commercial building codes: finding the path to improved compliance

Commercial Building Codes: Finding the Path to Improved CompliancePresented by Ari Michelson, ERS

February 3, 2016AESP National Conference, 2016Phoenix, AZ

Compliance with the energy code is the law…

…yet NO buildings meet the energy code requirements!!!

ERS compliance studies: Massachusetts (2) Rhode Island New York Maine DOE – ARRA (multi-state evaluation)

Energy code training: MA, NH, RI, and NY

Compliance and Enforcement Challenges

Meet Emmet.

Evolution of Energy Codes

Source: ACEEE 2012

The Energy Code of the Future: A Shift

ZNE

Today: Code is minimum standard. Incremental improvements with each

new version

Future: Provide a roadmap for zero net energy (ZNE) buildings.

Future Trends in Codes: zEPI Zero Energy Performance Index (zEPI)

Source: New Buildings Institute, 2015

Future Trends in Codes: Outcome-Based Codes

Post-occupancy performance verification Flexibility in building design

=

Compliance Improvement Tool:High Performance Building Programs

Set targets better than code requirements. LEED, NBI’s Advanced Buildings, CHPS, etc.

Spillover opportunity for Program Administrators

High Performance Program Case Study: Massachusetts Stretch Code

Adopted in 2009; requires ≈20% better than IECC 2009 base code.

As of 2014, over 50% of MA towns adopted the Stretch Code

Cascading benefits across the state.

Program Administrators’ (PAs’)Existing Programs “Push” the Code

C403.4.5.4: Supply-air temperature reset controls

C405.2.2.3.3 – Multi-level lighting controls

C403.2.4.3.2: Automatic setback

C402.2.2.2 Below-grade walls covered by Section C402.2.4

Opportunity for PAs to “Pull” Buildings Above and Beyond Code

Source: Fit Events Tough Mudder, www.fitevents.com

“Pull” Buildings Beyond Code

Teach the “why” building science

Focus: Code Compliance or Savings Opportunity

Focus should be on savings opportunity

90% compliance target

Conclusions

Energy code is shifting – path to ZNE

“Pull” programs and high performance buildings

Go beyond compliance rate – identify savings opportunities

Thank you!

Questions?

Ari Michelson, ERS

amichelson@ers-inc.com

Save the Dates

For more information, see www.aesp.org.