To limit the probability that the energy model of the reference building envelope will not be consistent with the specifications of the proposed building, which could lead to inaccuracy of the trade-off model, which could lead to overestimation of the energy use attributed to the building envelope of the reference building, which could lead to excessive thermal transfer through the building envelope, which could lead to excessive use of energy, which could lead to an unacceptable effect on the environment.
To limit the probability that the building envelope component areas of the reference building will not be set at the prescriptive total vertical fenestration and door area to gross wall area ratio and will not have a reasonable allowance for the skylight area to gross roof area ratio, which could lead to inaccuracy of the trade-off model, which could lead to overestimation of the energy use attributed to the building envelope of the reference building, which could lead to excessive thermal transfer through the building envelope, which could lead to excessive use of energy, which could lead to an unacceptable effect on the environment.