Organization of the Review Manual

The Submittal Review Quick Start (Section 3) describes how this Manual may be used by different user groups including the following:

  • Building code officials and other professionals tasked with reviews of modeling-based submittals.
  • Energy modelers who may use procedures outlined in the Manual for internal quality control before submitting to AHJ/RA.

The Review Process (Section 4) of this Manual provides a step-by-step overview of the submittal review process including references to the tabs of the Compliance Form and sections of the Manual relevant to each step.

The Submittal Review Methodology (Section 5) of this Manual summarizes the general concept of Standard 90.1 Energy Cost Budget and Performance Rating Method compliance, describes the types of review checks included in the Manual, and includes approaches for identifying impactful aspects of the submittal to help prioritize review effort based on different levels of resources available to conduct submittal reviews. The section also discusses how to use the QC Checks tab of the Compliance Form to establish the scope of the review.

The Review Checks (Section 6) of this Manual is a comprehensive library of checks that may be performed. The checks are organized in subsections based on the type of building systems and components, such as interior lighting, building envelope, etc. The description of each check includes references to the relevant sections of 90.1, review tips including where the relevant information may be found in the Compliance Form, common mistakes, and references to the applicable simulation reports for the supported tools.

Annotated simulation reports are included for each check in which they are referenced to help locate the necessary information.

The following additional Standard 90.1 resources are available and may include requirements applicable to special situations and exceptions that are beyond the scope of this Manual:

  1. ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2016, 90.1-2019, and 90.1-2022 available from ASHRAE Bookstore. A read-only version may also be available from the ASHRAE website.
  2. 90.1-2016 and 90.1-2019 User’s Manuals (available from ASHRAE Bookstore). The User’s Manual provides examples and explains requirements of the standard, including the Energy Cost Budget and Performance Rating Methods.
  3. ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Performance Rating Method Reference Manual. This document expands on the requirements of 90.1-2016, 2019, and 2022 Appendix G and can be used as the source for the simulation assumptions and methodologies that are not addressed in 90.1.
  4. ASHRAE Interpretation Requests
  5. Questions on applying code requirements to specific projects may be sent to ASHRAE as an official or unofficial interpretation request . The official interpretations are posted on the ASHRAE website for 90.1-2013, 90.1-2016, 90.1-2019, and 90.1-2022, and are useful resources.
  6. DOE Help Desk
  7. Additional software-specific resources are included in the Simulation Reports section.

Standard 90.1 Section G3.2 (New Construction/Major Alterations) and G3.3 (Minor Alterations)
New buildings, additions, and alterations (i.e., New Construction/Major Alterations) meeting 90.1 2022 G3.1.4a follow the modeling requirements in Standard 90.1-2022 Section G3.2. All other alterations (i.e., Minor Alterations) follow the modeling requirements in Standard 90.1-2022 Section G3.3. In each section of this document where 90.1 requirements differ across 90.1 Sections G3.2 and G3.3, separate headings are presented for G3.2 and G3.3 with a description of the requirements associated with each under the applicable heading. Refer to section 90.1 2022 Section G3.3 Performance Calculations for Other Alterations in the Review Checks (Section 6) for a more detailed explanation and review tips specific to alterations subject to 90.1 Section G3.3.

Example of the format for distinguishing between 90.1 G3.2 and G3.3 requirements:
G3.2 New Construction/Major Alterations
Requirements for 90.1 G3.2 specifically will be included under this heading.
G3.3 Minor Alterations
Requirements for 90.1 G3.3 specifically will be included under this heading.