1.2 Applications of the PRM-RM

When procedures exist for determining an appropriate PCI target, the 2016 PRM modeling guidelines may be used in lieu of the COMNET rulesets for previous versions of Standard 90.1. However, COMNET still maintains specific rulesets for Standards 90.1-2010, 90.1-2007 and 90.1-2001 and these are accessible at the COMNET website. Some energy programs such as the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR and ASHRAE’s Building Energy Quotient compare rated building modeling results to empirical data, as opposed to a modeled baseline building. COMNET maintains modeling guidelines for these purposes as well. All the COMNET supported purposes and modeling guidelines are shown in Table 1.1-1.

Table 1.2-1: Summary of COMNET Modeling Guidelines

Modeling Guidelines	Purpose	Baseline Standard	Notes
90.1-2016BM	Code compliance, beyond-code programs, and more	Standard 90.1‑2016 Appendix G, roughly 90.1-2004	This is the principle set of modeling guidelines supported by COMNET since it can be used for current and previous standards and has many other advantages. This version of 90.1 incorporates addendum BM.
90.1-2010	LEED Version 4	Standard 90.1‑2010	Used for the LEED Version 4 green building rating system.
90.1-2007	LEED 2.2	Standard 90.1‑2007	Used for the previous version of the LEED green building rating system.
90.1-2001	Tax Deductions	Standard 90.1‑2001	The federal program has expired. While the baseline criteria was the 2001 standard, it used the PRM modeling rules from the 2004 standard.
ENERGY STAR	ENERGY STAR	CBECS 2003	The Design to Earn ENERGY STAR program compares modeling results to empirical data derived from the CBECS 2003 survey.
bEQ	bEQ	CBECS 2003	This program also uses an empirical baseline similar to ENERGY STAR.

90.1-2019

1.2 Applications of the PRM-RM

Users of this manual include energy modelers, software developers, and program administrators.

• Energy Modelers. When available, modelers can use software that automatically generates the baseline building, and refer to PRM-RM for rules on generating the model of the proposed design. Else, energy modeler can also manually apply the PRM-RM modeling rules and procedures to create the baseline buildings.

• Software Developers. Software developers can use the PRM-RM modeling guidelines to customize their software to automatically create the baseline building model and assure that schedules and other modeling assumptions are neutral. The PRM-RM also defines contents for a standard output reports that address the reporting requirements as defined for the PRM as well as United States Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ( LEED) certification.

• Program Administrators. Program administrators, code officials and rating authorities that administer incentive programs that are based on the PRM of Standard 90.1-2019. Program administrators can use this document to better understand the building modeling requirements.