Building Research

Basic Research

As an auditor, doing your research ahead of time will reduce the amount of time spent in the field and minimize the number of times you'll need to go out in the field to collect data. Prepping can also help you avoid being overwhelmed in the field because you can have a clear plan of action when you're at the building. 

A great resource to help with your research is the building manager, who can help with: 

  • square footage of the building

  • year of construction

  • how occupants use the building, also referred to as building type (e.g. office building)

  • which utilities are metered and where they are located

  • location of any mechanical rooms

  • source a floorplan of the building

Another resource is Google Maps in the satellite view, to help you determine:

  • shape and height of the building

  • any HVAC equipment on the roof

  • identify cardinal north 

Advanced Research

A final question for the building manager can be whether or not the building has an HVAC Controls System. Some sites with several buildings are managed by a controls system, which may also track data to use in your research. The ability to view the or Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) control system before going into the field can help you note characteristics such as:

  • how often HVAC units run and if they run 24/7

  • if there are HVAC zones in the building

  • if the building uses outside air and has an economizer

The above information can tell you what you should be looking for when in the field. For example, if you find the HVAC units are set to run on a schedule, getting a schedule of occupancy from the building manager will help determine if the HVAC schedule should be changed to save energy. If you see the building uses outside air and has an economizer, confirming the economizer is functioning will be important when out in the field. 

Questions to Ask the Building Manager

The building manager can give you valuable information about how the building is used, information you can't get from looking at construction drawings or mechanical plans. It can be helpful to interview the building manager before you visit the site because their feedback can clue you into certain parts of your walk-through where you need to spend more or less time. 

Questions for Building Manager 

  • What is the typical building's occupancy schedule? Are there exceptions to the schedule? Do people work late nights? Do people show up on weekends?

  • What is the custodial schedule?

  • How are the HVAC system and lighting maintained? How often is maintenance done? When was maintenance done most recently?

  • How old are the systems in the building? Is there any equipment not running?

  • Is the interior space of the building a comfortable temperature for the occupants? As a building manager, do you receive complaints or feedback related to the room temperatures?

  • Have there been any recent retrofits, expansions, changes in the space use, and/or previous energy audits in the building?

​Tips Based on the Building Manager's Information

  • Match the building's occupancy schedule from the building manager to the runtimes of equipment in the building (found from data loggers, the controls system, or the energy use data)

  • If the building manager receives complaints from the occupants, spend some time talking to occupants that have space heaters or other thermal comfort adaptations in their space.

  • Make notes of items you'd like to confirm during your field visit, which could include maintenance or equipment that isn't operable.