ASHRAE has released a new standard that defines the terms "zero Energy" and "zero carbon" to describe buildings.
ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 228-2023, Standard Method of Evaluating Zero Net Energy and Zero Net Carbon Building Performance, sets requirements for evaluating whether a building or group of buildings meets a definition of “zero net energy” or a definition of “zero net carbon” during operation. The standard draws from other ASHRAE standards to address energy and carbon flows across a site boundary, their measurement, and their balance.
“Achieving a zero energy building has been viewed by many as a difficult goal to meet, with unforeseeable roadblocks and differing guidance,” said Keith Emerson, P.E., Life Member ASHRAE, chair of the Standards Project Committee 228. Standard 228 provides a consistent method for determining whether new and existing sites have reached zero energy. We hope this standard will become a helpful resource for building professionals in strategic decarbonization planning.”
Features of Standard 228 include:
- Allowances for sites that lack the means to produce adequate renewable energy, while placing additional requirements on the use of external carbon and renewable energy in the calculation.
- Defined calculation of energy in terms of source—a multiplier on the energy crossing the site boundary including energy used or lost in extraction, generation, and transit to the site.
- The main energy calculation made in terms of annual average factors. Allowance is made for the calculation of individual hours where data is available.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Oct 25, 2018
Low-income neighborhoods could benefit most from green roofs
Those areas face the biggest risk from extreme heat.
Codes and Standards | Oct 24, 2018
Building design critical to prevent school shootings
Safety must be balanced with welcoming environment.
Codes and Standards | Oct 23, 2018
Codes in Florida Panhandle made buildings vulnerable to Hurricane Michael
Less stringent codes in northern parts of state linked to devastation.
Codes and Standards | Oct 19, 2018
Global Green Tag production certification standard will launch in U.S. at end of year
Australian program recognized by WELL, claims compliance with LE.
Codes and Standards | Oct 18, 2018
Federally-backed rebuilding of public buildings often leaves them vulnerable to future storms
FEMA dollars pay for reconstruction, but local decision-makers ignore climate change impacts.
Codes and Standards | Oct 17, 2018
Philadelphia plumbing code will now allow for more use of plastic pipes in high rises
Of the 50 largest U.S. cities, Philadelphia is one of just six that still require metal pipes.
Codes and Standards | Oct 16, 2018
New Disaster Recovery Reform Act will support adoption of updated building codes
Provides incentives for communities to modernize and enforce codes.
Codes and Standards | Oct 12, 2018
Boston ‘housing emergency’ prompts regional initiative for new residential construction
Mayors of 15 cities set goal of 185,000 new homes by 2030.
Codes and Standards | Oct 11, 2018
On-site staff key to energy benchmarking project for property management company
Manager training, data sharing are critical to meeting 20% utility cost reduction goal.
Codes and Standards | Oct 10, 2018
Interactive heat maps track temperature ranges in U.S. cities
Urban heat island effect can vary by as much as 37°F in the same city.