How can you measure building performance?

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Measuring your building’s efficiency involves evaluating how well it uses energy, water, and other resources to maintain comfort and performance. Here’s how you can assess your building’s energy efficiency: 

Perform an Energy Audit (or hire one out) 

A professional energy audit, either from your energy company or from a private agency or firm,  is the most comprehensive way to measure building efficiency. 

A sufficient energy audit will include 

  • Inspection of insulation and air flow (including bypasses, which measure where air is flowing out of conditioned spaces) 
  • HVAC systems, windows, lighting, and appliances. 
If you have an energy audit performed for you from a private company or from your energy company, you’ll likely see them using equipment like a blower door, thermal imaging, or duct blasting/duct leakage testing. 

Inspect the Building Envelope

Sometimes even a visual inspection of your building envelope can reveal inefficiencies and gaps in your building performance. For instance, if you have exposed rim joists in your basement, you’re likely losing significant energy. Those can be insulated (with foam board, fiberglass, or spray foam) to block airflow.  

For a more comprehensive inspection of your envelope, consider hiring a building science and high performance architecture expert. Using technology like the blower door, infrared thermography, and air flow analytics, you’ll get a picture of your biggest issues and greatest opportunities for improvement.  

 Perform a monthly energy consumption review

As you discover your building enclosure’s effectiveness and realize your greatest opportunities for improved performance, start paying closer attention to energy consumption and energy bills. Consider implementing new standards for your HVAC system, keeping it a bit cooler in the winter or tolerating higher temps in your home in the summer. Measure the difference month over month to determine what kinds of impacts those changes are making.  

In addition to that, notice the differences that come with bigger changes, like changing out windows or switching to high efficiency appliances.  

See how CR-BPS can be your partner for building toward a better planet and a better world.

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