Building Performance Assessment: Enhancing Energy Efficiency and Indoor Environment Quality

Building performance assessment is pivotal in pinpointing the gaps between intended and actual Energy Usage Intensity, Efficiency, and Indoor Environment Quality. Key performance indicators (KPIs) relating to energy usage, health, occupants’ satisfaction, and operational productivity form the baseline for building installations. Setting KPIs for Facility Management Services necessitates meticulous consideration to align sustainable principles with business requirements. Preparation for Green Certification schemes like BREEAM, ENERGY STAR, and LEED require internal and third-party building performance assessments to identify opportunities for transition to green operating practices.

The assessment process encompasses several vital steps:

1. Walk-Through Evaluation: Conducting an on-site assessment of non-domestic buildings or large residential properties.
2. Need-Based Measurements: Implementing a verification process for energy usage efficiency as needed.
3. Performance Gap Analysis: Scrutinizing performance gaps compared to design, construction, and operational targets. Establishing a Carbon footprint in the operating and disposal stages of the lifecycle is a must for initiating retrofitting, modifying, or redesigning building services.
4. Setting Baselines and Targets: Establishing baselines for Energy, Water, and Waste generation based on influencing factors such as building occupancy, business hours, and business outlook is the first step in setting achievable, cost-efficient targets.
5. Exploration of Efficiency Opportunities: Identifying investment-grade opportunities to enhance energy efficiency, utilise green energy sources, and reduce carbon footprint.
6. Indoor Environment Quality Assessment: Focusing on indoor air quality, potable water quality, noise, illumination, cleanliness, and occupants’ comfort and satisfaction.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement:

Performance assessment programs necessitate collaboration among cross-functional departments within the same business house. Each stakeholder’s representation in the core team for planning, target setting, compliance with governing standards, and improvement programs is imperative. Assessing Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions must align with global standards and guidelines. Retrofit engineering solutions to enhance energy efficiency must prioritise feasibility, cost-efficiency, and adherence to timelines.

Focus on Indoor Environment Quality

Occupants’ Comfort & Satisfaction Survey:

An integral part of the assessment is evaluating occupants’ comfort and satisfaction within the building. Creating a healthy and safe environment fosters conviviality within the interior and exterior spaces, significantly impacting the overall well-being and happiness of occupants.

A comprehensive building performance assessment is instrumental in identifying and addressing critical areas for improvement, ultimately contributing to enhanced energy efficiency, improved indoor environment quality, and overall occupant satisfaction.