ASHRAE: Advanced Energy Design Guides

September 6, 2024

Resource Overview:


The Advanced Energy Design Guides (AEDGs), compiled by ASHRAE, are a series of publications designed to provide recommendations for achieving zero energy buildings or building energy savings over the minimum code requirements of ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1. A zero energy building is defined as a building that, on an annual basis, draws from outside resources equal or less energy than it provides using on-site, renewable energy sources. The Guides have been developed in collaboration with these partnering organizations: The American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The New Building Institute (NBI) participated in the development of the initial Guide. ASHRAE, in collaboration with AIA, IES, USGBC and the DOE (Department of Energy) continues to develop the Advanced Energy Design Guide Series. 


ASHRAE and its partners have made the Advanced Energy Design Guides available for free download. The zero energy Guides offer designers and contractors the tools needed for achieving zero energy buildings. The 50% Guides offer designers and contractors the tools needed for achieving a 50% energy savings compared to buildings that meet the minimum requirements of Standard 90.1-2004, and the 30% Guides offer a 30% energy savings compared to buildings that meet the minimum energy requirements of Standard 90.1-1999.


30% Energy Guide

The original series of Guides have an energy savings target of 30% over 90.1-1999.  Each 30% Guide addresses a specific building type.

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50% Energy Guide

The second series of Guides have an energy savings of 50% over 90.1-2004. Each 50% Guide addresses a specific building type.

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Zero Energy Guides

The third series of Guides provide recommendations for achieving zero energy buildings. Each ZE Guide addresses a specific building type.

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LEED Compliance Path


The Advanced Energy Design Guides provide a prescriptive compliance path for LEED New Construction EA points. The specific points available for use of the AEDGs is described in the LEED documentation and may vary by Guide type. More details are available at the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED website. Learn more about the LEED Rating System.


Additional Tools and Resources


AEDG Toolkit

Useful links and libraries


Related Courses

Advanced Designs for Net Zero Buildings


This resource was created and published by ASHRAE.

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