FAQs about EAp2 :

Our building includes a large laboratory space. Can our project benchmark under the Labs21 program?

We have an international project and the space type is eligible for an Energy Star rating. Can we pursue Case 1 to demonstrate compliance given the recently released alternative compliance paths for international projects?

We have a number of buildings on a single campus that we would like to certify at the same time. Is it possible to benchmark the buildings at the campus level?

I have a mixed-use building and am wondering if it is possible to pursue the prerequisite through Case 1. How do we proceed?

We have a building that consists of two attached structures and it’s unclear if we have to consider it a single building or if it should be certified as two separate buildings and benchmarked accordingly. How should we proceed?

How long is an Energy Star label valid to use with a streamlined approach for Case 1?

Our building includes heavy process loads that significantly increase the overall energy use in the building. If we submeter these loads, can we exclude this energy use for benchmarking purposes?

We have installed submeters on our building but the utility bill includes energy use from several other buildings located on the same campus. How do we reconcile this during the LEED review process?

When is it possible to exclude up to 10% of the building from EAp2?

What do I do if the number of building occupants, operating hours, or vacant space changes during the performance period?

If you pursue the streamlined path for an Energy Star label, should the performance period for EAc6 match the 12-month time frame of the label?

How do I account for computers with multiple monitors on Portfolio Manager?

How should I treat vacant space on Portfolio Manager?

View answers »

Forum discussion

EBOM-2009 EAp2:Minimum Energy Efficiency Performance

Energy Star Score & New National Median Benchmarks

Has anyone entered November energy data in Portfolio Manager and looked at the score? I hope you weren't counting on the energy points your project had before November. "New National Median Benchmarks Effective November 7, 2011, EPA will introduce new National Median performance targets within Portfolio Manager. The median value represents the middle of a distribution: half of the buildings have better energy use intensity (EUI) values while the others have worse EUIs. The new National Median performance targets will replace the National Average values that are currently in Portfolio Manager. That is, for all instances where a national average is currently displayed, the value will be replaced with a National Median. EPA is making this change because the National Median has been determined to be a better benchmark point of comparison for existing buildings."

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Wed, 12/28/2011 - 15:35

Always good to print out a "Statement of Energy Performance" before any changes to Energy Star Portfolio Manager are scheduled to occur.

Wed, 01/04/2012 - 18:59

Chris, If the period of performance is finished before the change and you take print screens of the portfolio manager data it might work out. The issue with the change from mean to median is that it appears for many of the building types the energy performance is harder by at least 24%. That's potentially a huge difference in resultant points for the same energy use. I'm all for accurate benchmarking, but I don't like the rule change in the middle of the game.

Thu, 02/16/2012 - 22:11

I noticed that the Case 2 Calculator has not been updated since the November Portfolio Manager update. Will buildings still be benchmarked against the average source EUI (instead of median source EUI)? We have a customer building in the entertainment/culture category and if we go by the case 2 calculator, which has an avg. source EUI of 265 to benchmark against, the project gets 15 or so points. If we benchmark against the median source EUI of 94, which is now in Portfolio Manager, the project doesn't even meet the EAp2 pre-req. Which should we go by?

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