Software Tools

Technical References

Energy Programs

Online Journals

• Analytical Software Tools
U.S. Department of Energy, Federal Energy Management Program
These analytical software tools are intended to be used at the facility evaluation and assessment stage of energy project development. The tools compare potential energy conservation measures by performing complex energy consumption analyses and modeling, as well as comparative life-cycle costing analyses. The tools are intended to help project designers choose conservation measures that are the most cost effective and environmentally friendly.

Technical References

• Cool $ense Annotated Bibliography

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
This is a list of about 200 articles pertaining to integrated chiller retrofits including a summary of the information in the article and comments on its usefulness. Subject areas currently include absorption chillers, ammonia as a refrigerant, CFCs, chillers, cooling towers, miscellaneous cooling, and piping. Please keep us up to date by adding articles you've seen!

• US Department of Energy's Information Bridge

DOE Information Bridge provides free, convenient, and quick access to over 3 million full-text DOE research and development reports in physics, chemistry, materials, biology, environmental sciences, energy technologies, engineering, computer and information science, renewable energy, and other topics.

• Diagnostics for Building Commissioning & Operation

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Large commercial, institutional and governmental buildings generally don't operate at their highest achievable levels of energy efficiency. Performance monitoring projects across the US have documented the potential to conserve 15 to 30% of energy use through improved operation and maintenance practices.  A multi-year project is underway to develop and apply technology to improve building operation and maintenance. An interdisciplinary team has been gathered to:  assess the current state of performance technology; develop an appropriate information gathering and diagnosis capability; test this new diagnostic system in real buildings.

• Business Energy Checkup

Alliance to Save Energy
Business Energy Checkup is a guide to saving money and preventing pollution through energy efficiency steps you can take in your business. It helps you identify a wide range of energy efficiency options for your building. This internet version of Business Energy Checkup runs directly on your web browser without requiring you to download any software.

Energy Programs

• Energy Star Programs

US Environmental Protection Agency
The Energy Star Programs are voluntary partnerships to encourage the production and use of energy-efficient equipment. Includes programs for HVAC systems, buildings, lighting (the Green Lights Program), exit signs, small businesses, office products, homes and transformers. Participants in these programs receive technical support, software analysis tools, product information, manuals and publications, information about utility programs, and recognition for their initiative.

• Rebuild America

US Department of Energy
Rebuild America is a network of community partnerships working in alliance with the US Department of Energy. These partnerships work to improve the energy efficiency of multi-family and commercial buildings. They currently have more than 200 partnerships throughout the US.

Online Journals

• HVAC&R Research Journal

American Society of Heating Refrigerating & Air-Conditioning Engineers
The International Journal of Heating, Ventilating, Air-Conditioning and Refrigerating Research is a quarterly journal in publication since 1995. Articles have been published on global topics such as emission sources affecting indoor air quality, a thermodynamic approach to modeling refrigerant lubricating oil mixtures and energy conservation strategies. This website contains abstracts for all issues of this journal.

• Energy User News

EUN covers all areas of building management relating to energy-intensive building systems plus fuel and power acquisition. It's prime audience is building owners and facility managers responsible for energy-intensive building systems and fuel and power acquisition. Their online site has summaries of articles from the last four years.

• Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) CoolNet

The Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) is the national trade association representing manufacturers of more than 90 percent of U.S. produced central air-conditioning and commercial refrigeration equipment. The web site includes information about the technical standards ARI develops and publishes for industry products. ARI also verifies manufacturers' certified performance ratings of products in continuous and extensive laboratory testing. This web site includes KoldFax, their monthly newsletter.

• FacilitiesNet

This web site is a good source of information on issues facing facility professionals. Includes links to three journals - Building Operating Management, Maintenance Solutions and Energy Decisions. Online forums are set up to exchange information, and up-to-date news and regulatory reports are included.

• Energy Ideas Clearinghouse

Energy Ideas Clearinghouse serves energy professionals in the Pacific Northwest and beyond by providing fast, centralized access to comprehensive and objective information, education, resources, and technical assistance for increasing energy efficiency. The Clearinghouse offers timely information on products and technologies; national, state, and local programs; and the environmental aspects of energy use. Topics include HVAC, lighting, industrial electro technologies, life cycle cost analysis, market transformation, energy policy, renewable energy, agricultural energy issues, cogeneration, and many more.