How do you rate a home for it's ability to produce as much energy as it uses? Well, the possible answer is a Building Energy Quotient Rating System.
You may have heard of zero energy homes or net zero homes. These are homes with zero net energy consumption and zero carbon emissions annually. Sounds great doesn't it? But how would you rate such a house?
In keeping with their mission statement, ASHRAE, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, has just published a final draft on an Advanced Building Energy Labeling (ABEL) program which will guide new construction and existing construction towards net zero energy building (NZEB).
ASHRAE's mission statement is as follows:
'To advance the arts and sciences of heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigerating to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world.'
ASHRAE has been working on a labeling program and the details are in the report which came out in June 2009 (This report can be read @ http://buildingeq.com/files/ABELFinal.pdf.) The labeling program gives a score of A+ to F: A+ being a building that has zero net energy consumption and F being one that is unsatisfactory.
It won't be ready until it has been tried first and until Canada adopts the ENERGY STAR rating process, but it will attempt to be a system that can be applied globally.
What are the benefits of having a Building Energy Quotient Label?
Well, according to the report and final draft:
Why an ASHRAE Label and Certificate?
• Building owners and operators can see how their building compares to peer group buildings, as measured against the highest performing buildings, to establish a measure of their potential for energy performance improvement.
• Building owners can use their energy rating differentiate their building from others to secure potential buyers or tenants.
• Potential buyers or tenants can gain insight into the value and potential long-term cost of a building.
• Operations and maintenance staff can use the results to inform their decisions on maintenance activities and influence building owners and managers to pursue energy efficiency upgrades and demonstrate the return on investment for these projects.
Probably the greatest benefit from implementation of a building energy labeling program is the use of market-based forces to influence energy efficiency investment opportunities. Building owners will make investments in energy efficiency improvements when such investments will have the greatest impact on their bottom-line. Also, owners will invest in the technologies and practices that make the most sense for their building. When potential building tenants and owners have information on the properties in which they are interested (particularly in a consistent format) they can understand the full cost of their investment and place a value on the energy efficiency of the building. The label will help building owners differentiate their product in a technically sound manner.
Beyond the benefit received by individual building owners and managers, the increased availability of building data-specifically the relationship between the design and operation of buildings-will be a valuable research tool for the building community.
As the world looks to reduce its energy use, information is the critical first step in making the necessary choices and changes. With labeling mandatory in Europe and disclosure of a building's energy performance becoming required by several states, now is the time to introduce a label that can provide both technical ratings of building energy performance and energy use disclosure for mandatory programs.
As an EcoBroker®, this is exciting news to me. Okay, it's another way to market a 'green' home too. I'll be looking for an update on the bEQ label to post. Until then, check it out for yourself here.
Frances Sanderson, Franklin, NH REALTOR®, Certified EcoBroker®
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