The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed clearly defined and objective energy-use metrics to verify if design projects and existing buildings achieve energy goals needed to earn ENERGY STAR. The ENERGY STAR program has a proven track record with building owners who are tracking energy performance in thousands of existing buildings. As of February 2009, more than 6,400 of these buildings have earned ENERGY STAR and are among the nation’s top 25 percent of performing buildings.

The EPA encourages building owners to work with architects to set aggressive energy and CO2 reduction targets by using the same metrics that determine superior performance in ENERGY STAR-qualified existing buildings. Using consistent energy metrics throughout the design process and again while the building is operating creates a feedback loop to clearly show whether goals were achieved.

With the help of ENERGY STAR, it is easy to distinguish energy-efficient buildings and design projects. Designing to achieve ENERGY STAR is a visible way to document your intent to construct and operate the building to perform among the best in the country. The “Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR” certification is displayed on projects that receive an EPA energy performance rating of 75 (or higher) from Target Finder for the project’s estimated energy use.

The EPA’s Target Finder, a no-cost online tool, is used to establish realistic energy targets and rate estimated energy use on a 1–100 scale. The rating provides a quick comparison of design estimates to actual energy use of similar buildings. The tool calculates the associated energy use intensity target for the building type and its characteristics and lets you choose a “percent energy reduction from an average building” target as well as provide the “percent energy reduction” of the estimated energy use.

Designing to earn ENERGY STAR is the first step in the process of constructing and delivering better performing buildings. The EPA rating used in Target Finder and Portfolio Manager (a tool for existing buildings) helps to differentiate superior design projects from average ones and communicate whether buildings are performing at a superior level of efficiency.

Case in Point: EPA Region 8 Office Building

In 2008, the EPA Region 8 Office Building in Denver earned the ENERGY STAR with an energy performance rating of 98—three years after receiving Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR for the project. Notable energy efficiency features in the building are the under-floor air delivery system, HVAC system with air-side economizers, and heat recovery system. The building delivers natural light to 85 percent of the floor space while reflective surfaces, daylight dimming and sensors help to reduce electrical lighting loads. The building also features a green roof, which minimizes heat gain and loss, and electricity generated from PV panels. The region also purchases renewable energy certificates, which support generating wind energy from turbines across several states. All mechanical and electrical systems were commissioned for quality assurance and meet occupant needs.


Learn more about designing to earn ENERGY STAR at www.energystar.gov/ commercialbuildingdesign.