03 - Energy

Aggregating utility bill data - KBCN1422

All energy consumption data related to the BREEAM In-Use Part 2 Energy Calculator must be actual metered data collected in relation to the assessed area. However, where billing dates from different meters within the assessed area cannot be aligned, the following acceptable solution common in the market place can be used.  Where an asset has a multiple utility meters that bill on different days it is possible to use a pro-rata method to align the billing periods provided that the actual meter readings are undertaken every month, and that the calculations do not extrapolate data over a period longer than one month. 

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Considerations for small power - KBCN1202

The reference to small power in Assessment Criterion 1 was a publishing error.  This does not need to be considered when assessing this question. 

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Considerations for small power - KBCN1202

The reference to small power (assessment criterion 1) was a publishing error, this does not need to be considered when assessing this question.

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Energy – MBtu definition - KBCN1423

The abbreviation MBtu can have two differing definitions. For the purposes of BREEAM In-Use, the following will be used:

• 1 MBtu = 1,000 Btu 

• 1 MMBtu = 1,000,000 Btu 

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Full or Partial sub-metering - KBCN1203

Fully sub-metered

For an asset to be considered as fully sub-metered both heating and cooling consumption must be sub-metered for each tenant.

Partially sub-metered

For an asset to be partially sub-metered, the asset must have at least one tenant that has both heating and cooling consumption sub-metered. An area cannot be considered either fully or partially sub-metered where only one of heating or cooling is sub-metered.

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Heating and cooling provided through one system - KBCN1204

Where heating and cooling is provided through the same system and it is not possible to separate the consumption related to each, then one sub-meter covering the system can be considered to be fully sub-metered.

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Operational energy and water use during Covid-19 lockdown - KBCN1425

As we continue to adapt to and assess the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the BREEAM team is seeking to ensure that the data underpinning BREEAM in Use certification accurately reflect typical operational performance. We appreciate that the full or partial lockdown conditions related to the pandemic may have had a significant impact on the performance of the asset particularly the operational energy and water consumption. We trust our assessors to use their professional judgement to determine the extent that operational energy and water consumption has been impacted by the COVID-19 restrictions. They must ensure that submitted consumption data is representative of consumption under normal conditions. Clients should work with their assessors if they are unsure how they should proceed. Assets are likely to have been affected by many different local lockdown scenarios so one approach to reporting consumption data is unlikely to apply to all situations. For example, normal consumption data is likely to be sufficient for assets that have only had a minor changes to their operations (e.g. two weeks), if the rest of the 12 month period has been unaffected. For assets that been more significantly affected (e.g. several months of reduced occupancy), it is likely that energy and water consumption data will need to be taken from a period of time before local lockdown restrictions came into force. In this scenario, the following approach can be used: The consumption reported must cover the 12 months prior to the restrictions coming into force.  The reported consumption would need to be validated against the year prior to the reporting period to provide assurance to the Assessor that it was in line with typical operations.  Additional evidence and verification will be required for submission. The following sections should help clarify how this should work: Normal BREEAM requirements Consumption Reporting:

• 12 months prior to submission, validated against the evidence requirements

Evidence requirements:

• Bills or other third-party evidence to support the consumption data reported for this period.

New requirements for this KBCN Consumption Reporting:

• 12 months prior to the lockdown period validated against the 12-month period prior to the reporting period to confirm usage as “typical”

Evidence requirements:

• Bills or other third-party evidence to support the consumption data reported for this period
• Bills or other third-party evidence to support the consumption data in the validation period
• A description of the changes that took place to the property’s operations due to COVID-19 and provide evidence of the circumstances

Example for a building submitting for certification in October 2020 subject to lockdown from March 2020: Normal reporting period October 2019 – September 2020 Adjusted reporting period in line with this KBCN March 2019 – February 2020 Validation period: March 2018 – February 2019 This KBCN will remain in place but will be under review as we continue to monitor the impacts of COVID-19 and amend requirements as circumstances change.  We will keep assessor informed of BREEAM In-Use users and assessors via further service announcements and other communication channels.

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Sub-metering requirements for a Single Tenant - KBCN1201

Where the asset has a single tenant, or where it is owner occupied, this space must have both heating and cooling sub-metered to achieve maximum credits.

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Validity of consumption data - KBCN1304

In order to maintain the reliability of data entered into the BREEAM In-Use Online Platform, any consumption-related data submitted must have a reporting period start date which is no more than one year prior to the start of the assessment (creation of a measurement). For example, if the assessment was started on the 3rd of April 2018, the reporting period start date cannot be prior to 3rd of April 2017. A more recent period can always be entered, as long as the assessor can verify that the data is correct for the period entered.

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Verification of consumption data - KBCN1019

Where consumption data has been entered into the Part 2 Energy Calculator, the Assessor must provide evidence to support it and demonstrate its correlation to the assessed area. The consumption figures shall be supported by either corresponding energy bills or verified meter readings (or a combination of the two). This means that, for example, simply submitting a spreadsheet containing consumption figures is not compliant and clear demonstration that this has been verified is required. Furthermore, it is also possible that the energy bills available to an asset might not coincide with the assessed area for the asset, in which case further evidence is required to demonstrate the actual consumption for the assessed area.  Since there are many different methods in which energy data can be monitored (e.g. manual meter readings, Energy Management Systems etc.), the format used when submitting meter readings often varies between assessments, leading to confusion for Assessors on whether particular evidence meets the requirements.  For these reasons, further clarity has been provided outlining how compliance can be met when neither energy bills nor verified meter readings (by the Assessor) are available for the assessed area. In these instances, it is possible to submit the following evidence to support consumption data figures: 

1. Clear description of how the consumption data was obtained, e.g. manual reading, automatic reading from a BMS, energy bills, etc.; 
2. Clear description of any calculation carried out, e.g. energy use determined by subtracting sub-metered data from main meter readings;
3. Clear reporting of the period the consumption data relates to, i.e. start date and end-date for each consumption figure; 
4. Clear confirmation that the figures submitted refer to the consumption for the assessed area and that they are based on metered data, rather than estimations or apportionment. Such confirmation will be provided and signed from either someone internal to the organization or the Assessor themselves. 

Where this is undertaken by someone other than the Assessor, the Assessor must be satisfied that the information is correct, and that the individual has a good understanding of metering systems and of the metering strategy of the particular asset being assessed. This should be clearly stated within the Assessor comments. 

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Verification of consumption data - KBCN1019

Where consumption data has been entered into the BREEAM In-Use Part 2 Energy Calculator, the Assessor must provide evidence to support this and demonstrate its correlation to the assessed area. The consumption figures shall be supported by either corresponding utility bills or verified metered consumption data (or a combination of the two). This means that, for example, simply submitting a spreadsheet containing consumption figures is not compliant, clear demonstration that this has been verified is required. It is also common that available utility bills may not coincide with the assessed area for an asset, this means that further evidence is required to demonstrate the actual consumption for the assessed area. Since there are many different methods in which energy data can be monitored (e.g. manual meter readings, Energy Management Systems etc.), the format used when submitting metered consumption data often varies between assessments. This often leads to confusion for Assessors on whether particular evidence meets the requirements. For these reasons, further clarity has been provided outlining how compliance can be met when neither appropriate utility bills nor verified metered consumption data (undertaken by the Assessor) are available for the assessed area. In these instances, it is possible to strengthen this existing evidence with a verification statement. Please see the following guidance below:

1. Clear description of how the consumption data was obtained for each question, e.g. manual reading, automatic reading from a BMS, energy bills, etc.;
2. Clear description of any calculations carried out to the data before it is entered into the BREEAM In-Use online platform, e.g. energy use determined by subtracting sub-metered data from main meter readings;
3. Clear reporting of the period the consumption data relates to, i.e. start date and end-date for each consumption figure;
4. Clear confirmation that the data covers the assessed area only, and is based on metered data, rather than estimations or apportionment.
5. Such confirmation will be provided and signed from either someone internal to the organization or the Assessor themselves (see Note below).

Where confirmation is undertaken by someone other than the Assessor, the Assessor must be content that the information is correct, and that the individual has a good understanding of metering systems and of the metering strategy of the particular asset being assessed. This should be clearly outlined within the Assessor comments. Note: BREEAM USA In-Use Version 6 includes a method that can be used where the asset does not have consumption data which covers the assessment area only. Please see Ene 19 in the relevant BREEAM USA In-Use Version 6 technical manual for more details.

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