Which kind of benchmarking is used in practical engineering projects?

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Hello Dear All, I have questions about the benchmarking and want to know how people handle this in practical engineering projects. As you know, we can find the code-minimum benchmark metrics, such as from ASHRAE Standard and some other associated code. In addition, we can also evaluate the target building 's performance using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool, which applies the CBECS database as foundation. In my project, we determined three kinds of benchmarking, low level, medium level and high level, respectively.

• "Low level" means the requirements values by the Net-zero Capable (NZC) buildings. Net-zero capable buildings are those buildings have sufficiently low energy usage.
• "Medium level" indicates the typical energy benchmarking value according to the typical database or tools, such as ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool which based on CBECS database.
• "High level" gives the minimum requirements from associated design standards, such as ASHRAE Standards.

So my questions are:

• Which kind of benchmarking is used in practical engineering project?
• What's your ideas about the above three benchmarking I listed?

Thanks so much for your help! I really appreciate that!

All the best, Qi