ABSTRACT
Energy codes vary from state to state, and are more often than not a recent version of the International Building Code (IBC). This international suite of codes includes the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and the International Green Construction Code (IGCC). The prototypes summarize typical buildings and help define each building's square footage, shape, window–wall ratio (WWR), envelope and fenestration U factors, system types, and operational performance. The prototypical building may be effective in testing early design modifications to the building, materials, system efficiencies, and system types. A baseline model establishes an early understanding of building's energy use. A goal-setting model has several other advantages besides identifying the design target. A measuring stick throughout the entire building design, use of the goal-setting model can gauge whether it is reaching the intended goal. Interpretation of the building energy modeling (BEM) by the architect or engineer diagnoses how the design performs in order to improve energy performance.
