What is energy-efficiency?

The Energy Efficiency Analysis skill for Claude is a specialized tool designed for building energy modeling and performance optimization. It integrates EnergyPlus simulation post-processing with ASHRAE 90.1 and IECC compliance standards. Ideal for sustainability consultants and MEP engineers, it automates EUI calculations, peak demand analysis, and lifecycle cost (NPV) assessments to streamline green building certification and code verification processes.

When should I use energy-efficiency?

energy-efficiency is useful in the following scenarios: • Verify building code compliance by analyzing EnergyPlus models against ASHRAE 90.1 and IECC performance paths. • Calculate Building Energy Use Intensity (EUI) and evaluate peak demand profiles to identify optimization opportunities. • Perform lifecycle cost analysis (NPV) to compare the financial viability of different HVAC systems and energy efficiency measures. • Automate the generation of professional energy compliance reports and stakeholder-ready cost-benefit summaries using standardized templates. • Streamline QA/QC workflows for energy models using specialized checklists and ASHRAE baseline development rules.

name	energy-efficiency
description	Comprehensive energy analysis using EnergyPlus, commissioning best practices, and ASHRAE standards for building energy modeling, code compliance verification, and performance optimization

Energy Efficiency Analysis Skill

This skill provides specialized knowledge for building energy analysis and optimization projects.

Core Capabilities

Energy Modeling

EnergyPlus simulation setup and analysis
OpenStudio model development
Weather data integration and selection
HVAC system modeling strategies

Code Compliance

ASHRAE 90.1 performance path analysis
IECC commercial compliance verification
Energy cost budget calculations
Baseline model development

Performance Analysis

Energy use intensity (EUI) calculations
Peak demand analysis and optimization
Load profile evaluation
Equipment efficiency assessments

Available Scripts

scripts/energyplus_postprocess.py: Post-process EnergyPlus outputs
scripts/ashrae_compliance.py: ASHRAE 90.1 compliance calculations
scripts/eui_calculator.py: Building EUI analysis

Reference Materials

eferences/ashrae_standards.md: Key ASHRAE standard requirements

eferences/energyplus_tips.md: EnergyPlus modeling best practices

eferences/iecc_requirements.md: IECC compliance procedures

Asset Templates

ssets/compliance_report_template.docx: Standard compliance report format
ssets/energy_model_checklist.xlsx: QA/QC checklist for models

Usage Examples

"Analyze this EnergyPlus model for ASHRAE 90.1 compliance"
"Calculate the energy savings from this efficiency measure"
"Generate a code compliance report for this building"
"Optimize the HVAC system sizing for this model"

Cost Analysis Tools

NPV Analysis Email Generator

Purpose: Generate lifecycle cost analysis summaries for energy efficiency measures and design alternatives

Location: scripts/npv_analysis_email_generator.py

Documentation: docs/TOOL_NPV_Email_Generator.md

When to Use:

Comparing energy efficiency measure costs vs. savings over lifecycle
Evaluating HVAC system alternatives (baseline vs. high-efficiency)
Generating cost comparison reports for LEED energy models
Creating stakeholder-ready summaries of first costs and NPV

Common Workflow:

Run energy models for baseline and alternatives
Extract annual energy costs from simulation results
Input costs into NPV spreadsheet (Assumptions, Upfront_Costs, Cashflows_XNPV sheets)
Recalculate formulas if needed

Generate formatted summary:

python scripts/npv_analysis_email_generator.py "path/to/NPV_Analysis.xlsx" \
  -o "path/to/Summary.xlsx" \
  -p "Project Name"

Output:

Excel summary with color-coded cost comparisons
Highlights lowest lifecycle cost option
Ready for client presentations and stakeholder communication

Integration:

Use xlsx skill to edit NPV spreadsheet and recalculate formulas
Use work-command-center to track NPV summary as deliverable
Use diagnosing-energy-models for HVAC alternative modeling

Example Use Cases:

"Compare lifecycle costs of GSHP vs. conventional HVAC"
"Generate NPV summary for LEED cost-benefit analysis"
"Create stakeholder report showing first cost vs. 25-year savings"

Saving Next Steps

When energy-efficiency work is complete or paused:

node .claude/skills/work-command-center/tools/add-skill-next-steps.js \
  --skill "energy-efficiency" \
  --content "## Priority Tasks
1. Complete ASHRAE 90.1 compliance analysis
2. Generate NPV summary for efficiency measures
3. Finalize energy model QA/QC"

See: .claude/skills/work-command-center/skill-next-steps-convention.md

When & Why to Use This Skill

Use Cases