MacDonald-Miller Details On-Site Benchmarking Approach for Building Energy Compliance

Highlights

• MacDonald-Miller is using physical site visits as part of its building energy benchmarking process.
• Energy professionals verify building areas, space classifications, utility meters and operating conditions.
• Teams review HVAC, water heating, lighting, controls and building-envelope conditions.
• The process is aimed at improving the accuracy of Energy Use Intensity calculations.
• Washington, Oregon and local jurisdictions have different building performance requirements.

Energy benchmarking is becoming an operational consideration for owners of large commercial buildings as state and local performance standards introduce reporting and efficiency requirements. MacDonald-Miller is emphasizing physical building assessments to improve the accuracy of energy data used for compliance and performance planning.

Site Assessments Support Energy Data Accuracy

MacDonald-Miller's benchmarking process includes on-site inspections by qualified energy professionals. Teams review how building spaces are being used, verify gross floor area and identify areas with specialized energy characteristics.

The assessments also include locating electrical and gas meters and determining which building systems and loads are connected to individual meters. This can help distinguish a property's actual energy consumption from loads associated with other spaces or building users.

The process covers a range of facility conditions, including HVAC equipment, boilers, chillers, domestic hot water systems, lighting fixtures and control systems.

HVAC, Controls and Building Envelope Reviews

Mechanical systems receive particular attention because heating, cooling and water heating can represent significant portions of a building's energy consumption. On-site reviews can identify operating conditions that may not be apparent from utility data alone.

MacDonald-Miller also examines HVAC and lighting controls, including equipment schedules and older pneumatic control systems. Building-envelope conditions are reviewed for visible issues that could contribute to excessive heating or cooling demand.

Lighting assessments distinguish between legacy fluorescent fixtures and LED systems and can help identify potential efficiency improvements and applicable utility incentives.

Building Performance Standards Raise Compliance Requirements

Energy benchmarking requirements vary by jurisdiction. Washington's Clean Buildings Performance Standard, Oregon's building performance requirements and municipal programs in cities such as Seattle and Portland establish different reporting and performance obligations.

For building owners and facility managers, accurate floor-area information, utility-meter assignments and operating data can affect the quality of benchmarking results and subsequent compliance work. A detailed site assessment can also provide information useful for evaluating potential efficiency improvements and retrofit costs.

Source: MacDonald-Miller.