scope:

Preface

This publication has been developed as a result of two earlier assessments of the energy auditing process in commercial buildings by ASHRAE.^{1, 2} Special Project 56 developed the scope of work for various levels of analysis, and Research Project 669 developed a standard format for reporting the results of analysis.

In combining the results of these assessments, the purpose of this publication is twofold:

1. To provide purchasers and providers of energy audit services with a complete definition of good procedures for an energy survey and analysis.

2. To provide a format for defining buildings and their energy use that will allow data to be shared in meaningful ways.

This publication addresses these needs through the description of typical procedures for each level of analysis and uniform means of reporting building, system, and energy use characteristics, as well as the results of the analysis.

No attempt has been made to prescribe field survey methods or the analytical tools to be used. This publication specifically avoids a "cookbook" approach, recognizing that all buildings are different and each analyst needs to exercise a substantial amount of judgment. Instead, this publication sets out generalized procedures to guide the analyst and the building owner and provides a uniform method of reporting basic information.

The readers' attention is called to the forms in sections entitled "Preliminary Energy Use Analysis" and "Walk-Through Data." These forms utilize standard definitions for building area, building type, and energy use. In addition, data are requested on the various space functions and systems in the building. By standardizing definitions and reporting methods, it is intended that the information requested can contribute to the establishment of a large, useful database of building functions and energy use. Highlighted areas on the forms were incorporated into a trial database by Research Project 669. Therefore, the analyst is urged to provide all possible information in these two sections in the format provided.

Other ASHRAE documents that would be useful in completing a comprehensive engineering energy analysis are:

• 2003 ASHRAE Handbook-HVAC Applications, chapter 35, "Energy Use and Management" and chapter 40, "Building Energy Monitoring."

• ASHRAE Standard 100-1995, Energy Conservation in Existing Buildings.

• ASHRAE Standard 105-1984 (RA 90), Standard Methods of Measuring and Expressing Building Energy Performance.

1. An assessment of the Energy Auditing Process in Commercial Buildings, SP-56 Report to Pacific Northwest laboratory, December 1987.

2. ASHRAE Research Project 669: Evaluation of Proposed ASHRAE Energy Audit Forms and Procedures, 1997.