Building Energy Models

Model Overview

The building energy models (BEMs) are prototypical new construction buildings that represent minimal compliance with the California Energy Code (i.e. Title 24, Part 6). Each BEM represents a building type with the following variations:

• Vintage (compliance with 2008, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2022 Energy Codes)
• Climate Zone (16 California Climate zones)
• Schedules (short, average, and long) - see residential and non-residential schedules

The database includes 4 residential DEER building types, 22 non-residential DEER building types, and 3 new non-residential building types (Fin, Lib, Rel) that were not included in DEER.

EnergyPlus is the underlying simulation engine used in California Building Energy Code Compliance software for commercial buildings (CBECC-Com). The California Simulation Engine (CSE) is the underlying simulation engine used in California Building Energy Code Compliance software for residential buildings (CBECC-Res). Therefore, the residential prototypes were developed in CSE format and the non-residential prototypes were developed for the EnergyPlus format. Domestic hot water energy for residential space types within the non-residential buildgings (e.g. hotel/motel guest rooms and dormitories) are also simulated with CSE.

Building Types