Retrotec USACE - Manual (Page 21)

xxi
PREFACE
An energy assessment is an inspection, survey, and analysis of energy
fl ows in a chosen target like a building, process, or system with the objective
of understanding the energy dynamics of the target under study. Typically, an
energy assessment is conducted to seek opportunities to reduce the amount of
energy input into the system without negatively affecting the output. When the
object of study is an occupied building, reducing energy consumption while
maintaining or improving human comfort, health, and safety is of primary im-
portance. Beyond simply identifying the sources of energy use, an energy audit
seeks to prioritize the energy uses from the most to least cost-effective op-
portunities for energy savings. During recent years, substituting fossil fuels for
renewable energies has become an important issue, and during an audit, this
kind of system change should be investigated as well.
Instead of energy assessment, another term, energy audit, may be used. In
this document both terms are used to describe activities aiming at recognition
of energy use ineffi ciencies and waste. They allow identifi cation of energy-
saving potential in buildings and energy-consuming building service and pro-
vide the basis for development of energy and other operating cost reduction
measures for building retrofi ts without adversely affecting indoor air quality or
the well-being, morale, safety, or productivity of building occupants.
This document was developed by a group of government, institutional,
and private-sector parties to help users (facility energy managers, in-house
energy assessment groups, companies providing energy assessments, uni-
versities conducting energy assessments, and energy service performance
contractors) perform energy assessments and audits. The protocol is based
on an analysis of information gathered from literature, training materials,
documented and undocumented practical experience, and successful show-
case energy assessments at U.S. Army facilities. It addresses both the tech-
nical and nontechnical organizational capabilities required for successful
assessments.
This document is result of work done for the International Energy Agency
(IEA) Energy Conservation in Buildings and Community Systems Programme
(ECBCS), Annex 46: Holistic Assessment Tool-kit on Energy Effi cient Retrofi t
Measures for Government Buildings (EnERGo).
Appreciation is owed to a great many contributors, whose assistance and
generous contributions have brought this work to a successful conclusion. Spe-
cial acknowledgment is due Mr. Tony Woods from Canada. Mr. Woods, who
recently passed away, served tirelessly throughout his career in the industry,
was a mentor to many, and was constantly involved in training weatheriza-