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ASHRAE publishes Zero Energy and Zero Carbon building evaluation standard

May 31, 2023 – ASHRAE has published a new standard to measure zero net carbon and energy goals in buildings.

ANSI/ASHRAE 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 building operation.

The new standard draws from ASHRAE 105, among others, to address energy and carbon flows across a site boundary, their measurement, and their balance.

“Standard 228 provides a consistent method for determining whether new and existing sites have reached zero energy,” said Keith Emerson, PE, chair of the 228 project committee. “We hope this standard will become a helpful resource for building professionals in strategic decarbonization planning.”

ASHRAE 228 does not apply to the establishment of building energy performance goals or limits, design guidance or design requirements, embodied energy of building materials and systems, nor transportation to and from a building.