A new book from three leading building industry associations provides a standardized set of protocols over a range of accuracies and costs that can be applied consistently to the assessment of building performance. Published by ASHRAE and developed in collaboration with the Chartered Institution of Building Service Engineers (CIBSE) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Performance Measurement Protocols for Commercial Buildings identifies what to measure, how to measure it and how often it is to be measured for inclusion in buildings’ operation and maintenance plan.

“In an energy conscious world, those who measure and manage the energy use and performance of their buildings will be at an increasing advantage over business as usual energy managers,” Jeff Haberl, who chaired the committee that wrote the book, said.  Because energy efficiency should not compromise the services provided in the building, the protocols cover indoor environmental quality measures as well as energy and water use.

“The collaboration of CIBSE with ASHRAE and USGBC on this project demonstrates the importance of international engineering collaboration to deliver measurably green buildings, not just green promises,” said Hywel Davies, technical director of CIBSE and vice chair of the committee.

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