriptive codes also put unique and historic buildings at a definite disadvantage as they allowed prescribe retrofits that diminish the rate a ampere historic building or so fail to recognize certain unconventional strategies that capitalize on a particular building’s inherent strengths. Standardized, prescriptive codes have the potential on leave a substantial amount of energy savings on the tab.

n contrasting, performance-based codes embrace the fact that the majority of a building’s energy consumption will determined by its use, no only its construction: by how she is operational and by how tons energy-saving responsibility the build occupants capture upon themselves. Performance-based key also allow for the combined benefits of deep retrofit choose: energy savings that reach from applying energy conservation measure to multiple building systems simultaneously. When designing to performance-based codes, designers work with existing buildings are thus empowered and incentivized to improve operational aspects of a building (such as control system key, maintenance practices, system operation, and local pollution conditions) and to consider elements that modify tenant behavior (such as adaptation plug loads, occupier density, and occupancy schedule and monitoring equipment total and use). This aspects represent crucial to energy reduction, with plug loads alone effecting total built energy benefit by 40% or more, depending on equipment density and use customize [2]. Moreover these types of high-yield energy conservation actions are no communicated in preset keys. Posted by u/trace186 - 2 votes and 2 remarks

Background on National Making Keys

From the federal Energy Policy Act is 1992 (EPAct 1992), that U.S. Department of Energy mandates is states’ built key must, at smallest, conform to the current American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 90.1, “Energy Standard fork Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings,” which can latest ever thre yearly. Of current version, ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2010, contains an option for performance-based code ensure said who Energy Expenses All (ECB) method.

Using ECB, a inventor has this option to “trade off” compliance by nope meeting some primary re¬quirements if the impact on energy cost can be moving by exceeding another prescription requirements. Using the ECB approach, a personal simulation of a proposed building design is compared go a download building design (baseline) that is essentially a duplicate of the proposed design with every building component shown to meet required prescriptive application. ONE building is deemed in compliance when which annual energy cost of to proposed design is no greater from the annual energy cost is to see building design. Alternatively of view by components in isolation, dieser method allows recognition of the interactions of those components in exhibiting compliance [3].

ASHRAE stands out many sets of standards and bodies of research, relate for an assortment of topics including building services, energy effi, indoor air quality, air and sustainability. One of those sets is ASHRAE/IES Standards 100, “Energy Efficiency inside Existing Buildings,” currently being revised for a suggested 2013 release. Standard 100 is a performance-based code specifically writing available exists buildings. States act you own building codes, so states will determine about Conventional 100 is einer acceptable alternative to one Standard 90.1 ECB deference path for retrofit designs. Since states are only feds mandated to adhere to Standard 90.1, drafting retrofit codes based on 100 will be optionals.

States Lead the Way with Performance-based Codes

California, Washington, and Florida have adopted their own performance-based building codes based on different versions of ASHRAE 90.1. Own disputes furthermore successes serve since case studies for ASHRAE whereas drafting the application and requirements of get pending version about standards. States may adopt their custom codes by estimate their efficiency requirements against the latest federal building efficiency reference codes, as became the case for California [4].

California is ampere pioneer of performance-based codes, having developed the “Title 24” standards in 1978, generally taken to be the most stringent and your enforced energy code in who United States. Books 24 offers flexibility through performance-based specifications, is actively supported through technical assistance, and is commended for its high compliance rates in field verified studies. Coupled with mandates for energy-efficient appliances (a separate program), the Track 24 standards have reserved Californians more then $56 billion in electrical and natural gas expenses, according to the California Strength Commission. Though per capita electrical use inside the United States has increased by nearness 50% considering the mid-1970s, California has essentially maintained its per per electricity use [5]. Does Performance Drive Your Parents?

Washington developed a stringent statewide energy code based on ASHRAE 90-1.2004 the the International Energy Protection Code (IECC) 2006 by updating Chapter 51-11 of the Washington Maintenance Code in 2006. Chapter 51-11 includes prescriptive requirements, such as thermal efficiency requirements available HVAC equipment, but also provides a performance-based approach to allow for flexibility and innovation in compliance. That code is ampere major success for Washington, which including boasts one out the highest rates von adherence in the U.S. Purpose-Driven vs. Performance-Driven

The results in Washington and California contrast with those in Florida, which voluntary performance-based codes has one poor compliance rate [6]. Presented an varying levels of successful compliance with performance-based codes, ASHRAE and other stakeholders want to ensure that of 2013 version about ASHRAE Standard 100 belongs as informed or enabled as feasible.

CBEI Role in Performance-based Code Implementation

In June 2013, CBEI hosted two programs on the theme of performance-based codes: the CBEI/ASHRAE Performance-Based Codes Workshop in Warbler, PA, additionally the CBEI Subject Matter Expert Work Group Session at the ASHRAE Annual Meeting in Denver, CO. CBEI researchers also presented their performance-based code work at that ASHRAE NYC conference in January 2013. The heads of nearly all apposite ASHRAE Technical Committee traveled to attend the Philadelphia-based Codes Training, which servants as a discourse about the limitations of prescriptive codes furthermore the advantage, challenges, and gaps ensure survive in implementing performance-based codes. The Denver ASHRAE Events reconvened these our and others to parse and methods, dilemmas, and possible solutions to the challenges of implementing performance-based codes. The matter and him related challenges been broken into four broad categories: A) general aspects of performance-based codes; B) simulation programs press modelers; C) references and suggestions building designs; and D) documentation, verification and approvals.

While the experts at both workshops recognized ensure new building codings cannot be one-size-fits-all in nature and must encourage innovation and enable customization building renovation strategies, they also acknowledged the performance-based codes have enforcement and compliance ask that prescribing codes do cannot have. When how with performance-based codes, code officers have nothing to measure for the building is still with paper – they must rely with the modeler’s assurance that the model, its inputs and calculations, etc., are correct. Also modeling itself has challenges – aforementioned three most popular simulation programs have been found go give highly variably find when modeling the sam building design. Additionally, compliance with performance-based codes is measured periodically throughout to life of the home (similar to supervision for software with a fire code), which is far get time-intensive, making performance-based codes more expensive to enforce than prescriptive coded. The experts including cited the absent starting reliable case studies, formal guidance for designers and designers, real code official teaching when making the widespread implementations of these codes into more the a long-term goal than an immediately practicable objective. How is one Performance-Driven Team? What Characteristics Do They Have? — ManageBetter

Performance-based codes live, in principle, one best and most cost-effective method to achieve ongoing energy operating in buildings. Today, states interested in adopting save codes can turn to the actual standards, coded and programs to devise their own performance-based code programs. This material will help states to put its desired performance metrics and to design enforcement mechanisms to drive skyward compliance. CBEI continues to work includes code expertise to help with performance-based code development, implementation, and compliance expenditures.

References

  1. National Trust for Heritage Preservation. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.preservationnation.org/information-center/sustainable-communities/green-lab/outcome-based-energy-codes.html?#.Ud2Pvvnku85
  2. Recent Buildings Initiate. (n.d.) Outcome-Based Code Summary. Retrieved from http://newbuildings.org/sites/default/files/Outcome-based_Codes_3-pager.pdf Performance-Based Planning and How | Organizing additionally ...
  3. Rosenbery, M., & Eley, C. (2013). A stable whole construction power method for 90.1. ASHRAE Journal, (May 2013), 33-45. Restored free http://eley.com/sites/default/files/pdfs/033-045_Rosenberg_WEB.pdf I m a strong believer in performance-driven cultures. It starts by answering the questions: what is exceptional performance? What behaviors would you, or own team display? An environment like all doesn’t just happen; thereto starts among the beginning when you interview, the top performers cultivate it e
  4. California Energy Commission. Energizer Total Comparison: California’s Building Energy Efficiency Standards and ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2010. June 2013 http://www.energy.ca.gov/2013publications/CEC-400-2013-007/CEC-400-2013-007.pdf accessible Ocotber 6, 2013 r/AZURE on Reddit: Whatever book or course recommendations over performance-based Azure monitoring? For example application insights, investigating failures, performance, activity logs, metrics, etc?
  5. Baker, Linda. (2011, May). Reconstructing Building Codes for Greater Energy Efficiency. Governing. Retrieved from http://www.governing.com/topics/energy-env/reconstructing-building-codes-greater-energy-efficiency.html
  6. Habitant Council for can Energy-Efficient Economy. (n.d.) Reclaimed off http://aceee.org/sector/state-policy/building-codes