Center for the Built Environment

This paper describes methods developed at UC Berkeley for monitoring and benchmarking commercial buildings’ physical environments and occupants’ perceptions. Examples of technologies we describe include: mobile instrumented carts for commissioning and research, desktop indoor climate stations, wireless sensor arrays for real-time performance analysis, web-based indoor environmental quality surveys, desk-top “right now” thermal and lighting surveys, and visualization feedback systems. These methods have benefitted from years of refinement by researchers, owners, and building industry professionals. We present some research results derived from such assessments and their contributions to reducing energy use and improving indoor environmental quality in the design and operation of real buildings. Driving this work is the belief that all stakeholders benefit from increased assessment of indoor environmental conditions, energy costs, and occupant feedback.