In this part of our BREEAM utility data series, we focus on Energy Credits – how tracking and managing your building’s energy use can earn you credits in BREEAM. Energy is a major focus in BREEAM (about half of the available points target energy efficiency and carbon reduction), so understanding these credits is key. Below, we break down each relevant Energy credit in BREEAM In-Use and BREEAM New Construction, highlighting the credit’s aim and practical tips to achieve it. Our goal is a clear, scannable guide to help you use utility data (like actual energy meter readings) to meet BREEAM requirements in a professional, actionable way.
Ene 19 Energy Consumption – Aim: Encourage accurate tracking of a building’s actual energy consumption and reduce operational energy use and carbon emissions. In practice, this means collecting 12 months of metered energy data (e.g. ,electricity, gas, other fuels) for the asset. You’ll enter the total kWh for each fuel over a consistent 1-year period. To maximize credits, make sure the data covers all energy sources and the whole floor area under assessment.
Use utility bills or meter readings to compile annual kWh figures for each fuel type. If your building has sub-meters for different areas or systems, use them to identify where energy is being used inefficiently. Effective energy management practices (regular monitoring, optimizing HVAC settings, upgrading to efficient lighting/equipment) will help lower the kWh totals and thus improve your performance against BREEAM’s benchmarks (more points are awarded for lower energy use per floor area).
In the design stage, there isn’t an “actual consumption” credit, but designing for low energy use is paramount. The core credit here is Ene 01 – Reduction of Energy Use and Carbon Emissions, which rewards projects that reduce predicted energy consumption and CO₂ emissions through efficient design. Aim: Design the building to perform better than baseline standards in terms of energy demand and carbon output. Implementation tips: Conduct energy modeling early – for example, using software to calculate the building’s energy usage and identify improvements. Focus on high-performance building fabric (insulation, glazing) and efficient building services (HVAC, lighting) to lower the predicted energy use. Incorporate strategies like passive design (daylighting, natural ventilation) and efficient equipment. The better your modelled energy performance (e.g. a lower Building Emissions Rate in the UK or lower EUI), the more Ene 01 credits you earn. Although this is a design credit, it lays the groundwork for actual performance – a building designed for efficiency will make it easier to manage and reduce energy consumption once occupied.
Additionally, Ene 02 – Energy Monitoring in New Construction complements In-Use Ene 19 by ensuring you can track energy when the building is in operation. Aim: Ensure the building is equipped to monitor energy use effectively. Implementation tips: Install sub-meters for major energy systems and tenancy areas so that at least 90% of the building’s energy consumption is measurable. Provide an accessible energy monitoring system or Building Management System (BMS) to log data. This way, when the building is occupied, you (or the facility manager) can gather actual consumption data easily – which will be crucial for future BREEAM In-Use assessments and ongoing energy management. Essentially, Ene 02 sets you up with the tools to collect the kind of data that Ene 19 (In-Use) requires.
Ene 20 Carbon Intensity of District Heating and Cooling – Aim: Encourage the use of low-carbon district energy sources by accounting for their carbon intensity. If your building is connected to a district heating or cooling network, this credit considers the carbon emissions factor (kg CO₂ per kWh) of that supplied energy.
Obtain documentation from your district energy supplier stating the annual carbon intensity of the heat or cooling provided. You’ll input this value (kgCO₂/kWh) into the BREEAM assessment. Ensure the figure is up-to-date (most recent year) and includes all sources of emissions (fuel combustion and any electricity used at the plant, accounting for distribution losses). A lower carbon factor (for example, if the district system uses renewable energy or CHP with waste heat) will improve your building’s operational carbon rating and contribute to more BREEAM points. In summary: work with your energy supplier to get accurate emissions data – this not only earns credit but also helps identify if your energy source is truly sustainable.
There isn’t an explicit New Construction credit for district energy carbon intensity, but it comes into play under Ene 01 (the design energy modeling). Aim: If using a district heating/cooling system, choose or advocate for a low-carbon network to improve your building’s modeled emissions. Implementation tips: During design, gather data on the proposed district energy source’s carbon content (often given by local utility or in national benchmarks). BREEAM’s energy modeling will use standard CO₂ conversion factors for purchased heat or coolth – connecting to a network with a greener fuel mix will yield a better score. If a low-carbon district energy option is available (e.g. one using biomass, waste heat, or renewables), it can significantly reduce your building’s CO₂ emissions in the model, boosting Ene 01 credits. In contract negotiations or specifications, require confirmation of the scheme’s carbon intensity. While design teams can’t change an existing network’s emissions, being aware of them can influence decisions (for instance, supplementing with on-site systems if the grid is carbon-heavy). In short, align with district systems that have proven low carbon intensity to maximize your design-stage energy credits and future-proof the asset’s operational carbon profile.
Ene 21 Renewable Electricity Generated – Aim: Reward buildings that generate renewable electricity on-site (or via a near-site community scheme) to lower grid energy consumption. This credit looks at how much renewable energy (e.g. solar PV, wind) is produced annually and used by the asset. Implementation tips: Track the output of any on-site renewables in kWh per year (you’ll need metered generation data for the same 12-month reporting period). Also note any of that energy exported off-site (sold back to the grid) in kWh. Only generation that is directly connected and supplying your building (often via a private wire) counts for this credit. To maximize points, maximize the on-site renewable capacity and consumption: for example, installing solar panels and using most of that energy within the building will offset your grid usage. Ensure you have a dedicated meter on the renewable system and keep records or BEMS logs of its output. Providing evidence like meter readings or photographs of the generation meter will be required. In essence, the more clean energy you produce and use, the better – it directly reduces your building’s reliance on fossil-fueled electricity, cutting carbon emissions.
While designing a building, incorporating renewables is encouraged through Ene 04 – Low Carbon Design (in many BREEAM schemes) or as part of achieving a high Ene 01 score. Aim: Assess and integrate feasible on-site low and zero carbon technologies to reduce the building’s predicted energy demand and CO₂ footprint. Implementation tips: Conduct a renewable energy feasibility study for your project (this is often a requirement in BREEAM NC) to identify viable options like solar PV, solar thermal, wind turbines, or geothermal. Implement the options that make sense – BREEAM awards credit for not just studying but planning to install renewables where feasible. For instance, BREEAM UK New Construction awards an Ene 04 credit if you carry out a feasibility analysis and adopt a renewable technology that cuts emissions. Beyond that specific credit, any renewable generation will improve your building’s modeled performance: solar PV output can be input into the energy model, effectively reducing grid electricity needs and improving your Ene 01 (energy reduction) score. When designing, allocate roof or site space for PV panels, ensure the electrical design can accommodate on-site generation, and consider future expansion of renewables. This forward-planning ensures that once the building is up and running, you can take full advantage of on-site clean energy (and down the line, qualify for In-Use credits like Ene 21 with actual generation data).
Ene 22 Energy Audit – Aim: Encourage regular energy audits to find and implement cost-effective energy-saving measures. An energy audit is a thorough assessment of how energy is used in the asset, leading to recommendations for improvement. Implementation tips: Conduct an energy audit of your building at least every few years (BREEAM specifies the audit must be no more than 4 years old to count). Make sure the audit is specific to your building (not a generic portfolio report) and ideally follows a recognized standard like ISO 50002:2014. The audit should use actual utility data (meter readings, load profiles) to analyze where energy is going, and it should identify opportunities for savings with their payback periods. BREEAM awards more credits if you don’t just do the audit but also implement the audit’s recommendations: you get 2 credits for having an audit, 3 credits if you’ve implemented all measures with payback ≤5 years, and 4 credits if you’ve implemented all measures with payback ≤10 years. So, to maximize your score, tackle the “low-hanging fruit” first – for example, if the audit suggests LED lighting or optimizing HVAC schedules with a payback of 2 years, do it! Keep records of the audit report and evidence of the improvements (invoices, before-and-after consumption data). The combination of a quality audit and follow-through on its recommendations will not only earn BREEAM points but also cut your energy bills in real life.
There isn’t an energy audit credit at the design stage since the building is not yet operational. However, BREEAM New Construction promotes a similar spirit of continuous improvement through its emphasis on commissioning and handover. Aim: Ensure the building operates as designed and that the owners are prepared to optimize performance. Implementation tips: Though not required for NC certification, plan for a post-occupancy energy audit or review in the future. Many project teams commit to post-construction evaluations – for instance, under Man 04 (Commissioning and Handover), there are often recommendations or exemplary credits for doing post-occupancy monitoring and fine-tuning. As a best practice, include in the Building User Guide or Operations Manual a note that an energy audit should be performed after 1-2 years of operation. Also, during design and construction, implement sub-metering (Ene 02) and monitoring provisions so the necessary data will be available to audit. Essentially, even though New Construction doesn’t score an “audit” directly, handing over a building that is “audit-ready” – with good metering, clear O&M documentation, and perhaps a commitment to future energy reviews – ensures that the intent of Ene 22 carries forward. This will set the stage for achieving credits like Ene 22 in BREEAM In-Use down the line once the building is occupied and using energy.
Ene 23 Energy Consumption Reporting – Aim: Encourage organizations to measure energy performance against targets and foster awareness of energy use among building managers and users. In simpler terms, it’s not enough just to have data (like in Ene 19); this credit is about what you do with that data – do you analyze it, compare it to goals, and share the results? Implementation tips: Establish an energy monitoring and targeting program. First, set an energy performance target for the asset (for example, “reduce energy use by 5% this year” or a kWh/m² goal) and regularly compare your actual consumption against this target. To earn credits, ensure that energy data is at least collected and reviewed internally. BREEAM awards 2 credits if you collect consumption data and compare it to targets, 3 credits if you also report it internally (e.g. to management via reports or dashboards), and 4 credits if you publish the data in an annual public report. To achieve the maximum, consider adding your building’s energy performance to your company’s sustainability report or website each year. Make the reporting routine – monthly or quarterly internal reports can help catch any drift in performance. Also, engage building users: for instance, share energy performance updates on a lobby notice board or in tenant meetings to raise awareness. Evidence for this credit will include records of the analysis (spreadsheets, reports) and copies of internal or public reports showing the energy figures.
In summary, use your utility data actively: track progress, report on it, and make energy saving a team effort.
There is no direct credit for reporting energy consumption in the design stage, but you can pave the way for future reporting. Aim: Facilitate a culture of energy awareness once the building is in operation. Implementation tips: During design, include provisions for an energy monitoring system (covered by Ene 02) that can generate reports. Many building management systems can be set to email weekly or monthly energy summaries to facility managers. Ensure that the building owner or operator is aware of the value of tracking performance against the design expectations. Although not required by BREEAM NC, you might set a contractual requirement for the facilities team to provide an energy performance review after one year of occupancy (this aligns with soft landings or aftercare initiatives in sustainable design). By doing so, you ensure that from day one, the building has an energy target (often the design prediction itself) and a plan to compare actual vs. expected consumption. In essence, design with feedback in mind: make it easy for the future building managers to measure and report energy use. That could include specifying an energy dashboard in the lobby or an online platform for the owner. While you won’t get BREEAM NC points immediately for this, it sets a strong foundation for achieving Ene 23 in BREEAM In-Use later, and more importantly, it drives real performance improvement.
Ene 24 Reduction of Carbon Emissions – Aim: Recognize buildings that continually reduce their operational energy use and carbon footprint over time. This credit is about continuous improvement: how much has the asset’s carbon emissions (from energy use) dropped on average each year over the last three years. It’s considered an exemplary performance credit (going beyond the standard criteria). Implementation tips: Maintain thorough records of your annual energy consumption and resulting CO₂ emissions (BRE’s assessment platform will calculate kgCO₂/m² from your data). Compare year-on-year and calculate the average annual reduction over a 3-year period. BREEAM awards 1 exemplary credit for achieving an average ≥5% annual reduction, 2 credits for ≥10%, and 3 credits for ≥15%. For example, if three years ago your building emitted 1000 kg CO₂, two years ago 900 kg, and last year 810 kg, that’s a 10% reduction each year on average – meeting the ≥10% criteria for 2 credits. To hit these ambitious targets, set up an energy improvement plan: each year implement new efficiency measures (equipment upgrades, improved controls, behavioral campaigns) to continuously cut energy use. It may help to get certified under schemes like ISO 50001 (Energy Management) or simply to have a yearly retrofit budget for energy projects. Also, normalizing for weather or occupancy changes can ensure you’re truly improving efficiency, not just benefiting from a mild winter. When applying for this credit, if it’s your first BREEAM In-Use certification, you’ll need to provide historical data for a baseline from up to 4 years ago. If you recertify in subsequent years, the platform will automatically compare new data to the old. The key is to demonstrate a clear downward trend in carbon emissions. This credit effectively rewards a sustained commitment to energy reduction – showing that last year’s performance wasn’t a one-off but part of a consistent improvement trajectory.
As a design-stage scheme, New Construction doesn’t measure year-over-year performance, so there’s no direct equivalent to Ene 24. However, setting the stage for long-term carbon reduction is part of the design philosophy. Aim: Deliver a building that not only meets a low-carbon target at completion but can continue improving. Implementation tips: Design with flexibility and future upgrades in mind. For instance, include space in electrical rooms for future battery storage or additional PV inverters, design the HVAC so that it can be easily fine-tuned or upgraded as technology advances, and perhaps slightly oversize the pipework to accommodate a future, more efficient plant. Another strategy is to establish a design intention that the building should achieve, say, net-zero carbon by a certain year – this can be communicated to the owner and incorporated into the design as a stretch goal (even if not required for initial BREEAM certification). While BREEAM NC won’t directly score this, innovative project teams sometimes pursue an "innovation credit" or exemplary performance by drastically reducing predicted carbon emissions beyond standard benchmarks. One could argue that a building designed to A++ energy standards now is effectively achieving future reductions in advance. In summary for NC: Maximize Ene 01 by pushing for the lowest possible emissions at the design stage (which might involve renewables, super insulation, smart controls). This gives the building a head start. Then, ensure the operational team is equipped (via metering, controls, and documentation) to carry the torch of carbon reduction forward. The building you hand over should be ready to join initiatives like BREEAM In-Use and demonstrate continuous improvement. This way, the spirit of Ene 24 – ongoing energy and carbon reduction – is embedded from the start, even if NC doesn’t explicitly reward it during design.
In the end, achieving BREEAM’s energy credits comes down to balancing smart design with smart management. A building needs not only energy-efficient features on paper but also diligent tracking of how energy is used in practice. Nearly every major energy credit in BREEAM is built on a foundation of utility data – from main meter readings to insights from sub-metering systems – ensuring that design intent turns into real performance. By actively monitoring and responding to this data, projects don’t just earn BREEAM points; they also unlock real improvements in energy performance and cut operating costs. It’s a clear case of “you can’t manage what you don’t measure,” and with the right data in hand, a building can excel both in its BREEAM score and its day-to-day efficiency. With energy covered, Part 3 (Water Credits) will show how the same blend of good design and data-driven management can make all the difference for water sustainability.
Up next in Part 3: We’ll look at Water Credits — including leak detection, water-saving fixtures, and best practices for potable water reduction across BREEAM schemes.
In Part 4: We’ll explore Management Credits — covering policies, procedures, and reporting practices that support ESG compliance and operational excellence across both BREEAM New Construction and In-Use schemes.
If you missed Part 1, catch up on how utility data supports the foundations of BREEAM certification across both In-Use and New Construction projects.