Which standard serves as the baseline for energy modeling in LEED projects?

The baseline for energy modeling in LEED projects is established by the ASHRAE 90.1 standard. This standard provides the minimum energy efficiency requirements for buildings, which LEED uses as a reference point for assessing a project's energy performance. Energy modeling is a critical component in the LEED certification process as it allows project teams to compare their proposed designs against this baseline to demonstrate energy savings and improved efficiency.

ASHRAE 90.1 outlines specific requirements for various building systems, such as HVAC, lighting, and the building envelope, which are essential for creating an accurate energy model. By applying the guidelines from ASHRAE 90.1, project teams can ensure their designs meet or exceed these baseline requirements, thus qualifying for points in the LEED rating system.

Other options, while relevant to energy efficiency and modeling, do not serve as the primary standard from which energy modeling benchmarks are derived in the context of LEED. For instance, the Advanced Energy Design Guidelines focus on achieving specific energy savings but are not the baseline standard. The Commercial Buildings Energy Modeling Guidelines (COMNET) provides further methods and considerations for energy modeling but again is not the baseline itself. Lastly, the Advanced Buildings Core Performance Guide gives guidelines for improving building performance