Energy Comparison Detail
Full Calculation Summary
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How to Use the Energy Model Compliance Calculator
These come from an energy model of a hypothetical version of your building using minimum prescriptive equipment and envelope, produced by approved energy modelling software.
These come from an energy model of the actual proposed building design, using the actual selected equipment, envelope, and systems.
Most basic performance path compliance simply requires not exceeding the baseline (0%). Some above-code programs or specific jurisdictions require a percentage improvement beyond baseline.
The results show whether the proposed design meets the target and by what margin, along with a side-by-side energy comparison chart. Use the NECB compliance calculator for the prescriptive path as an alternative reference.
Understanding Performance Path Energy Code Compliance
The performance compliance path offers design teams flexibility unavailable under the prescriptive path, at the cost of requiring formal energy modelling to demonstrate compliance. Understanding how the baseline comparison works, what modelling tools are involved, and where HVAC system choices fit into the overall calculation helps engineers and designers navigate this compliance route effectively.
The baseline building concept
The reference baseline building is the conceptual foundation of performance path compliance: a hypothetical version of the exact same building, identical in size, shape, orientation, and location, but constructed using envelope assemblies, equipment efficiency levels, and systems that exactly meet minimum prescriptive code requirements rather than whatever is actually being proposed. This baseline is modelled using the same energy simulation software and methodology that will be applied to the proposed design, ensuring an apples-to-apples comparison. The baseline building's calculated annual energy use becomes the target the proposed design must meet or beat, and in some jurisdictions or above-code programs, must beat by a specified percentage margin rather than simply matching.
Why whole-building modelling matters for HVAC decisions
Performance path compliance evaluates the building holistically, meaning HVAC system choices interact with envelope, lighting, and other building systems in the overall energy calculation rather than being assessed in isolation. This creates genuine design flexibility: a project team might select HVAC equipment that exceeds baseline efficiency to compensate for an architecturally-driven envelope decision that falls short of prescriptive minimums, or vice versa. However, this flexibility cuts both ways. If the envelope or lighting systems significantly underperform the baseline, HVAC efficiency improvements alone may not close the gap, since the whole-building energy total, not any single system's individual performance, determines compliance.
Approved modelling software and methodology
Canadian and US energy codes specify which energy simulation software and modelling protocols are acceptable for official performance path compliance submission, since the software must correctly implement the specific baseline building generation rules and reporting formats the applicable code defines. Common tools include EnergyPlus-based commercial modelling platforms, eQUEST, and IES-VE for larger commercial projects, while Canadian residential performance path compliance frequently uses HOT2000, the federally-developed and NRCan-endorsed residential energy modelling tool. Confirming which specific software and modelling protocol version your jurisdiction accepts, before beginning the modelling work, avoids the costly problem of completing a compliance model using software or methodology the local authority having jurisdiction won't accept.
HVAC system selection as a performance path lever
Because performance path compliance rewards actual energy performance rather than individual component specifications, HVAC system type selection becomes a meaningful compliance lever in ways the prescriptive path doesn't capture as directly. Choosing a heat pump system over a baseline gas furnace and separate air conditioner combination, for example, can produce substantial whole-building energy savings in the model, particularly in climates and utility rate structures where the heat pump's higher combined heating-and-cooling efficiency translates into genuine reduced total energy consumption. This is one reason performance path compliance has become an increasingly common route for projects incorporating advanced HVAC strategies like variable refrigerant flow systems, ground-source heat pumps, or heat recovery ventilation, since these systems' whole-building energy benefits are more fully captured under performance modelling than under a prescriptive checklist that may not have a specific line item crediting the system's actual advantage.
Limitations and continued minimums under the performance path
While the performance path offers genuine design flexibility, most jurisdictions still enforce certain absolute minimum requirements even for projects pursuing performance path compliance, such as minimum equipment efficiency floors that cannot be traded away regardless of overall building energy performance, or mandatory measures like duct sealing and testing that apply independent of the performance path calculation. This means performance path compliance isn't a completely unconstrained trade-off system. Confirm which specific mandatory measures still apply in your jurisdiction even under the performance path before assuming complete design flexibility. Use the equipment efficiency checker to verify your selected equipment still clears any applicable absolute minimums.
Frequently Asked Questions
A reference baseline building is a hypothetical version of the proposed building, identical in size, shape, and location, but constructed with envelope assemblies, equipment efficiency, and systems that exactly meet the minimum prescriptive code requirements rather than the actual proposed design. This baseline building is modelled using the same energy simulation software and methodology as the proposed design, producing a reference annual energy use figure that becomes the target the actual proposed design's energy model must meet or beat to demonstrate performance path compliance.
Energy code compliance modelling in Canada and the US typically uses approved simulation software recognized by the applicable code body, such as EnergyPlus-based tools, eQUEST, IES-VE, or Canadian tools like HOT2000 for residential applications. Each code and jurisdiction specifies which software packages and modelling protocols are acceptable for official compliance submission, since the software must correctly implement the specific baseline building rules and reporting requirements the code defines.
Yes, in many cases, but it depends on how much energy savings is needed relative to the baseline and what other systems are being modelled. HVAC equipment efficiency, control strategies, and system type (such as choosing a heat pump over a baseline gas furnace and air conditioner combination) can contribute substantial energy savings in the whole-building model. However, if the envelope, lighting, or other systems in the proposed design significantly underperform the baseline, HVAC improvements alone may not be sufficient to close the gap, since performance path compliance evaluates the building holistically rather than crediting individual systems separately.
Generally yes, since the performance path allows trade-offs between systems that the prescriptive path does not permit, letting a design team underperform in one area if they overperform sufficiently in another to meet the overall energy target. However, the performance path requires more upfront modelling expertise, cost, and time, and some jurisdictions still mandate certain minimum requirements even under the performance path (such as minimum equipment efficiency floors) that cannot be traded away regardless of overall energy performance, so the performance path is not entirely unconstrained flexibility. Check the energy code compliance calculator for the prescriptive checklist items that may still apply.
Related Compliance Tools
Prescriptive path alternative
Broader prescriptive checklist
Verify equipment minimums still apply
TEDI/TEUI performance targets
Certification credit contribution
Energy performance credit points