DOE DETERMINES ASHRAE STANDARD 90.1 IMPROVES ENERGY EFFICIENCY

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has confirmed that ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2022, Energy Standard for Sites and Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, will increase energy efficiency in commercial buildings subject to the code.

DOE is required by law to issue a determination as to whether the latest edition of ASHRAE Standard 90.1 (for commercial and multi-family high-rise residential buildings) or the newest version of the International Energy Conservation Code will improve energy efficiency compared to the previous edition of the corresponding standard or code.

DOE determined that Standard 90.1-2022 will “achieve greater energy efficiency in buildings subject to the code.” It estimates national savings in commercial buildings of:

• 8% gross site energy;

• 4% gross source energy;

• 9% gross energy cost; and

• 3% gross carbon emissions.

“Standard 90.1-2022 adds several important changes, including an expanded scope addressing building sites and modest requirements for onsite renewables,” write DOE officials in their determination. “When accounting for the impact of onsite renewable energy systems, the national average site energy savings estimate increases from 9.8% to 14%.”

States must now certify that they have reviewed the provisions of their commercial building code regarding energy efficiency and, as necessary, updated their codes to meet or exceed the revised Standard 90.1.