CIBSE TM22, Energy Assessment and Reporting Methodology (EARM) Office Assessment Method, 1999 and 2006

Basics

What is it?
A systematic way of undertaking an energy survey, reporting the results, and calculating likely savings from changes in use, technology or management. Developed from energy survey technique used in office case studies and in the Probe series of published POEs in Building Services - the CIBSE Journal.

Useful where?
In a completed building, at any stage in its life.

What else does it do?
The technique can also be used to summarise design information and predictions, providing a cradle to grave benchmarking tool. The 2006 version can also be used to assemble information for Display Energy Certificates based on actual annual energy use, providing a greater level of insight than the statutory method.

Related activities
Used for energy assessment in the Probe studies, see below

In what sectors?
Initially for offices, with annexes on banks, high street agencies, hotels and mixed-use (office/light industrial) buildings. However, the approach can be applied on ANY building.

Relevance
A core technique for undertaking and reporting energy surveys

Development status

Who developed it?
A CIBSE group, with lead author John Field of Target Energy Services Ltd., following initial research for BRE by William Bordass Associates, Target Energy Services, Building Energy Solutions and Arup.

Stage of development
Developed in the early 1990s. Manual method tested on various buildings in the late 1990s. TM22 with software first published 1999. Updated 2005 and 2006. Further updates planned in 2010.

Examples of its use
Energy assessment in the published Probe studies, see references. Method used to underpin a number of publications in the Energy Efficiency Best Practice programme, in particular Energy Consumption Guide 19 for offices. Privately used in a range of post-occupancy and energy surveys for a range of private and public sector clients - used primarily in offices, education, sports, industrial and laboratory buildings.

Further development happening?
Updates under consideration by CIBSE, including: better management of design data and coordination with the Log Books required in Building Regulations Approved Document Part L2; closer integration with current Display Energy Certificate procedures for England & Wales; more consistent energy surveys; and incorporation of half-hourly electricity demand profile data.

Development contacts
John Field, Power Efficiency Ltd
Hywel Davies, CIBSE.

How it works

Brief description
A three-stage method for collecting and reporting annual energy consumption, cost and CO₂ emissions data.

1. Simple fossil fuel and electricity consumption indices per m² of floor area.
2. Including allowances for special building and energy uses.
3. Detailed assessment of building and system performance.

Is there software?
Yes, CIBSE provides Excel workbooks for offices, hotels, high street agencies and mixed use buildings on disc free with the publication.

How long does it take?
This depends on the availability of information - particularly on building floor area and energy consumption. The method is progressive and iterative, so you get useful results in relation to the effort you put in. If good background data is available, one will begin to get useful results within an hour or so. A full Stage 3 assessment (with all the associated fieldwork and enquiries) will typically take up to a person-week for a 10,000 square metre building. Detailed analysis and reporting can take longer, but only needs to be done if it proves important and cost-effective enough to do.

Can I do it myself?
The method is powerful and relatively quick and easy to use - once you know how to do it. However, experience suggests that people are not good at learning it for themselves - they need training by an experienced user. A two-hour session can break the ice, but ideally a new user should work with an experienced user on two or three surveys in order to build up confidence.

Can someone else do it for me?
Several consultancies can provide a TM22 energy survey or training in using the technique. See below or contact the site administrator.

User comments
&ldquot;Very useful, once one has learnt how to use it.&rdquot; - JOHN PACKER ASSOCIATES
&ldquot;We find the 1999 version is better than the 2006 one for doing energy surveys, because it allows more professional judgment&rdquot; - WILLIAM BORDASS ASSOCIATES.

References
CIBSE Technical Memorandum TM22:2006 Energy assessment and reporting methodology: office assessment method

Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (2006), includes software.

Links
www.usablebuildings.co.uk has links to the Probe studies, which used the TM22 technique in its energy surveys.

Is the technique in the public domain?
Yes, the original version.

Are the methods open to inspection with technical support papers?
Yes, the original version

Cost
TM22 may be bought from the Publications area of the CIBSE web site (see separate links and pdfs window). TM22 Assessments are also carried out commercially.

Are the results in the public domain?
Not generally, apart from the Probe studies - see www.usablebuildings.co.uk - and a few others.

Are there stable benchmarks?
Existing national benchmarks are included for some sectors. However, these benchmarks are under review.

Is there an accreditation system?
Informal, by the users of the technique.

Organisations offering
Power Efficiency Ltd
Contact name: John Field.

William Bordass Associates
Contact name: Bill Bordass.

Camco Global
Contact name: Robert Cohen.