Implementation and Evaluation of ASHRAE's Water Performance Measurement Protocols.

In comparison with the number of studies on building energy efficiency, performance measurement, and verification, there are limited studies on water use profiles for buildings. ASHRAE's Performance Measurement Protocols for Commercial Buildings (PMP), published in 2010, was a first-ever attempt by ASHRAE to document a standardized measurement approach to the technical elements of building performance assessment at a three-level, integrated set of measurement choices. This paper presents selected results and key lessons learned from the implementation of ASHRAE's water performance measurement protocols in three case study buildings. Validity, reliability, and practicality of the PMP, as well as recommendations for future improvements, are also discussed. Selected results presented in this paper include experiences with field calibration of an ultrasonic flowmeter, landscape water use estimation for a building served by a centralized landscape water system, and monitoring of a data center's humidifier water use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]