The new Building Energy Quotient program, (Building EQ), is intended to inform building owners, operators, tenants, and prospective buyers on the energy use of buildings. Designed by ASHRAE and launched in December 2009, the program is designed to encourage the building industry to find ways to cut energy use and costs.

Building EQ will include both As Designed (asset) and In Operation (as operated) ratings for all building types, except residential. It will provide a detailed certificate with data on actual energy use, energy demand profiles, and indoor air quality.

“Information on a building energy’s use is the critical first step in making the necessary changes and choices to reduce energy use and costs,” says Gordon Holness, ASHRAE president. “The Building EQ program provides an easily understood scale to convey a building’s energy use in comparison to similar buildings, occupancy types, and climate zone, while also providing building owners with building-specific information that can be used to improve building energy performance.”

Following completion of the pilot program in mid-June 2010, the program is expected to be fully functional by the end of this year.

For more information, visit www.buildingEQ.com.