Field-test of the new ASHRAE/CIBSE/USGBC performance measurement protocols for commercial buildings: Basic level

The new Performance Measurement Protocols (PMP) provide a standardized set of protocols for measuring and comparing the operational performance of occupied commercial buildings. The PMP was developed at three levels of cost/accuracy Basic (Indicative), Intermediate (Diagnostic), and Advanced (Investigative), for the following six performance categories: energy, water, thermal comfort, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), lighting, and acoustics. This paper presents the preliminary results of an effort to develop and apply a field test to evaluate the PMP basic level in a case-study office building in central Texas. In accordance with the basic level protocol, basic building performance- related building and system characteristics and monthly utility bills of the case-study building were collected. Next, the corresponding performance metrics, including annual whole-building energy use and cost indices and annual total site water and cost indices were calculated and compared with the appropriate benchmarks. In addition, a subjective Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ, i.e., thermal comfort, IAQ, lighting, and acoustics) assessment survey was conducted with spot measurements of several IEQ-related parameters in selected places in the building. Measurements were then compared with the appropriate benchmarks.