PORTLAND, Ore. - Data in the newly released AirAdvice “State
of Building Performance Report 2007” shows that more than nine out of 10
commercial buildings fail to meet fundamental elements for acceptable comfort
and energy efficiency. This and other key findings in the report suggest
significant opportunities to reduce energy and operating costs as well as to
improve building system performance and occupant satisfaction.
Commercial building assessments performed across North America
show that most buildings suffer from two or more basic comfort or energy
efficiency flaws; conditions that are likely to generate comfort complaints
exist in over 75 percent of buildings surveyed; and overventilation is the most
common cause of excessive HVAC-related energy use.
Overall, 96 percent of buildings analyzed failed to meet
industry guidelines in at least one of five fundamental elements of building
comfort and energy efficiency: temperatures that are too warm, too cool,
fluctuate excessively, fail to match the set point, and evidence of
overventilation.
“In addition to quantifying the prevalence and nature of
commercial building performance issues, the AirAdvice ‘State of Building
Performance Report 2007’ summarizes the significant economic costs of these
issues,” said Gary Frayn, AirAdvice vice president of commercial development.
“This report delivers critical information and insight to building owners,
operations and facilities managers, as well as HVAC industry professionals.”
According to the survey, over 80 percent of buildings
surveyed showed evidence of overventilation; less than one-half of buildings
surveyed maintained temperatures within 2°F of the specified set point; one in
five buildings surveyed experienced actual temperatures that were more than 5°
from the specified set point; and nearly one-quarter of buildings surveyed were
found to have inefficient temperature control, with the temperature in the
space significantly higher than the heating set point or lower than the cooling
set point.
The report also summarizes data and insight from several
industry studies, providing information about building owners’ perspectives on
energy savings, comfort and energy performance of LEED®-certified projects, and
quantitative data detailing the positive effect on productivity from improved
thermal comfort.
For more information, visit www.airadvice.com.
Publication date:11/12/2007
