Energy Modeling Services

Building Energy Modeling for LEED & Compliance

Working on a LEED project? See our LEED energy modeling page.

Why Architects and Engineers Choose InversEnergy

• Zero Failed Reviews
  We've completed 900+ LEED energy models with 100% approval on final submissions. We've never had a model rejected by USGBC. Your project won't be the first.
• 2–3 Week Standard Turnaround
  Most energy modeling firms quote 4-6 weeks. We deliver complete models and documentation in 2-3 weeks. Rush service available when deadlines are tight.
• Independent QA/QC Process
  Every model reviewed by a second licensed professional before delivery. We catch errors before reviewers do—saving you time and revision costs.
• Fixed-Price Proposals
  Clear scope with two rounds of revisions included. No hourly billing, no scope creep, no surprise change orders halfway through your project.

Our Energy Modeling Services

We provide modeling for all major certification, compliance, and incentive programs:

• LEED certification Energy modeling for LEED BD+C, ID+C, and O+M. Optimize EA points.
  Typical investment: $10,000-$22,000 | Timeline: 2-3 weeks
• Energy code compliance Performance path modeling for ASHRAE 90.1, IECC, Title 24, and local codes. Greater design flexibility than prescriptive compliance.
  Typical investment: $7,000-$14,000 | Timeline: 2-3 weeks
• NYC Ultra Low Energy Buildings ULEB compliance for NYC projects. Qualify for 5% FAR bonus and demonstrate carbon emission compliance under Local Law 97.
  Typical investment: $8,000-$25,000 | Timeline: 3-4 weeks
• Energy Star certification Design modeling for Designed to Earn ENERGY STAR. Predict ENERGY STAR scores for new construction projects.
  Typical investment: $8,000-$18,000 | Timeline: 2-3 weeks
• C-PACE energy assessment Energy savings calculations to qualify for Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy financing programs.
  Typical investment: $8,000-$22,000 | Timeline: 2 weeks
• Utility incentives Modeling to qualify projects for utility rebates and incentive programs. Demonstrate energy savings for program eligibility.
  Typical investment: $7,000-$18,000 | Timeline: 2-3 weeks
• 179D tax incentives Energy modeling and certification for Section 179D federal tax deductions of up to $5.94 per square foot (2026 rate, with prevailing wage and apprenticeship). For projects that began construction by June 30, 2026.
  Typical investment: $6,000-$15,000 | Timeline: 2-3 weeks
• Measurement & Verification Calibrated baseline models for M&V protocols. Quantify actual energy savings from implemented measures.
  Typical investment: $12,000-$30,000 | Timeline: 3-4 weeks

Rush Service (Expedited Modeling)

What Affects Your Project Cost

• Building size - Larger buildings have more thermal zones and longer simulation runtime
• System complexity - Packaged rooftop units vs. central plant with complex controls
• Performance targets - Basic code compliance vs. exceptional performance for high certification levels
• Design alternatives - Number of scenarios you want evaluated
• Project phase - Schematic design models cost less than construction document models
• Timeline - Standard 2-3 week delivery vs. rush 5-7 day turnaround

Recent Projects

• Amazon Visalia Distribution Center - 1,137,000 SF warehouse, LEED Gold certified
• Central Station Atlanta - 1,003,000 SF high-rise multifamily + dormitory, LEED Silver
• UAB Genomics Data Sciences Building - 150,000 SF science laboratory, LEED Silver
• Centennial Yards Parcels E1 & E2 - Two high-rise buildings (400,000 SF total), LEED Gold
• Johns Hopkins CMSC Addition - 412,000 SF hospital expansion
• Airpark Logistics Center - Five buildings totaling 2,743,000 SF
• PNC Bank Branches - 31 buildings across multiple states

Software & Credentials

1. Primary simulation tool: eQUEST (DOE-2.2, DOE-2.3) - Most widely accepted by LEED reviewers and code officials
2. Alternative tools available: EnergyPlus, DesignBuilder, OpenStudio, IES-VE, TRACE 3D Plus, HAP, EnergyGauge
3. We select the appropriate simulation engine based on project requirements, reviewer preferences, and timeline constraints.

Our team credentials:

1. Licensed Professional Engineers (PE)
2. LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED AP BD+C)
3. Certified Energy Managers (CEM)
4. Building Energy Modeling Professionals (BEMP)

Get Started Today

1. Step 1: Submit your project details through our proposal request form
2. Step 2: Receive custom proposal with pricing and timeline within 24 hours
3. Step 3: Approve scope, timeline, and fee
4. Step 4: Receive complete model package in 2-3 weeks

What is Building Energy Modeling?

Building Energy Modeling (BEM) uses computer simulation to predict how a building uses energy. Our certified energy modelers build the model from your drawings and specifications, and the simulation calculates its performance hour by hour using building science principles.

These comprehensive simulations provide valuable insights on:
• Annual energy usage patterns across all building systems
• Space cooling and heating requirements
• Projected energy costs and utility expenses
• Performance metrics for certification programs
• Carbon emissions and environmental impact
• Cost-effectiveness of energy efficiency measures

Energy modeling serves as an essential decision-making tool for evaluating efficiency strategies, optimizing building operations, identifying cost-effective retrofit opportunities, and demonstrating compliance with building codes and green building certification requirements.

Modern whole-building simulation tools can model complex interactions between building envelope, HVAC systems, lighting, plug loads, occupancy patterns, and weather conditions to predict annual energy performance with high accuracy.

Benefits of Professional Energy Modeling

Energy modeling delivers significant advantages for both new construction and renovation projects by enabling strategic trade-offs between initial investment and long-term energy costs. When integrated early in your design process, our modeling services help:
• Reduce long-term operating costs through data-driven identification of cost-effective energy efficiency improvements
• Enhance occupant comfort and satisfaction with optimized thermal comfort, indoor air quality, and daylighting
• Identify cost-effective solutions that balance first costs with lifecycle savings to meet sustainability goals within budget
• Support regulatory compliance for building energy codes, green building certifications, and incentive program requirements
• Avoid costly redesigns by catching performance issues early when changes are less expensive to implement

Design Optimization

Professional energy modeling allows exploration of design parameters and alternatives that might not otherwise be considered, including:
• Passive design strategies - Building orientation, massing, geometry, and form factor
• Envelope performance - Wall and roof insulation levels, window-to-wall ratios, glazing specifications, shading devices
• Daylighting strategies - Skylight placement, light shelf design, automated shade controls
• HVAC system alternatives - Comparing central vs. distributed systems, economizer strategies, heat recovery, demand control ventilation
• Renewable energy integration - Sizing photovoltaic arrays, evaluating energy storage, assessing on-site generation

This analytical approach helps design teams make informed decisions based on predicted energy performance rather than rules of thumb or past practice alone.

Energy Modeling Applications

Modern energy modeling has become essential for building efficiency initiatives that enhance performance, support high-performance design goals, demonstrate regulatory compliance, and validate performance claims for certification programs.

Certification Support

Energy models demonstrate compliance with green building certification requirements including LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), Energy Star for new construction, WELL Building Standard, Living Building Challenge, and other voluntary programs that reward superior energy performance.

Code Compliance

Performance-based compliance pathways for commercial building energy codes—including ASHRAE 90.1, International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), California Title 24, and local amendments—offer greater design flexibility compared to prescriptive requirements while often achieving better performance outcomes.

Financial Incentives

Energy modeling documentation supports applications for utility rebate programs, C-PACE financing, federal 179D tax deductions, state and local incentive programs, and grant applications that require demonstration of energy savings or performance improvements.

Simulation Software & Methodology

We utilize industry-leading whole-building simulation tools selected to match your specific project requirements, certification program specifications, and code compliance pathway. Our approach balances model detail and development effort with the accuracy needed to achieve your project objectives.

Primary Simulation Engine

• eQUEST (DOE-2.2 and DOE-2.3 engines)
  Our preferred platform for most projects. eQUEST is widely accepted by LEED reviewers, code officials, and utility program administrators. The DOE-2 simulation engine has been extensively validated and is approved for all major certification and compliance applications.
• Alternative Platforms
  
  • EnergyPlus with interfaces (DesignBuilder, OpenStudio)
    Used when detailed hourly analysis is required, for research applications, or when specified by clients or reviewing authorities. EnergyPlus offers more detailed modeling capabilities for complex systems and controls.
  • Commercial platforms (IES-VE, TRACE 3D Plus, HAP, EnergyGauge, EnergyPro)
    Available when required by specific programs, preferred by clients, or appropriate for specialized applications such as Title 24 compliance in California.

Modeling Approach

By carefully managing input detail levels and leveraging software capabilities appropriately, we deliver simulation results that maintain the accuracy needed to support design decisions while controlling project costs and turnaround time. Our focus remains on creating models that effectively inform your design process without unnecessary complexity that adds cost without proportional benefit. We follow established modeling standards including ASHRAE 90.1 Appendix G for LEED projects, ASHRAE 209 for simulation-aided design, ASHRAE 211 for commercial building energy audits when applicable, and building-specific guidelines for specialized facility types.

Our Energy Modeling Process

1. Project Assessment & Planning. Initial review and scope definition:
   • Gather architectural drawings, mechanical specifications, and lighting schedules
   • Define performance goals and certification/compliance requirements
   • Review applicable codes, standards, and program guidelines
   • Establish modeling scope, deliverables, timeline, and fee
   • Identify any special requirements or design constraints
2. Model Development. Building geometry and systems input:
   • Create detailed three-dimensional building geometry from architectural plans
   • Input building envelope assemblies including walls, roofs, windows, and foundations
   • Define HVAC systems, equipment specifications, and control strategies
   • Model lighting systems including fixture types, controls, and daylighting integration
   • Incorporate occupancy schedules, plug loads, and operational patterns
   • Apply appropriate weather data for the project location
3. Analysis & Optimization. Performance simulation and alternatives evaluation:
   • Run baseline case simulations per code or standard requirements
   • Simulate proposed building design with all efficiency measures
   • Evaluate HVAC system alternatives and sizing optimization
   • Identify additional energy conservation measures for consideration
   • Perform parametric studies on key design variables
   • Calculate energy cost savings and simple payback periods
   • Estimate carbon emission reductions and environmental benefits
4. Quality Control Review. Independent verification before delivery:
   • Secondary review by different modeler using standardized checklist
   • Verification of all input assumptions against project documents
   • Calculation checks on energy savings and cost estimates
   • Documentation review for completeness and accuracy
   • Compliance verification with applicable standards and guidelines
5. Documentation & Reporting. Comprehensive deliverables package:
   • Detailed simulation summary reports with results analysis
   • Energy use breakdown by end use (heating, cooling, lighting, etc.)
   • Compliance documentation for certification or code submission
   • Energy conservation recommendations with cost-benefit analysis
   • Implementation strategies and construction phase considerations
   • Return on investment calculations and lifecycle cost analysis