Dec. 2, 2013: New Software Tackles Building Efficiency, Occupant Comfort
Facility Managers Can Diagnose and Adjust for Problems Based on Direct Occupant Feedback
WASHINGTON — A new software application created by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) could improve the efficiency of commercial buildings by allowing occupants to interact with buildings more directly.
The new Building Agent (BA) application allows facility managers to quickly diagnose and adjust for problems based on direct occupant comfort feedback. Occupants are able to share this feedback via the application dashboard on their desktop computers. With 25 percent of a building’s energy performance directly related to occupant behavior, said NREL, this capability can result in a significant step toward helping buildings become more cost effective and energy efficient.