SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS

Asset Classes

Focus Area

Energy and Carbon

Topic

Energy and Carbon Assessment

Question #

E1.3a — Detailed Energy and Carbon Assessment

Question

Has a Detailed Energy and Carbon Assessment been performed in the past five years?

Applicability

All asset classes 
Owner/landlord occupied building
Tenant occupied building – all systems managed by the owner/landlord

Answer & Scoring

Select one of the following:

  • Yes – Detailed Energy and Carbon Assessment = 3 points
  • Yes – Detailed Energy and Carbon Assessment includes carbon abatement costs = 6 points
  • No = 0 points
  • Not applicable – Tenant occupied building: Some or no systems managed by the owner/landlord OR Building was constructed within the past 5 years with efficient systems= 0/0

Max of 6 points

Requirements

In addition to items covered under Question E1.0a Walkthrough Assessment, the Detailed Energy and Carbon Assessment Report must cover:

  1. Detailed site review covering current operations and maintenance procedures and operating parameters
  2. End-use breakdown
  3. Detailed energy and carbon calculations for energy conservation and carbon reduction measures, with high-level costing and financial analysis
    • (For additional 3 points) Include an estimate of the cost of carbon abatement ($/tCO2e lifetime) of proposed retrofits
  4. High-level assessment of available building electrical capacity

The assessment methodology should at least align with an ASHRAE Level II Audit.

Refer to ENERGY STAR for carbon emission factors. If other carbon emission factors are used, explain the reasoning and factors applied.

If your building has been built within the past 5 years, provide the following documentation highlighting how the systems are efficient: 

  • Building Commissioning Report 
  • Measurement and Verification Report 

Documentation

  • Detailed Energy and Carbon Assessment Report
  • Carbon abatement costs

OR

  • Building Commissioning Report

AND

  • Measurement and Verification Report

Suggested Lead

Third-party

Value

  • Building on the Baseline Practice requirements (See E1.0a), engage a qualified professional to complete an ASHRAE Level II energy assessment
  • This assessment includes all components of an ASHRAE Level I assessment as well as analysis of how mechanical and building envelope systems impact energy use and carbon emissions.
  • A qualified professional will identify low- and high-cost energy and carbon conservation measures (ECMs and CCMs) and detailed savings associated with each
  • For additional points, this assessment can also include carbon abatement costs which explores the amount of carbon that can be saved annually if recommended ECMs and CCMs are implemented

*Note that by completing the requirements of this question, a building will also meet all requirements of Baseline Practice E1.0a.

RELATED Questions:

Description

It is recommended that assessments be undertaken at least every five years at a level appropriate for meeting building management’s objectives. Align methodology with ASHRAE Level II Audit or equivalent.

A detailed assessment can identify more extensive opportunities with metrics to inform a business case.

References

Adapted BB 3.0 Question

Question 01.02.05 — Has an ASHRAE Level 2 Energy Assessment been performed on the building in the past five years?