Aug. 8, 2014: ASHRAE Announces Changes to ‘In Operation’ Rating for bEQ Program
New Methodology Provides Greater Uniformity for More Available Building Types
ATLANTA — To allow greater uniformity for building types seeking an In Operation rating under its Building Energy Quotient (bEQ) program, ASHRAE announced it is now using methodology from its standard for energy efficiency in existing buildings to calculate the rating.
The bEQ program, a method of rating and labeling buildings based on energy use, offers two rating labels: an As Designed label that rates the building’s expected energy use under standardized conditions — independent of the building’s occupancy and usage variables — and an In Operation label that rates the building’s actual metered energy use as influenced by the building’s occupancy, structure, and usage. bEQ is designed to help owners and managers zero in on opportunities to lower building operating costs and make informed decisions on energy reduction strategies.