AIA 2030 Commitment By the Numbers: Model Energy Usage

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{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[["a",["href","https:\/\/www.aia.org\/showcases\/6526918-aia-2030-commitment-by-the-numbers-buildin"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.aia.org\/resources\/6526864-aia-2030-commitment-by-the-numbers-report-","target","_new"]]],"sections":[[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"AIA 2030 By the Numbers (RY2021)"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The AIA 2030 Commitment program offers architects a way to publicly show their dedication and track progress toward a carbon-neutral future. Explore the pages to learn about the annual\nperformance of the architecture and design community toward its goal of carbon neutral\nbuildings by 2030."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[0],1,"Go to the next section of the report: Building Electrification \u003E "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[1],1,"Return to the By the Numbers report page \u003E "]]]]}

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Architects can use early energy modeling tools themselves, or they can work closely with modeling professionals. Either way, architects need to take the lead on energy modeling, driving the process and ensuring that design changes made by everyone on the team respond to the models’ findings.

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Briburn's Maine Coast Waldorf School became the nation’s first high school to receive passive house certification. Learn more below in the case study about Briburn's commitment to and successes in energy modeling every project.

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[{"image_id":"6564676","caption":"The last three reporting years and percentages of whole building GSF with energy models. "},{"image_id":"6564680","caption":"Modeled whole building projects had an average pEUI reduction of 52.3%, while non-modeled were an average of 46.4%. "},{"image_id":"6564751","caption":"Majority (58%) of the whole building GSF was modeled by design engineers. "},{"image_id":"6564753","caption":"Majority of whole-building GSF utilized the \u0027Other\u0027 or \u0027Not Modeled\u0027 category for energy modeling tool. "}]

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2030 Commitment, energy efficiency, Progress Report, energy saving, energy reduction, Design Data Exchange, Predicted Energy Use Intensity, pEUI, 2022 By the Numbers report

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[{"body":{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[],"sections":[[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"Model building energy use at multiple design stages"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Measuring predicted energy use intensity (pEUI) in buildings is a vital\nstep in designing high-performance buildings, but it\u2019s not a one-and-done\nprocedure."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"In fact, the best way to get the full value of\nenergy modeling is to start very early with a baseline and target pEUI, as well\nas a \u201csimple box\u201d or \u201cshoebox\u201d model, to compare options and help optimize\norientation and massing. Comparing options should continue as design\nprogresses."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Architects can use early energy modeling tools themselves, or they can work closely with modeling professionals. Either way, architects need to take the lead on energy modeling, driving the process and ensuring that design changes made by everyone on the team respond to the models\u2019 findings. For projects reported with energy models in 2021, 18.8% were modeled by a member of the architecture team, 51.7% by a design engineer, and 20.6% by an energy modeling consultant, and 7.7% by other parties."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Too often, energy modeling is done after design is over just to prove code compliance or to achieve a building certification credit. This misses all the opportunities to compare features to inform daylighting, develop building envelope specifications, and implement other passive design strategies. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Modeling is the only way firms can reliably estimate how their projects will perform so they can make changes before the project is built, and it allows firms to help their clients predict and reduce future utility costs. Together with cost estimating, it\u2019s also the best way to identify the most cost-effective ways of achieving high performance\u2014thus using clients\u2019 money responsibly to arrive at the right solutions. In 2021, more than 7,600 whole building projects reported at least one energy model, equivalent to 66.6% of gross square footage reported. Most projects\u2019 energy models were conducted in the construction administration phase. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"In the past, modeled projects in the DDx have consistently had greater pEUI reductions than non-modeled projects. This occurred in 2021, with modeled projects demonstrating a 6% greater reduction of pEUI than non-modeled projects."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"And for projects pursuing net zero energy\u2014276 for this reporting year, and that number should skyrocket as we approach 2030\u2014modeling is an imperative part of the process, allowing the project team to predict how much renewable energy will be needed. "]]]]},"title":"Modeling Energy Use"},{"body":{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[],"sections":[[1,"h2",[[0,[],0,"100% modeled: BRIBURN"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The founders of BRIBURN made a commitment in 2013 to develop an energy model for every building project on the boards. They haven\u2019t looked back."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Harry Hepburn, AIA, principal at the firm, says modeling serves many purposes\u2014not just reducing pEUI, though of course that\u2019s the biggie. For example, using WUFI Pro software, the firm can perform both energy and hygrothermal modeling to help manage moisture. This came in handy for the Maine Coast Waldorf School\u2019s high school building when it became evident the building was close to having moisture issues."]]],[1,"blockquote",[[0,[],0,"Using a combination of energy and hygrothermal modeling, the team was able to analyze unvented roof conditions as well as foundation wall conditions and then adjust accordingly to ensure the risk of condensation or mold growth was substantially low. In addition, a Larsen truss wall assembly was used on the north face of the building where a standard 2-foot by 8-foot wall with rigid insulation would not dry as quickly. The Larson truss assembly preserves energy performance while allowing the exterior to dry."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"For a private residential project of BRIBURN\u0027s, the owner was interested in the benefits of triple glazing and tuned solar heat-gain coefficient (SHGC) and what that meant for energy reduction and cost savings. \u201cWhat we ended up doing was looking at both double- and triple-glazed window performance, and we added in SHGC to understand the impact of the different glazing and what it meant for energy use and then cost,\u201d Hepburn said. Based on the energy model, low SHGC would be ideal for the west side of the house, but there was a cost premium. By using energy modeling, the team was able to determine that the energy savings over time would make it worth the extra upfront dollars."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Overall, according to Hepburn, the energy model helps educate clients about energy efficiency and its value. While a client may not understand the difference between two wall types, he said, \u201cWhen you share the numbers and you convert that to a dollar amount in terms of savings, it becomes a very useful tool.\u201d"]]]]},"title":"Case Study "},{"body":{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[["a",["href","https:\/\/www.aia.org\/resources\/6157114-architects-guide-to-building-performance","target","_blank"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.aia.org\/resources\/8056-architects-guide-to-integrating-energy-modeli","target","_blank"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/aiau.aia.org\/aia2030-online-series","target","_blank"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.aia.org\/resources\/6409378-roi-of-high-performance-design","target","_blank"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/aiau.aia.org\/courses\/energy-modeling-and-high-performance-design","target","_blank"]]],"sections":[[3,"ul",[[[0,[],0,"Explore the "],[0,[0],1,"Architect\u2019s Guide to Building Performance"],[0,[],0," to learn about common approaches to building simulation and answers to frequently asked questions. "]],[[0,[],0,"Dive into the "],[0,[1],1,"Architect\u2019s Guide to Integrating Energy Modeling in the Design Process"],[0,[],0," to understand how energy modeling can be most effectively incorporated into workflows. "]],[[0,[],0,"The "],[0,[2],1,"AIA+2030 Online Certificate Program"],[0,[],0," is a robust course series that traverses topics ranging from passive systems and load reduction to high performing building systems and renewable energy. "]],[[0,[],0,"Consult the "],[0,[3],1,"ROI of High Performance Design"],[0,[],0," to get equipped with talking points on the value of sustainable design and to convey the value you bring as a sustainability leader. "]],[[0,[],0,"Hear from three firms on how they\u2019ve achieved "],[0,[4],1,"Energy Modeling and High-Performance Design"],[0,[],0," from this course at AIA-ACSA\u0027s Intersections Conference. "]]]]]},"title":"Resources"}]

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