Designers Stress Importance of Early Energy Modeling

March 4, 2013
In a new feature available to members of BuildingGreen, Environmental Building News stresses the importance of modeling “early” and “often” for the biggest savings in energy and costs.

In July 2012, EC&M reported that the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Office of Energy Consumption and Efficiency Statistics was preparing to resume its national sample survey of energy use in buildings, the Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS), after a ten-year hiatus. The results provide the only national-level source of data on the characteristics and energy use of the existing stock of commercial buildings in the United States.

Now, energy modeling, which can be instrumental in making decisions regarding design, particularly when performed during the design phase, is in the news. In a new feature available to members of BuildingGreen, Environmental Building News stresses the importance of modeling “early” and “often” for the biggest savings in energy and costs.

Although whole-building energy simulation has become more common over the last two decades, but it’s not always accurate to real energy use and hasn’t had a big impact on design decisions. The real value of modeling, according to Marcus Sheffer, an energy consultant with 7group,  is not predicting energy use but making relative comparisons among design options.

About the Author

Beck Ireland | Staff Writer

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EC&M, create an account today!

Sponsored Recommendations

Electrical Conduit Comparison Chart

CHAMPION FIBERGLASS electrical conduit is a lightweight, durable option that provides lasting savings when compared to other materials. Compare electrical conduit types including...

Fiberglass Electrical Conduit Chemical Resistance Chart

This information is provided solely as a guide since it is impossible to anticipate all individual site conditions. For specific applications which are not covered in this guide...

Considerations for Direct Burial Conduit

Installation type plays a key role in the type of conduit selected for electrical systems in industrial construction projects. Above ground, below ground, direct buried, encased...

How to Calculate Labor Costs

Most important to accurately estimating labor costs is knowing the approximate hours required for project completion. Learn how to calculate electrical labor cost.