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ASHRAE has opened a draft standard describing a methodology to apply to building energy modeling to the design process for industry input.  The standard, Energy Simulation Aided Design for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings (ASHRAE Standard 209P), defines minimum requirements for providing energy design assistance using building energy simulation and analysis.

Currently, Standard 209P defines seven design phase modeling cycles with specific modeling goals that are defined and coordinated with the typical design process, and three modeling cycles are defined that apply during construction and operation of the buildings. Each modeling cycle is an extension of a general modeling cycle that can be applied any time during the design process that energy modeling is needed to inform design decisions. In addition, a post-occupancy comparison is included to help owners and modelers understand how modeled results compare actual energy performance and inform assumptions in future modeling projects.

209P is expected to be adopted by organizations that certify high performance buildings, as well as utilities and other agencies that provide incentives for low energy buildings.  Also, building owners and architects seeking a more uniform method to specify a scope of work for building energy modeling should also find 209P helpful.

The proposed standard is open for public comment until May 9, 2016. To comment or learn more, visit www.ashrae.org/publicreviews.