What Are the Differences between ASHRAE’s bEQ Labeling and
ASTM’s BEPA Standard and How Will They Affect Your Business?
ASTM’s Building Energy Performance Assessment (BEPA) became an ANSI Standard on February 10, 2011. ASHRAE’s Building Energy Quotient (bEQ) labeling program was published on March 2, 2011.
BEPA provides a consistent methodology for collecting, compiling and analyzing building energy performance by considering a building’s total annual energy use and cost of energy. Design engineers need to know the type of information that goes into this assessment as the BEPA report can provide much of the standardized information required for the bEQ report.
The bEQ is a report card of energy use and indoor air quality (IAQ) in an existing building - or prospective energy use for a building being designed. A building’s bEQ grade will range from A+ to F. All other factors being equal, if two similar, existing buildings are up for sale or are seeking tenants, the building with the higher grade will likely be the winner, as a buyer or prospective lessee will realize that building will have lower energy bills resulting in lower operations costs.
The bEQ also helps building owners and facility managers better understand the EUI (Energy Utilization Index) standards that may soon be applied to their buildings. These standards have been in place in the European Union for the past several years, and are already being mandated by a number of municipalities, counties and states in the U.S.
Newman Consulting Group was one of only 16 energy auditors ASHRAE selected to beta test the bEQ labeling program. We audited a 755,000 SF municipal building in Southeast Michigan that was constructed in the mid-1950s. The audit confirmed that measures they had previously taken were effective.
Whether you’re a design engineer, a service contractor, or a design-build firm, you need to be aware of the similarities and differences between the two programs. By utilizing the Building Energy Quotient properly, along with the BEPA data if available, engineers can help a building owner or facility manager identify what they need to know - and what they need to do - to improve their grade so they can attract buyers and/or tenants.
To find out what your building’s bEQ is, contact Newman Consulting Group.