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U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Weather Normalization Methodology

The Buildings Performance Database utilizes a normalization methodology to account for the impact of weather on data. The beta release includes weather normalization for buildings in a limited geographic scope, and will expand to incorporate all locations across the country in the next release as more geographic specific building data is incorporated.

Methodology

The normalization methodology uses an industry standard change-point method. Ambient dry-bulb temperatures corresponding to measured energy from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and reference temperatures for normalization based on TMY3.

References

The Building Performance Database references the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Research Project 1050-RP in the development of its weatherization normalization methodology. A summaryPDF of the ASHRAE project is also available.

Normalization Regressions for Separate Heating and Cooling Fuels


Graph displaying Outside Temperature on x-axis and Cooling Energy Use on y-axis. Graph shows a line with zero slope that transitions into positive slope upon reaching the Balance Point. Graph with x-axis of Outside Temperature and y-axis of Heating Energy Used. Graph shows a line that begins with a negative slope before leveling out at a designated balance point.

Normalization Regression for Electric Heating and Cooling


Graph displays line with negative slope that levels out after a first Balance Point, then increases to a positive slope after the second Balance Point.