Making the most of metrics.

Modeled after food nutrition labels, ASHRAE's new pilot building energy labeling program aims to reduce energy use in non-residential buildings by keeping owners informed of their properties' energy consumption. The Building Energy Quotient program, or Building EQ, will provide buildings' energy ratings and a detailed certificate with actual energy use, energy demand profiles, indoor air quality and other related information. Unlike the USGBC's LEED certification program, Building EQ measures both projected energy use--what the building is designed to use--and what it actually uses.

"Information on a building energy's use is the critical first step in making the necessary changes and choices to reduce energy use and costs," says ASHRAE president Gordon Holness. "The program provides an easily understood scale to convey a building's energy use in comparison to similar buildings, occupancy types and climate zone."

Building owners and designers, real estate developers and government agencies will be the first to participate in the pilot program. Among these are the Durst Organization, the U.S. General Services Administration, Wright Runstad and Co., BNIM Architects, The Detroit-Wayne Joint Building Authority, and The Michigan Department of Management and Budget. To find out more, visit www.buildingEQ.com.