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When a building design or retrofit plan includes details on energy efficiency and targets for performance, this plan is called an 'Energy Model'.

The purpose of an energy model is to provide the following information to the design and building process:

• Set a target level of performance for energy efficiency for new construction based on accepted metrics like kilowatt hours or gigajoules per year or per square area of floor space;
• From an established baseline (for example, an energy audit with a blower door test), a model sets out targets for improved performance of the existing building;
• Establish parameters for overall R-Value, air tightness, window and door performance, heating and cooling and ventilation;
• Helps to identify potential risks and costing for a project.

An energy model applies practical building science standards and methodology to a construction or renovation plan before any physical work takes place on a building. An energy advisor who specializes in modelling will be a key person in this part of the initial planning.