Frequently Asked Questions

Building Energy Quotient
Revised March 1, 2012

• I'm a building owner. How can I find someone to conduct a bEQ rating assessment?
• Why must the assessor be certified?
• I'm a building assessor. How do I become ASHRAE-certified?
• What's the cost and what will the owner receive?
• When is the bEQ registration fee paid?
• Does bEQ registration fee include the professional services fees of the building assessor?
• Can a building owner display the rating?
• What type of buildings qualify for bEQ labeling?
• Is there a discount for submitting more than one building?
• What if my facility gets an unsatisfactory rating?
• What if I disagree with the rating I receive?
• Is there an option for new buildings?
• Does my rating expire?
• I have questions. Who do I contact?
• Can buildings be resubmitted for consideration?
• I'm a building owner. How much is a complete assessment?
• What is included in a bEQ assessment?
• Who reviews the finalized workbook and issues the rating?
• Where can I find bEQ's Terms and Conditions and Complaint Procedures?
• Does bEQ offer refunds?
• I am scheduled to take the BEAP exam next week. How soon can I submit buildings for the bEQ?

 

 

I'm a building owner. How can I find someone to conduct a bEQ rating assessment?

Only an ASHRAE-certified Building Energy Assessment Professional can conduct the assessment that will qualify for a bEQ rating. Find a professional here.




Why must the assessor be certified?

ASHRAE's Building Energy Assessment Professional certification requires that candidates meet eligibility requirements and pass an examination that tests understanding of the needed body of knowledge. Because bEQ overlays a detailed collection of data upon the methodology and procedures outlined in the ASHRAE Level 1 Energy Audit, persons submitting data for a bEQ rating must have demonstrated they have the knowledge and experience necessary.





I'm a building assessor. How do I become ASHRAE-certified?

Steps to obtain a Building Energy Assessment Professional certification can be found here.





What's the cost and what will the owner receive?

The registration fee for bEQ is $500. This fee, which typically will be included among the fees charged by the certified assessor, covers registration and program administration and will enable the assessor to provide the building owner with:
1. bEQ Workbook
2. bEQ Certificate
3. bEQ Dashboard
4. Graphic file for preparing a bEQ Plaque for public display showing the designated rating




When is the bEQ registration fee paid?

The registration fee for bEQ is paid by the certified assessor when the bEQ workbook is uploaded. There is no fee for a building owner or assessor to download forms. Forms are only allowed to be uploaded and reviewed after payment of the bEQ registration fee. The forms to download are available at www.buildingenergyquotient.org.





Does bEQ registration fee include the professional services fees of the building assessor?

No. The cost of the assessment, including the ASHRAE Level 1 Walk-through Energy Audit, is separate and will be determined by you and the ASHRAE-certified Building Energy Assessment Professional you select.





Can a building owner display the rating?

Yes, an important incentive of the bEQ program is the ability for owners to display their building's rating based on a professional assessment. For each building registered for bEQ, the owner will receive a graphic file that can be used for creation of a plaque suitable for public display. For an additional fee, owners may purchase a plaque directly from ASHRAE. Contact registration@buildingenergyquotient.org

What type of buildings qualify for bEQ labeling?

For a complete list of buildings to which the program applies, please refer to the General Instructions worksheet tab in the bEQ Workbook. If you have questions, contact registration@buildingenergyquotient.org

Is there a discount for submitting more than one building?

Building owners who submit more than one building through the same energy assessor for bEQ may earn a discount. Rules apply regarding time frame within which submissions must be made.





What if my facility gets an unsatisfactory rating?

Your rating should not be a surprise. The completed bEQ workbook will calculate a preliminary rating, so the assessor will be able to advise the building owner of the rating that can be expected. That enables an owner prior to submission to decide if they wish to proceed to registration. Regardless, bEQ sets itself apart from other labeling programs by providing relevant, detailed feedback on your building's performance, so if you don't receive what you were expecting, you'll have the feedback necessary for attaining a higher rating should you so choose.




What if I disagree with the rating I receive?

Issues of this nature should be discussed with your certified assessor. If you have questions or comments about the assessment after that, contact feedback@buildingenergyquotient.org

Is there an option for new buildings?

A pilot program for the bEQ As Designed rating is underway now. Procedures are being tested in several buildings to determine the feasibility and practicality of the process. The As Designed assessment will be applicable for new construction, existing buildings, and in conjunction with the In Operation rating.





Does my rating expire?

No, but the plaque and certificate will include the date that the rating was awarded to your building. As your building ages, the operation, tenancy, and building systems are likely to change. As a result the rating may become inaccurate or even obsolete. ASHRAE recommends reapplying for a rating every three years.





I have questions. Who do I contact?

• Questions about registration should be sent to registration@buildingenergyquotient.org
• Questions about the bEQ Workbook forms and instructions, assessment procedures or other technical inquiries should be sent to assessment@buildingenergyquotient.org
• Questions about web site functionality should be sent to websupport@buildingenergyquotient.org
• General questions about the bEQ may be sent to info@buildingenergyquotient.org
• Comments from owners or auditors who have completed the process can be sent to feedback@buildingenergyquotient.org

Can buildings be resubmitted for consideration?

A building may be submitted an unlimited amount of times as often as the building owner and the certified assessor see fit, with the knowledge that the $500 administration fee must be paid for each resubmission. Possible reasons for resubmittal include: the rating is over three years old, the building has undergone major renovations or systems upgrades, or the operations or tenants in the building have changed.





I'm a building owner. How much is a complete assessment?

This figure is determined wholly by the certified assessor and varies generally based on the following factors, including:
1. The size of the building being assessed
2. The amount and accuracy of building documentation
3. The time it takes for the assessor to perform the required measurements, calculations, and to complete workbook forms
4. The assessor's travel time




What is included in a bEQ assessment?

To complete the workbook, the certified assessor will:
1. Review and record annual measured energy usage as reported in utility bills
2. Observe, measure, and record indoor environmental quality conditions including thermal comfort, lighting quality and ventilation for indoor air quality.
3. Observe and record energy efficiency improvements made to the building.
4. Observe and suggest additional energy savings measures to improve building performance.

The complete bEQ Workbook is available to anyone for free download here.





Who reviews the finalized workbook and issues the rating?

A permanent staff structure dedicated to bEQ is necessary to provide exemplary administrative support. Staff members of ASHRAE's Technology department are responsible for reviewing forms and contacting the certified assessor for corrections. For additional information on staff procedure, contact Lilas Pratt, Manager of Special Projects, at registration@buildingenergyquotient.com

Where can I find bEQ's Terms and Conditions and Complaint Procedures?
The full terms and conditions and complaint procedures can be found on page two of the downloadable bEQ Workbook.

 

Does bEQ offer refunds?
Refunds are subject to the following conditions:

Refunds are limited to the bEQ registration fee only. Refunds will only be considered if registrants are unable to upload completed bEQ In Operation Workbooks to www.buildingenergyquotient.org due to file format or website compatibility issues. Refunds will not be made if registrants disagree with the assigned rating, disagree with the review of the In Operation assessment, pertain to the work of the certified Building Energy Assessment Professional, the length of time that is required by ASHRAE to process a submission, or failure to put into practice any or all of the recommendations provided by bEQ. Refund consideration for other reasons should be submitted in writing via email to registration@buildingenergyquotient.com

I am scheduled to take the BEAP exam next week.  How soon can I submit buildings for the bEQ?
Candidates who take the online exam at test centers are notified whether they have passed the exam right away.  Although it may take approximately 3 weeks to receive your certificate and welcome kit, you can begin submitting buildings for the bEQ immediately after the exam is passed.