[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 10, Volume 3]
[Revised as of January 1, 2005]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 10CFR434.501]

[Page 392]
 
                            TITLE 10--ENERGY
 
                    CHAPTER II--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
 
PART 434_ENERGY CODE FOR NEW FEDERAL COMMERCIAL AND MULTI-FAMILY HIGH 
RISE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS--Table of Contents
 
          Subpart E_Building Energy Cost Compliance Alternative
 
Sec. 434.501  General.


    501.1 Subpart E permits the use of the Building Energy Cost 
Compliance Alternative as an alternative to many elements of subpart D. 
When this subpart is used, it must be used with subpart C and subpart D, 
401.1, 401.2, 401.3.4 and in conjunction with the minimum requirements 
found in subsections 402.1, 402.2, and 402.3., 403.1, 403.2.1-7, 403.2.9 
and 404.
    501.2 Compliance. Compliance under this method requires detailed 
energy analyses of the entire Proposed Design, referred to as the Design 
Energy Consumption; an estimate of annual energy cost for the proposed 
design, referred to as the Design Energy Cost; and comparison against an 
Energy Cost Budget. Compliance is achieved when the estimated Design 
Energy Cost is less than or equal to the Energy Cost Budget. This 
subpart provides instructions for determining the Energy Cost Budget and 
for calculating the Design Energy Consumption and Design Energy Cost. 
The Energy Cost Budget shall be determined through the calculation of 
monthly energy consumption and energy cost of a Prototype or Reference 
Building design configured to meet the requirements of subsections 401 
through 404.
    501.3 Designers are encouraged to employ the Building Energy Cost 
Budget compliance method set forth in this section for evaluating 
proposed design alternatives to using the elements prescribed in subpart 
D. The Building Energy Cost Budget establishes the relative 
effectiveness of each design alternative in energy cost savings, 
providing an energy cost basis upon which the building owner and 
designer may select one design over another. This Energy Cost Budget is 
the highest allowable calculated energy cost for a specific building 
design. Other alternative designs are likely to have lower annual energy 
costs and life cycle costs than those used to minimally meet the Energy 
Cost Budget.
    501.4 The Energy Cost Budget is a numerical reference for annual 
energy cost. It's purpose is to assure neutrality with respect to 
choices such as HVAC system type, architectural design and fuel choice 
by providing a fixed, repeatable budget that is independent of any of 
these choices wherever possible (i.e., for the prototype buildings). The 
Energy Cost Budget for a given building size and type will vary only 
with climate, the number of stories, and the choice of simulation tool. 
The specifications of the prototypes are necessary to assure 
repeatability, but have no other significance. They are not necessarily 
recommended energy conserving practice, or even physically reasonable 
practice for some climates or buildings, but represent a reasonable 
worst case of energy cost resulting from compliance with the provisions 
of subsections 401 through 404.