ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2022 is the latest edition of the Energy Standard for Sites and Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings. It provides minimum requirements for energy-efficient design of most buildings, offering a complete set of prescriptive provisions and performance-based methods for compliance.

Key updates include an expanded scope for building sites, introduction of energy credits, new requirements for onsite renewable energy, updates to HVAC and lighting efficiency standards, and the introduction of the Mechanical System Performance Path Rating (MSPR) method.

For the first time, ASHRAE 90.1-2022 includes a minimum prescriptive requirement for onsite renewable energy. It also clarifies that onsite renewables can count as credits towards energy usage across the entire building project, even if located in a parking lot or other onsite location.

The MSPR is a new compliance path introduced in Chapter 6 that allows HVAC systems to comply without meeting all prescriptive requirements, provided they demonstrate equivalent or better performance through other means.

The standard updates lighting power density allowances, expands the definition of exterior lighting to include building sites, and introduces new control requirements. It also adds provisions for horticultural lighting.

Energy credits are a new prescriptive method for demonstrating compliance, aiming to achieve approximately 4-5% additional energy cost savings. The standard lists 33 specific measures that correspond to credits in areas of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and load management.

The standard includes updates to thermal envelope provisions, including improved insulation and air barrier performance requirements. It also adds new reference and requirements for steel-framed walls aligned with ANSI/AISI S250.

The standard includes updates to parameters and applicability of HVAC systems and controls, including demand control ventilation, setback controls, garage exhaust systems, ceiling fan efficiencies, and energy recovery ventilation requirements.

The standard now includes all lighting alterations under the same category, with separate requirements for interior and exterior lighting retrofits. This change expands the scope of the standard to cover more retrofit scenarios.

States have two years from the DOE's affirmative determination to certify that they have reviewed their commercial building code energy efficiency provisions and updated them to meet or exceed the new standard.

The DOE estimates that implementing Standard 90.1-2022 would provide commercial buildings with national site energy savings of approximately 4.7%, source energy savings of 4.3%, and energy cost savings of 4.3% compared to the 2019 edition.

ASHRAE provides training courses, technical resources, and publications to assist professionals in understanding and implementing the new standard.

The standard includes updated provisions for data centers, including new efficiency requirements for computer room air conditioners (CRACs) and guidelines for economizer use in data center cooling systems.

The standard updates U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) requirements for windows and skylights, promoting better thermal performance and energy efficiency in building envelopes.

The 2022 edition introduces new requirements for EV charging infrastructure in commercial buildings, including provisions for electrical capacity and conduit installation to support future EV charging stations.

The standard expands commissioning requirements to include more building systems and introduces new verification procedures to ensure that energy-efficient systems are properly installed and operating as designed.

The standard updates the energy modeling guidelines and introduces new performance-based compliance paths, including the expanded use of the Performance Rating Method (Appendix G) for demonstrating code compliance.

ASHRAE 90.1-2022 includes updated requirements for transformer efficiencies, automatic receptacle controls, and power monitoring systems to reduce energy waste in building electrical systems.

The 2022 edition expands requirements for building automation systems, including enhanced controls for HVAC, lighting, and other building systems to optimize energy performance and occupant comfort.

ASHRAE 90.1-2022 introduces guidelines for the integration of thermal energy storage systems, recognizing their potential to shift energy loads and improve overall building energy efficiency.

The 2022 edition includes updated efficiency requirements for elevators and escalators, promoting the use of energy-efficient technologies in vertical transportation systems.

ASHRAE 90.1-2022 updates efficiency requirements for commercial kitchen equipment, including refrigeration systems, cooking appliances, and ventilation systems, to reduce energy consumption in food service facilities.

The 2022 edition introduces provisions for smart grid integration, including demand response capabilities and grid-interactive efficient building strategies to optimize energy use and support grid stability.

ASHRAE 90.1-2022 expands air leakage testing requirements to include more building types and sizes, promoting better air barrier performance and reduced energy loss through the building envelope.

The 2022 edition includes specific provisions for laboratory and healthcare facilities, addressing unique energy challenges such as high ventilation rates and specialized equipment loads.

ASHRAE 90.1-2022 updates efficiency requirements for commercial refrigeration systems, including new provisions for walk-in coolers and freezers, and requirements for low-GWP refrigerants.