6 interviews, 7 data collected during the site visit – Retrotec USACE User Manual
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Chapter 5 43
meters; infrared surface temperature sensors; illuminance meter for lighting
level measurements).
Other equipment needed by the energy auditor includes a fl ashlight, smoke
gun, measuring tape, ultrasonic distance meters, safety glasses, ear plugs,
gloves, and a digital photo camera.
5.7.6 Interviews
The energy assessment team should discuss with the site staff at the kick-off
meeting to what extent the building occupants will be interviewed during the
site visit. If there are major indoor air quality problems or other similar dif-
fi culties in the buildings, the interviews will probably not bring any special
information on energy use, but only concentrate on the problems that the as-
sessment team may not have enough reliable background or historical informa-
tion about.
If, however, there are no major problems, a quick interview on occupant
behavior and energy-using routines is usually very useful and brings up ideas
for saving measures.
5.7.7 Data Collected during the Site Visit
From interviews with the building’s occupants and a visual survey of obvious de-
fects in mechanical systems, answers to the following questions can be obtained:
Are there any problems with humidity and the building envelope in the
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winter?
Are there problems with freezing through the building envelope?
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What is the air leakage through windows and doors? Are there related
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problems with drafts?
Are there problems with heating, cooling, or water supply systems or
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power supply?
How do the controls of mechanical systems work, and what is their
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technical condition?
Are there rooms that are overheated or underheated? Are there areas
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that are too hot and need cooling? Are there unnecessarily air-condi-
tioned spaces or areas that are too cold?
Is the water pressure in the water supply system adequate?
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Is there urgent need in repair of mechanical systems and their elements?
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Is the lighting suitable for the activity in the building? What is the type
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and age of the lighting fi xtures? Are there problems related to lighting?