When you have decided to select an energy analyst to compliment your project team, understanding what energy analysis is will help ensure that you select a qualified professional.
Energy analysis in its broadest definition helps evaluate the energy performance of buildings and equipment through both direct metering and measurement (also called monitoring and verification) and computer simulation. Energy analysis encompasses daylighting analysis and commissioning.
Within the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) framework, energy analysis typically incorporates modeling for optimizing and predicting:
- Energy performance, including HVAC, lighting, water, daylighting, and building-envelope analysis.
- Thermal performance.
- Ventilation effectiveness.
- Occupant comfort.
- Life-cycle-cost analysis.
In addition, it encompasses metering and energy analysis for ongoing monitoring and verification of building systems and calculations related to water efficiency and indoor environmental quality.
Other related areas of energy analysis and modeling include modeling of urban heat islands and urban-air-shed modeling.
The majority of energy analysis in the LEED program centers around completing a "building energy simulation model." This refers to a commercially available software program that performs hour-by-hour simulation of a building. It incorporates all building-envelope, building-system, schedule, utility-rate, cost, and weather data.
A building simulation model is required work to earn up to 20 LEED points. A computer model helps architects and engineers find the best combination of material and systems for a given set of project-specific goals, but it does not necessarily guarantee an energy-efficient building. It is a prospecting tool that, in the hands of a dedicated and experienced user, can indicate which combination of building strategies is most likely to produce a building that is energy-efficient, has the desired thermal performance, and is a comfortable and healthy environment in which to live and/or work. A properly constructed model will allow the design team to vary several different aspects of the construction and evaluate the impact these changes would have on the economic and environmental bottom line.
Firms specializing in mechanical engineering, electrical (lighting and daylighting) engineering, commissioning, or energy management are good places to start when looking for a qualified energy analyst. A firm dedicated to energy analysis may have depth of knowledge and experience in evaluating a wide range of project energy issues.
Questions to Ask When selecting an energy analyst, review the general guidelines for selecting a green design professional (see "Steps to Selecting a Sustainability Professional," HPAC Engineering, October 2011, http://bit.ly/sustainpro). Then review the 10 questions specific to energy analysis below. This guide will help you conduct a thorough selection process.
Read the 10 Questions at http://hpac.com/columns/managing-facilities/guidelines-selecting-energy-analyst-1211/
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