Better energy management will result in substantial savings in the operating costs of facilities especially in the case of large building portfolios such as university campuses. Continuous energy management relies on a seamless energy performance evaluation process. But even then, it is hard to find an established and objective method for energy performance evaluation.

The objective of this paper is to compare two energy performance evaluation methods; (1) use of the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) methodology and (2) use of a performance toolkit based on normative calculations. DEA targets a preliminary energy performance screening for quick evaluation and benchmarking with judiciously chosen input and output variables. The energy performance toolkit calculates building performance based on a set of normative calculations using observable building and system variables; the calculations generate objective energy Performance Indicators (PIs). Both methods analyze the relative efficiency of building energy consumption across a building portfolio and can be used as a decision making tool when building upgrades are needed.

This performance assessment study guides the portfolio management team to invest their budget in the best suitable components for more energy efficient building operation leading to cost savings.