Process Steps for Modeling Proposed Improvements to

Occupied Buildings for which Historical Energy Use Data Exists

Steps:

1. Collect and record measured energy use data and influential variables for the pre-retrofit
period. At a minimum, include the following for each month for which energy use data are
collected and recorded:
a. Monthly average outdoor temperature from the weather station (NOAA) most
representative of the actual building site
b. Monthly heating degree days (HDD) and cooling degree days (CDD) or cooling degree
hours (CDH), as appropriate, from the weather station (NOAA) most representative of
the actual building site.

2. Develop a regression model of the pre-retrofit energy use data as a function of the influential
variables in accordance with ASHRAE’s Inverse Modeling Toolkit (ASHRAE 1050 RP)
methods. At a minimum, include regression(s) of building energy use data as a function of
the local weather data recorded in Step #1.

3. Using the regression model(s) from Step #2, develop a set of weather-normalized energy use
data for the typical meteorological year (TMY) weather data set that is most representative of
the actual building site.

4. Collect and record all building and energy systems characteristics necessary to accurately
construct a building simulation model for the pre-retrofit building. Using these data, develop
a complete building simulation model for the building in its pre-retrofit condition.

5. Calibrate the building simulation model developed in Step #4 to the weather-normalized

energy use data developed in Step #3.

6. Using the calibrated pre-retrofit simulation model from Step #5 as the basis of comparison,
along with the most representative TMY weather data from Step #3, determine projected
energy savings from proposed energy conservation and energy efficiency improvements to
the building.