Building Performance:  Introduction and Terminology

Last updated: June, 2005

What is Building Performance?

Building performance efforts seek to achieve better performance in commercial buildings by taking a comprehensive approach to improving the energy efficiency, comfort and productivity of buildings. Activities address building systems (HVAC, lighting, etc.) as well as operations and maintenance (O&M). Common building performance services include building tune-ups, retrocommissioning (sometimes referred to as "recommissioning"), comprehensive building assessments and retrofits.

A review of existing programs and activities reveals that these terms (e.g., "tune-up," "retrocommissioning") can mean different things to different people. Inconsistent definitions and jargon have created confusion in the building performance field, making it hard to communicate program goals and activities and to compare studies. The lack of clear definitions also hinders efforts to encourage building services professionals and building owners and managers from pursuing building performance in their own businesses and facilities.

ACEEE is compiling a glossary of terms related to building performance. The glossary is a work in progress and we will continue to add terms. In some cases, multiple sources have developed somewhat different definitions for the same term and we list each definition and its source. We hope to engage a dialog within the community to adopt consensus definitions for these terms.

Glossary

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