Labeling program helps building owners save energy

The Building Energy Quotient assigns energy usage to building based on an in-operation assessment that includes an energy audit by ASHRAE.

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Energy use is one of the highest operating costs for building owners. It is also the most controllable. To help owners reduce their energy costs, a new building labeling program is available that not only rates buildings according to the in-operation energy use but also provides owners with suggested measures that can improve energy efficiency.

The Building Energy Quotient (bEQ) program assigns to buildings an energy usage quotient based on completion of an in-operation assessment that includes an ASHRAE Level I Energy Audit. ASHRAE, a building technology society with more than 50,000 members worldwide, is the developer of bEQ.

bEQ was introduced two years ago as a pilot program with the intent of providing an easily understood scale to convey a building’s energy use in comparison to similar buildings and climate zones, while also providing building owners with building-specific information that highlights potential energy saving opportunities. Under the program, buildings are eligible to receive an In Operation rating as long as the building has at least 12 months of consecutive energy use data. The rating is based on the building and how it is operated.

- Edited by Chris Vavra, Consulting-Specifying Engineer, www.csemag.com