The United States is responsible for nearly one-fifth of the world's energy consumption. Population growth, and the associated growth in housing, commercial floor space, transportation, goods, and services is expected to cause a 0.7 percent annual increase in energy demand for the foreseeable future. The energy used by the commercial and residential sectors represents approximately 40 percent of the nation's total energy consumption, and the share of these two sectors is expected to increase in the future. The Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS) and Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) are two major surveys conducted by the Energy Information Administration. The surveys are the most relevant sources of data available to researchers and policy makers on energy consumption in the commercial and residential sectors. Many of the design decisions and operational procedures for the CBECS and RECS were developed in the 1970s and 1980s, and resource limitations during much of the time since then have prevented EIA from making significant changes to the data collections. Effective Tracking of Building Energy Use makes recommendations for redesigning the surveys based on a review of evolving data user needs and an assessment of new developments in relevant survey methods.

Welcome to "Optimizing Energy Usage: A Comprehensive Guide to Energy Management Systems (EMS)." This book aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Energy Management Systems and their role in monitoring and optimizing energy usage to reduce costs and minimize environmental impact. In today's world, where energy consumption is at an all-time high and environmental concerns are ever-present, the need for effective energy management has never been more critical. Energy Management Systems offer a proactive approach to addressing these challenges by providing tools and techniques to monitor, analyze, and optimize energy usage across various sectors, from industrial facilities to commercial buildings and residential spaces. This book is designed to be a valuable resource for professionals working in energy management, sustainability, facility management, and related fields, as well as students and researchers seeking to deepen their understanding of EMS principles and practices. Through this book, readers will gain insights into the fundamental principles of energy management, learn about the latest technologies and strategies for optimizing energy usage, explore real-world case studies and best practices, and understand the economic and environmental benefits associated with effective energy management. Furthermore, this book aims to highlight the challenges and opportunities in the field of energy management, as well as the emerging trends that are shaping the future of EMS implementation. Whether you are a seasoned professional or someone new to the field of energy management, I hope that this book will serve as a valuable guide and inspire you to explore innovative ways to optimize energy usage, reduce costs, and contribute to a more sustainable future. Thank you for embarking on this journey with me.

America's economy and lifestyles have been shaped by the low prices and availability of energy. In the last decade, however, the prices of oil, natural gas, and coal have increased dramatically, leaving consumers and the industrial and service sectors looking for ways to reduce energy use. To achieve greater energy efficiency, we need technology, more informed consumers and producers, and investments in more energy-efficient industrial processes, businesses, residences, and transportation. As part of the America's Energy Future project, Real Prospects for Energy Efficiency in the United States examines the potential for reducing energy demand through improving efficiency by using existing technologies, technologies developed but not yet utilized widely, and prospective technologies. The book evaluates technologies based on their estimated times to initial commercial deployment, and provides an analysis of costs, barriers, and research needs. This quantitative characterization of technologies will guide policy makers toward planning the future of energy use in America. This book will also have much to offer to industry leaders, investors, environmentalists, and others looking for a practical diagnosis of energy efficiency possibilities.

There is widespread interest in the way that smart energy control systems, such as assessment and monitoring techniques for low carbon, nearly-zero energy and net positive buildings can contribute to a Sustainable future, for current and future generations. There is a turning point on the horizon for the supply of energy from finite resources such as natural gas and oil become less reliable in economic terms and extraction become more challenging, and more unacceptable socially, such as adverse public reaction to ‘fracking’. Thus, in 2016 these challenges are having a major influence on the design, optimisation, performance measurements, operation and preservation of: buildings, neighbourhoods, cities, regions, countries and continents. The source and nature of energy, the security of supply and the equity of distribution, the environmental impact of its supply and utilization, are all crucial matters to be addressed by suppliers, consumers, governments, industry, academia, and financial institutions. This book entitled ‘Smart Energy Control Systems for Sustainable Buildings’ contains eleven chapters written by international experts based on enhanced conference papers presented at the Sustainability and Energy in Buildings International conference series. This book will be of interest to University staff and students; and also industry practioners.