benchmarking “COVID-19 exposed that the original methodologies had reduced effectiveness in the evaluation of building performance in periods of very low occupant density,” reports Nea l Bach, P resident of Energ y Profiles Limited, which led the update project. “Years of analysis of hundreds of buildings a lso revea led ot her opportunities for improvement. Both methodologies have been rebuilt to provide renewed clarity on building performance in the present day, and to unleash the next wave of investment in energy, water and carbon reductions over the coming decades.” Similar to the originals, the updated NEUI and NWUI methodologies begin with a calculation of actual energy-use or water-use intensity. They then apply a series of adjustments to achieve a normalized reading that accounts for asset-specific variables in energy and water demand due to local climate conditions, occupant density and operational timeframes, as well as anomalies such as exceptional energy and/or water demand in enclosed parking areas, data centres, call centres, fitness facilities and restaurants. Along with Energy Profiles Limited, a 17-member subcommittee stacked with engineering, smart analytics and building performance expertise from REALPAC member companies and industry service providers reviewed and provided comments on the updated baseline model, adjustment factors and computation tool. The latter produces the normalized readings — in an ekWh/ft 2 or litres per square foot (L/ ft 2) metric — after users input the required information. Among changes to the 2021 version, the new NEUI differentiates vacant space, where landlords have flexibility to curtail heating and cooling, from unoccupied sublets, where they are obligated to condition the space. It also introduces new options to determine normalized energy-use intensity in l e a s e d s p a c e w it h lowe r- t h a n accustomed (versus pre-pandemic) occupant densities.
“Both methodologies have been rebuilt to provide renewed clarity on building performance in the present day, and to unleash the next wave of investment in energy, water and carbon reductions over the coming decades.” upta ke of energy and water-use benchmarking and yield further insights and spinoff benefits from an expanded universe of participants. For example, normalization factors to recognize exceptional energy and water-use have proven fruitful for reaching and encouraging owners/managers who might otherwise be reluctant to divulge actual consumption or compare performance
against a greater number of more conventional office buildings. “Many landlords have concerns regarding their office buildings being ‘special’ or ‘different’ and thus not being eligible to participate due to factors such as tenant energy or water consumption,” R EA LPAC’s stated under pinn ing principles acknowledge. “The REALPAC
FOSTERING CONFIDENCE This all aligns with REALPAC’s goal to provide a transparent, simple and credible tool that can facilitate wider Canadian Property Management | September 2021 21
