ASHRAE claims that the 2010 version of standard 90.1 can save more than 30% in energy costs, compared to the 2004 standard. Analysis performed by Pacific Northwest National Laboratories (PNNL) found that the updated 2010 version of 90.1 Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, offers 32.6% savings in site energy and 30.1% savings in energy cost without plug loads taken into account. When plug loads are included, PNNL found that site energy savings are estimated at 25.5% and energy cost savings at 24%.
The 2010 scope was expanded to cover receptacles and process loads, including data centers, which allows future addenda to address energy-consuming equipment and systems that were previously outside the scope of the standard. Other changes include continuous air barrier and cool/high albedo roof requirements, lower interior lighting power densities, occupancy sensing day lighting requirements and more efficient equipment.