VA-89-12-1 -- The Equipment R&D Benefits of Characterizing the Energy Requirements of Office Buildings and Multifamily Housing

To plan and evaluate the research and development of equipment for residential/commercial buildings, descriptive information is needed at two levels: (a) generally descriptive demographic information to characterize the building populations and (b) specific, detailed technical information with which to match the end-use technologies. To various degrees, information exists at both levels; however, the linkage between the two levels of information is weak.

To meet these analytical needs, market-linked data bases of detailed energy requirements were developed for the office building and multifamily housing sectors. Applications include, but are not limited to, prediction and assessment of markets for energy service and supply equipment, energy demand forecasts, and conceptualization of new equipment configurations from this detailed data. Simple benefits from the use of these data bases are cost-effective and consistent market assessments, more focused equipment development, confidence in market size, and a better understanding of these energy markets.