DA-88-08-1 -- Instrumentation Applications for Commercial Building Energy Audits PDF

Energy audits in commercial buildings focus on the identification and analysis of cost-effective energy conservation opportunities (ECOs). Typically, ECOs are identified by visual means based on the auditor’s experience and through discussions with building personnel. Analysis of ECOs usually relies on data manually collected in the field, supplemented by appropriate engineering judgment and assumptions. This paper describes building instrumentation and measurement techniques that can be used to extend the capabilities of the energy auditor. Applications of instrumentation and measurement discussed include: utility bill "energy signature" and end-use consumption analysis; discovery and identification of ECOs; quantification of energy misuse and establishing bounds for potential energy reduction; and acquisition of engineering data for manual and computer calculation methods. Methods using both existing utility metering and HVAC control instrumentation, as well as temporary monitoring equipment, are described in the context of various case studies.

Units: I-P