What role does energy modeling play in LEED EA credits?

• A. It is optional for all projects.
• B. It demonstrates energy performance improvements and helps verify compliance with energy targets.
• C. It documents energy use after construction only.
• D. It is used to estimate construction costs.

Answer: (B)

Energy modeling is a design tool that estimates annual building energy use by comparing a baseline case with the proposed design. In LEED Energy and Atmosphere credits, this modeling provides a quantitative demonstration of energy performance improvements and a basis for verifying that the design meets established energy targets. By modeling early and iterating on design choices and energy-saving measures, teams can see how each change lowers energy use and helps achieve the required performance level. The process uses standardized baselines and climate data to produce metrics like energy use intensity, which LEED reviews to confirm compliance. This is applied during the design phase to guide decisions, not just to document energy use after construction, and it isn’t about estimating construction costs.