International. ASHRAE received a determination issued by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), which states 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.
The standard achieved this determination through DOE's technical analysis that estimates that buildings that comply with 90.1-2022 (compared to the previous edition in 2019) would result in an increase in national average energy savings from 9.8% to 14%.
"With intensified demand for lower energy consumption and carbon reductions in existing buildings, Standard 90.1 continues to offer essential guidance for shaping building regulations and expanded energy legislation," said ASHRAE President Ginger Scoggins, PE, an ASHRAE member.
"DOE's latest determination further cements Standard 90.1 as the cornerstone for achieving energy efficiency goals and ultimately brings us closer to global, large-scale decarbonization of the built environment," she added
The following are DOE estimates of national savings in commercial buildings:
- 9.8% on-site energy savings.
- 9.4% energy savings in sources.
- 9.3% carbon emissions savings.
Standard 90.1-2022 marks the first time on-site generation of renewable energy systems has been incorporated as a prescriptive requirement of the standard, recognizing the role of renewables in new construction, echoing similar requirements in several state and local building codes, and better positioning new commercial buildings to achieve net-zero energy in the future.
Other key changes include customizable energy credits, a new mechanical system efficiency performance option, requirements to address thermal bridges, expanded criteria for building-wide air leak testing, updated lighting energy allocations, and additional guidance for emissions use, in addition to traditional source- and cost-based metrics.
States must certify within 2 years of the DOE's affirmative determination that the provisions of their commercial building code regarding energy efficiency have been revised and, as necessary, updated to meet or exceed the updated edition of Standard 90.1.
Learn more about determining the DOE Model Energy Code, including specific requirements and timelines, at: energycodes.gov/determinations.
